Rock Insider

FRIDAY = MP-FREEDAY

2008-09-05T17:44:00.001-07:00

Britney Spears is set to open up the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. Courtesy of MTV.com

Happy Friday Everyone! The work week is almost and you know what that means!!! Eating Taco Bell in the laundromat parking lot and watching 6 hours straight of CSI! WOHOOO!

In the spirit of giving on this glorious Pre-VMA Weekend I felt the need to hook y'all up with some more new music you should be adding to your ipod so you can show your friends how cool you are at parties. It's all of the electro-jangly-indie-rock-ambient-afro beat punk-OK really whatever-I-felt-like-posting variety.

ENJOY!!!!

[MP3] Of Montreal - Nonpareil Of Favor
[MP3] MGMT - Time To Pretend (Jorge Elbrecht of Violens Remix)
[MP3] Annuals - Confessor (NEW TRACK!!)
[MP3] The Shaky Hands - A New Parade
[MP3] Weird Tapes - The Heavens **PDG (stands for pretty darn great)
[MP3] High Places - From Stardust to Sentience
[MP3] Oh Captain My Captain - On My Mind

See you on Monday.

PS. I've been kind of nostalgic for over the top bubblegum pop music as of late. Seriously Britney Spears can't lip synch like she used too..

Britney Spears and N'SYNC perform "Baby One More Time/Tearin' Up My Heart" live at the 1999 VMAs

Rademacher - ERA EP

2008-09-05T15:34:00.001-07:00

Rademacher (Fresno, CA)

Rock Insider's little record label that could JAXART Records will be releasing Rademacher's new digital EP entitled ERA on Sept 30th! The band will also be doing a FREE residency at The Echo every Monday in October to celebrate the release.

I have been a fan of the band for well over a year and I'm so excited to be putting out what I consider to be their best recordings to date. The 4 song EP is simply gorgeous. I won't gush too much about the record because obviously I'm biased towards it

Download "If You Know" - a new track from ERA below and decide for yourself!

[MP3] Rademacher - If You Know

TRACK LISTING:
1. If U Know
2. Believer
3. Need Nobody
4. MAGIC MTN PKWY

PS. Be sure to catch Rademacher TOMORROW night at pehrspace with Light FM and Le Switch. A bill that good isn't to be passed up.

Saturday, September 6th

Rademacher
Le Switch
Light FM

Pehrspace
325 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90026
All ages!
BYOB
$5

Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane

2008-09-04T11:45:00.001-07:00

Chad VanGaalen (Calgary, Canada)

Chad VanGaalen's absolutely mesmerizing new record Soft Airplane is sure to make it's way on more than a few top album lists come this Dec. Soft Airplane includes everything from folk tunes to electronica and is held together by VanGaalen's absolutely intoxicating and haunting vocals. It's like a slow poison you don't mind at all.

In addition to being an insanely talented musician VanGaalen is quite the twisted visual artist. He recently unveiled a new video for "Molten Light" with art and animation created by Chad himself.

Soft Airplane is out next Tuesday Sept 9th via SubPop

Willow Tree
Bones of Man
Cries of the Dead
Inside the Molecules
Bare Feet on Wet Griptape
Phantom Anthills
Poisonous Heads
TMNT Mask
Molten Light
Old Man + the Sea
City of Electric Light
Rabid Bits of Time
Frozen Energon

[MP3] Chad VanGaalen - Molten Light
[MP3] Chad VanGaalen - TMNT Mask

VIDEO: Chad VanGaalen - Molten Light

Recommended Shows Thurs. Sept. 4th, 2008 - Why? At The Echoplex + Le Switch and Pop Levi

2008-09-04T11:12:00.001-07:00

Why? (Oakland, CA)

Why?, Rafter, Dub Lab DJs @ The Echoplex

The experimental folk genre has bred an entire culture of would-be musicians banging on furniture, messing with effects pedals, and practicing Gregorian chants in the hopes that they too can achieve Pitchfork fame and celebrity. Don't get me wrong I LOVE me some experimental folk. Very few bands do it not just well but EXCEPTIONALLY and Why? is one such band.

The band released a new album entitled Alopecia earlier this year on Anticon. Catch them tonight at The Echoplex!

ALSO WOULD BE FUN TONIGHT IN LA:
Rosewood Thieves, Growlers, He's My Brother She's My Sister @ The Silverlake Lounge
Lion of Panjshir, Jonathan Wilson, Gangi @ Tangier ($7)
Pop Levi, Le Switch @ Three of Clubs (Free if you RSVP to sonicliving.com otherwise $5)

The Franks - Un E.P. Free Download

2008-09-03T15:16:00.001-07:00

The Franks (Los Angeles, CA)

You might remember we wrote about The Franks a few months back. The band have become well known in the warehouse party circuit in Los Angeles. Today the band officially released a new EP aptly titled Un E.P. completely for FREE on their website.

