Weekly Fliers (10/22/09)

This time of year there always seems to be a reason to celebrate. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries; I always seem to be invited to something this time of year. That also stretches into things music related.

We often times see live shows as this here and then gone instance, only to exist in memory never to be relived. Pictures can burn or fade but memories can never be taken away. Such is the existence of The Knitting Factory in Los Angeles. I remember seeing my first show there. It was Badly Drawn Boy and it was an amazing performance that taught me how one live performance can elevate a CD that I previously thought as just above average to something that is landmark in my life. I'm sad to hear that The Knitting Factory is closing. Yet this is not a time to mourn it's passing but to celebrate the good times we had there and to add one last one. On October 23rd, the final Bluebeat Lounge will take place featuring The Chris Murray Combo, La Resistancia, The Debonaires, Buck O Nine, Knock Out, and many others. Should be an awesome time.

Another reason to celebrate is the birth of something for instance the release of a new album. On October 24th, Michael Naht will be releasing his debut album and throwing a record release party at the Vermont House. Michael Naht will be performing along with Voice on Tape, Halloween Swim team, Narwhal Party, and a few other bands. Should be an awesome time as usual, one I hope to be taking part in.

Well, that's all I have time for this week. A couple other ones that I want to mention in passing, Bi-Polar Bear on November 2nd, Moment Trigger at Women of Crenshaw on October 24th, Jeremy Jay and Christmas Island at Soda Bar, tonight, and also tonight Serengeti & Polyphonic with Griefshare at The Boar Cross'n. As always check with the venue for any schedule changes or cancellations.

Weekly Fliers (10/9/09)

These days, with the cooler weather and all, you'd think I'd find more and more fliers for shows. Maybe it's just me and I'm just not trying hard enough to find the fliers. Maybe that's it. Either way, I'd rather be out and about these days than behind my computer, trolling the internet for upcoming shows. I'm sure that there are dozens of shows that I missed. Forgive me. Let me get my fill of this wonderful weather and I'll be back to normal, whatever that may be.

I'll keep this short and sweet. Some shows I'd like to point out; first off is Domestic Disturbances: Part Two featuring Neon Navajo, Not the Government, AxRxM, and Wet Dreams at the Bixel House. I was supposed to go to this show but seeing as how the economy is in the crapper so is my wallet. I'm there in spirit though. Also tomorrow night in San Diego at the Soda Bar is the Blessure Grave, Trudgers, No Paws No Lions, and Secret Tones show. Family Time shows are always great lineups. Another show wherein I'll have to be at only in spirit. Why? Because I'll be at the Turkish Techno, Bonsai!, and No Naci Aqui show at J Dee's in Palm Springs. Fun times to be had for all at that show! I'd also like to mention that our good friend, Griefshare, will be performing with one of my current favorite hip hop acts right now, Polyphonic and Serengeti somewhere in San Diego on October 22nd. I don't know where exactly they'll be performing but I'm sure if you check out any of the Myspace pages for any one of the artists performing on that bill you can figure that out. Coincidentally, that show falls on the same day that Why? will be performing at the Loft at UCSD. (Sorry Dan, I've already got my tickets for Why?) And finally, I thought I'd mention this show, not because I'm a fan of their music, but because I've got word from a reputable source, the FYF Fest twitter, that at the Vampire Weekend show in Lomita, CA, there will be free KFC at that show! I'd go for the KFC even if the music is of the over-hyped variety.

That's all I've got for this week. Remember, always check with the venue for any schedule changes or cancellations. Now, I'm off to take a long walk with my dog. Take care.

Video: Foot Village - Anti-Magic

This video is a collaboration between Foot Village and Cris Cichocki. The song, Anti-Magic, is from their latest album of the same name. This video is like a whirlpool; it just sucks you in. Highly recommended to those of the ADD set. Enjoy!!!

FOOT VILLAGE "ANTI-MAGIC" from Deathbomb Arc on Vimeo.

For more Foot Village check out Footvillage.org

For more Cris Cichocki check out Cristophersea.com

Review: Blue Sabbath Black Fiji - Gemini

My blog is dedicated to the music of Southern California. Yet, I've been known to bend the rules from time to time, I usually stick to my guns. Here's the thing, when Southern California label Deathbomb Arc, run by members of the band Foot Village, offers to send you three of their upcoming releases to review, you jump at the chance. Deathbomb Arc is know for their offbeat and very experimental releases ranging from noise to ambient and everything in between, the three albums I've been given to review are that and then some. This is the first review of the three, Blue Sabbath Black Fiji's album, Gemini.

