West Coast Scouts Are Better

Lovely Fucking Heat

2006-06-20T16:52:00.001-07:00

First of all, I've been waiting to post this video for two days, I love pooping horses, especially drawn over a Wolfmother video, although if I could guess I would say this was actually done BY Modular even though they sent this out in an email blast about their poor "defaced" video.

Even if it was, they were taking it well...asking for a higher quality version of the thing. I'd do the same, it's either brilliant marketing or just fucking funny. Enjoy.

On for the week, as I did NOT get Keane tickets at the Fonda tomorrow night (I'm not retarded, I just hate seeing bands in big venues like that. Yes, I am spoiled. Fuggoff.)

SHOWS:

Tonight is obviously Troubadour territory, hello buzz band festival:
RED LIGHT SCHOOL DISTRICT (soon to be signed to a label given to a member of the Killers. Sweet tour dudes. Too bad they sound just alike,) AUDRYE SESSIONS, STREET TO NOWHERE (signed to Capitol like, this week I think,) and EVERYBODY ELSE.

Because of this show I will be missing those little southern cute-stuffs in THE EFFECTS at the Knitting Factory. They played the ASCAP show at SXSW, and are literally babies. Once they get out of training pants they may be worth something.

Afterwards, instead of hitting THE GIRAFFES and SCISSORS FOR LEFTY at Safari Sam's, I think I'm being dragged to HOPEWELL at Cinespace. Blah.

Arrrrrr.

2006-06-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm -$134, you'd think I'd give up. No! I refuse.

I'm going to hit up SICK PUPPIES at the Gig tonight at 10:30.

I missed their dragonfly show last month which was followed by several label showcases (of which I heard mixed reviews.) I have to see for myself anyway, I don't trust those fuckers.

A&R's. Shady folk. Bahaha.

I found a beautiful boy singer yesterday care of Record Of The Day, James Morrison from the UK. He's a 21 year old Ray LaMontagne.

He's already signed to Polydor though (sigh, isn't it always like that) but still, envigorating to find something really great.

Check out "Better Man", if my heart wasn't so black and shriveled, I might cry. Its raw and rough and dirty and really beautiful.

Anyways, I'll be tapping out for the weekend. Must pop away to the midwest. Good luck Los Angeles, I'm sure you can find something decent to do while I'm gone....xoxo.

2006-06-12T16:30:00.000-07:00

Somehow, with no car, I'm still managing to plan nights like tonight:

8:00 THE APPEARANCE - Troubadour
9:45 THE BROBECKS - Spaceland
10:45 DIMINISHED - Knitting Factory

A rather well-rounded musical evening, if I do say so myself. 3 distinct flavors of rock.

Diminished is so fucking rad, if you've never seen them. I'm not a metal person, although I do enjoy it when it's either a. Amazing or b. Hilarious. Diminished look like hippies and are SUPER young but it's one of those simple guilty pleasure shows where you laugh and smile, and are just utterly satisfied by the rock.

On another note...Wolfmother play the Fonda wednesday and if there is any industry person that has somehow failed to see them it is worth bugging your friends at Interscope for a ticket. It is sold out, and no that doesn't mean there is no shot. Keane is there next week too. Fonda's en fuego this month, my lord.

Today...let's see...the most tasty bit I got is something I wish I didn't. Saving Abel's song "18 Days" gets stuck in my head so bad. I EALLY I didn't like stuff like this, but if this song got a ballsier chorus to it... I mean...shit. Outta the park. My mid-western roots are going to sell me records though, I'll tell you that much.

2006-06-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

It's a busy week in Los Angeles. Sigh. "June gloom" is in full effect but I can't say I mind. Better than the humidity I was feeling last week in New York.

Last night I tried to see Peachcake at the Viper Room, but as USUAL the fucking Viper was lagging so bad that I had to leave to see THE PHEONIX FOUNDATION. From New Zealand, my friend Jonny Kaps at +1 is obsessed with them. It's sleepy and folky, sweet in a summer sort of manner, but too mellow for my personal taste.

From there, it was off to see Metal Blade's 3 at the Knitting Factory. Two drummers, it ripped. The singer is the brothe of one of the guys in Coheed and Cambria.

