Author: Kristen

Countdown to Epicenter Twenty Ten: 7 days!

Posted on by Kristen

Next weekend (Sept. 25-26), Epicenter Twenty Ten takes place in Fontana, CA. The website tagline says it’s the place to be and that, indeed, it is.

The headliners for this two day festival  event include Eminem, Kiss, Blink 182, and Rise Against, but all you really need to get me there are two little words: Biffy Clyro! Ever since these Scottsmen blew my mind opening for Manchester Orchestra, I’ve been dying to see them again. It’s when they were added to the line-up that I was convinced I needed to get myself to Fontana.

Biffy Clyro isn’t the only band I’m looking forward to seeing that weekend. I’m also really excited about Crash Kings, The Academy Is…, 30 Seconds to Mars, Papa Roach, and, as with all festival-like events, I’m really hoping to discover a new amazing band that I’ve never heard before.

I’m so pumped about this event, that all week long we’ll be counting down the days with music and videos by the bands I’m most looking forward to seeing.  

Let’s get things started with the main event (at least for me), Biffy Clyro! Here’s a video for the first song off their album Only Revolutions.

~ Kristen

Assemble The Skyline at The Roxy

Posted on by Kristen

Just got back from seeing Assemble the Skyline at The Roxy. They make me smile. I mean, just listen to this song: Thrill Me (Such a Bitch) 

Are you smiling yet?

okay, watch this:

I like their sense of humor. And alligators attacking my head aside, they put on a decent live show. Amanda was especially enthralled by drummer Nick who she convinced me bears a striking resemblance (in both appearance and energy) to 30 Seconds to Mars’ Jared Leto…especially in his current bleach blonde stage.

Anyway, if you’re looking for a fun new band to see, go check out Assemble The Skyline!

~ Kristen

Let’s Go! ATN Presents On The Rox

Posted on by Kristen

Next Weds, Sept. 22nd, I’m really excited about this entire line-up at On the Rox (the bar above The Roxy). A couple weeks ago, someone introduced me to Lakes. I put them on my “to watch” list and lo and behold, they book a show! I proceeded to listen to the rest of the bands playing that night and really feel like this will be an all around amazing evening for music. Don’t miss out! Only $5 if you RSVP (matt@lakesband.com).

To get pumped about the lineup, click on the links below:  
Time You Exist
Parade of Lights
The Howls
Lakes
That Noise

Enjoy and I’ll see you next week!

~ Kristen

It’s a School Night: Everest and Lemon Sun

Posted on by Kristen

Giving Room 5’s Songwriters in the Round some competition for my favorite Monday night activity would surely be the It’s a School Night events at Bardot. Bardot is this lovely club located above The Avalon in Hollywood…worth going to check out the decor alone. Every Monday night the club plays host to a couple amazing bands; up and comers like Carney, The Rescues, Madi Diaz and occassionally some pretty major acts like Ben Folds and next week’s guest Curt Smith (of Tears for Fears).  And did I mention all of this is FREE?

The catch? Acts aren’t always announced very far in advance. Also, the events are generally RSVP only and with major acts like Ben Folds, get there early or there will be a line down the street! Fortunately, all you need to do is check the it’s a school night website and get on the mailing list then RSVP and you’ve got an in past the velvet ropes (yes, there actually is a velvet rope)!

Last night, I ventured to Bardot to see Everest and Lemon Sun. Everest has been on my list of bands to see for awhile now and they certainly did not disappoint. Be sure to catch them out on tour with Guster and then Matt Costa. They put on a fantastic live show:

Lemon Sun, as usual, gave us a rockin’ set…even with a drummer they’d never played with before.  However, the dance party was cut short when the cops showed up. I’m guessing there were some noise complaints… The band insisted on busting out one more song before giving in to the authorities:

All in all a good evening. Next week: Curt Smith and Angela McCluskey. It was also mentioned that sometime in October, Fran Healy (of Travis) will be making an appearance on a school night… To give you a tiny idea of what this means to me, I’ll just say that the Travis tune “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?” was my theme song for many many years…

~ Kristen