Little.Boots.(L!VE)...

Little.Boots.2013
@the.Echoplex.(Los Angeles, CA)
Thursday.May.2nd

The first band, Feathers where okay.  I liked the beat and sound of the band, but I was not digging the singer.  I couldn't  make out what she was singing and didn't have much of a stage presence.  

The next band, Avan Lava was Wham! meets C+C Music Factory.  They got the crowd going and I have never heard of them.  I was trying to make out if the lead singer was gay or not.  So hard these days and they where putting there...ALL. It was a show with confetti cannons going off into the crowd and a flash of titi here in there.  Yup, one of the dancers was flashing us.  She tried to fix it but gave up, just like the tape that was covering her nipples.

Little.Boots was up next and she toned down her look.  She grew out her hair and she reminded me of Goldfrapp.  I was missing that funky look.  The sad part of this show, there where a couple of technical problems.  Her mic was not working and when it did, the piece that connected to the mic (the wire) would fall off.  It happened twice and she caught the last one just in time. Victoria Christina Hesketh (Little.Boots real name) kept her cool while the tech guy ran around like a chicken with his head cut off trying to fix her mic.  

Once the mic was fixed, she would walk around, but...the cord was too short.  Little.Boots kept her cool and she didn't stop the show, she just kept on going, but she did apologize and didn't blame anyone.  I like that.  

The show was great and she played a bunch of new songs that sounded very promising, can't wait. Besides the Tenori-on not working as well and other techie problems, Little.Boots pulled out a GOOD show. 

\m/ - ROCK ON!

Shiny.Toy.Guns w/MNDR (L!VE)...

Shiny.Toy.Guns.2012

@the.EchoPlex (L.A., CA)

Tuesday.October.23rd

KROQ nite at the plex.  Weird.  What is KROQ now?  I stopped listening to that station in 92.  Sometimes I'll sneak a peak to hear what they are playing and it's still...CRAP!   

Long line to get in, but it moved quickly.  Once inside, the place was packed.  I have no idea if this is sold out.  Never mind, yes it was.

MNDR...K!LLED !T, but the crowd was...D.E.A.D.   Amanda Warner (Lead Singer) was pumping them up and it worked, but just for a small while.  I loved her 80's Hip-Hop dance moves that she was doing.  It reminded me of Salt-n-Pepa "Push It" video.  Even though it was a solo performance, MNDR was giving it her all and I loved it.  She had my attention from the start.  I  wondered  if Madonna got her initials from her new album from Amanda?

Shiny.Toy.Guns. played a twenty song set that was pretty good.  They played some cover songs (Depeche Mode "Stripped" of course) and new stuff from the new album that came out today, titled, III (do you think they got the idea from Crystal Castles?).

They played "Le Disko" towards the middle of the show and closed it with two of my favorite songs, "Fading Listening" (I really LOVE that Fleetwood Mac sounding song) and "You Are the One". Perfect!  What a way to end this night.

Besides, Carah Faye Charnow (Lead Singer) throwing her mic on the ground really hard (SO PUNK ROCK) for not working during the opening song, this was, pretty...


\m/ - AWESUM!

Culture.Collide.(Day.3)...

Culture.Collide.(Day.3).2012

@TIAX.(Los Angeles, CA)

Satday.October.6th

I am back to TIAX and I haven't been once to The Echo or The Echoplex for this festival.  I wonder why some of these artist where put at TIAX?  You would think they would be at those other two places.  

Wow, sleep is catching up to me and I have this strange feeling that this night is going to be long and it sure was.  FCVK!

 Niki and the Dove went on late and once again (I think this building is cursed) they had technical problems.  I could of gone to see Icona Pop.  They went on around 11pm and Niki at 11:30pm, so I was nervous that  I wouldn't get a good space because this event is by first come first serve bases.  When the last band went on, the crowd left.  There wasn't that many people for Niki, until twenty minutes later, it got packed.  They went on around midnight and they FCVKn killed it!

Malin Dahlström (Lead Singer) was giving us some 80's Janet Jackson, "Nasty" video moves.  I loved it.  What I really liked, was the guy across from me singing.  He was singing his heart out to every note and he was...STRAIGHT!  What!?!?!? That poor girl.  She is in a big surprise. 

Wow, look at the time, 12:45am.  $H!T, but it was worth it.

\m/ - K!CK A$$!!!

Culture.Collide.(Day.1).2012

Couture.Collide.(Day.1).2012

@TIAX.(Los Angeles, CA)

Thursday.October.4th

I pulled up to the parking lot and I see kids sitting on the parking lot floor wearing scarfs and beanies.  Really?!?!  Funny.  I know that the weather cooled down a bit, but not that drastic that we need to bundle up.  Even when I walked in to TIAX, some people had jackets.  It's only 70 degrees, people.  

This is my first time in TIAX (French Restaurant).  It's a nice place.  There where two places for music, the Lounge and the Champagne Room.  The bands I wanted to see where at the Champagne room.  It was perfect, small and up front.  The only problem, was the sound.  It was trapped in the room and you needed earplugs.  I decided to stand up front, on the side of the stage, behind the speakers.  It worked, but it was a little hard to hear the band.  

