Time to play catch up.

It seems like I haven't done anything in the last 2 months. Looking through my camera though, I guess I'm wrong. Here's a recap of what's been going down.

July 24th - Tokyo Police Club @ The Hammer Museum

Hooray for free shows. Plans to stay home and catch up on some R&R? Sorry. There is just really no excuse not to go see the free music at the Hammer. This past Thursday Canadians best mis-named band, Tokyo Police Club, played to a packed house in the courtyard for the last of this summer's I Also Like to Rock series hosted by Indie 103.1. People unfortunate to have exercised their "Who goes to shows on time?" philosophy sadly had to wait in line on Wilshire Blvd (and wrapping around the corner) until TPC were halfway through their set.

Openers, Afternoons, were like a bad version of The Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse without any of the quirkiness that make either band enjoyable. Do they really need 2 drums? I guess if you're nly half as good as you're supposed to be...


Tokyo Police Club played all their sprightly, youthful, anthems in pretty much the same manner as their show at the Troubadour a few months back. Nothing new in their set but they were still enjoyable to watch. I still feel as though their songs titles should all be appended with an '(unfinished)'. All in all...well, all in all, it was free. And the John Lautner exhibit is amazing!

Kids from Tokyo


Balcony Seats


July 19th - Glow at the Santa Monica Pier

Complain all you will but I thought it was a good idea. Sure, way too many people showed up, the DJ's stopped playing at 2 (I mean who was really planning on staying till 7 am?), and don't get me started on the traffic. I took the bus and it was still bad. I can't imagine what it must have been like to drive with parking lots charging $25. The interactive art was quite cool in my opinion though. In particular the shadow puppets on the moon and the voice activated visualizer projecting on the fountain were worth getting my shoes sandy on this Saturday. And...it's the first time the SM Pier has ever been allowed to host an event. History people, history. The Dark Knight will still be in theaters.

The crowd and I @ Glow


Jack in the Moon


THe new Ferris Wheel

Beck Cancelled due to Schedule Conflict??

What happened? Did Tom spring a "must-attend" Dianetics seminar on the group? Oh well, you don't want to piss off Xenu.

Two Girls at the Wiltern! with Beirut as Background

Dear Drunk Blonde #1 and your friend Drunk Blonde #2,
I wanted to apologize on behalf of everyone at the Wiltern Friday night who thought they were there to see Beirut. We didn't realize it was just another bar with a live band and a $30 cover charge. I'm sorry if Zach Condon and the rest of his magnificent Balkan-esque orchestra was preventing you from hearing your own voice. Thankfully you're able to shout loud enough so your friend can hear you! Also, Thank you for helping make our roads safer by completing all of your texting during Beirut before you got in your car and tried to do it while driving home.

Did you happen to meet the guys to my right? They had very loud voices too. It's a good thing because they had a lot to say as well. I think the four of you would have a grand ol' time discussing how many beers you were able to drink and how tubas kind of sound like farts.

Watching the development of this one time bedroom composer was very inspiring. For such a young musician, Condon scraps the rote pop music formula and substitutes the rote guitar and bass, for trumpets, ukuleles, mandolins, and French Horns. His art seems to belong in a waltz ballroom just as much as it does in the Wiltern.



What I could hear from Beirut over my neighbors was wonderful. The pit section was aglow with the displays of digital cameras and cell phones when Beirut took the stage at 11:00. They/He opened with Nantes and followed it not long after with the other single from The Flying Cup Club, A Sunday Smile. The rest of the evening was sprinkled with tunes from both of his albums with Maestro Condon at times merely conducting his talented orchestra. The first of two encores demanded by the raucous crowd began with Postcards From Italy.

I'm glad the two blonds appeared to finish their conversation and I'm glad they were able to share the concert with whomever was on the other end of their Blackberry. Because after all, what other purpose does going to a show have other than being able make your friends who aren't there envious?

Postcards From Italy
.

Foals! I told you all! See FOALS!!

I tried. I really tried! I told everyone, "Foals. Troubadour, May 24th, $10! Or, for my more northern comrades, "Foals, Popscene, Thursday!!!" Well, now all I can say is I TOLD YOU SO!!! This band won't be returning to a club that small, for a price cheaper than their cd, ever again. The Troubadour was just 1 day after their appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show and they now have a slot at a few of this summers upcoming Download Festivals.

How good are Foals? I actually own the CD. As in "I bought it from Amoeba, burned it, and didn't return it for 75% credit" good. In an attempt to not bore the reader with fawning adjectives, I will just say they were perfect live. They played every song off Antidotes and included grooovy improv jams at the beginning, during a broken string change, and at the intro to the encore. As any good band should, they didnt save their singles Cassius or Balloons for the predictable encore. Bravo, thank you, and see you again.

Set List:
French Open
Cassius
Olympic Airways
Balloons
Heavy Water
Two Steps Twice
Hummer
Red Socks Pugie
Electric Bloom
*encore* Mathletics

Foals - Cassius

Some Things Are More Important Than Music

Like how the hell you're supposed to get to shows. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Sad follow-up to Pretty Girls Make Graves reunion

Ticketweb now says "Jaguar Love featuring members of Pretty Girls Make Graves and Blood Bros." I knew it was too good to be true and now I'm trying to get a refund from them due to the misleading billing. I mean, look at this ticket and tell me if it reads like the two bands below Jaguar Love aren't playing.

A PGMG Reunion, so soon?

don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that Pretty Girls Make Graves are opening for their spin-off group Jaguar Love...less than one year after their "Farewell" tour. I guess it just goes to show, you can't keep a good band down.

See for yourself

PGMG - Sad Girls Por Vida @ Their "Final (LA)" show last year