Our friends of ROBOTANISTS (http://robotanists.com or http://facebook.com/robotanists) will be performing EVERY MONDAY IN FEBRUARY in celebration of the release of their forthcoming NEW ALBUM, PLANS IN PROGRESS (official release date Feb. 15th), and now you have no excuse for not checking them out! If you need further motivation, we’ll be there for at least a couple of the shows checking them out and Del (Deltron3030 and Syffal.com) will be their guest dj tonight!
All shows are free (ages 21 and up) and take place at:
What do you know about Mark Ronson? I read somewhere that he dj’d some celebrity wedding where he got so trashed he puked below the turntables. I oddly respect that dedication to both the beats and the booze. There was no quit in him. Besides that he’s had to put up with producing awful Lilly Allen (is there a more constantly disappointing WWTDD nipple slip out there than her? For fucks sake man put some clothes on) and constantly deal with his idiot sister and her coke whore of a girlfriend. I imagine family bbqs are a nightmare. Where am I going with this? Mark Ronson seems like a decent guy. Turns out he makes killer mixes too.
Ronson, after stringing together hits as producer, most notably on Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” and his collection of covers “Versions,” decided he wanted to celebrate his record collection…hence this album title. He set a goal and he knocked it out of the park. Ronson, a child of the 80’s, has made an an album that celebrates the “Me Decade” that molded him into the man/super producer he is today. Here on “Record Collection” Ronson creates a sonic time capsule with a little help from a solid array of guest artists that when cobbled together challenges Maxim Balloon in mixtape-esque baddassery. Blasphemy, I know. I’ve been raving about Maximum Balloon for months, but this in many ways is a better album. Hmm..perhaps I mean a better sampler. (speaking of “sampling” Ronson dated Daisy Lowe, who starred in the Esquire made video for Maximum Balloon’s Tiger”. I’ll take every chance i get to share that link)
This is like an “I Love the 80’s’” Mixtape….with out all those snarky unfunny asides from washed up celebs (who I’m sure are all featured on Hollywood Is Calling and comedians grasping at some tv time.). The only difference is instead of having to sit through “Safety Dance” for the 100th time (gladly!) you get to hear NEW 80’s songs. Music “inspired by” the 80’s is a far better way to describe it….and what better way to craft an homage to that “Greed is Good” decade than by getting Duran Duran and Boy Fucking George to sing on your album. Apparently Ronson has been working with Duran Duran for a year now working on their “great big comeback” album. If I allowed my brother on this Drop blast he’d be far too excited about this news. He’s always been way into Duran Duran…some might say to an unhealthy level. If you told him about this comeback album he’s surely retort “Comeback? But they never left!!!!” I’m still requesting a DNA test to verify that we’re twins. I will give him credit where credit is due though, Simon Lebon’s guest vocals on the title track truly shine. Maybe I should revisit the LeBon back catalog…
Right when I start having those dark thoughts the album shifts gears. That’s the beauty of this “Record Collection”. It offers up variety. At any point you can go from Boy George clamoring for love to Ghostface Killah throwing down classic verses married to celebratory Ronson produced beats,aided by vocal cues from Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet. Not sold yet? How about Mr “Humdrum Town” himself Theophilus London. No? Record Collection also guests Spank Rock, DeAngelo, MDNR, Miike Snow, and Rose Elinor Dougall (of the Pipettes). Even Q-Tip gets in on the act on “”Bang Bang Bang””, jumping on in his Delorean and channeling his inner “Groove is in the Heart“. Yeah Yeah that was 1990..but I’ll always consider that Dee-Lite shit the swan song of the 80s.
Highlights: “Bang Bang Bang,” “The Bike Song,” “Record Collection,” “Somebody To Love Me”
Rating: 8/10
Go check him out this week!