The band blaze through 6 songs in less than 12 minutes and includes a song that is only 30 seconds long. The album is loaded with fast and jangly Rock N' Roll with notable early punk influences. The whole package is pulled together with swagger,style, and infectious energy.

The Franks will be playing September 12th at Downtown +81 admisssion is Free with RSVP and $8 without. Click here for details and be sure to download their tunes below!

THE FRANKS UN E.P. FREE DOWNLOAD

[MP3] The Franks - My Friends
[MP3] The Franks - Neon Politik

Recommended Shows Wed Sept. 3rd - HEAVY SH!T at Cha Cha

2008-09-03T11:57:00.001-07:00

HEAVY SH!T Tonight at Cha Cha

Well tonight's featured event isn't a show as much as pre-party/monster movie fest. That and this poster was too fabulous to pass up the opportunity of posting.

LA Record will be hosting HEAVY SH!T at Cha Cha TONIGHT as a pre-party for Tepee Records Manifest Destiny Festival that will go down this Sunday at The Echoplex with Earthless, The Warlocks, Witch, Ancestors and more.

-----

Come listen to some HEAVY Psych Rock, Metal and everything inbetween with us as we melt our brains to the VHS collection of Heru Avenger!!!
DJS:

HERU AVENGER
TONY TEE PEE
THE ANCESTORS
NC STEELE
L.A. RECORD
+ MORE INSANITY

MOVIES:
BODY SNATCHERS FROM HELL (GOOGLE IT)
HEAVY METAL
+ MORE

ALSO TONIGHT:
The Night Marchers, Colour Revolt, Slang Chickens @ Echo - The Night Marchers are amazing live and Slang Chickens is a new side project of Evan Weiss from Wires on Fire.
Aaron Embry & Friends, Avi Buffalo, The Relationship (Brian Bell of Weezer) @ Tangier
The Human Value, Xu Xu Fang, The Black Pine @ Spaceland
Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re / Spider Problem @ Silverlake Lounge
Carney @ Troubadour - The Carney brothers are ABSOLUTELY gorgeous and write amazing songs.

Monday Mixtape: Change

2008-09-02T12:58:00.001-07:00

This month is officially the month of new beginnings at Camp Rock Insider. I'm in the process of moving to a new apartment and in addition to reorganizing my personal life I've decided to update and improve this fair site.

Starting with another weekly feature - The Monday Mixtape. Every Monday here are Rock Insider we will be posting a themed mix of amazing new music for you to listen to and explore all week long.

This week's theme - CHANGE.

Enjoy.

[MP3] The Cramps - Two Headed Sex Change
[MP3] Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
[MP3] Amnion - Here Goes Nothing
[MP3] Final Fantasy - Ultimatum
[MP3] The Coast - Tightrope
[MP3] Land Of Talk - Some Are Lakes (New Track!)
[MP3] Magic Lantern - At The Mountains Of Madness
[MP3] Vivian Girls - Where Do You Run To
[MP3] Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream

Recommended Shows September 2nd, 2008

2008-09-02T12:30:00.001-07:00

Birdmonster play the Troubadour TONIGHT

Sons and Daughters, Birdmonster @ Troubadour - Birdmonster will open for Sons and Daughters and hit the stage at 9PM. The band will be celebrating the release of their new album From The Mountain To The Sea which is officially in stores today. Watch their video for "The Iditarod" right here.

Also worth checking out:

Aquarium Drunkard presents: Centro-matic, Sleepercar, South San Gabriel @ Spaceland

400 Blows, Triclops! @ The Echo - I saw both these bands at the Scene bar in April. Triclops! are from San Francisco and positively slay. I think everyone in LA agrees no one does heavy like 400 Blows

The Wombats, Afternoons, Pop Noir @ the Echoplex - Should be a wonderful night of orchestral indie pop.

To Detour Or Not To Detour...

2008-09-02T12:21:00.001-07:00

Eli Chartkoff of The Monolators

The Monolators have been named a finalist in the Detour Festivals Battle of the Bands. The winners get to perform at the festival which will go down October 4th in Downtown LA.

We're totally the underdogs in this competition - but still it would be SOOOoOOOO frickin' cool to play.

Take a minute out of your busy day and click the link below to vote. You can vote once per day.. Read Eli's message about below!