This duo from Glasgow, UK, for me, have come epitomize what noise music is capable of. Upon first listening to their album, Gemini, I thought it would be the stereotypical meandering and fiddling of knobs that I have come to accept of most noise acts. And in most cases that's all they ever seem to be; no objective, no structure, just seemingly aimless plunking away at pedals and noise generators. Don't get me wrong, I like that sort of stuff in live settings. The chaotic mashing of pedals and twisting of knobs brings me back to a place in my childhood where being as noisy as possible was an absolute joy at times. Still I do search for more substance out of my art. That's where BSBF come in.

Blue Sabbath Black Fiji are less noodling, more chaotic. The first track, "Laksa Bath", the chaos starts out as static and brilliantly blends into the background yet other elements come in to drive you mad. The track bleeds into a hum then sputters out like a robot malfunctioning. But my favorite track has to be "Sun Ra Was a Wookie". Clocking in at a lengthy 10 minutes, the song never loses steam which, for me, is an accomplishment in and of itself. Other noise bands, halfway through a track at the same length, you'd have me half asleep from boredom or have relegated my listening from really grabbing my attention to mere background noise. BSBF really has a grasp at making noise enjoyable. This song is , dare I say it, almost danceable.

Good noise bands, to me, are few and far between. Overall, Gemini is a great CD and a perfect introduction for anyone looking to delve into the noise genre. More than the meandering mess of most noise bands. Blue Sabbath Black Fiji is definitely in that small group.

Blue Sabbath Black Fiji - Gemini
Available through Deathbomb Arc

Artist of the Week: Grrrips

These days lo-fi is a big deal. Wavves, Vivian Girls, Crocodiles; if you're recordings are lo fidelity and your songs are reticent of surf, noise, goth, new wave, or some combination of the four you'll probably get noticed to a certain degree. As I've stated before I am not against this tide of lo fi bands getting their due. I'm a fan of a lot these bands. My only gripe about this trend is that it's a trend. It's style over substance. This will eventually die out and only the ones whose music really stood first and foremost before the style will be left standing. Bands like Deep Sht and this weeks artist, Grrrips.

Grrrips version of lo fi is more calculated than a lack of recording means. When Ryan Seymour performs his music live his recordings make more sense. With other bands its usually the other way around. Utilizing a contact mic inside a breathing mask, his haunted howling of vocals convey a gothic tendency while underneath it all the guitar, acoustic mind you, is sonically hypnotizing all the while maintaining a pop sensibility that carries the songs from beginning to end.

Currently he's working on more material for Grrrips as well as a new project with good friend Cris Cichocki called State Recreation.

Check out his music at myspace.com/grrrips

Weekly Fliers (10/1/09)

We all want to find our way in life. We lose our way sometimes. But that bond to what we want out of our lives should be strong enough to pull you back to where you need to be. Unfortunately we lose hope sometimes. It's problem we all face, it's only human. Yet hope is never truly lost. Real hope can be found in the smallest things, the littlest of gestures, the tiniest of events, the quietest of spoken words. I've always had a strong bond to music. I truly feel that music has been my saving grace. Ever heard of the song "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life"? I've never listened to the original by Indeep but there was a band called 90 Day Men who used that same title for one of their songs and the video for the songs is a montage of people showing off their favorite albums.

You're never stuck. It may not be a DJ that saves your life. You may not even feel like your life needs any saving. Yet we all do need something that can lift our spirits. One show that I'm excited about is the upcoming show the Crocodiles, Dum Dum Girls, Best Coast, and Pearl Harbor show on October 2nd at the Che Cafe in San Diego. I've been waiting to see the live incarnation of Dum Dum Girls ever since I first found out about them a few months ago and made them my first artist of the week. Another show that I'm excited for is the 2nd annual Longhair Illuminati Festival in Pamona featuring Mother Hips, Abe Vigoda, Moonrats, and Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound. I've said time and time again, if you have the opportunity, don't miss out on seeing Jesus Makes the Shotgun Sound. They are one of the best bands around. Period.

That's all for this week. I'll try to be a little less sporadic with my updates. Take care and remember to check with venue for any schedule changes or cancellations.