October 12th – Webster Hall – New York, NY (with Francis and the Lights)
October 14th – Club Nokia – Los Angeles, CA (with Miike Snow)
October 15th – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA (with Miike Snow)
Watch Ronson, Q-Tip, and MDNR perform Bang Bang Bang on Letterman last night here
I’ve been sitting on this one since July. Yeah I know, I’m a slacker. Seeing as they’re playing at The Troubadour tonight I figured I should send this thing out already. The Mystery Jets are a fairly unique British band. They started playing together when they were very young, and one of the bands members include a lead singer with Spina Bifida…and his dad, who just so happens to be one of the coolest dads around. Listening to this album is like watching Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. hitting back-to-back jacks…but with more hooks and less steroids. People have criticized the simple lyrics on some of the songs (EX: “Have you heard all the birds and bees have STDS“), but I’m not about to do that. As I mentioned the dude writing these tracks suffers from fucking Spina Bifida so I don’t need that bad karma. Plus, the simplicity is exactly what has me drawn in. The album is chock full of simple hooks, infectious whistles, and easy to sing along choruses. Each track sounds like it was hand-crafted to be that one hit single that would finally break them big in the States. If I ever listened to the radio I would state, without fear of being snickered at, that this is one of the most radio friendly albums I’ve listened to this year. I dare you to not like it.
Sadly due to poor health the touring band had to replace the “Old Dog” with someone more physically equipped to handle the rigors of the road. Truth be told the lead singer probably just wanted to get his rock star debauchery on and felt a little restrained by having his pops around. I mean do you think Robert Plant’s dad was cheering him on when Plant and Page were banging groupies with a mud shark dildo? How do you look your parents in the eyes at Thanksgiving after an incident like that?
Heads up LA, Tickets are still available. If your Friday night is looking bleak perhaps consider brightening it up with a healthy dose of “Serotonin.”
FYF: The Experience: With it looking like The Detour Fest will never be returning, I find myself becoming more and more protective of the FYF Fest. Much has been written about the logistical snafus of Saturday’s 7th Annual FYF Fest and I’m here to weigh in.. Common complaints about water prices, set delays, and ungodly long lines have probably done enough to scare people off for next year, and that’s a damn shame. Let me try and put things into perspective for some people who are losing their shit. For $20 I was able to see a slew of my current favorite artists on a beautiful day in Downtown LA, mere miles from my house. Sure the lines were long, but with a little logic and some help from your wingmen and women you could work through the hiccups. Someone in your group wants a cheese-steak and you want beer? Expecting to be able to do both is unrealistic at any festival - Break off into groups and pick a spot to meet back up at. Also, don’t expect to rely on your cell phones or texts. You gotta work these things old school style. Maybe FYF is catching more grief because it was 90 degrees and we were sitting in a glorified dirt farm. It made many people miserable, but it made me feel a sense of nostalgia for the old days of the traveling Lollapalooza. Any NY transplants who blew their noses the next day would instantly be taken back to Randall’s Island circa 1994-1997. If anything, I wish it were not an all ages show because the longest lines of the day were for the beer tents and the VIP Cha Cha tent, but I understand the kids need their music too.
A lot was made about the lack of water access, but maybe I’m a hardened vet because I was throwing down R.B.V’s 2-3 at a time with no regard for hydration and I had a fantastic time. My trick: I had a quiet Friday night. All of those suckers who were blacking out on Friday night were wilting in the heat while I was feeling like gold. Gloriously drunk gold. My one true complaint, if I had any, is that perhaps the promoters took on more than they could chew, artist wise. I would have liked longer sets as I often felt like some bands were just getting into a groove when the schedule was forcing them off the stage. So there you have it, they offered me too much music. Those bastards.
FYF: The Bands: We came for the bands right? Not for hot dogs, t-shirts, or f’n water. I was able to hit most of my mapped out artists (sans Wavves) and they were terrific as expected. My pal Tom (who took some fantastic pics, after the jump) labeled Wavves’ “King of the Beach” as the day’s highlight, even if a good deal of the rest of their set was mired in some bass sound issues. I can’t speak on Wavves behalf, so I’ll go ahead and split my nod between Titus Andronicus and Delorean. Both acts shined and had perfectly timed slots. Mind you when I say perfectly timed I am not referring to them being on time (I’m looking at you Delorean) but the marriage between their sound and the atmosphere surrounding their stage. The sun burning down on the crowd while dirt clouds kicked up when they kicked into “A More Perfect Union” was an awesome moment. Another friend who never spoke of his love for Titus more or less lost his mind and ran for the pit. This is a kid who usually rocks out to old school Snoop and Dre so it was a beautiful sight to behold. Delorean far and away blew every previous act out of the water. I feel bad for anyone who left early during the 30-40 minute delay between their set and School of Seven Bells. They owned the stage and the crowd in a way that no other act before them had. Their dance chill wave sound matched with the Boogie Nights screen back drop (Amber Waves never looked so good!), flashing lights,and the occasional passing train turned the National Historical Park into the coolest outdoor dance-club that LA has ever seen.