[MP3] The Monolators - Don't Dance

VOTE NOW

http://detour.laweekly.com/byob/vote/

------

Dare we Detour?

By Eli Monolator

Well it looks like we've been nominated in a virtual "battle of the bands" for a spot at the LA Weekly Detour Festival. This is a big ol' music festival that happens downtown in October, and people like the Mars Volta and Datarock are playing--and there's a spot for a local band that is, as they say, TBA. Which means that you can vote for little old us to get that spot. I normally hate to pester people for this but, yes, we would be absurdly grateful if you'd cast your vote our way--and you can do it (IE vote), as Steve Martin used to say, up to ONE time per day.

What this comes down to is how many people you can mobilize to vote. Yes, other bands have legions of adoring fans spread hither and yon, and yet...I can see a sort of "ragtag gang of misfits from broken homes come together against all odss to win the big game against the prep school kids" type scenario here.

So please, yeah. Do vote for us, 'cause we need it. The dorks of the world need it. History needs it. We love you!

Birdmonster - From The Mountain To The Sea

2008-08-29T10:35:00.001-07:00

Birdmonster (San Francisco, CA)

Please enjoy Birdmonster's new video for "The Iditarod" from their new album From The Mountain To The Sea which is available digitally now via Fader Label

The band will be playing the Troubadour in Hollywood on Tuesday with Sons & Daughters and will play a special in store at Fingerprints in Long Beach on September 1st. Check out complete tour dates below.

"The Iditarod" was made using a technique called SLAM (SLide, Animation, Movies) coined by its developer - Greg Crane. Not too different from your standard stop-motion animation, SLAM takes the aesthetics to a new arty level. 95% of the video was created using digital still photos from a professional/high-end camera. Approximately 1800 shots were painstakingly and meticulously pasted together to establish that "motion".

VIDEO: Birdmonster - The Iditarod

TOUR DATES

Sep-01 Fingerprints (In Store) - Long Beach, CA
Sep-02 The Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA*
Sep-03 Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA?

Oct-04 Johnny Brendas - Philadelphia, PA+
Oct-05 Black Cat Backstage - Washington, DC+
Oct-06 Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC+
Oct-07 The EARL - Atlanta, GA+
Oct-08 The Social - Orlando, FL+
Oct-09 Club Downunder - Tallahassee, FL
Oct-10 House of Blues - Parish - New Orleans, LA+
Oct-11 The Parish Room - Austin, TX+

Oct-14 Casbah - San Diego, CA+
Oct-18 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR+
Oct-19 Chop Suey - Seattle, WA+
Oct-20 Media Club - Vancouver, BC+
Oct-23 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis, MN+
Oct-24 The Abbey Pub - Chicago, IL+
Oct-25 Der Rathskellar at University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI+
Oct-27 Southgate House - Newport, KY+
Oct-31 TT the Bear's - Cambridge, MA+

Nov-01 Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY+

w/ Sons and Daughters*
w/ Nada Surf?
w/ The Rumble Strips

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Win Tickets To F Yeah Fest V This Weekend

2008-08-28T14:22:00.001-07:00

You may have read yesterday about the organizers of F Yeah Fest getting shaken down by Security Guards at Radiohead this past Monday (read all about the incident here or at any one of these blogs across the web). Just makes me hate concert security even more.

Despite ongoing investigations F Yeah Fest 5 is going down this weekend in Echo Park and my lil label JAXART Records is helping out by sponsoring the show.

The nice folks at Spaceland Productions have given me TWO PAIRS of tickets to giveaway to F Yeah Fest 5 this weekend.

To Enter: send me your FULL NAME and contact info to jax@rockinsider.com. Winners will be chosen at random and will be notified by tomorrow afternoon.

F Yeah Fest Lineup For Saturday, August 30th

Bands
NO AGE
NEGATIVE APROACH
GLASS CANDY
MATT AND KIM
TWO GALLANTS
FUCKED UP
LADYHAWK
DAVID VANDERVELDE
JAPANTHER
PAINT IT BLACK
MIKA MIKO
PAST LIVES (Ex Blood Brothers)
MONOTONIX
HIGH PLACES
DAVID DONDERO
ABE VIGODA
THE STRANGE BOYS
CRYSTAL ANTLERS
TRASH TALK
MANNEQUIN MEN
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO CANDYLAND
BEST FWENDS
TRIUMPH OF LETHARGY SKINNED ALIVE TO DEATH (Members Of Murder City Devils)
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS
RUMSPRINGA
ANAVAN
PREACHER AND THE KNIFE
BROTHER READE
MICHAEL RUNION
TOD ADRIAN WISENBAKER
SILVERGHOST
WAR TAPES
FRANK FAIRFIELD
GRAHAM FOREST
NODZZZ
60 WATT KID
HALLOWEEN SWIM TEAM
DIMITRI COATES (From Burning Brides)
WITCH HATS
+ More

