Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 12/6-12/12

Posted on by Kristen

Tonight marked the final performance of LMN mainstays, Mississippi Man. I first saw this band play with Get Back Loretta at The Bootleg. I thought they were good. The thing about Mississippi Man, however, is that every time I’ve seen them since, they’ve gotten better and better. They came back from a tour with The Silent Comedy in particularly good form. I’m sure that tonight, their final performance, was their absolute best. But I am sad that I will not get the opportunity to continue to watch them grow and improve. If you haven’t already, you should check out their most recent record, A-OK. Mississippi Man will be missed.

Let’s focus on the flip side of seeing a great band’s last performance; seeing your new favorite band play for the first time. In remembrance of Mississippi Man, let’s make it a point this week to discover some new amazing music. If you need some guidance, might I suggest the following (and there are PLENTY of options this week):

Monday: IO Echo and Haim FREE at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: The Rescues and Raining Jane at The Hotel Cafe…week two of The Rescues’ winter residency (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Jonathan Clark at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Whispering Pines FREE at Spaceland (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Grouplove and The 88…RSVP at http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/ 

Tuesday: Eastern Conference Champions Record Release at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Rob Crow (of Pinback) at Spaceland (10pm)
ALSO: Kitten at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Edie Cary at Genghis Cohen (8pm)
ALSO: Street Drum Corps at The Roxy (10pm) 

Weds: So & So at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Assemble the Skyline at The Mint (10pm)
ALSO: Maren Parusel at The Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Natalie Cole at Walt Disney Concert Hall (8pm) 

Thursday: Scars on 45, Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, Taylor Locke & The Roughs at The Hotel Café (8,9,11)
ALSO: The Janks at Bootleg Theater (11pm)
ALSO: Aimee Mann’s Christmas show at Largo (8pm) 

Friday: Sabrosa Purr, Darling Stilettos, and Camp Freddy at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Mike Doughty at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Kina Grannis at The El Rey
ALSO: NEEDTOBREATHE and The Daylights at The Musicbox
ALSO: The Dandy Warhols at Club Nokia
ALSO: Warpaint at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: A Silent Film at The Viper Room (10:30)
ALSO: Aimee Mann’s Christmas show at Largo (8pm) 

Saturday: Truth and Salvage Co. and The Black Crowes at Hollywood Palladium…The Black Crowes FINAL LA show
ALSO: Rockdrive 2010 featuring Aqualung, Cary Brothers, Rocco Delucca, Lady Danville, Joey and Kenneth, Chris Pierce, Terra Naomi, Raining Jane, etc. at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: The Other Side of Morning at The Loft (midnight)
ALSO: Roses Pawn Shop at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Los Sindicate at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Aimee Mann’s Christmas show at Largo (8pm)                    

Sunday: Marie Digby at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Warpaint at The Troubadour
ALSO: Aimee Mann’s Christmas show at Largo (8pm)                                                                                        

To Keep in Mind:
December 14th: After Midnight Project at The Key Club
December 17th-19th: The Hotel Cafe Christmas Party
December 18th: Fat City Reprise, The Shakers, and Red Circle Underground at The Viper Room
January 22nd: Guster at The Music Box
Feb 9th: Tina Dico at The Troubadour
Feb 16th: Nicole Atkins at The Troubadour
March 1st: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour 

~ Kristen

Pepper’s Ghost Countdown: 7 Weeks!

Posted on by Kristen

I’m more than a little excited to tell you that my first favorite band (you know, the one that got me into…well every other band I’ve ever fallen in love with) is playing a reunion show January 22nd at The Grape Room in Philadelphia.

Pepper’s Ghost is a rocky/poppy/Beatles-esque band from Philadelphia, PA. The group centers around two brothers, Anthony and Michael Montesano, who share in the singing, specializing in catchy choruses and hypnotic harmonizing. Joining Anthony and Michael is Zil (Pawnshop Roses) on drums, Dave Hartley (War on Drugs, Nightlands) on bass, and Rob Bennett (Automatic Fire) on everything else (keys, guitar, mandolin, saw).

They released their first album, Opening Night, back in 2001. This recording was taken from a live show at The Trocadero and features a horn section and back up choir.  This was followed by an EP in 2002 (Bang) which offers one of my favorite, but rarely performed Pepper’s Ghost songs “Addiction.” In 2005, the band released their record label debut, Shake the Hand that Shook the World. This CD is full of fun poppy sing-along friendly tunes, including my college anthem, “Friday Night in Philadelphia.”