– I imagine that this will probably catch more hits than most of my other blurbs. That’s fine. Your loss, dicks. I get that people dig the Killers sound. This was originally planned as a run of the mill Killers’ album but after Brandon Flowers’ band-mates decided to extend their hiatuses he chose to take what he’d written and try it out as a solo album, with a little help from rock’s favorite indie hipster ginger. That’s right Jenny Lewis’ name appears in the credits here as both a vocalist/writer (“Hard Enough”) and writer (“Was It Something I Said?”). She sure gets around.
I mentioned that it was planned as a standard run of the mill Killers album, but as I give it its first spin I’m realizing that to be quite untrue. it is actually kind of different. It still has the Killers D.N.A (“Crossfire”), but it’s been muted and toned down. Mr Brightside is a bit less bright. “The Clock Was Tickin’” is down right country country and “Playing With Fire” has a Springsteen meets Tom Petty vibe. It makes total sense because everyone is trying to be someone else in Vegas. Classic Nick Papa Giorgio syndrome here. Are far as anthems go the front man for The Killers’ sarcastic ode to Vegas is something to behold. All The Killers-haters, say what you will about Brandon Flowers, but “Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas” at its worst is still better than that awful Foxwood’s ear worm.
Highlights: “Hard Enough”, “Crossfire”, “Was It Something I Said?”, “Playing With Fire”
Last labor day weekend I ran my bike into a parking meter (and then because of that into a Stop sign, whose instruction I was clearly unable to adhere to) after far too many cocktails which led to a brutal toe injury and a need for new lens in my glasses…so I’m looking forward to a more music and less booze filled weekend this year, highlighted by the FYF Fest. FYF is less than a week away and it is time to start mapping out a game plan. The set times were recently announced and it’s looking like it will be an amazing day. Planning these things out ahead of time is always a mistake because your friends will torpedo your well thought out logistics by, depending on who you bring: blacking out during the second set, potentially crying, getting lost, threatening to fight hipsters who they know will back down because they are more or less defense-less in their skinny jeans, hanging at the food court and insisting it has been their life long dream to eat 20 hot dogs in one day. Your best bet is to decide on a place to reconvene at the end of the night and just hope for the best. Even still I can’t help myself so I’ve been mapping out the day in my head.
1:00 The Oak Stage: Magic Kids
Del says: Assuming I will be in Downtown LA @ 1pm after whatever occurs on a Friday night is giving my friends and I far too much credit. That said if we get there that early this would be my selection.
1:40 The Sequoia Stage: Cults
Del says: It’ll be 83 and sunny D-Town on Saturday. A perfect day for an end of summer music festival. I can’t think of a better track to start the day with then Cults’ “Go Outside“. That extra 40 minutes will make all the difference for the rest of the day too. I’m excited to see this band as I only really know three of their songs. Normally I hate seeing artists whose music I’m unfamiliar with…but I have a feeling that won’t be the case with the Cults.
2:45 The Oak Stage: Best Coast
Del Says: Best Coast’s “Crazy For You” is slowly becoming one of my more favorite albums of 2010. I’m surprised this band is playing so early in the day. I have no grasp on the popularity of bands I guess. To me this is like doing a fantasy draft and watching a stud player continue to go undrafted. “Why isn’t he getting picked? What don’t I know?” are the thoughts that run through my mind as I’m paralyzed with fear. Note: Warpaint will be playing over at the Redwood Stage at 3pm. I’ve seen them twice already so I’ll be passing, but I recommend checking them out if you like all girl bands that thrash..and you might be able to see Shannyn Sossaman watching her sister Jenny Lee rock out. Rounding out the female driven trifecta for this time block are the Screaming Females. I love their track “I Don’t Mind It”..but I refuse to miss Best Coast.
4:25 The Oak Stage: Wavves
Del says: After Best Coast there will be a nice window of opportunity for people to grab beers, hit the food trucks God how I hope The Grill Em All Truck will be there. If not I’ll just save my rocking for Wavves. ”King of the Beach” has been a favorite of mine and the rest of Intraffik since it came out. I’m imaging Wavves will attract a real mookish following full of bros with neon plastic shades and Hayden-esque haircuts but you gotta do what you gotta do. Fuck I just referenced a Big Brother cast member while also sounding like one. Please kill me now.