DJs
DUBLAB SOUNDSYSTEM
DENNIS OWENS (From Good Foot)
RUSTY LAZER

Comedians
BOB ODENKIRK
JEFF GARLIN
KYLE KINANE
JONAH RAY
MATT BRAUGNER
JOSH FADEM
+ Many More

The F YEAH FEST is ALL AGES and will be taking place at the Echo, EchoPlex, Rec Center + surrounding locations.
Doors will be 4:00pm & tickets are $16.

Other F YEAH Events

Friday, August 29th
THE MELVINS
NEGATIVE APPROACH
BIG BUSINESS
@ the Glasshouse

Friday, August 29th
HOT WATER MUSIC
STRIKE ANYWHERE
+ 1 more
@ the El Rey

Saturday, August 30th
HOT WATER MUSIC
STRIKE ANYWHERE
+ 1 more
@ the Glasshouse

Sunday, August 31st
THE LA SCAVENGER HUNT

Sunday, August 31st
POLVO
TRANS AM
THE DRONES
@ the EchoPlex

Sunday, August 31st
Special Guest Headliner
PAINT IT BLACK
FINAL FIGHT
BROKEN NEEDLE
@ TBA

Sunday, August 31st
DAN DEACON
+ 2 more
@ TBA (Secret Show)

Rock With A Twist IV TONIGHT At All Star Lanes

2008-08-28T12:06:00.001-07:00

Most of you already know this but for the few who don't I feel it's time for full disclosure. I play bass in The Monolators. A few weeks ago we unveiled the title track off our new full length entitled Don't Dance. I've reposted the track below for your downloading pleasure.

We will be playing a large selection of tracks off the new album at TONIGHT's Rock With A Twist at All Star Lanes. The 4th annual friend fest features FREE MUSIC and FREE YUMMY DELICIOUS MUSTARD COVERED HOMEMADE PRETZELS all hand made by Miss Mary Monolator.

Also performing are The Health Club, I Make This Sound, and Shiloe - 3 amazing bands you may or may not have seen yet. If you haven't seen them yet come tonight. You have no excuse not to come - Free Food, Cheap Booze, and Free Music!

[MP3] The Monolators - Don't Dance

[MP3] I Make This Sound - One, Two, Three!
[MP3] Shiloe - Please Remove Your Teeth From My Neck
[MP3] The Health Club - Lonely Hearts

Rock with a Twist
presented by Classical Geek Theatre and la-underground.net

featuring:
I MAKE THIS SOUND
SHILOE
THE HEALTH CLUB
and THE MONOLATORS

All Star Lanes
4459 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041 | Map
All Ages / Free / Free Pretzels / 9pm

This Is SERIOUSLY Fucked Up

2008-08-27T16:21:00.001-07:00

Monday night along the tree-lined walkway entrance to the Hollywood Bowl, as Radiohead was closing the second of their two sold-out nights at the venue, Sean Carlson and Phil Hoelting, promoters of this weekend's annual F Yeah Fest, were handing out flyers to exiting fans. Their friend Michael Reich, creator of the popular music video site Videothing.com, was recording the two for an upcoming documentary. As Reich shot, he noticed a scuffle occurring within his frame; in the background four security guards could be seen restraining a crowd member as they were ejecting him. The guards, employees of CSC Security, the company contracted by the Bowl to provide protection, were being overly rough with him, alleges Carlson. “They're strangling him – brutally. He's gasping for air.” Reich turned his camera directly on the action as the CSC guards continued to restrain the man.

“The guy was screaming,” remembers Reich, “and trying to tell them that he would leave peacefully if they let him go.”

“The guard walked up to [Reich] and said, 'What the fuck do you think you're filming?' and grabbed at the camera,” says one eyewitness who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. According to the witness, Carlson walked over to intervene, whereupon the security guard pushed Carlson to the ground, sending the flyers scattering across the pavement. Reich filmed this, as well. The eyewitness and his wife, not wanting to get involved, continued toward their car, but notified the L.A. police officers -- “at least six or seven of them,” he says -- stationed at the Bowl entry that there was trouble up above. He says that they did nothing.

Recommended Shows August 27th, 2008: Shearwater and RX Bandits

2008-08-27T12:38:00.001-07:00

Shearwater (Austin, TX)

Shearwater and Wye Oak are playing TONIGHT at The Echo which is sure to delight experimental indie folk fans across Southern California.

