Come Together

Forgot the camera, thanks to Elliot for the sketch.

After a ten year hiatus, Brothers William and Jim Reid resurrected their band, Jesus and Mary Chain, last night at the Glasshouse. This wasn't exactly yer typical reunion (to be fair, former drummer and now Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie wasn't in attendance, not that his involvement would've been anything other than nostalgic at best) - to no one's surprise, Jim and William Reid barely spoke a word to each other onstage. Nevertheless, I was ecstatic to witness the rehashing of JAMC classics, like "Head On," "Blues From A Gun," "Some Candy Talking," and "Happy When It Rains." Also worthy of mention - Jim invited opener Giant Drag onstage to guest on "Just Like Honey," not that you could hear Annie's vocals.

Midway into the set, I realized that the band's return wasn't necessarily a reunion, but a rebirth. I'd recently heard rumors that Jesus and Mary Chain are planning a tour (they've signed with the Agency Group) in support of a new album. The validity of the rumors were somewhat confirmed by Jim Reid himself during the show, when he introduced a new song. Truthfully, that song, nameless to me at this point, was the harshest toke of the night - it was an up-tempo song, with seemingly little inspiration (the lyrics were dissapointing) and minimal effort (strikingly, William played his riff with no enthusiasm.) Please, don't feel obligated to take my word for it. I'm not sure what song the person in front of me was listening to at the time, but he commented to his companion that it was "an instant classic!"

Maybe it was the Reid brothers' perceived disinterest during their performance (only reinforced by William Reid's reluctance to sing or speak at all), but I couldn't shake the feeling that the return of Jesus and Mary Chain was encouraged by money, not that I was deterred by the realization. In all fairness, I'd expected that, given William Reid's well documented no show (an obvious snub towards Jim) at the MOJO Awards last year. I think I subconsciously hoped the Reid brothers would tell Goldenvoice off, like Morrissey, if they weren't excited to bring back some of what Jesus and Mary Chain left behind, let alone create new music.

Above all, my excitement laid in the simple fact that the Jesus and Mary Chain, a band I have a lot of admiration for, were performing before my eyes, a prospect I wouldn't have believed possible only a year ago. I heard songs I'd only dreamed of hearing live and that was fulfilling enough for me.

I encourage those of you who were in attendence (or anyone else for that matter) to post yer thoughts.

Flip It Good - The Recap

Teamwork, sort of.


Trouble, especially the one on the right.


Justin likes energy drank.


Jimmy



Flip Yer Face was a success. Everybody and their momma turned up.

Midway into it, I learned I'm no Mick Boogie on the electronic wheels of steel, but it ain't no thang. From now on, DJ Mo' Money, Mo' Matzah sticks to the classic turntable, none of that computer junk.

Props to Table Manners Crew, Cornerstone, and 857 PR.

Funky President

Our president. Truly emblematic of the current state of American diplomacy and goodwill, huh?

The 17th Century Comeback

Andre Young was rockin' skullheads (swagger jackin' the trends of the 17th and 18th centuries) long before Juelz "I'm Takin' Rock 'N' Roll to Another Level, Iced Out Skull Heads" Santana ever expressed his passion for the morbid fashion statement. Point is, music video director Dean Karr is selling pieces from his video shoots long past, including the skull necklace Dr. Dre wore in Soul Assasin's "Puppetmaster" video. Get yer nostalgia on!

Hey Day

Casey and I were privileged enough to experience an event worth far more than the price of admission at the REDCAT Theatre last night. Lavender Diamond, backed by an orchestra, and Indian Jewelry were performing!


A taste of Indian Jewelry.

Indian Jewelry began the night by filling the REDCAT with a detached ambience - tribal inspired drumming (hence, Indian Jewelry?), melodic guitar patterns, the ever present strobe light, and a heavy synthesizer to boot. Sans orchestra (I'd originally assumed otherwise), Indian Jewelry seemed to wow half the audience and scare the other. Me? I loved it, save the cliche distorted video montage.



After a brief intermission appeared Lavender Diamond, with orchestra in tow. In person, no matter the time or place, Becky Stark is incredibly warm and personable. I find her passion for positivity heartfelt and inspiring. We could all use some more positivity in our lives, don't you think?


Lavender Diamond performing "I'll Never Lie Again (Clip)"

Lavender Diamond's positive vibes were in full effect. Considering the fantastic orchestral arragements by pianist Steven Gregoropoulos and the addition of the ever modest Devon Williams (his first show with the band, according to Becky), the band far exceeded my grandest expecations. Yeah, they were that good.

