Three Days of Music: Chinatown Summer Nights, Happy Sundays Long Beach, The Echo

It was a jammed packed three days of straight awesome music.

It all started on a Saturday in Chinatown for the final Chinatown Summer Nights of 2018.

Emma Cole with Lauren Ruth Ward

Opening up was Emma Cole who had some wonderful cameos, which included Lauren Ruth Ward. Jane Holiday followed up. When I looked at the schedule, I had no clue who he was. Then when he went up on stage, I recognized him. He used to go simply by Jane when I caught his set at The Hi Hat in early 2018. mini bear was up next. That band will get you dancing. Jasper Bones had the crowd packed in and swooning to his vocals. CLARA-NOVA gave us some French inspired pop while I got fascinated with her drum stick.

Then on Sunday I took a long trip down to Long Beach. I don't go to Long Beach all that often. The inspiration for heading off on this day was that a number of bands that I follow were playing a music festival called Happy Sunday: Spare Parts for Broken Hearts, Ramonda Hammer, The Paranoyds, Holy Wars, Draemings, and Death Valley Girls.

Those weren't the only bands I saw though. I also caught DCHAV, No Tides, The No. 44 and The Shrine.

Best memory was when The No. 44 ended their set at Iguana Kelleys. The Paranoyds were up next and weren't anywhere to be seen. One of the individuals running things went to the microphone, "If The Paranoyds are around, you can set up now." The stage remained void of The Paranoyds. Next, the person went up to someone in the audience and I could hear him ask, "Do you see The Paranoyds anywhere? Do you know what they look like?" Well, shortly after that, they walked in, set up, and basically started on time.

The Paranoyds

Another memory has to deal with Death Valley Girls. It was either the first or second song and the lead singer broke a string on her guitar. The look on her face was priceless. The bassist on this night just happened to be the bassist for Cat Scan.

I also happened to take a walk down to the Long Beach Playhouse to see a photo exhibit of Emery Becker's photography. He was a Los Angeles photographer who died in a highway accident earlier this year. It was a very moving tribute to his work. The photos were amazing.

To close out the three day stint, it was off to The Echo to catch the final Slugs residency night. The night had, in order, Egg Drop Soup, Rumblepak, Nicky Blitz, Slugs, and Turtles on Speed. I was eager to catch Egg Drop Soup as a photographer I know did a photo shoot for them. They were a fun band. I had previously interviewed Rumblepak and Turtles on Speed. Nicky Blitz got hot while wearing his a sport's jacket. It was a fun final night to catch Slugs. They were doing a team sports night. Jerseys were in and Lauren Ruth Ward did some on stage cheerleading.

Slugs

Interestingly, the three nights was a nice way to catch full sets of bands that I wasn't able to catch during Echo Park Rising. That includes Emma Cole, mini bear, Spare Parts for Broken Hearts and The Paranoyds. I won't mention Ramonda Hammer as I essentially caught 95% of their Echo Park Rising set.

Bootleg Theater: Cones residency

It was a chill night at the Bootleg Theater the day after Echo Park Rising.

Very Nice Massage opening things up. They're a two member band from New York.

Very Nice Massage

Malcolm Oliver Perkins was appreciative of the audience.

Malcolm Oliver Perkins

Cones had some sibling discussions. When one mentioned that he was going reverse Bob Dylan, the other explained the reference.

Cones

Sonoda brought some Asian sounds to close out the night.

Sonoda

Gabriel Delicious at The Hi Hat

Due to long hours at work, seeing Gabriel Delicious would be my last set until Echo Park Rising 1.5 weeks later. There was a full night of music, but I was only able to catch this final set. It was totally worth catching his set to start my Los Angeles music scene hibernation. His vocals were touching and poetic.

The Echo: YIP YOPS with Trapdoor Social, JR Slayer and Pet Fangs

Interestingly, I saw the YIP YOPS about one year prior at Chinatown Summer Nights. They had previously played Coachella. And now they were getting their residency night at The Echo. This band will have you thinking about the sounds that played on Los Angeles rock stations in the 1980s.

What did I notice: lead singer Ison is very energetic on stage. I knew this from seeing their set at Chinatown Summer Nights. Well, from the previous set the floor was left wet by a beer cup that had tipped over. He played a couple songs on the wet floor before someone finally came over with a towel. During those first few moments, my mind kept thinking, "No no no, sprained ankle is coming."

YIP YOPS

Trapdoor Social closed out the night. I have to say, I don't normally stay for the midnight band, but this was Trapdoor Social. The guys behind Sunstock Music Festival. Not only do they put on a great festival, but their music is melodically beautiful.

Trapdoor Social

JR Slayer and Pet Fangs opened up the night. JR Slayer gave us some good solid rock. Pet Fangs, being from Louisiana, gave us some southern influenced rock.

JR Slayer

Pet Fangs

Bootleg Theater: Coco Columbia, The Anti-Job, Rosie Tucker

Coco Columbia has a unique style that feels so Portland, where she is from. She's a songstress with vocals that are perhaps an octave higher than her speaking voice. And then there is her hair/wig -- long blond hair with butterflies.

Coco Columbia

The Anti-Job bring the 70s psychedelic pop. It was their EP release and their friends filled the venue.

Band comment and audience response goes to them. Band: This next song is called "Modern Art." Audience response: I will.

