The Rondelles – Rediscover Fire (Live)
As noted in the pre-Teen Beat showcase show as featured on TSOI, The Rondelles were one of the big surprise treats for me. These cats beat Best Coast to the punky '60s girl-group styled paeans to boys, romance, and fast cars by a solid decade. (More...)
Bossanova – It’s You They Want (Live)
Since bands are hyped-up so early these days it is always shocking to discover a fully-formed band that has been around awhile without having to suffer through its awkward proto-band stage. Halfway through the set of Bossanova I couldn't help thinking, where on earth did these guys come from and why have they not crossed my radar at least once? (More...)
Cotton Candy – Jingles + Fanci Pantz (Live)
I was no fool and thereby made a point to show up to the Teen Beat showcase frightfully early as to not miss Mark Robinson and Evelyn Hurly's project Cotton Candy. The original material of Cotton Candy is great as one would expect if you are familiar with Mark's other bands (Unrest, Air Miami, Flin Flon, etc..) (More...)
Aluminum Group – Love Action (I Believe In Love)
Yesterday was the legendary decision that California's Prop 8 ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. People here in Los Angeles are celebrating it in different ways. Some are going to parades, some are eating vegetables longer than 2". I decided to do the most gay thing I could think of, listen to the entire Aluminum Group discography. (More...)
Reverend Horton Heat – I’m Mad, It’s Martini Time (Live)
Reverend Horton Heat came out and played a blistering 2 hour set covering a song or two from all their albums (except for 2000′s overlooked ”Spend a Night in the Box”). I was especially stoked to hear rarely played gems “I’m Mad” and “Love Whip.” The sparse crowd on this night did little to dampen the intensity (More...)
The Monday Set: Bear In Heaven – Los Angeles – 7/27/10
Bear In Heaven came through Los Angeles last March with Cymbals Eat Guitars but I greatly underestimated the popularity of the two groups and the show ended up selling out before I bought tickets. Determined to not make the same mistake again, I purchased tickets to last week's Bear In Heaven show far in advance. That proved to be a good call (More...)
Alex Winston – Choice Notes
I have a soft spot for anything that's '60s pop or soul and sung by a female. This amazing track by Alex Winston sounds like it could have come out on any of the many Motown-influenced labels back in the day. She captures the exact flavor of '60s soul but with an updated sound. (More...)
Morrissey – Every Day Is Like Sunday (Live Video)
I generally don't think of the words "Morrissey" and "banjo" in the same sentence, but that all changed when I saw this clip. I didn't see him on the tour for You Are the Quarry, so I don't know if it was commonplace for him to perform with, or sans, banjo (More...)
Best Coast – That’s The Way Boys Are (Live)
Best Coast put out an EP last year, which, is becoming the standard somewhat low-commitment way for an indie-band to generate some buzz and to shop around for a label deal. The Make You Mine EP features 60's style girl-band type songs drenched in shoe-gazer guitar feedback - chocolate and peanut butter to me. (More...)
Neon Indian – Should’ve Taken Acid With You, 6699 (Live)
Neon Indian is a bit of a darling of the Pitchfork set, with their album "Psychic Chasms" making several end-of-the-year best of lists in 2009. I must confess that I was never totally enamored with Neon Indian's recorded output. After seeing the band live however, I have been forced to re-think my original assessment. (More...)
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