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The buzz in LA is Spring Awakening– now running at The Ahmanson Theater thru Dec 7.

• Here’s some simple advice: Buy tickets now through Goldstar before it’s too late

Spring Awakening combines teen angst and lust with a post-punk rock soundtrack into a play that could just be Hair for the current generation. This show is energetic, and covers the range of taboo: suicide, masturbation, teen pregnancy, homosexuality, repression, rebellion… with a sense of passion that makes it clear that musical theater is alive and well.

The ensemble of Spring Awakening puts forward the show with just the right edge, spearheaded by an amazing performance from Kyle Riabko as the lead Melchior. His voice is pitch-perfect, particularly in the haunting “Left Behind” ode to his best friend Mortiz. Blake Bashoff (formerly of “lost” fame) does a mesmerizing portrayal of the Mortiz, the confused and “lost” youth with amazing hair (possibly an omen of the 60’s classic?). And Christy Altomare is shokingly sweet and innocent as Wendla, with another beautiful voice as well.

I’ve noticed this show’s impact on youth culture in LA, and it’s making me happy. The two teens in my house are totally obsessed with the music and worship the cast. The underlying messages are positive, even if they are veiled in tragedy.

Spring Awakening is a love-rock musical that’s highly recommended. Don’t miss it.

Watch Videos Here:

• I don’t do sadness
• Mama who bore me

So by now, if you listen to 103.1 FM with any degree of consciousness, you’ve had “Take Off Your Sunglasses” pounded into your brain, courtesy Ezra Furman and his Harpoons. And you’ve asked yourself, hopefully, “Has Gordon Gano found his mojo?”, but with the solid understanding that Gano’s lyrical skills may have suffered a bit since his prime. But no matter, our man is BACK!

Then the DJ says it’s Ezra Furman and his Harpoons. …Um…What? C’mon! How is that not Gordon Gano? It sounds exactly like him, from the annoying-but-endearing whiny voice to the well-it-kinda-makes-sense lyrics, even down to the diction and the flow! So who’s this Ezra guy? 

Lord knows. But my question is why aren’t people calling him out on it? Why is he getting away with this? Sure, the Violent Femmes are easily one of the most innovative and straight-out musically talented bands ever (Have you seen them live!??!! Go! Go Now!!) and they’ve managed to influence generations of young musicians. But no one’s had quite the gall to all out copy Gano. Because it’d just be way too obvious and everyone would call you out. Right? Right?

Our beloved singer of Mars Volta, Cedric Bixler-Zavala said it best in an interview, when he, in so many words, said that there’s really no excuse for people who do what Furman does. All musicians are only limited by their imaginations, and to keep regurgitating brilliant music put out before you were born doesn’t make you brilliant, Furman. It makes you a one-hit wonder for a hot second before everyone breaks out their old Violent Femmes albums and forgets about you. 

In closing, please refer to the picture. This is Furman, and those are two adoring fans. He’s ironically sporting ironic sunglasses, ostensibly while he’s singing his god-forsaken song about sunglasses. But look at the audience!! Even the third girl, who only got her arm in the picture, looks like she’s covering her ears! Furman, please put your guitar down and take your place in this world as President of the “I Love The Femmes!!!” fanclub.

As Esa-Pekka Salonen’s tour-of-duty with the LA PHIL comes to end this season, a new tribute website, Celebrate: Salonen, has been established to chronicle his remarkable journey with our city’s philharmonic, and allow users and fans to leave comments, offer up stories and share personal thoughts for this renown Musical Director.

The site’s architecture is very accessible and easy to follow with a succinct chronology of his tenure at the LA PHIL, an extensive audio library and a social networking aspect which allows users to experience a shared admiration for his phenomenal musical gift and vitality, as well as offer up a very personal window to who this man is to so many different people around the world.   This micro-site is very innovative in the classical music world and seeks to connect with a new generation of philharmonic admirers.

As Salonen steps down as Musical Director after 17 years, LA PHIL’s next Musical Director will be Venezuelan wunderkind Gustovo Dudamel, the 27-year-old phenom who has been at the helm of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela for ten years.  The musical program has been recognized as the most successful youth orchestra movement in the world, nurturing classical musical prodigies along side profound national pride within this historically impoverish South American nation.  The move to engage Dudamel was bold and promises a continued vitality and progressive future for the LA PHIL.

And the recipe just got a LOT sweeter.

The news spread like wildfire yesterday, that Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears will join/perform with Madonna during her Sticky & Sweet concert tonight at Dodger’s Stadium.

Unfortunately I didn’t snatch up the tickets I wanted in time, and wasn’t gonna dish out $2,000 for ‘em. But maybe you can find something cheaper … Ticketmaster: Madonna.