The Anti-Job

Rosie Tucker closed out the night. She also happens to be in the band Gypsum. In fact, two members of Gypsum were backing her. Currently, I've seen Gypsum plus two other projects by the band members. How many other projects are out there by this talented group of musicians?

Rosie Tucker

Silverlake Lounge: Polymorph and EDGARD

It was off the Silverlake Lounge after a few months absense. Polymorph and EDGARD were the bands I caught. Both are in the rock/blues arena.

Polymorph will let the music ride, going off on improvisation riffs.

Polymorph

EDGARD meanwhile brings in a little more jazz to his sound. For 30 minutes, Silverlake Lounge turned into a jazz-blues bar.

EDGARD

The Smell: Potty Mouth and Total Heat

This was a night I had circled on my calendar. I love catching Potty Mouth. Their punk music hooks you in and keeps you energized. This was my fourth time seeing them. I've also listened to their music about as much as any other local band. I never tire of them.

Potty Mouth

Total Heat opened with some velvet sounds from their lead drummer/singer.

Total Heat

Bootleg Theater: Johanna Samuels with Sofia Wolfson and LIA

Sofia Wolfson opened the night with songs about love and breakups.

Quote of the night 1: This is a song about when you breakup with someone and you think you're over it until you see them do something on social media.

Quote of the night 2: This is a song about how men suck. (Of course, this was said with the backdrop of an all male backing band.)

Sofia Wolfson

LIA came on next with a sound that at times reminded me of Alanis Morissette. There was one moment that thrilled her. Before one song, she started waving her arms back and forth above her head. The audience followed along and after the song she yelled out, "F*ck yeah, crowd participation. I was kind of just kidding."

LIA

Johanna Samuels was in her second residency night. And this was actually my second time seeing her. Her set had a tender side to it. And a whole lot of giggling between songs.

Johanna Samuels

Stories Books & Cafe: Mara Connor

Mara Connor. I happen to run across Mara Connor about every 6 months or so. It is always a joy. I love her voice. I love the simplicity of her music style. On this night, it was spent at Stories Books and Cafe in Echo Park. There's an open area in the rear of the bookstore that is used for such events. We were in the tail end of a 100 degree plus heatwave. It was hot, but there were a number of familiar faces in the audience and it was fun having conversations as well as listening to a talented musician.

Zebulon: The Entire Universe with Local Hero and BOYTOY

It was time well spent at Zebulon on a recent Saturday night. First, it was free. Second, I got to catch up with Local Hero/Andy Clockwise and The Entire Universe as well as see BOYTOY for the first time.

First up was Local Hero (aka Andy Clockwise). I've followed Andy Clockwise for years. He is a high energy performer and very music focused. So music focused that he screamed a couple times at the sound guy when the sound wasn't up to snuff. By the end of the set, sweat glistened across his face.

Andy Clockwise

BOYTOY is a band from New York. Their bassist was feeling ill so the bassist from Cat Scan stepped in. This confused some folks. One person tapped me on the shoulder and asked if Cat Scan was playing the night instead of BOYTOY. They're a psychedelic band with a drummer that has too much fun and their fashion sense reminds you of how folks dressed while drinking at an Old West Saloon.

BOYTOY

Comment of the night via BOYTOY regarding Local Hero: They play their songs backwards and have sex while doing so.

I first saw The Entire Universe at the Echoplex earlier this year. It was fun catching up with this band that has disco style fashion sense alongside their 70s influenced style.

The Entire Universe

Jim Wilson and Rocco DeLuca at Zebulon

I wanted to catch Rocco DeLuca at Zebulon. I decided to show up at around 9:45 p.m. even though it was mentioned that the music would start at 9 p.m. Why? Well, the previous time I headed off to Zebulon, it was mentioned that the music would start at 9 p.m., but the first band didn't go on until 10 p.m. And would you know it, I probably missed half of Rocco DeLuca's set. What I did catch was a minimalist sound, almost passive. It was beautiful. I was kicking myself for not coming earlier.

Rocco DeLuca

Jim Wilson was the headliner. His set went through three phases. First were a couple songs in a singer-songwriter mode. Then he hit some rock notes. Then he went for soul. It was a jamming time.

What I noticed: Jim Wilson's set almost ended before it began. Rocco DeLeuca asked Jim to join him on stage for a song. After the song, Jim headed off stage and tripped while stepping off. Close call.

Jim Wilson

Zebulon: The Big Pink with Marc Baker and Black Paw

One know it will be a good night of music when The Big Pink is anchoring the night.

Opening up was Marc Baker with some suave styling looks and music. And he swung that microphone like an expert.

Marc Baker

This was my second time seeing Black Paw. The lights were low for his rock driven music.

Black Paw

The Big Pink had Zebulon packed in. I just love this band. Bright lights. Thrilling sounds.

The Big Pink

The Echo: Livingmore with Cape Weather and Nightgown

It was Livingmore's record release party and I, of course, had to be there.

Opening up was Cape Weather with some soft psychedelic tunes.

Cape Weather

Nightgown sped things up with lead singer Laurel's animated on stage presence. 

Nightgown

Then Livingmore hit the stage, looking fabulous and ready to get the crowd swooning. By the end of the set, sweat was left behind.

Livingmore