Shake the Hand that Shook the World got Pepper’s Ghost their first big national tour. It also got the band a number one hit on the singles chart in Canada with “You’re In My Heart (Little Pretty).” In the aftermath of this release, the band seemed to take a turn to an edgier, more rockin’ sound exemplified in their 2006 The Vet EP with songs like “Dirty Bomb” and “4 Letter Friend”. The following year they released their most recent CD, Let The Players Have the Ball. This CD was also a live recording featuring some old favorites, a few new tunes, and even a Bowie cover (“Cracked Actor”).

And now you know a tiny bit more about my favorite band. Only 7 weeks until I get to see them again. Let’s get excited!

~ Kristen

for last week’s countdown post

San Diego Holiday Shows!

Posted on by Amanda

Well, the holidays are upon us and you know what that means… shows!!!

Below is a list of all the holiday shows the radio stations are putting on. We have some familiar names like The Black Keys, Against Me!, Jimmy Eat World, Smashing Pumpkins, and Neon Trees. Should be a blast!!

Sophie 103.7 Green Christmas- December 10th at Dreamcatcher at Viejas
Natasha Bedingfield
Plain White T’s
Neon Trees

FM 94.9 Holiday Hootenanny- December 11th at Remac Arena
The Black Keys
Against Me!
The Temper Trap
Sleigh Bells
Tokyo Police Club

91X Wrex the Halls- December 12th at Viejas Arena
Smashing Pumpkins
My Chemical Romance
Jimmy Eat World
Bad Religion
Switchfoot
Anberlin
A Day to Remember

Star 94.1 Jingle Ball- December 13th at Anthology
6:3o- David Archuleta and Orianthi
9:00- Ryan Star and Sara Bareilles

Jack 100.7 December 18th at House of Blues San Diego
Gary Hoey Ho Ho Ho Holiday Show

*with the exception of Rock 105.3 which doesn’t have a show and Jack 100.7 which just lists the show. I don’t think they are putting it on…


Scarlet Grey “The Sky & I” Video

Posted on by Kristen

It’s done! The video Amanda and I had the pleasure of working on with Scarlet Grey was released today! I am so proud to have been involved in this project. I think the final product looks amazing! Major props to it’s director (and editor), Baley Wynn, and everyone else involved.

Come celebrate with us Thursday night at The Troubadour. Music provided by Your Arsenal, Assemble the Skyline, Killola, and, of course, Scarlet Grey!  

Watch, enjoy, and especially appreciate the shot a little over a minute and a half in of the slowly sinking sugar cube…not easy folks, not.easy.

~ Kristen

Amanda’s Show Calendar 11/29-12/5

Posted on by Amanda

Well it’s Monday again (really?!) and you know what that means…. Calendar Time!!

But first….

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family, friends, loved ones, or any combination of the three. Mine was quiet with lots of leftovers (the best part of the holiday) and then we saw Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part One. It was even better the second time. But enough chit chat…

Monday: Recovery from Thanksgiving Coma?

Tuesday: Holiday Shopping?

Wednesday: Ancient Crux @ Soda Bar @9 $5

Thursday: 91X Loudspeaker presents: The Grass Heat, Hot Moon, The Paragraphs and Alysse Fischer @ Belly Up @8 $9
AND: Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fussible @ The Casbah @9 $15
AND: Longstay and Low Volts @ Tin Can Alehouse @9 $4
AND: The Dead Kennedys @ House of Blues San Diego @8 $16 adv/$17.50 day of
AND: Lady Sinatra @ Bar Pink @930

Friday: John Meeks and Blackout Party @ The Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
AND: The Hot Moon @ Soda Bar @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
AND: The Gregory Page Show @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: New Mexico @ Whistlestop Bar @9 $?

Saturday: Lovers Drugs @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: Rumspringa, Mississippi Man, and The Howls @ Bar Pink @930 $FREE

Sunday: The Lumineers @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: Passion Pit @ Soma

Keep in Mind:

December 6th- Dead Feather Moon @ The Casbah @9 $6
December 10th-  Delta Spirit @ House of Blues San Diego
December 11th- FM 94.9 Holiday Hootenanny w/Black Keys, Against Me!, The Temper Trap, Sleigh Bells, and Tokyo Police Club @ Rimac Arena $40
December 12th- Wrex the Halls w/Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Bad Religion, Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin, Switchfoot, A Day to Remember @ Viejas Arena $36-$63
December 15th- Billy Idol @ House of Blues SD @8 $Prices Vary
December 19th- Sophie@103.7 Holiday of Miracles – A Benefit for Rady Children’s presented by Cox Communications feat. Lifehouse with Christina Perri @ House of Blues $32 or $50 adv/$32.50 or $52.50 day of
December 20th- Lesands and White Apple Tree @ The Casbah @9 $FREE
December 31st- Transfer @ The Casbah @10 $20 adv/$25 day of
January 11th- 30 Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues San Diego
January 12th- 30 Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues San Diego