Category: Pictorials | Videos

Young The Giant | Mercedes-Benz Evolution Tour | Barker Hangar | 11/6/14 [Photos & Setlist]

I don’t often “win” prizes, but when I do, I love it when those prizes are music related. I’m not sure when I registered for it, but apparently I had registered to win tickets for a Mercedes-Benz sponsored concert event featuring Young the Giant and Alabama Shakes. I guess it goes without saying … I won tickets.

The concert was held in Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hangar, and free food and drinks were available. As an added treat, renowned street artist Mr. Brainwash “live-painted” a Mercedes-Benz. I’m wondering what Mercedes will be doing with that car. Would you drive it?

THOUGHTS: Young the Giant hails from southern California (Orange County), and their fans were out in force, leaned up against the photo pit barricade. From the first song, their fans were singing along, word for word.

Frankly speaking, I am not too familiar with the band. I knew that they had just released their sophomore album this year, and had been touring with the Kings of Leon, but if you had asked me to name my favorite Young the Giant song, I would have drawn a blank.

I could totally understand why there were touring with the Kings of Leon. Their music is big and rocking … anthemic … and was performed with a level of confidence only emboldened by their loyal fans.

I enjoyed their performance, but I’m still not sure whether their music is something that I could really fall in love with. Speaking with my guest, she stated that the show, “[f]eels like one really long song”. A good song … but a song that really didn’t have any truly memorable moments.

Maybe I still need to get more familiar with the band and their music. Maybe I should reserve my judgement until I’ve actually purchased one of their albums and had a serious listen to their tunes. But, if you had asked me right after their set to hum or sing parts of any one of their songs that I particularly liked, I would have drawn a blank.

SETLIST:

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PHOTOS: I didn’t bother to ask for a photo pass for the event, so I went to the concert with my trusty point-and-shoot.

 

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Snoop Dogg aka DJ Snoopadelic | “The Art of Inspiration” | #HappySocksXSnoopDogg | 11/3/14 [Photos]

From hip-hop royalty, to technology venture capitalist, there doesn’t seem to be anything that Snoop Dogg (nee Calvin Broadus) can’t do. Earlier this month, Snoop dipped his feet into the sock game (pun intended).

On November 1st, at Austere, in conjunction with Happy Socks, Snoop held a pop-up event to celebrate his latest business/creative venture: a limited edition sock collection titled “The Art of Inspiration”. Inspired by his recent artistic pastime, painting, Snoop designed each pair of socks in the limited edition collection

The pop-up event was attended by a plethora of entertainment industry tastemakers. Each person in attendance was given a set of Happy Socks, and while imbibing beverages from the open bar, had a chance to peruse some of Snoop’s original paintings.

Later in the evening, DJ Snoopadelic took control of the music for the evening giving those who had picked up some Happy Socks, some happy feet.

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Dead Sara | The Viper Room | 11/1/14 [Photos & Video]

THE ACT: Dead Sara | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

THOUGHTS:

The Viper Room. It’s a storied venue that’s had everyone from Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers, Bruce Springteen and Johnny Cash to Stone Temple Pilots, the Go-Go’s and Oasis. Christina Applegate once tended bar one night.

With a capacity of only 250, when certain shows get announced, it’s often times only the hard core fans, or fans in the know, who get tickets. The Eagles of Death Metal Valentines’ Day gig this year. As soon as I found out that tickets were available, I logged on. The same day tickets were announced, within no more than 30 minutes, tickets were already sold out.

I subscribe to a lot of social media outlets that give me a heads up about tickets that go on sale, but when tickets were released (and not announced) for Dead Sara’s show at The Viper Room, my friend who takes guitar lessons from Dead Sara’s bassist gave me the heads up. Talk about knowing the right people … right?

When I arrived at the venue (early to make sure that I could get a spot up front), there was already a line. TheDEADicated were already there in full force, one of whom drove all the way from Denver to catch the show. Luckily, the line wasn’t too long such that I couldn’t get a spot up front. Perhaps not the best angle, but at least I didn’t have to worry about getting other fan’s heads in the shots.