I love Coheed and Cambria. I love the record before last, and even beyond that I love the bass players mouth. You could like, fit a baby in there. You could fit 5 burritos in there. I find it so fascinatingly endearing.

After seeing 3, I ended up at Pete Wentz birthday party through some friends. It is TOTALLY gay to go to celebrity birthday parties when you don't know them, and I'm TOTALLY down with it. Paris Hilton, Madden brothers, fucking Ice-Man from X-men...? I'm in.

Tonight at the Knit is He Is Legend playing with Showbread (who also rule). As one of the casualties of broke bands signing away their lives, He Is Legend is rumored to have signed for a total of 7 records to Solid State. 7 RECORDS!! Fuckin' hell.

The last time I saw them play, (and this is standard fare for them, but on your first unexpected time it feels like an orgasm), they stopped midway through their last song and just stood there, staring at us. Minutes went by until people went from entertained to uncomfortable. Finally, the singer raised both hands in the air, turned around, and dropped into a cover of "Dead and Bloated". I still get shivers.

Anyway, tonight...I miss them. Also playing is ROCK KILLS KID and NICO VEGA at Cinespace, MOONRATS and another lullaby of THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION at Safari Sams, and for the A&R folk that care, you should be at RADIANT at the Viper Room at 8 pm. Those little Dallas boys are STILL on the radar...

Tomorrow...more star sightings at the Nylon/Myspace party. When did I turn so fucking hollywood? I hope they have good finger food. I'll keep you posted.

Not Dead

2006-06-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Mannnnn. If I could have 3 clones....I would be the best scout EVER.

Tonight I'm trying to see *achem*

8:15 PAULSON- Troubadour
8:20 KEATING- Avalon
10:00 FERRABY LIONHEART- Hotel Cafe
12:00 THE TAKEOVER UK- Kibitz Room

Yeah...that's all probably not going to happen. To note though all you Los Angelesites, The Takeover UK are adorable Pennsylvania rock kids with a little country and a little brit and a lot of talent. At least thats what I recall from the weirdest tour I've ever even heard of last year that I went on a few dates of: Takeover, Zao, Open Hand and The Juliana Theory. Whaaaa?

Actually Brett from The Juliana Theory has done some producing with the Takeover kids, I heard Artemis was interested but I'm not sure what happened to it. Or what happened to Artemis. Ha.

They have a thursday night residency all month at the Kibitz room in Canters on Fairfax. Please attend. As far as I remember, it's certainly worth cramping into a Jewish deli late at night for.

Brrr

2006-05-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

You would think, as I sloth here at 5 pm the deliciousness of LAST nights clothes, hot from the humidity and hardly human from this insane 4 am bar time....you'd think I'd raise the white flag.

Say, listen, you win. Two sunrises I've seen, I no longer have a liver, I'm exhausted and half dead. New York, you have beaten me.

BUT NO. See that's the thing. I'm going to drink all your liquor and definitely drain you dry of champagne (mmm Mimosa's drool), I'm going to eat all your pizza (yet to have that perfect NY slice yet though), and the rest of my activities shall remain secret unless you know me well enough for the privilage of these revels.

On the music note, I missed WILL DAILEY at the NY Knitting Factory thursday night. Instead I was dragged to the worst place ever called Red Rocks- think a busted up Coyote Ugly, PLUS it's Fleet week so the island (and the bar) is flooded with marines. Vo-mit.

I did get a chance to catch up with the boys of Glass Intrepid though, in town from Dallas for a showcase of sorts. The brother of one of the Makeshifte guys, (buzz band duh) and a good band.

Okay I'm going to go look for my brain now. Maybe I left in the refridgerator?!

Wait I'm going to New York?

2006-05-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

I went to the Key Club last night and caught the end of Northern (if you don't know this band already and you live out here you are FIRED. They are managed by the illustrious and highly excellent in the bill-and-ted sense Berko Pearce, and their live show is improving rampantly.)

ONEREPUBLIC, MALBEC, and WILLIAM TELL followed. Three acts I've seen many times. Yes, William Tell is a living breathing magazine cover, (with some terrible thrift store wanna-be golf pants last night, you don't need to prove you are one of us "regular people" William. Give up. You'll never be.) Okay point of that rant, is I really with he had songs. If he could sing his ex-band member of SOMETHING CORPORATE Josh Partington of FIRESCAPE's songs, he would blow up into space. Se. La. Vie.