Shearwater, Wye Oak @ The Echo

[MP3] Shearwater - Rooks
[MP3] Wye Oak - I Don't Feel Young

ALSO TONIGHT:

RX Bandits, Portugal, The Man @ Troubadour - RX Bandits begins a 2 night stint at The Troubadour TONIGHT. JAXistory: I worked at Drive Thru Records once upon a time and helped with the RX Bandits release The Resignation. Portugal The Man includes members of Anatomy Of A Ghost who did a mini tour with my brother's band WAAAY back when - even before I moved to SoCal. Indie elitists might consider this an "EMO SHOW" but seriously if you've never seen RX Bandits live before you're totally missing out.

Recommended Shows Tuesday August 26th, 2008

2008-08-26T12:09:00.001-07:00

Don't Miss The Donkeys (San Diego, CA) At The Echo Tonight

Remember once upon a time when I actually used to post concert calendars? Yeah what happened to that?

Unfortunately due to great demands of my time I decided to discontinue the feature. Still, It's good to know what's going on in your community so I've decided to start a Recommended Show feature. I'll only list the shows worthy of your dollars.

For more detailed concert listings I suggest checking out Radio Free Silverlake, Your Set The Scene, Oh My Rockness, Metromix or Upcoming.org.

TONIGHT August 26th, 2008

The Donkeys, Golden Animals @ the Echo – I recently discovered The Donkeys over at Music.For-Robots. If you like clackity country rock (I do I do!) The you will LOVE this band. Their album comes out Sept. 9th on Dead Oceans It's also the record release show for Golden Animals.

[MP3] The Donkeys - Excelsior Lady

The Mormons, Manhattan Murder Mystery @ Mr. T’s Bowl - Two of the most entertaining local acts in Los Angeles sharing the same stage at your favorite venue. This is a no brainer.

Bon Iver, A.A. Bondy @ Troubadour - Bon Iver released one of my favorite albums so far this year.

[MP3] Bon Iver - Skinny Love

Delta Spirit, Dawes @ Spaceland - Re-Release show for Delta Spirit's CD Ode To Sunshine.

[MP3] Delta Spirit - People C'mon

Azeda Booth - In Flesh Tones

2008-08-26T10:31:00.001-07:00

Azeda Booth (Calgary, Canada)

At first listen Azeda Booth sounds a lot like Blonde Redhead and Deerhoof - which is not a bad thing but considering I'm a die hard Blonde Redhead fan it can be a little off putting and I tend to be slightly more judgmental (Sorry I can't help it).

All my preconceptions about this band were soon thrown out the window and by the end of my first listen of their new LP, In Flesh Tones, I definitely am digging this album and this band. Their style would be best described as traditional folk and ambient mixed with sweeping pop elements. The vocals are minimal and light but still manage to feel full adding to the band's over all dynamic. Easy to conceive but very hard to execute. Azeda Booth do it with precision.

It's no surprise that the band recently got a 7.9 rating on PItchfork (read the review here).

These days I have been very careful in making sweeping remarks about new music. I know not everything can be the "Best Thing Ever" but Azeda Booth definitely are a higher caliber of musician worthy of your eardrums. I highly suggest you check them out.

In Flesh Tones is out now on Absolutely Kosher. Pick up the album right here.

[MP3] Azeda Booth - Ran

Dri - Smoke Rings

2008-08-25T11:09:00.001-07:00

DRI (Lawrence, KS)

I found Dri in my random web surfings late last week. Her new album Smoke Rings is out now on Range Life Records which is the perfect title for the Kansas native positively gorgeous smokey voice. The Kansas native mixes down tempo beats and classic electro pop with easy listening. I seriously haven't found a more KCRW worthy artist since first discovering Sia. I have a feeling that Dri is well on her way to becoming another indie pop sensation. Download her track "Free Tonight" below so you can say you heard about her way back when.

[MP3] Dri - Free Tonight

VIDEO: Dri "two are one" smoke rings

Sunset Junction This Weekend

2008-08-22T13:01:00.001-07:00

Sunset Junction will take over Silverlake this weekend. If you plan on traveling anywhere near the Silverlake area I highly suggest avoiding Sunset Blvd from Virgil all the way down to Coronado. Use Temple as an alternative (Santa Monica meets Sunset Blvd right at Sunset Junction)

[MP3] The Happy Hollows - Monster Room
[MP3] The Henry Clay People - Andy Sings!
[MP3] Castledoor - Fall Apart
[MP3] Cold War Kids - Heavy Boots
[MP3] Bodies Of Water - Under The Pines
[MP3] Entrance - Grim Reaper Blues