The buzz in LA this week is sonic-alt-indie band Swing Hailey, hailing from Downey. Fans of nearly everything will find something to like about this band; but especially fans of Sonic Youth, the PIxies, Iggy Pop, all that new pop on 103.1 nowadays, Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, etc, et all. They sound like an aural version of the Bloody Marys at the Golden Cafe in Burning Man: It’s a mix of a whole ton of spices, flavors, and other influences thrown into a blender on a chainsaw in the middle of a crazy party in a Tunisian-style tent in the middle of the desert; everything gets all mixed up together, and the end result is an ethereal, completely tangible yet indescribable heaven to your senses, to live in legend and infamy for the rest of days. 

Catch Swing Hailey and all its awesome aural gloriousness at the next S.O.U.P Kitchen 4, along with S.O.U.P themselves, Custom Deluxe, The Last Holy Fools, and plenty of inter-band jamming. Fun times abound indeed! And it’s always considered courteous to bring a form of alcohol to share, beer is favored amongst S.O.U.Pers. 

The buzz today is the Gumbo Brothers, who rocked Mandeville Canyon today at the annual UMCA Fall Festival.

The Taylor Ranch is a lovely setting for anything… 65 acres of pristine idyllic ranch property in Brentwood, set among Sycamores and chaparral. Today was the annual UMCA Fall Festival, featuring the Gumbo Brother and their most excellent party groove. These guys have an honest to goodness sound that would make even Sarah Palin understand the best of America isn’t rstricted to small-town USA.

Besides their super-cool rhythm, the Gumbo Brothers are genuinely nice guys. The Gumbo Brothers have firmly rooted themselves in the eclectic artistic tradition of Venice Beach, California with weekly residencies at the Venice Bistro, Rae’s Lounge and now Fridays at The Santa Monica Bar & Grille.

Bayou-steeped, organic funky dance music, it’s good for the soul. See these guys if you get a chance. They play around locally all the time. It’s a guaranteed good time out. Just add a few cold beers, and be sure to get off your ass and shake it.

Ok. So the “tour” is a 2 stop weekend, Friday at the Mirror Image Studios in Anaheim; and Saturday at the Cobalt Cafe in Canoga Park. It’s put on by the band Soulfound, who have much to do with record label Mohawk Bomb Records, from Florida. Rest assured that this tour will have you pulling out all your old Pennywise, AFI, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones records (yes. records.) after the show, and drunk dialing all your buddies from high school to reminisce about the old days.

Bands are Soulfound, Bull Lee, 900 Lb Gorilla, The Business End, and New Skool Kings. Check out the music on Mohawk Bomb’s myspace, check out the youtube videos, and the pics of the bands playing in the photo album. You’ll get the sense that yeah, the music’s a bit of a throwback, but none of the bands playing that music care. It seems like all the bands are just out to have fun, they probably all have day jobs and aren’t looking for any kind of music career to speak of; these guys just want to get up on stage, go batballs crazy, make a lot of noise, and have many many raucous beers with the other bands after their set, and show all those 13-years-olds (it’s, um…it’s all ages.) how the pit’s done old school. 

Anyway, if you’re looking for a completely refreshing alternative to the usual overcontrived, overwrought, and overhyped LA music scene, make the drive, drop by, and remind yourself why you fell in love with music in the first place.

The buzz this week in LA is Glendale’s upcoming S.O.U.P Kitchen en las Dias de la Muertas, Saturday Nov. 1. It’s hosted by a cavalier band of experimental noise makers, band S.O.U.P, who have been known to draw comparisons to Sonic Youth…….on acid, Built to Spill………on acid, and Pink Floyd…….on even more acid. 

It’s a backyard BBQ in its base form, but it’s the most gosh-darn fun backyard BBQ that I’ve ever been to. S.O.U.P. sets their own equipment up for open jamming between bands, there’s a psychedelic sculpture garden, there is beer…. and lots of it, and if you stick around long enough, tipsy band members from all manner bands will scurry up to the instruments, and create the most wonderfully odd versions of original and cover songs. 

Por ejemplo, at S.O.U.P Kitchen Take 2, members of What’s Their Name?, Jed’s Dead, and S.O.U.P temporarily banded together to take the audience on a wild, captivating, mind-melding head trip of “The End”, by the Doors. Oh - and speaking of crazy-arse covers, don’t miss S.O.U.P’s version of “Bohemian Rhapsody”. They usually play first, so get there early to catch it. It’s what would have happened if Queen existed in dank, smoked-out and tuned-in basements of suburbia 1960s. 