Malbec played new songs, one of which had Sting on the phone saying, "Um yeah you will owe me for using that 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' melody. Thanks. I do have enough money as it is, and I am damn sexy for being an old man. I can't have a phone conversation without pointing out those two facts. Okay. Bye Malbec."

OneRepublic. Sigh. I am one of the few and special to have a record. And it's SO good. You are jealous, and I understand.

Okay, so on to some music. David Aaron. Does this have some 80's cheese rock, and then some...G-Love? I don't know. He weirds me out, but in the way that I would go see him if I were on the east coast. What's up east coast scouts? What the fuck?

Listen to "Hideaway", this is the one that tastes like a huge rip off of some 80's band I can't put my finger on...if you can FIO let me know whe the fuck it is! It's not Firehouse...it's something famous...what IS it?!

Then listen to "Genuine", the back up vocals that creep into this song at the end are so bad I want to strangle a puppy. But there is still something cool about his voice.

Tell me if this makes you feel as weird as I do. David, what the fuck are you doing? Are you cool, or just really confused? Do you need to be held? Or a labotomy?

Well misters and mistresses, I'm actually going to the (gasp) east coast for the weekend. Yes yes, I will enjoy your pizza and your "central park" thankyouverymuch. Yes I'll partake in your 4 am bar time, your loose morals and your abundance of free drugs lining up in every bathroom in manhattan on a nightly basis (KIDDING, kidding, sheesh).

Wish me luck. Hope I don't get lynched.

And PS. I do actually love the beasts of the east. I just enjoy a little shit talk now and then, who doesn't?

We Clean Up Well

2006-05-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight instead of hitting up the Viper room for the THE ICARUS LINE and SUICIDE CLUB like a good lil' scout, I'll instead be jaunting off to Dominick's for some silly exclusive industry infested weasel party post ASCAP Awards. Fucking right.

There is a point to these parties though kids. I do not lie. And that point is FINGER FOOD. Myself and my small group of waiter-attacking, know where the kitchen door is, don't eat cause we know we're going to have a delicious dinner served on little tiny napkins folk could almost consider ourselves "connoisseurs of hors d'oeuvres".

Or just grubby little kids that love and APPRECIATE delicious free food. (There was this polenta/mushroom situation I had once that still tops my charts.) Fuck the misconception that girls in LA don't eat. Um. Yeah we do. In the music industry at least. Hollywood does too but I think they barf afterwards or else chow a LOT of laxitives. Whatever works, I guess.

So every band I've listened to today sucks ass. There hasn't been that many because I've been busy running errands and interviewing new interns (muhahahaaaa) but let's see...a band I'm looking forward to seeing at The Reading Festival that is just now free from it's North American deal with Universal is Fightstar. Check. It. Out.

Fizz

2006-05-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

Excuse the lapse in post, I was in RISE AGAINST land the last two nights- 5 sold out nights at the Troubadour.

Sigh, people. That show is just simply excellent. It feels like a pulse. Like blood flow. Like the band exhale's and the crowd inhales- back and forth. A living thing.

I see so many shows, it's fantastic to see one that alive and real. I love having standards raise. Come on motherfuckers, beat that.

This week for personal reasons I'm musically the most most most excited about Stab The Matador. Little 18 year olds from the NYC area making dense dance punk sort of flavor. It's so early, and it's so fun. On first listen "Hi Beam Dance Floor" was an obvious favorite, but the deeper I get into it, I'm finding that all the songs are tasty in their own ways. Yummy.

Tonight I'm going to see THE LITTLE ONE'S at the Echo, yes yes buzz buzz.

And naturally, its the weekend, so scouts should have NOTHING to do with music. Must save our ears, musn't we. Okay, shut up.

Twins

2006-05-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

I missed all band-age last night, instead I stayed at the office past 9:30 and by then it was more of a "fuck itttt" sound going on in my head.

I did go to JONES and I'm not sure why no one bothered to inform me that tuesday nights go off there. It was perfectly packed (but not too tightly) with good looking young folks of all natures. A couple nerdbots came in and spun actual RECORDS of Arctic Monkey's, Bloc Party, and the like.