I was not big on Of Verona (second band).  To clean for my taste.  Now...lets talk about  Blood Red Shoes (K!CK A$$!!!).  After the third song...BLACKOUT!  Yup, they where so loud that the room went dark.  AWESUM!!!!  You see the techie guys going bananas to fix the problem.  Less then ten minutes, they got the lights on and Blood Red Shoes went on like nothing happened.    They got the crowd going and I was surprised that no one started a mosh pit or something stupid.  I looked around and noticed The Champagne  Room was packed.  Photographers where all over the place blocking fan views just to get a good shot of the band.  I was surprised that no one complained.  The crowd was well behaved and I noticed that this was not your typical hip kid kind of crowd.  It was more, music industry type people in here.

The room cleared after Blood Red Shoes.  I stuck around for Tribes.  When Tribes went on, they had problems with there equipment.  Once again, the techie guys where scrambling like crazy trying to fix it and sure enough, they did.  These guys are really good and I bet they are not getting paid well.  Tribes went on without anymore interruptions and they where good, BUT...Blood Red Shoes stoled the night.   

After there set, I met up with my friends and took pictures for them with the bands.  The one that was kind of a dick was, Johnny Lloyd (Lead Singer).  When I was about to snap the pic, Johnny was making faces as if he really didn't want to, but had to, just to make my friend happy.  He rolled his eyes and jerked his head.  I felt like saying, "you know what,forget about".  When I toke it, he had this face that said it all.  JERK!

\m/ - AWESUM...for BRS's!

Django.Django.(L!VE).....

Django.Django.2012

@the.Echo.(Los Angeles, CA)

Wednesday.September.26th

On the recent Spin Magazine, Django Django was on the band to look out for list and they where right.   Not what I expected.  They kicked...A$$! 

When I arrived to the Echo, long line to get inside and once in, the place was packed.  This is what I don't get,  Breton is an amazing band and the attendance to that show was low.  This is the first time Django Django is performing in Los Angeles at the Echo and its SOLD OUT!  Maybe, Breton needs to be in Spin Magazine.

I missed the first band, but the  second band had a Children of The Corn theme going on.  They had corn stock as pros on stage.  The girl on the keyboards wore a hood that made her look like a Warlock.  Just off the bat,  I figured this band was going to be this Shoe-gazer Goth band.  Just because of the set up they had and sure enough, I was right.  But, I was not digging the music.  Couldn't make out what the singer was singing and he kicked off his shoes after the third song.   Make yourself at home, buddy.

Django Django was up next and they blew me away.  I didn't know they where gonna be this...GREAT.  I don't like to compare bands, but they reminded me of Hot Chip.  They came out dressing the same, but each member had a different tie-die design on their shirts.   

When I downloaded their self-titled debut album,  I was not to crazy about it.  Watching them live, made me go and listen to the album again.  They had great chemistry on stage and they where having fun.  Django Django, had all kinds of musical instruments on stage that you would think they would program into there computer.  I kind of loved that and so did the crowd.  The audience where with then from start to finish.  Some where dancing and some where bopping there heads.  The crowd stuck around after they ended their set wanting more and sure enough, they never came back out.  Perfect!

\m/ -  AWESUM!!!

Ladyhawke.(L!VE).2012

Ladyhawke.2012

@the.EchoPlex.(Los Angeles, CA)

Monday.September.24th

What a crazy day today.  Went to the taping of Fashion Police Emmy's Episode and Joan Rivers was awesome.  Such a warm, funny and friendly celebrity.  If you ever get a chance, get tickets to the show, it's a ride.  

Today's show was scheduled for Tuesday.  No idea why it was moved, but I can rest tomorrow and catch up on some TV shows.  

It's 9:30pm and the crowd is a little light tonight.  It's not a sold out (which I thought it would be) show.  Have people scratched  her off?  I listened to her new album and I was not to crazy about it.  It didn't have that catchy fun energy from the last album.  This sounds to serious, but lets see what she pulls out tonight.  

American Royalty was the opening band and had some technical problems that got sorted out.  I was not really into them.  They started to loss me after the fourth song.  Then they picked it up in the middle that got some people's attention.  The guy behind me was singing to almost every song that they performed.  Some girls in the back asked them to take off their shirts.  They didn't and they just ignored the shot out.  

Ladyhawke went on and she rocked it out.  Just looking at Phillipa Brown (Ladyhawke), you can tell she is a very very shy person, but very well mannered.  She was kind and very sweet to us...AND she might move to Los Angeles.  Ms. Brown told us that she loved are town and is looking to make this her new home.  How cool.  

I was standing right in front of the stage and noticed a couple of tech guys running around crazily.  I  noticed that they where trying to fix some of the stage lights and they never succeeded. Sux.

The guy behind me was making me laugh inside because he was singing along with her and very loud too.  What a sweet soul.  There where times that he hit some high notes.  Sir, it's not your show, let's keep it down.  I was really surprised that he knew that Jefferson Airplane song that they covered.  Right on.  

Now that I saw Ladyhawke up in front instead of a balcony 5 years ago in New York City, I want to see her again with her signature lite up Christmas microphone.