Dead Sara rocked it solid. Rocked it hard. Rocked it furious. Their live shows are what it’s all about. I love their music, but I love watching them breath life into their music even more.

After the last song of their set (check out the photos below to see the autographed setlist I was able to procure), my veins were pumping with adrenaline. They have a new album that is ready to see the light of day. If all goes according to plan, Dead Sara should be lining up more gigs next year.  I’m a Dead Sara junkie. I need my fix, and I can’t wait.

PHOTOS:

VIDEO CLIPS:

A member of theDEADicated shot and edited some video and I’ve posted links below. If you are a fan of Dead Sara you should probably follow him on Youtube and Twitter.

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The Filthy Souls | The Viper Room | 11/1/14 [Photos & Video]

THE ACT: The Filthy Souls | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS:

Brit indie-rockers, The Filthy Souls are in indie-rock band whose released a self-titled debut EP this year. It’s a solid, 7 song set of pulsating music that straddles the pop and hard rock lines with a delicate balance.

Their performance at The Viper Room, opening for Dead Sara, was a rocking affair that I’m sure made believers of some of the Dead Sara faithful, myself included. It certainly didn’t hurt that they were giving out free music and t-shirts to those who wanted them.

I’m definitely going to keep an ear out on this band. I’m excited to hear more from them, and hopefully catch them live again.

PHOTOS:

VIDEO CLIPS:

A member of theDEADicated is also a big fan of The Filthy Souls. He shot some video and I’ve posted links below. If you are a fan of Dead Sara, or a new fan of The Filthy Souls, you should probably follow him on Youtube and Twitter.

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Fire In The Hamptons | The Viper Room | 11/1/14 [Photos & Video]

THE ACT: Fire In The Hamptons | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS:

Fire in the Hamptons is an L.A. based indie rock band fronted by Zack Arnett. Their latest EP, “Chosen Ones”, was funded by a Kickstarter campaign, and they seem to have enough fan-backing to get their recent projects seen through.

Their live show is energetic and enjoyable. Their music is polished and danceable. They’ve put in a lot of hours doing local gigs, but to really be able to catch on with a larger fan base, I think they need a killer single or two. Maybe they can get their fans to spread the word virally.

PHOTOS:

VIDEO CLIPS:

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“The End Of The Road” | Queens of the Stone Age & The Kills | The Forum | 10/31/14 [Photos, Setlists & Video]

As much as I enjoy getting drunk at a bar and ogling scantily clad women dressed slutty with a purpose, I was debating my plans for Halloween this year. I was hoping for something different; something memorable. Thankfully, a friend (who, by the way, may just be too cool for me), offered me her extra ticket to see Queens of the Stone Ages’s final concert of their “Like Clockwork” torn at The Forum, featuring The Kills, JD McPherephon and Nick Oliveri. Um, seriously? Um, how cool are my friends?

Costumes were encouraged, so I glued on two prosthetic horns, donned black, and carried around a zombie baby in a baby carrier. My friend was coming from another event across town, so me and my zombie baby waited patiently for her to arrive. There were some terrific costumes, and my “baby” definitely started some conversations. When my friend arrived, I made a b-line straight to the merchandise booth to see if there was any exclusive merchandise left. I was bummed to discover that I had missed out on limited edition event posters.

By the time I made my way back to the seats, The Kills had just started their set. Allison Mosshart is such a bad ass front-woman. She sings in the Dead Whether as “Baby Ruthless”.  She is known as “VV” in The Kills

Having the The Kills perform this year was a treat. The last album that they released was in 2011, “Blood Pressures”. They’ve been touring a bit this year, so one can only hope that new material is around the corner. I thought that the sound could have been better mixed for their set, but it was still a thrill to watch them rock the stage.

(No photos pass for this concert- I tried-  so all of the pictures were snapped with my trusty point and shoot Sony CybershotG)

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In between sets, the Suicide Girls provided some risqué entertainment for crowd.

I missed out on watching the Queens of the Stone Age’s set at Coachella this year. I was bummed that I didn’t get approved for the photo pit, and I decided to shoot some artist’s who didn’t have photo pit restrictions.