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23rd

Bates Stage schedule

12:00 – 12:30 Radars To The Sky
12:50 – 1:20 Happy Hollows
1:40 – 2:10 Castledoor
2:30 – 3:00 Bodies of Water
3:20 – 3:50 Johnathan Rice
4:10 – 4:40 Entrance
5:00 – 5:45 Langhorne Slim
6:10 – 7:10 Menomena
7:40 – 8:50 Broken Social Scene
9:20 – 10:50 Cold War Kids

Hoover Stage (4200 Santa Monica)
Noon DJ Alfred Hawkins
1:30 DJ Al Jackson
3:00 DJ Eddie One
4:30 Vilma Diaz (The Voice of La Sonora Dinamita)
6:00 Arthur Adams
7:30 Michael Henderson
8:00 Jeane Carne
8:30 Billy Paul
9:30 Legendary Soul Man SAM Moore in tribute to ISAAC HAYES

Sanborn Stage (4000 Sunset)
Noon DJ Haycock

1:30 DJ Q-Bwoy
3:30 Cava
5:00 Kim Hill is Pharaoh's Daughter
6:30 The Rebirth
8:00 NOTCH
9:30 Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24TH

Bates Stage Schedule
12:00 – 12:30 The Henry Clay People
12:50 – 1:20 Voxhaul Broadcast
1:40 – 2:10 Oliver Future
2:30 – 3:00 Gram Rabbit
3:20 – 3:50 Health
4:10 – 4:55 Very Special Guests
5:15 – 6:15 Beachwood Sparks
6:45 – 8:00 !!!
8:30 – 9:50 The Black Keys

Hoover Stage (4200 Santa Monica)
12:00 DJ Mexican Dubwiser
1:30 DJ Cid Hernandez
3:00 Charangoa
4:00 Leslie Paula & The Latin Soul Band
5:30 NK Band
7:00 Jeffrey Osborne
8:00 Stephanie Mills

Sanborn Stage (4000 Sunset)

12:00 Azul 213
1:30 DJ Drez
3:30 Chana
5:00 J Davey
6:30 Sister Nancy
8:00 Kinky

28TH ANNUAL
SUNSET JUNCTION STREET FESTIVAL
AUGUST 23 & 24, 2008
3700 TO 4300 SUNSET BLVD and
4000 TO 4200 SANTA MONICA BLVD
SAT. 10:00 AM TO 11:00 PM
SUN. 10:00 AM TO 10:00 PM

New White Denim Music + Video

2008-08-22T12:13:00.001-07:00

White Denim (Austin, TX)

White Denim unveiled a new video this week for their UK single "Shake Shake Shake." The band takes their dirty sound to even grimier proportions with an impromptu junkyard performance complete with burning mattresses.

In addition to the video the band also announced plans to release of their next full length entitled Explosion on the new Austin based label Transmission Entertainment in November. Check out a new track called "Sitting" below.

[MP3] White Denim - Sitting

WHITE DENIM - Shake Shake Shake from ACIDBIRD on Vimeo.

Spider Problem Are Going To Eat You For Supper

2008-08-21T11:07:00.001-07:00

Spider Problem (Los Angeles, CA)

I have been a fan of Spider Problem since seeing their throbbing chaotic live show for the first time almost a year ago. Yes, they go ape shit on stage, Yes - Their singer Shayne spends more time on the floor doing acrobatics than an Olympic gymnast, and Yes - they've been known to completely destroy the stage including their own instruments at the end of sets.

I've seen them perform their brutal yet sweet destructive sound everywhere from art galleries and parties to traditional venues and even inside school buses. This band is as punk as they come - nothing is off limits and they never ever ever hold anything back.

Spider Problem announced today that they will be releasing a new EP called "Natural Selections." The offering will be up on iTUNES shortly. The band will also be playing several shows this weekend - including performing with The Germs and The Mae Shi this Saturday night. I recommend going in with the "Let Loose" attitude. Seriously this band is not for people with a stick up their ass. Let go and have a good time!

[MP3] Spider Problem - Bullet
[MP3] Spider Problem - Big Thunder

UPCOMING SHOWS:
August 21 - Los Angeles, CA @ R Bar (Password required)
August 22 - LittleRadio.com @ 12 Noon on Sylvia & Todd's Sinking Radio Show
August 22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Little Radio Warehouse - Lucha VaVoom Girlie Girl Catfight. ALL-GIRL wrestling, Ariel Acts : www.myspace.com/girliegirlcatfightshow
August 23 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echo w/ THE GERMS and The Mae Shi

VIDEO: spider problem - "bullet" @ little radio summer camp 8.03.08

Hell Ya! TONIGHT At The Echo w/ Twilight Sleep, Exitmusic, and Avi Buffalo

2008-08-20T13:25:00.001-07:00

TONIGHT Twilight Sleep, Exitmusic, and Avi Buffalo will play Hell Ya! at The Echo. The Library have also joined as a last minute edition.