And then, when everything was all said and done (post "You Broke My Heart" encore with orchestral improvisation), a well deserved...




Standing ovation - Smiles all around. A truly incredible event!

In related news, I wanted to share with you that I received Lavender Diamond's debut full length, "Imagine Our Love," the other day, and it is a fantastic recording. Really, the album is chalk full of positive jams, my favorites being "Garden Rose," "Like An Arrow," "Here Comes One," and of course, "Open Your Heart." Please, head to yer local record store May 8th and support one of the best releases of the year!

The So Fresh Dance Party

Academia, here I come!

Me? Frown?

Yesternight, the ol' lady and I attended the debut performance of Aaron Rose' The Sads at FAMILY. Rose, surrounded by musicians David Scott Stone (Synth), Dan Monick (Drums), and Aska Matsumiya (Keys), was on point - I found the performace to be genuine and forthwright (mistakes included), only reinforced by the silent awe of the audience. Who woulda' thought a live typewriter (played by Miranda July) could further cement the poignancy of "Miniature Moons?"


Aaron Rose


Rose again


Miranda July on typewriter duties


David Scott Stone

The Sads played five songs, one cover. To the applause of one man, The Sads delved into a cover (that which I'm unfamiliar with) by Unsane...




All of this made possible, in part, by this man.

Needless to say, we then high tailed it to the Echo to catch a long overdue performance by the Ponys, only to find a line around the block (halfway from the Brite Spot.) A bittersweet bummer.

Free Man

Out on bail for a felony posession charge, legendary 45 Grave and Germs drummer Don Bolles recently made an appearance on ViceTV's "Dos, Don'ts, and Friends." Some background: Don was recently arrested in Orange County for possession of GHB (I find it difficult to believe Don Bolles is a date rap enthusiast) that was allegedly discovered in his container of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap.

Arguing that "The notion that anyone would put GHB in a rinse-off liquid soap product is beyond belief, and the police field test used must have been flawed or tampered with," the maker of the soap, Dr. Bronner's, are paying for Don Bolles' legal defense. President David Bronner adds, "We cannot imagine anyone putting GHB, or any other drug for that matter, into a rinse-off soap product that is lathered and rinsed off the body immediately. The Newport Beach police should see how much of a buzz putting beer in their shampoo gives them, and get a grip and apologize on their hands and knees to Mr. Bolles." I don't know what yer politics are, but I personally sleep better at night knowing the American Justice system is working tirelessly to jail the innocent. Appropriate use of tax dollars, no?

The homegirl Michelle also reported a Bolles sighting the other day on Sunset Blvd. Good to see you out and about Don!

Hold Up

DJ Khaled on Lil' Wayne's Drought 3 to HHNLive:

"Yeah we just finished mixing it [Drought 3] last week, so it should be coming out soon. There’s a bootleg floating around with a few of the songs that leaked, but that’s not even close to all of the tracks that are going to be on the real thing. Plus, the real version is hosted by me and Birdman, so with the bootleg, it doesn’t even have the same feel. But it’s ready to go. We’re just not sure when it’s going to drop yet."

Drought 3 isn't out yet? Does that mean we got the bootleg of the mixtape?

Question: Since when are mixtapes more anticipated than the albums themselves?

New Noise

Clifford Harris is fresh out the kitchen with "Do It (Big Shit Poppin)", from the upcoming TI vs TIP record. Most are leakin' snippets, while So Fresh has the entire song. Check it out - producer Mannie Fresh and TI head down under for that digeridoo flavor, while TI spits on point.

Water Dub

Weezy F. Baby channels Finding Nemo in his latest Rap City freestyle (and squeezes in a Gillie Da Kid diss, no less.) Yer thoughts?

Happy When It Rains

Party People, I've got great news. Local life enthusiasts, Lavender Diamond, and noisy expirementalists, Indian Jewelry, will be performing at the REDCAT Theatre (I discovered today that the REDCAT is located within Frank Gehry's Disney Hall) Thursday, April 19th; perhaps the most exciting part in all of this is that both bands will be accompanied by an orchestra! Can you imagine Becky Stark and Lavender Diamond backed by an orchestra?! Even better, can you imagine Indian Jewelry with a backing orchestra? Amazing.

Click for tickets.