Which in a sense I find strange. Both those bands are so new they are still wearing their diapers, yet they have vinyl? I don't know. I love the idea of real old school DJing, but to spin music that broke via itunes seemed...weird...to me.

Okay, two things for the day.

First of all, everyone should have already seen the Panic! At The Disco video for "I Write Sins Not Tragedies", but if you haven't go watch it. It's like Dresden Dolls makes a baby with Carnivale. Apparently the video was made by their buddy who worked at TGI Fridays. (PS. This means there is hope. I will say no more.)

Secondly, what is up with me and pussy rock? Copeland? OneRepublic? The Fray? It's a few specifics but once they get in my mouth they just taste so fucking good. Check out Midway State. Croon is a good word to use in a sentence with this band.

Bands like this will probably never sell records until they locate some chops (or a great writing team) and turn Maroon 5.

So today, I have a bit of an industry fat kid day. Lunch with Island A&R, dinner with Capitol A&R. It's lucky I have telepathy and x-ray vision because I'll know what bands they like and what their skivvies look like as well. I win. Again.

Tonight on show menu:

FAMILY FORCE FIVE is playing the Viper Room
MINUTES TIL MIDNIGHT is at Spaceland

Chewable Vitamins

2006-05-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

Controlling The Famous's "Automatic City" comes out today on The Militia Group. Couldn't be happier for those kids. I don't agree that "you taste best when you're honest" but I like the fact that a blonde and a red head think they can yell that at me. Fuck you guys!
Check out "Two Sides" on the myspace page. Yum.

The Family Force 5 show last night was great and even more rock than I remember, if you don't get the humor in these guys you are obviously devoid of any charm or probably a soul. I mean, they brought "spirit fingers" into a rock show. I need say nothing more on this matter.

On to Spaceland for the Wires On Fire, Bronx, Architects show.

Hello IDJ?
Yes, this is reality calling. Were you aware that you signed THE BRONX? Do you have a CLUE what to do with that band? I'm not sure if you've looking in the mirror lately but you are a MAJOR.
Oh mother. Hmm. Well time to give ourself a swirly and ass rape another band. Ta!

And the poor Architects! They drove 30 hours to get to the show last night to play "support" for The Bronx but weren't told that would be support AFTER they played. I doubt they even got paid. Fucking sucks.

Decidedly though, after another shot watching them (the first time with every weasel at SXSW) I still wouldn't sign this band. They are older, the songs are cool, the show is energetic...but I just don't think they have that one element that makes me think a major label should be swinging on them. Even if they had the songs I still think it would be a challange to break them, they are faceless midwest rock that doesn't suck, but it just doesn't rise above either.

Tonight, on the boards:

8:00 THE AURORA BECKONS for the Music Connection showcase at the Gig
ELECTRIC UH-OH who hassle me constantly to go see them (sigh) are playing a the Cat Club
Fat Wrecks LOVE EQUALS DEATH is at the Echo
10:00 NICO STAI is at Hotel Cafe
And last, our newest widdle hipster-night addition called Check Yo' Ponytail at Safari Sam's. SUBTITLE and MODERN MEMORY are playing. I might as well go look at some asses squeezed into girl's size 2 jeans.

Just Waiting

2006-05-15T18:42:00.000-07:00

Let's just say, horse racing is pretty rad but only because watching Rosanna Arquette and family deal with screaming brats next to you (and her tits are totally fake in case that was your next question) is kinda entertaining. Plus, the cheese selection was amazing.

Race track= fake boobs and good roquefort. I am continuely suprised by life.

I made it all the way down to Costa Mesa friday night for one song of a tragically boring band. These are the moments I can go right ahead and question:
a. the state of music and
b. the state of my career.

All I could do on the way down was listen to Oakland based Audrye Sessions new demo's for the two hours I sat in traffic down there. Amazing how 3 songs can ensare you. Just you wait until this band gets out there. The chorus's fucking pummel in a lovely- I can't tell if I want to furiously make out with someone or cry right now- sort of way. Need work on the verses and these myspace recordings don't do justice, but the band is totally legitimate. Plus the bass player is hot as shit- like Shannon Sossamyn.