This is Twilight Sleep's first show with a new lineup and their first show in over 4 months. I'm also very VERY excited to see Avi Buffalo and Exitmusic. I have seen both bands numerous times over the past few months and they never disappoint. Twilight Sleep are on at 11:15.

Tickets are only $5. The first 20 people to say they read about it on Rock Insider will get in for free.

[MP3] Avi Buffalo - Coaxed
[MP3] Exitmusic - Sparks
[MP3] Twilight Sleep - Don't Fire Your Guns

VIDEO: EXITMUSIC - The Decline Of The West

VIDEO Twilight Sleep - Ice Capade

VIDEO: Avi Buffalo - "i'm getting too old for this"

Also right up the street :

Classical Geek Theatre will be presenting his first "Fiend Folio" with The Mae Shi, Yea Big and Kid Static, The Fuckin Kennies, and Pizza! I was actually suppose to DJ this show but because of some switchermarooo with dates I'll be at The Echo tonight. There should be a good sized crowd for this show. Its within walking distance of the Echo. I would highly suggest going back and forth between the two. Both lineups cant be beat!

Le Switch CD Release Show TONIGHT at The Echo

2008-08-19T13:08:00.001-07:00

Le Switch (Los Angeles, CA) Photo by Charlie Chu

It's been a long time coming. One of our local favorites Le Switch will be hosting CD release party TONIGHT at The Echo with Nico Stai, Les Blanks, and The World Record. Their debut full length And Now…Le Switch won't officially be released until September 30th via Aquarium Drunkard's Autumn Tone Records; but tonight a limited number of records will be available at the show!!

Tickets are only $5! Come hang out!

[MP3] Le Switch - Simple Gifts

VIDEO: Le Switch - Livin' In Another World

Le Switch - Livin' In Another World from Aris Blevins on Vimeo.

Warped Tour Comes To An End

2008-08-18T10:36:00.001-07:00

Shwayze at Warped Tour Chicago

I spent all day Yesterday down at the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. I must say the tour has made huge leaps in the past few years to really diversify the music offered there. Instead of a sea of screamo, emo, and punk bands I was pleasantly surprised to see bands such as Katy Perry, Shwayze, and 3Oh!3 sharing the bill.

Shwayze closed out the Hurley.com stage at 8:45pm playing to a larger than normal crowd. It's hard to keep people there that late but man the guys did to great success.

Shwayze's debut album hit stores TOMORROW. be sure to pick it up on iTUNES.
You can also catch BUZZIN - the new hit series all about Shwayze Wednesdays at 10:30/9:30c on MTV.

Fuck Yeah Fest August 30th and 31st

2008-08-13T13:05:00.001-07:00

Not much time to post today because I will be heading up to San Francisco from The 2008 Bandwidth Music And Technology Conference. SF readers email me if you want to hang out!

Last night's Fuck Yeah Fest Benefit Show was PACKED to the gills. It was hot as hell but the bands and people made it a fantastic night.

Don't forget Fuck Yeah Fest will come to Echo Park Saturday August 30th and Sunday August 31st. Tickets are on sale now for only $18 bucks. Buy them here. JAXART Records will be helping sponsor the festival so please come out!

LINEUP AND OTHER SHOWS BELOW!

F YEAH FEST 5 LINE UP FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 30th

BANDS

NO AGE
NEGATIVE APROACH
GLASS CANDY
MATT AND KIM
TWO GALLANTS
FUCKED UP
LADYHAWK
CRYSTAL ANTLERS
DAVID VANDERVELDE
SILVERGHOST
BEST FWENDS
HIGH PLACES
JAPANTHER
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS
RUMSPRINGA
ANAVAN
PREACHER AND THE KNIFE
BROTHER READE
MICHAEL RUNION
TOD ADRIAN WISENBAKER
WAR TAPES
MIKA MIKO
PAST LIVES
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO CANDYLAND
MONOTONIX
DAVID DONDERO
ABE VIGODA
DUBLAB SOUNDSYSTEM
THE STRANGE BOYS
MANNEQUIN MEN
FRANK FAIRFIELD
GRAHAM FOREST
NODZZZ
60 WATT KID

COMEDIANS

KYLE KINANE
KEVIN KYLINE
JONAH RAY
MATT BRAUGNER
JOSH FADEM

+ MORE BANDS & COMEDIANS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.

