Free shows!
I had one of the most fun weekends I have had yet in Los Angeles recently. I was able to see 2 free shows, 2 nights in a row, and both were great, amazing bands!
First, on Friday September 10th, I got to see Zeke play a free show at the House of Blues. Thereason it was free was because they were touring with Motorhead, who had to cancel. I would not have been able to afford to go to that, but when Zeke played for free without Motorhead, It was TOTALLY AMAZING, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to witness it. www.zekeyou.com
Zeke are hard rockin’ balls-out, kick ass Rock N Roll! (Think Motorhead… there is a reason they tour together). I didn’t even care when an entire beer ended up all over my shirt! (Well, it was a bit sticky so I cared a little, but not that much!) I’m also glad I got to see the House of Blues, since I have been too broke to attend any shows there. I finally got to at least see what I’ve been missing. I also ran into a couple of guys from an LA band that I used to love to go see when they would come through San Francisco, called Hollywood Hate. They are a great punk band that unfortunately broke up shortly before I moved here. They were so good; I wish they were still together. Damn them!
When Zeke left the stage, I decided to rush over to the Troubadour where The Briefs (from Seattle) were headlining. I did miss the show, but I found out they were playing a secret free show the following night at Zen Sushi. I was so excited, and really glad that I went to say hi even though I had missed their show. Had I not stopped by, I wouldn’t have known about the free show the next night.
So Sat Sept 11th, I went to Zen Sushi to see The Briefs. (This is the first Setember 11th that I have had a rad time since you-know-when.) The Briefs just continue to get better and better, with more new songs, and they never seem to lose any originality. Many bands that I get excited about record a couple of albums that are great, and then I get bored with their follow up. This isn’t true of The Briefs. Their new album, ‘Sex Objects’ is even better than the first two. I highly recommend that people into punk rock and new wave, BUY THEIR MUSIC! The band seems to have tireless energy, constantly touring, and putting on high-energy shows night after night, as well as continuing to record new material. They also have great graphics and great merchandise! I can’t say enough good things about them. I am a huge fan and supporter of theirs. If by chance, you haven’t heard this band, they remind me a lot of the Buzzcocks. Check out their website, which unlike a lot of bands, they seem to keep updated! www.thebriefs.com
A few weeks ago, I saw another great Seattle band, The Girls, (also at Zen Sushi). Contrary to their name, the band is made up of guys. I saw them in San Francisco back in 2000, the first time they came to play California. They have gotten a lot better since then, but I knew even back then that I liked them. I could just tell that they had that certain something that got me excited about them, even though they played at a shitty dive that hardly anyone was at. Because of that first impression several years ago, I was excited to go see them when they came through town. They did not dissapoint me. They are very 80s- New wave, which I really love. They have some similarities with the Briefs as well, and I believe they have toured together. (Where the hell was I at the time?!) Check out their website, and go see them if they come through your town! www.thegirlsseattle.com
The Girls had really great energy, and played on a good bill with The Checkers (an LA band I wrote about a few mos. ago) and The Chopsticks. The Checkers have a girl singer who sounds better than last time I saw them. They seem to be getting tighter too. I already thought they were good in the first place, and I know I will go see them again. They are also New Wave, and they made me almost feel like I didn’t miss out on the 80s music scene. Seeing them is like being in the movie Valley Girl if you close your eyes. (Okay, maybe that’s going a bit far, but if you like that sort of thing, check them out!)
The Chopsticks were all right too, but I didn’t get as excited about them. I think that they have potential to get better though. I loved it when they threw chopsticks at the audience, and their musical style is good- new wave with some Ramones thrown in.
Coming up: On Satuday Sept. 18th, there is a fundraiser for the All-Girl Roller Derby here in town, "L.A. Derby Dolls." The event is called "Hellraiser II- a Night at the Carnival!" The event is to raise money for them to get their act together. It sounds like a blast. There will be a Pie-Eating Contest, Sumo Suit Wresting, Dunk-a-Doll, a Velcro Wall, Djs, Performers, Prizes and more! It starts at 8pm. More info: www.derbydolls.com
1460 Naud St. Downtown LA, 90012
$10 before 10pm, $15 after 10pm, 21 and up.
Also, that same day in Glendale is an all girl skateboard event where Cool Girls Skateboards will have a booth set up and I plan to stop by to check it out. More info: www.wahineskate.com
The following weekend, Sep 24- 26 in Tom Ingram’s Las Vegas Rockaround! I can’t wait! There are tons of bands, and I plan on having fun in the sun! Our NYC Coolgrrrl, Kitty Kowalski will be there too! Check out the website- it is not too late to book! www.rockaround.net
Also coming up: Hammerlock comes to Hollywood! SF Bay Area "Outlaw Musicians" Hammerlock play the Viper Room on Sept 30th! This show is not to be missed!
If you are a band playing the LA area that is my cup of tea (punk, garage, new wave, psychobilly, or rockabilly) please send me an email and invite me to come see your show. Please do not add me to your band’s email list unless you are a local band who is in one of the genres I listed though. Due to spam, I recently had to change my coolgrrrls email address.
RIP Johnny Ramone. Another great contributor to the music I love is gone.
Until Next time…
XoXo Alisha Amnesia
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