\m/ - N!CE.

BRETON.(L!VE) @the.Echo...

Breton.2012

@the.Echo.(Los Angeles, CA)

Tuesday.September.18th

Ahhhhhhh...YEA!  They are back and it looks less crowded from the last time they where here.  No bueño. 

Missed the first band, but I caught the second, Mathewdavid and what a trip he was.  First, I thought he was gay because of the way he was dancing on stage.  Not only that, he decided to kick it on the steps and sing to us while half of his body was laying on the floor.  I really don't like to rag on bands, but he was horrible.  I know it takes guts to be on stage to perform, but come on. He had great beats, but once he opened his mouth, it was...bad.  Yes, he surprised me too when I saw him kissing and hugging his lady friend after his performance.  Literally, I thought he was gay.  Once again, I have been bamboozled.  

The third artist is signed to Ghostly International and he was good.  Forgot his name (BAD ME).  He had these two huge white balloons that projected images on them and ocassionally  change color.  I noticed that Mathewdavid just stuck around for two songs and left.  Hey, we stuck around for your performance, mister.

The night gets interesting, I happened to glance over to this Mexican guy (or someother Latin descent) asking every girls to dance.   He was turned down by everyone of them and was later escorted out by security.  Funny.

The crowd was still light, but it didn't stop Breton from throwing another amazing show.  They sounded tighter and better from the last time I saw them here, four months ago.  They cool visuals and the energy of the band was.....AWESUM!!!  They added a new member and he took over the synthesizers.  The new guy reminded me of Oscar Cash (of Metronomy) because of the way he moved when he performed behind the keyboard. 

If you have not heard or seen Breton yet, you have too.  They KICK!NG A$$ and throw down a killer show.  

\m/ - AWESUM! 

TRUST.(L!VE).@the.Echo.2012

TRUST.2012

@the.Echo (Los Angeles, CA)

Tuesday.September.11th

I think personally, they should make this a day a holiday and in other news, I just can't believe two GREAT bands came out today (The Presets and The xx).  But to today is the day to remember and never forget.    

I wanted into the venue and they where playing Everything but the Girl!!!   Ahhhhhhhhhh.  It's a SOLD OUT show tonight!!!  Who new.  Right On!!!

I missed the opening act, but the second band sounded a bit like DFA1974.  They where good.  DZ DeathRays was the name and they where a wild bunch.  Check them out.  

I am looking into the crowd and its very young.  It feels great to correct a young girl that the song that is playing is not Erasure, it's New Order.  She challenged me for the name of the song and the album it's in.  I absolutely had a brain fart on both questions, but I described her the album by saying, "it's the one with all the flowers on the album" (Power, Corruption, Lies).  She was like, "of course".  DAM!!!  

TRUST went on and of course they killed it!  Robert Alfons (Lead Singer) is always entertaining to watch.   He was bouncing and moving around so much that,  I was starting to question if he was actually singing or lip syncing?   You never heard him catch his breath or make a sign, I am just saying.  I was also trying to figure out what he was wearing.  It looked like beige sweat pants and a black mesh top.  Okay.

Beside the kids trying to start a mosh pit...really?!  This is not hard core $H!T, kids.  I was missing the live drums.  Bring them back!

\m/ - K!CK A$$!!

Totally.Enormous.Extinct.Dinosaurs.2012

@the.exhoplex.(Los Angeles, CA)

Thursday.Aug.9th

From the parking lot,  it didn't look that busy, but once inside, it was.  And very entertaining too.  There was a girl with a light up tu tu, a  40 something man with a mohawk wearing a  small tight vest that he might of taken out from his storage  and two kids dressed in dinosaur outfits.  Are they not, hot?!?!  Jesus.  

The first two DJ's where good.  I saw my friend Zowie up in the front.  I went up to her and hung out.  We always happen to pick the same spots to watch the shows.  

T.E.E.D. (what the kids call him now) has improved his dinosaur outfit.   The last time I saw him was at  HARD at the Nokia Theatre.  He opened up for Simian Mobile Disco.  Of course, I was standing at the sidelines of the theatre.  I only caught the last ten minutes of his show because of the fabulous security system they have their.  It looked like T.E.E.D. was wearing dinosaur pajamas from where I was standing.  It was cute.  It had a little tail and those fins on the back.  This time around, his dino suit was very nicely tailored and looks expensive too.  It had a nice tone color (greenish/blue) and I really dig his necklace that he had on.  Very nice. You go Orlando!  

Orlando Higginbotton (T.E.E.D.) didn't need any special lights or visual images to keep me interested or the crowd tonight (which was well behaved).  I was pulled in from the moment he hit the stage and played the first song.  He had a great voice and Orlando mixed the music very nicely.  He played the latest tunes from his debut album, "Trouble" (album cover is...AWESUM!).  If you haven't picked his latest album, you must.  It's my summer album.  It has "Garden" (song was on my top 2010 list), such a beautiful song and he did a great job with it tonight.  Watch out for him because this dinosaur is NOT going to be extinct anytime soon. 

\m/ - AWESUM!