This will be taking place at the Echo, EchoPlex, Rec Center + surrounding locations.
Doors will be 4:00pm & tickets are $16. The fest is all ages.
Check back the week of for a time schedule.

OTHER EVENTS:

Friday, August 29th F YEAH FEST PRESENTS:
THE MELVINS
NEGATIVE APPROACH
BIG BUSINESS
@ the Glasshouse 200 W. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766
$16 / 7:00pm / All Ages

Friday, August 29th F Yeah Fest Presents:
HOT WATER MUSIC
STRIKE ANYWHERE
+ 1 more
@ the El Rey
$23 / 7:00pm / All Ages

Saturday, August 30th F Yeah Fest Presents:
HOT WATER MUSIC
STRIKE ANYWHERE
+ 1 more
@ the Glasshouse 200 W. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766
$19 / 7:00pm / All Ages

Sunday, August 31st F Yeah Fest Presents:
THE LA SCAVENGER HUNT
Info on this site. Check it out.
$8 / 2:00pm / All Ages

Sunday, August 31st F Yeah Fest Presents:
POLVO
TRANS AM
THE DRONES
@ the EchoPlex
$15 / 8:00pm / attheecho.com

Sunday, August 31st F Yeah Fest Presents:
Special Guest Headliner
HIT ME BACK
FINAL FIGHT
BROKEN NEEDLE
@ the Smell
$7 / 7:00pm / All Ages

Sunday, August 31st F Yeah Fest Presents:
DAN DEACON
+ 2 more
@ LOCATION TBA & IT'S A SECRET
$? / 8:00 / All Ages

Crystal Antlers Sign To Touch And Go Records Play Fuck Yeah Benefit Show TONIGHT

2008-08-12T10:51:00.001-07:00

Crystal Antlers (Long Beach, CA) Photo by Grant Peterson

Congratulations are in order to Crystal Antlers - who recently signed to Touch and Go Records!!

The band will be playing the Fuck Yeah Fest Benefit TONIGHT at 6th Street Warehouse with Slang Chickens, Tweak Bird, Brother Reade, and Totally Michael.

You may have heard about the absolutely awesome F Yeah Tour which hit 27 cities and featured bands like Monotonix, Matt & Kim, Team Robespierre, and The Death Set. They did the entire tour summer camp style in a white school bus powered by vegetable oil. The New York Times even featured it (read the article here).

Needless to say some additional expenses were incurred and the guys now find themselves heavily in debt for bringing great music to the masses. Read a message from Sean Carlson below.

Please come out

F Yeah Fest Benefit
Tuesday, August 12th
Crystal Antlers
Brother Reade
Tweak Bird
Totally Michael
Slang Chickens
+ Todd from Sea Level will be djing
@ 6th St Warehouse
1269 E. 6th St. LA, CA
$6 / 9:00pm

DONATE ON PAYPAL

-------
F YEAH FEST BENEFIT TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE 6th STREET WAREHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN LA.

I apologize about the mass email and even more so if you receive this and you live 40,000 miles from Los Angeles. I rarely send these out and when I do I make sure that they are important. And obviously this is pretty important so if you have minute please read the info below.

Tomorrow night, August 12th a benefit will be taking place at the 6th St. Warehouse in LA with Crystal Antlers, Brother Reade, Tweak Bird, Totally Michael & Slang Chickens. The benefit is to help raise money so we can continue to do events like the F Yeah Fest, the LA Scavenger Hunt & shows through out the year.

Here is an explanation.
This year the F Yeah Fest took a huge hit. The original financial backer pulled out days before we had planned to announce the line up, leaving the fest in a very bad position. We had to choose between canceling it entirely or scaling it down and risking going into an incredible amount of debt. We chose to go ahead and take the financial hit in order to keep what we have worked to build for the past five years alive. We didn't realize how bad it would be.

Now we are well over $15k in debt. We do not have a financial backer to pull us out of this and it is impossible to get a loan when you are 23 years old and the only thing you own is a car worth about $400 (I'm referring to myself here).

The show tomorrow show is to raise a few dollars so we can continue to do events. If you can't make it to the show but would like to make a donation please use the paypal link below. 100% of your contribution will go towards keeping these events alive and will allow us to continue to grow. Anything you can donate will help us tremendously.

Thank you again for the years of support. We plan on doing this forever, even if it means we have to continue to live at home with our parents cause we can't afford rent.
Sean Carlson & the Fuck Yeah Fest Crew
fyeahfest@gmail.com
fyeahfest.com