Touring in support of their most recent album “…Like Clockwork“, the Halloween gig at The Forum would be the final show of the tour. They pulled out all of the stops, performing songs from their entire catalogue.

Josh Homme, dressed as a priest, wailed through QOTSA classic, getting some help from Jake Shears (of Scissor Sisters) for “Keep Your Eyes Peeled” and doing a five songs set with former QOTSA bassist Nick Oliveri for an encore. THIS is much better than getting drunk at bar ogling hot, slutty-dressed chicks.

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Afrika Bambaataa and Gaslamp Killer | Low End Theory | 10/29/14 [Photos & Videos]

MEAR ONE is a contemporary American artist based in Los Angeles. Having been labeled as “The Michelangelo of Graffiti” and “The Salvador Dali of Hip-Hop” he is considered by many to be Los Angeles’ most prolific graffiti artist. When he invited me to his birthday celebration I was honored. When I was told that Gaslamp Killer and Afrika Bambaataa would be spinning the ones-and-twos, I was geeking.

Held every Wednesday at The Airliner in Lincoln Heights is a club called “Low End Theory”. Currently they have a DJ residency of Nobody, D-Styles, Gaslamp Killer and Daddy Kev. Throw Afrika Bambaataa into the mix, and you’ve got an evening of hip-hop music that shouldn’t be missed.

When I got to the venue, the line to get in was already 50 deep, and the doors hadn’t opened yet. Thankfully, I was going in with the birthday boy and his crew. We made our way upstairs to the second floor, outdoor patio which overlooks the stage where the featured DJ’s would be spinning. Drinks were served, artistic discussion ensued and pictures were taken.

I made my way downstairs when Gaslamp Killer was setting up. As soon as he started spinning, I knew it was going to be a ridiculously curated set. Starting it off with some cumbria from Quantic (I mean, to me, that was pretty out-of-the-box mind blowing), I was extremely impressed with what he was able to mix in.

As soon as Gaslamp Killer finished his set, the patio started buzzing with anticipation. He took to the mic to announce his giddiness about having Afrika Bambaataa perform. After all, we area talking about one of the godfathers of hip-hop. An ambassador of hip-hop culture, whose message has always been a positive one.

When Afrika Bambaataa took the stage, the audience roared with approval. It was an honor to be there watching him spin his magic.

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Hopeless Jack & the Handsome Devil | Redwood Bar | 10/21/14 [Photos, Videos & Tacos]

There’s aren’t many bands that’d I’d see four times in one year. Hopeless Jack & the Handsome Devil is the only one that I’ll have on my list this year.

Not only are they really cool dudes, but their music also rocks. This year, I saw them twice at Ink-N-Iron and personally arranged for them to play a gig at the Garage. When they told me they had a weekday gig in downtown L.A., I didn’t hesitate to put it in my calendar.

I get pumped to see these guys live, because they have an absurd amount of stage presence. From Jack growling into the microphone, wildly dancing while jamming killer riffs, to Pete’s eye’s menacing, almost possessed, look while he smashes the drums, these guys, at least to me, embody rock and roll. As a wanna-be photographer, getting chances to shoot bands like this is a thrill. If I can capture a moment of the pure, unrelenting joy that these guys perform with … that’s something that would make my day.

I got to the venue a little early, and the fellas were our front hanging in their tour van. Jack was greeting friends and Pete was munching on a slice of pie from California Pizza Kitchen. I told Pete that I liked some of their pizzas, and he told me that he never realized that California Pizza Kitchen was an actual restaurant. He always assumed that it was just a frozen pizza. I got a chuckle out of that.

Set times were running a little late, and friends, fans and the band were getting antsy. Jack, while puffing on a cigarette, was already making plans for after the set.

“Tacos, man,” Jack said while flicking out his smoke, “I need tacos.” Taking recommendations from friends, he already had location in mind. In a Pavlovian kind-a-way, I started craving tacos too.

Got to meet some of Jack and Pete’s friends, including a photographer named Jason who was touring with the band as a friends and roadie. This was one of the dope pics he took at the gig.