Check out their myspace for more info - see you there!

The buzz in LA today was k.d. lang live in malibu tonight for KCRW Sessions. Watch it here.

If I had to make a list of my all-time favorite things, I’m certain that both k.d. lang and KCRW would be on it. SInce the early 1990’s when I first heard k.d.lang’s luxury brand of tuned up country on 89.9 KCRW, my ears perked up at once to the controlled timbre of her voice.

Tonight’s show was amazing. It went like this: k.d.lang sings. My jaw drops. Tears stream from my eyes. I am transfixed, and certainly in the presence of a master craftsman. It’s particularly wonderful when she holds a note, perfectly pitched, at just the right volume. I really love watching her perform.

KCRW Sessions are at the Malibu Performing Arts Center, a small and intimate setting to see a world-class artist. Read More »

Humanity Can! Presents the After the Storms Aid Concert to benefit victims of the recent gulf storms. The headliner is an all-star conglomeration of members of Guns & Roses, Deep Purple, AC/DC, the Cars, and Megadeth. I’d pay money to see what kind of music that Frankenstein band cranks out, benefit or not! The benefit also features Ashlee Williss from the Bachelor, 2nd from Freaky Mon, and Jay from the American Music Awards.

If you’re from the Southeast, or know someone from the Southeast, or have family there, or have visited, or have seen television shows set in the Southeast (Real Housewives of Atlanta doesn’t quite count…), then you know the extent to which the hatches are battened down in response to nearly every storm that passes through. Even growing up two hours west of the coast in North Carolina, we stocked up and broke out the transistor radios. These storms are no joke, and the pictures they show in the media are only 1/16 of what’s actually happening. For once, do something, and help these guys. When the next Big One hits here, and the tables have turned, you’ll be karmically glad you did.

This takes place Wednesday Oct. 15 at V20 the Venue, 81 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. For tickets, please contact Christie at csulbdesignstudio@gmail.com

The buzz in LA today is the new cut “Obama” by local fav’s Pistol Opera.

So I’m sitting here with Toby Semain, lead guitarist from Pistol Opera. Who are they, anyways. Well to start they’re a local duo out of LA with around 4 years of local gigs. Rumor has it that they will be at the Viper Room, opening for The Knights of Monte Carlo. That should make you smile.

Although the song’s not they typical Pistol Opera style, it’s got a ton of good rhymes with the O word. Obama’s got a hookie chorus, clever light-hearted lyrics, and has just about every word that rhymes with it.

We like it.

The buzz in LA this week is most obviously the Los Angeles 2008 Decompression Party held in the Los Angeles Historic State Park. Decom is usually held under the bridges of Downtown LA, which does give a post-apocalyptic feel to the whole thing, but having it in the park made it feel more like a little Burning Man. And because we weren’t able to make it to BM this year, that’s exactly what were were looking for. 

Notable for 2008 Decom: 

The inordinate amount of monkeys. Sure, monkeys are cute, fun, sometimes drunk, and mostly hilarious. But people acting like monkeys is…..cheesy? So obviously trying to be funny that it’s just stupid? Uncreative? I don’t know. But the unofficial monkey theme presented itself nearly every hour, and every time, we asked ourselves, “What the hell is with all the monkeys??”

Gooferman. Gooferman is the clown band from San Francisco whose lead singer sounds a little too much like the guy from Soul Coughing. Bands dressing up in costume does sound a little lame, but Gooferman does it well. I haven’t seen them sans makeup, but unlike other brand-name bands from the 70s that we all knew and loved to a point, Gooferman has solid music that withstands a good face-washing. They’re playing at the Derby on Oct. 17. 

Thanks to the Hare Krishnas for all the food, and thanks to the city for doing whatever they did to make Decom happen in the State Park. It looked like a State Fair from the outside, but for this long-time burner, it was reminiscent of regional burns back east, where I first got introduced to Burning Man. Overall, this was the best Decom yet, with more people than ever participating. Thank you, ever-present gods of party!

Last night I went to go check out the Thursday night burlesque show at El Cid. It was…..um……I hope they’re getting paid. A few of them looked like they were having fun. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great starter show for those who’d like an introduction to burlesque. Modern burlesque, so think girls who will be at the next audition for a new Pussycat Doll. The show’s a little long for what it is, and the overall effect is similar to a band who’s set you’re not sure is a bunch of different songs, or one 45 min. song. 

The choreography is modern, and looks like the same person choreographed everything. Costume changes are thoughtful touches such as a sailor’s hat or a feather boa to top off sparkly black bras and undies. The coolest thing about the show are the aerial hoop dances, where you can’t help but think, “Damn! That girl is STRONG!”

