Saturday, June 23, 2012

8:00 PM

$12-$15

The Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069

www.facebook.com/MiloGreene

Fri, June 15, 2012

7pm

$20-$22

The Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069

www.facebook.com/motioncitysoundtrack

Friday, June 8, 2012

8:00 PM

$13-$15

The Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069

www.facebook.com/mapsandatlases

Sun, June 3, 2012

6:00 PM

$12-$14

The Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069

www.facebook.com/heiswe.official

If I had to choose just one word to summarize this show, it’d be UNREAL! There was so much creativity and talent oozing off the stage that at one point, I felt my head was certain to explode. I was right–eventually it did!

Grieves & Budo have been popping up on everyone’s musical radar these days, and if you haven’t heard of them, then the only logical explanation would be that you’re living under a rock…or just relying on those radio stations for your daily musical fix. I was lucky enough to be introduced to their work by a friend awhile back, and the rest is history. It was love at first track! That seems to be the consensus all around. Earlier this summer, MTV premiered Grieves & Budo’s music video for the single “On The Rocks,” so I am extremely psyched to inform you that these guys are finally getting the exposure they deserve!

In addition to the newly released Together/Apart, Grieves has released three previous albums in the last four years by the names of Irreversible, 88 Keys and Counting, and The Confessions of Mr. Modest, all of which are worth buying/listening to. This Chicago native by way of Seattle has locked his craft down. He’s nearly mastered his art form and only puts out consistent and confident records.

The new album is an attestation to just how solid this guy is as a rapper, so don’t walk, RUN to buy Together/Apart. It. Is. Brilliant. Stay on the lookout for singles “Bloody Poetry,” “On The Rocks,” “Against The Bottom,” and “Lightspeed.” My personal favorite tracks are “Boogie Man” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” but really who am I kidding? It’s all good!

Photo by: Bryant Shim

Now on to the show… I’ve seen Grieves & Budo perform three times now, and I have to say the third time was a charm! Don’t get me wrong, the other two performances I saw–at this year’s Paid Dues and Van’s Warped Tour festivals–were great. However, there’s something about headlining that changes the whole essence of an artist’s performance. They just completely let loose and gave fans their absolute all, which Grieves & Budo did, zooming off the side of the stage and immediately hitting the crowd with “Bloody Poetry” as the show’s opener. The song’s soulful piano accompaniment just made you want to close your eyes and vibe with it. Hands started to go up, bodies started moving, fans started singing, and the set had officially begun!

The entire show was kick-ass, I’m sorry there’s just no other way to put it! Grieves brought his A-game, rapping and singing to his songs with passion and energy. He chatted it up with the audience and just looked like he was having a good ol’ time all around. In addition to the rapper himself, producer Budo also shared the stage and was giving us one hell of a performance.

The Seattle native by way of Brooklyn has produced Grieves’ last two albums, and the outcomes have been unfathomably excellent, a match made in musical heaven no doubt! To put it modestly, Budo’s a one man band. During the show he busted out an electric guitar, then all of a sudden he had a trumpet in his hand, then he was back playing the keys, all the while you’re thinking “WOW! Is that one man up there really doing ALL that?” Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he is, and I’d bet good money that that’s not even the half of it.

Photo by: Bryant Shim

This collaboration is one of the most well fit and innovative that I’ve seen in a while! Grieves & Budo fed off of each other’s energy throughout the entire performance in a way that was contagious. By the end of the set, when the duo performed their hit “I Ate Your Soul” off the Irreversible album, the whole crowd had been taken over by that energy. Everyone just started singing the lyrics, perfectly clear, and extremely LOUD! Other old favorites that were performed were “Scar Gardens,” “Pack It Up” (which may be the best modern-day rap/love song around), “Irreversible,” and the show’s closer, “Gwenevieve.”

A little before the show started, I caught Budo standing out by the merchandise table. “First headlining tour, how’s it going?” I asked. “It’s like a huge science experiment. We just didn’t know what to expect!” he responded wide-eyed. So I edged on, “Good turnout at all the shows?” What I received back was a definitive and excited “Yes!”

While my friends were in line to get some autographs and buy some merchandise after the show ended, I got to talking to MC Type & Prof, the two performers who opened for Grieves & Budo. Everyone was in an infectiously good mood, cracking jokes here, snapping pictures there, handing out CDs, etc. The place was alive with fans and artists just sharing anecdotes and enjoying themselves!

When it finally came time to talk to Grieves & Budo, I snapped a few shots, thanked them for a great show, and asked Grieves the following: “So how was LA tonight? Did we do you proud?” He answered “Yes,” so I threw another one at him: “Were they rowdy?” “No not rowdy,” he told me, “They were perfect!” Well, what a coincidence! Those were my thoughts exactly…Grieves & Budo, you guys were PERFECT that night!

Check out Grieves’ music video for the single “On The Rocks!”

For more info on Grieves and Budo, check out their official site , as well as their Rhymesayers’ artist profile.

Every costume Dita wore (and took off) was exquisite. I had never seen her in person before, and I have to say she is a true vision. Every inch of her is impeccable, and she literally looks like she stepped off the page of a ’40s pinup magazine or an old movie you’d watch on AMC with your Nana. And her waist! O-M-G, it is TINY! She makes Scarlett O’Hara look like the Kool-Aid Man!

Inside the Roxy, there were those who bought seats and those, like myself, who had general admission standing room only. Dividing the sitters and the standers was a runway stretching out from the stage. Since my girlfriend and I got there early, we were able to stand against the runway and basically be right in the middle of all the action. So close that Dita hit my girlfriend in the face with a giant Japanese fan (So awesome! And don’t worry, she was very sweet and apologized.)