5:45 The Redwood Stage: Local Natives Del says: I missed them when they toured Spaceland and the Bootleg so I’ll be rectifying those errors on Saturday. I really wish I saw them at those tiny venues because I’m going to guess that this band is going to have the biggest daytime gathering of all the bands in the lineup. They’re the local darlings out of all of these local darlings, David Byrne has given them his seal of approval, and they’re only going to get bigger.
6:15 The Oak Stage: Titus Andronicus
Del says: They rock. Hard. Their show at the Bootleg was the only “indie” show I’ve been to in LA where I witnessed actual moshing. They should not be skipped!
7:35 The Sequoia Stage: Washed Out
Del says: You couldn’t ask for a more polar opposite band from the previous act. Washed Out will be a great sonic pallet cleanser and their sound will be the perfect soundtrack to watching the sun set over downtown LA.
8:10 The Sequoia Stage: Cold Cave
Del says: Get your inner Joy Division on with this Ian Curtis and Co sounding band.
9:10 The Sequoia Stage: School of Seven Bells
9:20 The Redwood Stage: !!!
Del says: This is the only conflict I have for the FYF Fest. This is the driving force for today’s piece. A few months ago this would have been a no brainer for me. I’ve always been quite fond of !!!. I loved their album “Myth Takes”…but then the School of Seven Bells went and threw a monkey wrench into my plans by releasing “Disconnect from Desire” This week is the deciding period. I’ve put SOSBs and !!! in a play list and I’ll see who I gravitate towards by the end of the week…but !!! are already behind the 8 ball because they’ll require a stage change where as School of Seven Bells will offer me the opportunity to stay put. I’m opposed to walking. Truth be told I think my mind is already made up. I got hooked on ”Disconnect from Desire” right from the get go in a way that never happened with !!!’s newest release “Strange Weather, Isn’t It”. It’s not to say that !!!’s album is bad, because it isn’t, but it didn’t replicate the “Myth Takes” love I once had. I know they’re going to get their dance funk on so hard on Saturday so that’s the only thing keeping me from inking in the School of the Seven Bells. Who would you choose?
Highlights: “Windstorm,” “Heart is Strange,” “Bye Bye Bye,” “ILU”
10:10 The Sequoia Stage: Delorean
Del says: Delorean at the Echo was a great show. I love The Echo and I love Delorean. Subiza is a fantastic album. Please go revisit it if you haven’t yet downloaded it. I have a feeling some babies will be made during their set!
11:10 The Sequoia Stage:Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
Del says: Not only do I love their most recent album “Before Today” but I need to see Ariel Pink as part of a redemption project for them. You see I saw them earlier this year at Echoplex and of course it was a sucktacular time because…well…no shows are ever good at Echoplex. It’s a fact. I’ve yet to have a pleasant experience there. Echoplex, why can’t you be more like the Echo? Ariel Pink can erase that bad memory with a good set at FYF.
Our friends of ROBOTANISTS (http://robotanists.com or http://facebook.com/robotanists) will be performing EVERY MONDAY IN FEBRUARY in celebration of the release of their forthcoming NEW ALBUM, PLANS IN PROGRESS (official release date Feb. 15th), and now you have no excuse for not checking them out! If you need further motivation, we’ll be there for at least a couple of the shows checking them out and Del (Deltron3030 and Syffal.com) will be their guest dj tonight!
What do you know about Mark Ronson? I read somewhere that he dj’d some celebrity wedding where he got so trashed he puked below the turntables. I oddly respect that dedication to both the beats and the booze. There was no quit in him. Besides that he’s had to put up with producing awful Lilly Allen (is there a more constantly disappointing WWTDD nipple slip out there than her? For fucks sake man put some clothes on) and constantly deal with his idiot sister and her coke whore of a girlfriend. I imagine family bbqs are a nightmare. Where am I going with this? Mark Ronson seems like a decent guy. Turns out he makes killer mixes too.
– I imagine that this will probably catch more hits than most of my other blurbs. That’s fine. Your loss, dicks. I get that people dig the Killers sound. This was originally planned as a run of the mill Killers’ album but after Brandon Flowers’ band-mates decided to extend their hiatuses he chose to take what he’d written and try it out as a solo album, with a little help from rock’s favorite indie hipster ginger. That’s right Jenny Lewis’ name appears in the credits here as both a vocalist/writer (“Hard Enough”) and writer (“Was It Something I Said?”). She sure gets around.