The light was dim and I had put pump the ISO on my camera (even though I know that the pics always come out noisy at a high ISO with my old-ass camera), but I still think I got a couple decent shots.

Again, they rocked (check out the video clips below).

After they had packed, the band, and some of the fans, made a short trip to the late-night taco stand. While waiting to order L.A. deliciousness, we noted a multi-storied, retro-fitted building across the street that was for lease. We started talking about what we would do if we could afford to buy the classic looking building. As we sipped on horchata, and devoured out grub, we fantasized about which floor would be rooms and which floor would be the studio … but I think we were all in agreement about having the ground floor be a performance venue/club.

Dreams and tacos. A perfect end to a terrific night of rock-and roll.

Do yourself and follow them on Facebook. You’ll want to catch their live show if they end up in your neck of the woods.

VIDEOS

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Quantic | Culture Collide | The Methodist Church of Echo Park | 10/18/14 [Review, Vids & Photos]

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught At Culture Collide CLICK HERE

THE ACT: Quantic | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS  [Written by Kate M.]:

Don’t you love it when soul meets any genre of music?   A highlight of the Festival.  Best time of the night!  Will Holland, the musician, producer and DJ who is Quantic does just that.   Holland collaborates with musicians, DJs and artists with different backgrounds and talents to create unique sounds, a little Jazz, a little electronic, a little bongos and some trumpet, perhaps.  I think Holland hears, explores and ultimately takes different music genres and finds a way, and a place, they have not yet been together. On this night, soul met funk, electronic, jazz and Latin styles – they do mean a salsa with electronic riffs (ya, that happened!). In the middle of their world tour, Holland and his current collaborators arrived at The United Methodist Church from sold out shows in France, Japan and San Francisco. Colombian singer Nidia Góngora, who is the lead vocals on the single La Plata, showed us her organic dance moves and captured our attention with her clear, smooth and rich tone on vocals. Other sounds you will hear in these collaborations are Ethiopian jazz, accordion, clarinet – no really this is true – and if you need a picture to wrap your head around the scene and sounds, this was the Cultures Collide version of a scene from Dirty Dancing.   This rhythmic Latin, soul and funk infusion had the audience dancing in the aisles and grinding in front of a pulpit.   Before the band started playing, Holland said, “feel free to get up out of your seats,” and you could see it in people’s eyes, they were already planning on it – and they did.   Quantic, whose home base is Columbia, released his latest album, Magnetica, on June 10, 2014.  This album’s 3rd single, La Plata, was a highlight of their set and even I sang along to this one on and I didn’t even know what the lyrics meant, but Quantic makes you want to move, sing and be a musician.

Post Script: Best line of the night, “This is a great congregation” – Will Holland.

I danced to Quantic while I wrote this review.

PHOTOS:

VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught At Culture Collide CLICK HERE

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Clap Your Hands Say Yeah | Culture Collide | World Stage | 10/18/14 [Review, Vids & Photos]

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught At Culture Collide CLICK HERE

THE ACT: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS  [Written by Kate M.]:

I love these guys!  I have partied with them in the past, partied to their Indie Rock sound throughout my life.  Their sound is good listening with beer on a beach or an indoor venue when it’s snowing outside with friends.  Point in case, they’ve even played Lollapalooza in the past, that must have been a good time.  Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is a great Indie Rock band – one of the best bar rock band and college tour band I’ve seen – they have that sound.   The band is tight, complete with guitar riffs and lyrics to sing along to.  This band already has a huge following and it was clear from the crowd dancing and singing lyrics to their songs.  “Satan Said Dance” was the song I remember singing on Saturday.  The one problem with is band is that they are really good at the Indie music, but, to me, and that’s that.  For a minute the lead singer made chewing gum onstage look cool, collected and kind of sexy.  Check ‘em out if you are an Indie music fan.  Their latest album was, Only Run, released June 3, 2014.  This US band hails from the East Coast and they’re playing the Brooklyn Bowl November 12th.  

PHOTOS:

VIDEO CLIPS:

To Check Out Other Bands We Caught At Culture Collide CLICK HERE

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