Toddchella | Part II | The Record Company

Continued from Toddchella | Part I | Tijuana Tears

I had noticed people behind me dancing with little LCD light bracelets, and I asked around to see where they got them. I was informed that a photography company named Harmonic Light was taking psychedelic pictures for the party, so I head into the nearby room (with a stripper pole) where they were set up.

With my scotch buzz settling in, I was cajoled into taking a pic.  I think it turned out pretty cool.

I grabbed an LCD bracelet and wrapped it around my wrist.  I socialized for a few minutes, then decided to head back out to the stage to catch the second band, The Record Company.  I was really looking forward to this band as I was particularly drawn to the music that they posted online (plus there was a free download of one of their latest EPs).

The Record Company = Unfiltered, unadulterated roots/blues/rock.  They’ve been around since 2011, but I was only introduced to this band through Toddchella. Marc Cazorla, Chris Vos and Alex Stiff are all Los Angeles transplants, and I couldn’t be happier to have them play this kind of music in Los Angeles.

They taste like the Black Keys, but are sprinkled with different spices. Chris Vos, the lead singer, has a voice that was as rich, or richer, than the 12 year Maccallan I was sipping on.  A husky baritone with second tenor range, I was transported by the bluesy vibe that emanated from the make-shift stage while they were performing. I was particularly impressed with Chris’ work on the slide guitar (see the video- which happens to have the best light of all of the videos I shot- below).

They all seemed to have a good time, like performing this kind of music was second nature to them, and I was grooving with the sounds. After their set, I introduced myself and got the set list from Mark Cazorla.  Mark is a good guy.  Apparently, in my tipsiness, I forgot that I gave him my phone to write the set list.  He went out of his way to find me and return the my precious life-line… seriously …. I’d be lost without my phone. The set list is below, with links to the original recording that I could find.

1. Broken

2. “Born Unnamed”

3. “On The Move”

4. “Whatcha Want” (Beastie Boys Cover): Freaking Awesome. I best they could blues out any hip-hop song they wanted.

5. “This Crooked City”

6. “The Burner”

7. “Medicine Man”: This was one of my favorite cuts from their set.  Love the sound. Love the lyrics. Made me love my scotch.

8. “Don’t Let Me Get Lonely”

9. “In the Mood”

10. “That Alright Mama” (Ray Charles Cover)

11. “All Day, All Of Night” (The Kinks Cover)

At this point in the evening, infused with good music and good scotch, the evening started getting a little hazy for me.  I had some nice conversations with various people … but I can’t remember any of their names… then again, that’s kind of par for the course for me, as anybody who knows me knows that remembering names is not my strong suit.

BUT, I do know and remember this.  If you are having a hankering for some bad ass roots/blues/rock music and you’re in Los Angeles, check the current issue of LA Weekly, or start Googling, and see if  The Record Company has a gig coming up.  They will satisfying that craving. Trust me.

Two bands down, one to go…

Click here to continue to Toddchella | Part III | We Were Indians

Click here to continue to Toddchella | Part III | We Were Indians