Highlights of Dita’s show included her splashing around in a giant martini glass, watching her emerge from a giant compact then powdering herself with a big powder puff, and for her finale, a beautiful and elaborate Asian-themed act set to matching background music that was actually cleverly disguised versions of “Lullabye” by The Cure and “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John.

In between all the performances, Murray Hill kept the crowd in stitches. I laughed so hard and smiled so much that my face literally hurt. If you aren’t familiar with Murray, he has this certain charm about him. His schtick is that he dresses like an olden timey Catskills, NY comedian with polyester suits and a snazzy tie for every occasion. He’s got so many tongue-in-cheek one liners that you have to mentally jog to keep up.

Murray has been an acclaimed NY night life fixture for many years, hosting burlesque shows, bingo nights, Christmas extravaganzas, and the annual Miss Lez Pageant. Besides TV and films, he has appeared in many music videos, toured with Le Tigre, hosted The Gossip, and introduced the Beastie Boys, Antony and The Johnsons, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, to name a few. Basically, they don’t call him “the hardest working middle-aged man in show business” for nothing!!

Dita and Murray also performed a similar show late last year in LA, so this was their second stint together. Since they have had two hugely successful runs, I’m hoping this means that the two of them will be back again soon. If you didn’t get to catch them before, you definitely need to nab tickets if any future shows are announced.

For more information on Dita Von Teese and Murray Hill:

Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese on Facebook
DIta Von Teese on Twitter

Murray Hill
Murray Hill on Twitter
Murray Hill on Facebook
Murray Hill on YouTube

She opened with “Supernova” and continued with all her fan favorites, concentrating on her early Exile in Guyville and Whipsmart albums. Much to my delight, as well as I’m sure everyone else’s too, she played “Divorce Song,” “6’1”,” “Nashville” (ugh, LOVE that song!), “Fuck and Run,” “Mesmerizing,” “Stratford-On-Guy,” “Extraordinary,” and “Why Can’t I,” among many others that included at least one new song and one from Funstyle. I was trying to write down all the songs, but she was playing way too many of my favorites so the whole “taking notes” thing kinda went out the window.

Besides her awesome set list, one of the other highlights of the night was when Liz invited a willing participant from the crowd to come on stage and sing back-up on her oh-so-raunchy classic “Flower.” A murmur went through the audience as people were trying to decide if they had the nerve to go up there or not. Some people were quietly on the fence while others were muttering phrases like, “Oh hells to the no!” or “Omg, I wish.” After a few tense seconds of debate, one girl decided she was going to do it. She actually got up there on stage and took up her own mic! And she even had a sort of mini practice session with Liz.

The girl was really good too, and when the song ended, she got a big hug from Liz and a freakin’ awesome memory forever. Man, I woulda jumped on that stage so fast if my voice wasn’t akin to the sound of a high-pitched fart or who was that “She Bangs” guy from American Idol? Yeah, no one needs another version of that guy, so I stayed out of it. But it was very awesome of Liz, and that girl did fantastic!

Currently Liz is working on new songs, so hopefully we’ll be seeing more of her in the future. Check out my pics from the night below, and if you still want more, you can check out my recent interview with her.

For more information:

Liz Phair
Liz Phair on Facebook

Drummer Fredrik Andersson commented:

“We’re really excited about the upcoming album, Surtur Rising. And what better way to showcase it by playing the full album on our first U.S. tour for Surtur Rising?! It’s definitely a unique opportunity for our fans because not only will the album be performed live but a second set with material from our previous albums will take place. We want our fans to really experience Amon Amarth.”

Surtur Rising, Amon Amarth’s eighth studio offering, will see a March 29th release date through Metal Blade Records. In anticipation, the band has launched www.surturrising.com with album news and pre-orders available for North America and Europe.

“An Evening With Amon Amarth” Tour Dates:

04/14 – Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge
04/15 – Saint Paul, MN @ Station 4
04/16 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
04/17 – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
04/19 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
04/20 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox Sodo
04/22 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency
04/23 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades
04/24 – West Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
04/25 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theatre
04/27 – San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
04/29 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
04/30 – Orlando, FL @ Beacham Theatre
05/01 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
05/02 – Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
05/03 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
05/05 – Best Buy Theater – New York, NY @
05/06 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA @
05/07 – Theatre Of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA

Tickets are on sale now through all local ticket outlets. For more information on Amon Amarth, check out:

www.surturrising.com

or

www.amonamarth.com

In our interview with Kelly earlier this year, the singer revealed plans to release the next Neurosis effort soon, divulging “next year is the tentative time frame.” In addition, 2010 saw the release of two albums from Wino, including Live at Roadburn 2009, the sonic documentation of the musician’s set at the 2009 Roadburn festival in Tilburg, Netherlands.

Scott Kelly/Wino Tour Dates:

02/05 – West Hollywood, CA @ Viper Room
02/07 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
02/08 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
02/09 – Chicago, IL @ Abbey Pub
02/10 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
02/11 – Baltimore, MD @ Sonar Club

For more information on Scott Kelly, check out:

www.neurosis.com

For more information on Robert Scott “Wino” Weinrich, check out:

www.southernlord.com/band_WNO.php

Tickets for the events will go on sale TODAY, with a very limited number of VIP tickets available to grant admission to all three shows, plus access to attend one of the soundchecks and an opportunity to meet the band. All ticket details are currently listed on The Roxy’s official website.

Since its formation seven years ago, Camp Freddy has performed on both coasts as well as national television shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn, and Last Call with Carson Daly. According to guitarist Billy Morrison, the group is “way more than a jam session. Camp Freddy is an ‘occasional happening,’ a freak of (Hollywood) nature.”

For more information on Camp Freddy, check out:

www.campfreddy.net