The stage setting was EXTREME tinsel, which at times felt like an upscale CIA without the camp. The whole thing seemed equivalent to a cheap knock off of Paris’ Moulin Rouge, or the show at the casino modeled vaguely after the Paris-themed casino on the strip, but in North Vegas. 

And unless you need a hit of sugar straight to the vein, stick with the red sangria.

Thessaly Lerner is the Ukulady

This lady is a wild and most interesting ukulele playing comedian, puppet master, voice-over actress, MC and more. She has the most unique voice and is a good friend from the Northern California Circus and Performing Arts Camp called Camp Winnarainbow that I attended as a girl.

She has a scores of fresh and exciting events and performances coming up. Make sure to check out the Ukulady’s myspace and web sites listed at the bottom of this post to get the goods.

She is pleased to be playing some awesome & uncoventional shows in LA this month!

1. LA Burning Man Decompression Party!
WHERE: 1245 N. Spring Street at LA State Historic Park, 90012 (near Chinatown) at the Funky Monkey Stage!
WHEN: This Saturday, October 4th at 4:30pm! $10 in costume, $20 without costume.

2. Hikes Without Mics UkeTober Fest! - This is an awesome acoustic concert event at Millard Falls in Altadena, featuring a variety of awesome Uke Players!
WHERE: Millard Falls in the Angeles National Forest (google directions - it’s beautiful and easy to get to!)
WHEN: This Sunday, October 5th at 2pm!
FREE! Bring a picnic! More show details at www.myspace.com/TheNaturalStageProject

3. Monday October 6th: 8pm at the Celebration Theater’s Salon in WeHo and 11pm at the Talk Show at Hyperion Tavern in Silverlake!
WHERE: Celebration: 7051 S. Monica Blvd, LA 91038
Talk Show: Hyperion Tavern 1941 Hyperion Blvd x from Casita Del Campo
FREE!

4. Downtown ArtWalk’s Hippodrome Bus!
WHEN: Thursday October 9th at 9pm! Various artists playing music! Hop on, Hop off around Spring Street & Main Street - look for the big colorful bus! FREE

5. Amsterdam Cafe’s MilkShoot Comedy, hosted by Faith Choyce & Bobaloo!
WHEN: Friday, October 10th at 8pm!
WHERE: 10905 Magnolia Blvd, NoHo, 91601 FREE! Featuring various hilarious comedians with fancy credits!

Hope to see you at a showsie! To The Downfall of Evil!

www.myspace.com/TheUkulady
www.youtube.com/ThessalyLerner
www.ThessalyLerner.com
www.TheUkulady.com

I was looking for some German music to listen to to help improve my German. A girl suggested Tokio Hotel quite excitedly. She was 18, and given kids these days and their music, I promptly tuned out her suggestions. Then I got serious about learning German. So I gave them a shot. 

Musically, it’s an overproduced and overfunded German AFI (*ahem!* the old AFI) that was a few generations way too late. They might have shared a stage with the Misfits in the late 1970s had the cosmos took the left into punk as opposed to the right into millennial pop. The energy’s there but…..no. Just no. The German-language music is pretty good if you don’t have to look at them. 

Is that a girl? Are they both girls? Where are their boobs? C’mon, that’s not a guy! ……Is that Bjork?

Tokio Hotel is lead by an cuddly anime goth chipmunk whose artist drew inspiration from Sonic the Hedgehog; and is backed by Korn at age 13 and two random guys somebody out there probably goes to school with. There’s an immense wave of teenage crush directed at the Sonic (Bill)  and Korn (Tom). Really? …No…what?……Really?

Since when did the sex, drugs, and rock n roll get snorted out of sex, drugs & rock n roll? Where’s Iggy Pop and his jar of peanut butter? Ozzy and his beloved pet bat? Robert Plant’s circulation-stopping pants? Grace Slick’s special bag of tricks? Axl Rose’s ill-fated plan to take over the world and Slash’s pacemaker at 30? They were iconic because they were dangerous. You simply could not be as cool as they looked. There was something superhuman, otherworldly, and forbidden about them, which is what we all idolized. 

Bjork and his band are just as safe as the Jonas Bros, Hannah Montana (does this sound like a stripper name to anyone else?), and Jordin Sparks when she said promise rings are for people who don’t want to be sluts at the VMAs. They just look like they could be headed in an unsavory direction in a few years. 

Anyway, there’s two versions of their best song, Rette Mich; one before the balls dropped and one after. The before sound is definitely better. And your German language skills will most definitely improve by listening to these creatures. Moreso than listening to Juan Gabriel will improve my Spanish, but that’s some seriously damn good music.