And just to share something utterly enjoyable, please watch THIS video.

Tonight is NUTS.

FAMILY FORCE 5 on Maverick is opening up Metal Skool at the Key Club, 9 pm. To explain this band would take visuals. Look forward to that.
THE BRONX, WIRES ON FIRE, and ARCHITECTS are playing Spaceland tonight opening up The Bronx residency there. Yeah. I better get in.
THE OUTLINE is playing the HellYa night at the Echo tonight with LEMON SUN and the buzzing San Diego UV TIGERS.
Lastly, NICO VEGA is on 1030 at the Viper. Did you know that dude works at Jones? I want to tug his lil' apron every time I see him.

Okay, I still have to make my schedule for next week. Ya'all? Go f*** with your *****. You know?

The Hunt

2006-05-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Last night was one of those frenetic sunset strip nights. Roxy-viper-key-viper-key.

I DID see Jake Gylenhaal and Kirsten Dunst at Guillemots, I do love me a fancy celebrity sighting and this was a good 'un. I wanted to snuggle Jake's beard but I didn't feel like cat fighting Kirstin last night (although I do this morning) so I just left him alone.

And by the way, that band may be "cool" but I could NOT get into it. After they paraded around the room in a very indie-cool conga line sort of way, I was over it. And not for the reason you may think such as "oh shut up you jaded industry weasel fuck". It was more like, if you are going to parade around and beat your drums, and talk into your loud speaker etc, at least FEEL it. Don't do it because it's kitch. If I were in that band and I was backstage before a show, I would say, "dudes and ladies, I just don't fucking feel like doing our parade tonight 'cause it's going to come off forced and like we are TRYING to be kitch. Let's not."

I guess it's too bad I'm not in that band then.

The best part of last night showwise, (as the Viper room made me wish I did not have ears), was actually the Key Club. CLEARSTATIC and KILL HANNAH played before Shiny Toy Guns so naturally I wasn't there until they played. Ha.

I have been on and off about SHINY TOY GUNS record, absolutely loving some of it and hating other songs for well over a year right now. Last night was actually the first time I saw them and I REALLY dug it. The girl is SUPER f'ing cute, and the show had great energy. It was sort of silly in the new wave electronica face-pant posing angled hair cuts white collared jackets way, but undeniably enjoyable.

For a new band of the day, Another Cynthia from Portland is high on my list of interests but the dudes are impossible to get a hold of! Website leads to myspace, they rarely return emails, have no representation, and are driving me motherfucking bananas. KILLING ME. MURDER. DEATH. ARGH. I just want to see a damn show, guys. C'mon. Current favorite track of theirs is "What I Want". Tell me what you think.

Shows tonight:
EVER SO GOOD- Costa Mesa
JUST JINGER- Viper Room (South African band with such a fun live show.)
THE APPEARANCE- Roxy

And then...drunk dialing and maybe even some bar snogging. Whaaaaaat.

Mudderfucker.

2006-05-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

So I was reading Jax's blog tonight, and she has it right. Guidance for the genpop on where to go out to see good music in this town is urgently needed.

Industry rant of the day, I was listening to ELBOW this morning. If you haven't heard Elbow "Leaders Of The Free World" you really need to.

The grander question as an A&R scout: does it make sense to sign bands like Elbow, or like BRMC to a major label? Is that using realistic record sales expectations, and worse, would that be a gross over estimation of the record buying public's patience and ability to understand decent music?

Sigh.

Tonight: Rainbow for Chinese Chicken Salad (No Chicken), a favorite of mine on the Sunset Strip.

Viper room for NUEROMANCE and STURGEON (hmmmm about both of these. My guess is I'll be smoking plenty of cigarettes outside after 30 seconds of some suckage.)
DRAGONFORCE is at the Whisky (yay for people that dress up like wizards)
BOYSETSFIRE is at the Knitting Factory (yay for people that get me backstage at Reading)

I suppose simply because I started this blog to talk shit about how west coast scouts are better, I should probably post something I'm liking today. Here it is: British band called Assembly Now, has a bit of Bloc Party, a little Cribs. Check out "It's Magnetic".

Soon enough I'll be posting MP3's. Until then, wait, and keep panties on. Or off. Whichever is more comfortable.