Good taste in music must run in my family (as does modesty), because my little bro has introduced me to yet another stellar band: Foxy Shazam!
Like a well-meaning contestant on American Idol peaking too early, my weekend kicked off so strong there was no way Saturday or Sunday could live up to the standards set for it by Friday night. On this evening, I found myself in a part of LA that has no valet parking, a whole mess of non-English speaking residents, and one of the coolest venues I’ve ever been to in my life: R Bar.
Without a neon sign loudly proclaiming its presence, I almost missed this little club in Koreatown, but once I gave the doorman the password and gained entry, my eyes took in every nook and cranny of the former-brothel-turned-music-club. With gnarled wood aplenty and hidden booths around each corner, the venue had an old-timey speakeasy feel that made the night’s performances just that much more special.
All Day Sucker
Any band that can hook my interest based solely on their soundcheck must be doing something right, and such was the case with LA’s All Day Sucker. From the moment I heard the harmonized strains of Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls” during their mic check, I knew this was a band that I could get behind. (Pardon the pun. Or don’t. Whatevs.) Catchy, accessible, and fun, the band kicked off the night in style, and frontman Morty Coyle was almost as fun to watch as he was to hear.
Charly Coombes and the New Breed
After All Day Sucker left the stage, Charly Coombes and the New Breed ascended, and the rock kept on coming. While the group played their first show together a mere 6 months ago, their sound Friday night was tight and polished. The keyboard-driven songs they played off their debut EP, Panic, kept the crowd moving, and the addition of Foo Fighters violinist Jessy Greene to the mix was the icing on the cake.
The night ended with members from both bands taking to the stage to perform a series of covers that even got surprise attendee Kiefer Sutherland dancing. From the Beatles to the Monkees, this impromptu set was the perfect ending to a night of great music that just couldn’t be topped…no matter how hard the rest of my weekend tried.
For more info on All Day Sucker, check out:
www.myspace.com/alldaysuckermyspace
For more info on Charly Coombes and the New Breed, check out:
For more info on R Bar, check out:
Enjoy these free tracks and let us know what you think in the comments!
Shaka Ponk – “Do”
Paris-based group that blends electro, rock, punk, and dance.
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While Marianne Keith acknowledged during the CD release party for her sophomore album, Cathartic, that the people who help her “schlep” gear probably prefer her solo acoustic sets, seeing the So Cal singer-songwriter with a full band was well worth the effort required by the additional equipment. Easy for me to say, right? Well, had I been approached, I would have gladly contributed to the cause and carried an amp or two in exchange for the full band experience. Or at least a couple of mic stands (I’m a bit of a weakling). The point is, I’m sure I wasn’t the only person in the audience grateful to Keith’s roadies for their efforts Thursday night.
You know the drill. Here are some of the latest records to be birthed into the world of music. Enjoy!
The Postelles – White Night EP
We at LA Music Blog can’t get enough of this retro pop-rock release and have already marked our calendars for the group’s *FREE* April 12th show at Spaceland.
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Showtime:
7:30 PM
American Cinematheque |
Los Angeles, CA
March 10th at the American Cinematheque
6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
7:30pm
Purchase Tickets:
http://www.fandango.com/theheartisadrummachine_123704/movieoverview?date=3/10/2010
Showtime:
7:30 PM
Regency Lido Theatre |
Newport Beach, CA
March 4th at the Regency Lido Theatre
Presented by The Orange County Film Society & Newport Beach Film Festival
3459 Via Lido
Newport Beach, CA 92663
7:30pm
Free music sounds even better when it’s not illegally obtained. Well, OK, maybe it sounds the same, but you can feel better knowing the artists approve of your thriftiness. Enjoy the following free downloads courtesy of the artists themselves!
Robyn – El Perro Del Mar will be returning to LA for a show at the Troubadour March 3rd and what better way to prep for the performance than with a sweet remix of the song everyone will be eager to hear: “Change of Heart – Rakamonie Remix”
Photo by: Samantha Rapp
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