Creature Feature

Frequent So Fresh subject, Ian Svenonius, hosts a show worth mentioning called Soft Focus on ViceTV. Essentially, Svenonius chats with guests at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. Soft Focus is clever, well researched, and most of all, comical, as a calm, engaging Svenonius discusses the abyss that is creativity with guests like Andrew WK, Henry Rollins, and Chan Marshall.

And it don't stop at Soft Focus. ViceTV, in it's short existence, has already proven it's worth, documenting social and political phenomena worldwide and streaming it online for your pleasure. Get into the Black Lips performing to a overwhelmingly drunk crowd in Tijuana, Mexico or a brutally honest report on rap music in Houston, Texas (the investigative reporter goes so far as to sip on lean and smoke blunts with his rap interviewees) - you won't be disappointed.

Bicycle Man

Several weeks ago, I quit smoking cigarettes, to my own miserable benefit. My methods avoided nicorette replacement substances and focused on positivity and natural habits to get myself through the obstacles of stress. That said, two good friends of mine offered me their spare bicycle (a busted, red beach cruiser) and we started riding in North Hollywood, nearly every night. Night rides became day rides, as I started riding the same bicycle from my apartment in West Hollywood to my work Downtown, tired of sitting in traffic. Last week, I took the next step and purchased my very own street bicycle and have been riding everywhere since. Let me tell you, I am a better man for it.

What I was unaware of, until recently, in my newfound appreciation of riding, was the greater community of people just like me, who choose to ride their bicycles instead of driving cars. As if that find wasn't exciting enough, I discovered online communities like, Midnight Ridazz and Bike Boom, that support and nourish the bicycle culture in Los Angeles. On those sites, you can find group rides daily in yer community and all over the greater Los Angeles area.

Two weeks ago, I went on a ride through West Hollywood with a group of people. Nearly one hundred members strong, this diverse crowd of people rode all over Los Angeles, stopping every so often in a nearby parking lot to congregate with each others, drink beer, smoke pot, and listen to music (I swear I heard the Germs.) Positive vibes all around.

Below is a Midnight Ridazz ride. Look at how many people showed!



In my short life, I've already caught myself becoming increasingly skeptical and critical of human beings, which is probably why this is so exciting to me. The discovery of DIY repair shops like the Bicycle Kitchen, where the self service of the community supports the existence of the shop, only supplements my excitement.

Like Hov said (circa '98), "How many y'all wanna ride tonight?"

Flip A Face

YES! So Fresh, So Cold and Table Manners present Flip Yer Face, the most academia friendly basement jam of the year. 5C Students, you either know what's good or you don't. If you don't know, ask yer friends.

Props to Nik Hlady aka New Money for making this possible.

'Til Death Do Us Party

The alliance of IHeartComix, RabbitTusk, The New Ship, and LA Record sounds epic. Be there.

The Candidacy of Weezy F. Baby

It's official. Lil' Wayne's "The Drought 3" has landed and, to my excitement, Weezy F. Baby is making a run for the presidency, all controversies aside. Seriously, the mixtape is fire, but don't take my word for it. Enter Tha Carter yerself. If yer appreciation of Weezy extends beyond his recent show of creativity, Smoking Section's got you covered.

Below is a video for Lil' Wayne's "Black Republicans Freestyle" with Juelz Santana, featured on "The Drought 3." Pay no mind to Juelz "the Young Baracka Obama" Santana - he just likes to talk and show off his skull jewelry. Like the Dipset Prince always say, "We Don't Diss Them, We Dismiss Them."



Notice Weezy showin' off the sizzurp (around 3:55)

That's some lyricism for yer 2007.

Advanced Prawns

THE IRON CHEF COOKOUT
Meet and Greet, Q&A, and a Cookout with Raekwon the Chef!

Monday April 16th @ 7pm - It's a free all ages event

ONLY AT 33third Los Angeles
5111 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019

RSVP 33ghost@sbcglobal.net

Maybe Raekwon will serve some OB4CL2 fresh out the kitchen?

Up With People

©Boogie

The 15th day of Nisan is here.

Get yer Passover on.

I Hate Rock N Roll, Pt. Deuce

On Thursday, April 26, Jesus and Mary Chain will perform (their first show in over ten years!) at The Glasshouse in Pomona, CA. Come salute the OGs of Shoegaze before they head out to the Indio Valley for Coachella.

I got my ticket (no thanks to the monopoly that is Ticketmaster.) This is a time for celebration!