A Movie Review: Inception

Inception. I’ve waited a bit before writing this review so my memory is a bit tainted by that. I found this to be a wonderfully inventive film. I was intrigued the whole time. I will admit I’m not sure that everything works out in the film in a logical way, but I've worked out some of my questions -- I think. I guess my issue in terms of logic is rather or not all the “kicks” and dream layers work together. I’m sure if I watch the movie a second time I’ll get a better feel for that. What I appreciated about the movie was the fact that they constantly reminded you of where you were at in the movie. It was over-bearing. It was just quick sentences that just helped you position yourself in the movie. The ending does leave some questions open. My opinion is that the ending is put there as a fun little teaser. See linked Yahoo article for more detail on that.

And an article about a possible generational reaction divide over at the LA Times.

Stab City and The Mo-odds at Casey's

It was off to Casey's to catch Stab City and The Mo-odds. Yes, it was the second night in the row for me to see Stab City. It seemed to me that they played a half set. Perhaps the night got off to a later than expected star. The Mo-odds did a full set. They were rocking crazy like always. They also announced that their upcoming secret U-haul show is around the corner.


Stab City









The Mo-odds

Silversun Pickup, Against Me! and The Henry Clay People at the Greek Theater

It was off to the Greek Theater to catch The Henry Clay People, Against Me! and Silversun Pickup.

I don't have any pictures in this blog. I wasn't sure about the camera policy at the Greek. And since my friend and I were walking in, I didn't exactly want to get turned away at the gate and having to trudge all the way back to my car. That would have been an hour round trip walk.

My friend and I arrived on time (based on our expectations), but we only got to see half of The Henry Clay People. We were under the impression that everything started at 7:30 p.m. It appears that they started their set at 7:15 p.m. Oh well.

Against Me! was energizing to watch. They played their hit song "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" towards the middle of their set.

The main act was obviously Silversun Pickup. As soon as they got on stage, half the crowd got up from their seats. Most folks stood for their whole concert. I found their whole set very thrilling. Noticed via the large screens that Nikki Monninger was wearing red shoes, the movie 'Wizard of Oz' popped into my head. After their encores, Brian Aubert had a little fun, slowly crawling his way into the back of the stage.

If you're interested in their setlist, here's a link I found

My friend and I noticed a young lady sitting by herself. She kept on trying to get a signal for her cell phone and would occasionally disappear. We came up with a story for her. Her friend and/or date was working late. It was suggested that she just go one ahead, perhaps she wanted to see Against Me!. Her friend had to work later than expected. She, a very attractive woman, was left on her own accord. This was the last time she was ever planning on attending a concert with this specific friend.

Hollywood Forever: Airplane!

It was off to Hollywood Forever to catch Airplane!. My friends arrived at 5:30 p.m. I arrived at around 7 p.m. The area outside Hollywood Forever was packed for this Cinespia movie night. One thing I didn't know before: if you ride a bike, motorcycle or even roller blades, you're able to get in quickly because there is a separate line. It is a thought for folks in groups. One person can ride in and hopefully get a good space.

They brought out the actual cockpit prop for the movie. Rather cool.

Walking Sleep at Pershing Square Photos

Some photos of Walking Sleep at Pershing Square. This night will eventually make it over to Intraffik.com.

Vanaprasta, Kissing Cousins and Summer Darling at Spaceland

It was off to Spaceland to catch Vanaprasta, Kissing Cousins and the final residency night of Summer Darling.

I wish I had gone earlier in the month. Summer Darling tore it up. First up was Vanaprasta, a band I first saw at Club Moscow. They were just as active at Spaceland as they were at Club Moscow. One of the guys sent a microphone stand flying into the crowd. As it was tipping over, someone grabbed it. I believe the microphone was recording the night so there is perhaps five seconds of ruined recording there.

Kissing Cousins was next. The bassist was off from the main stage and away from the spotlights and so at one point she said to the lead singer, "I can't see you."

Comment: Jump on that silver peddle, it is buzzing weird.

It was an interesting transition from Vanaprasta to Kissing Cousins. They both rock hard, but their stage presence is totally different with Vanaprasta being very active on stage while Kissing Cousins providing an understated stage presence to their rock sound.

Summer Darling closed out the night for me. The drummer started the night off and then the rest of the band entered the stage. Their set finished way to quickly and the audience demanded one more song. It was provided. And this time, the band started with the drummer hanging back for awhile before coming on stage to help finish off the encore.

Vanaprasta









Kissing Cousins













Summer Darling

Queen Kwong, Spider Problem and Stab City at Grand Star

It was off to the Grand Star to see Queen Kwong, Spider Problem and Stab City. This was my first time ever to the Grand Star in Chinatown.

Comment: I've never felt so Chinese, I guess.

Queen Kwong was up first. So I was reading Queen Kwong's blog or rather Carré Callaway's blog. There was a question that was asked: How do you feel about having a large fan based composed of men with foot fetishes? She has an answer, but my answer is: I'm a guy and I find her attractive, but I don't have a foot fetish -- at least, I don't believe I have one, maybe it is a latent thing.

Noticed: A set list on an itemized restaurant receipt.

I feel like doing a little comparing and contrasting between Spider Problem and Queen Kwong, perhaps because both bands have female lead singers. I ran across Spider Problem for the first time in October 07 over at El Cid. I saw Queen Kwong for the first time in May 08 at Silverlake Lounge. I've seen Spider Problem way too many times to try and count while I've seen Queen Kwong five times (maybe once more, but I'm holding at five): Silverlake Lounge, Echo Curio, Spaceland, The Echo and Grand Star.

There are some major contrasting points between the two singers. At Grand Star, both spent part of their set on the floor of the stage, but Carré was sitting on the ground jamming on her guitar while Shayne was sprawled across the stage after jumping on one of her band mates. I noticed how both dealt with their microphone stands. Carré moved her stand around so that it fit with how she was working the stage. For Shayne, within thirty seconds, her microphone stand was tossed to the side -- I do love that about her. Shayne is the bumper car derby girl while Carré is the rocker chick with Audrey Hepburn grace. They have different styles, but they both front great bands.

And hey, Queen Kwong has a fun blog. And as for Spider Problem, what happened to their blogging. I loved reading their blog.

The Spider Problem drummer loves to pour water on herself.

I haven't forgotten Stab City in all of this. This band just gets you going. There was a whole line of women creating their own mosh pit for half their set. I captured a few photos of the drummer. This drummer goes right up there with the drummer from Prizzy Prizzy Please as being an act all on his own. He doesn't just sit at his drum set. He roams around his drum set, banging away at it from any angle he pleases. Hey, I'm a guy who likes Queen Kwong, but I'm also a guy who can like a band like Stab City.

Comment: I am far too sober. It is a sad state of affairs.

The sober comment was soon rectified when three drinks were brought to the feet of Stab City's lead singer.

Queen Kwong









Spider Problem











Stab City

The Rob Z Project and Pu$$y Cow at El Cid

A Rob Z night at El Cid. Pu$$y Cow had one of their better sets. They just seemed really energized that night. Maybe it had something to do with Joe, their lead singer, wearing shorts. He sure did work the stage. Or maybe it had to do with their name change, Pu$$y Bacon. Bacon was the theme of the night. Whatever the reason, I wanted more, not less.

Rob Z Lounge Project









Pu$$y Cow









Rob Z Lounge Project