Fierce Creatures

I’m not sure how many of you have heard of this little band from Fresno called Fierce Creatures but I remember the moment I first heard about them…

I was on Facebook one night (being bored or something) and watching as it went from all’s quiet to a flurry of status updates from members of The Silent Comedy exclaiming how amazing this band Fierce Creatures was. I was intrigued but it was time for bed, I would have to investigate the next morning. I awoke to a “like suggestion” on Facebook for the band from Tim. I knew this band had gotten to the guys in a good way and that I must check them out.

The following morning I listened to their single “Satan is a Vampire” while I was in the midst of doing 50 million other things. I enjoyed the song but I was soon lost in other work and Fierce Creatures had turned to an after thought. I kept hearing how awesome Fierce Creatures was but thought I wouldn’t get the opportunity to see them for awhile. They are from Fresno after all.

Well, it turns out the guys from The Silent Comedy picked up Fierce Creatures to do a little West Coast Tour. I was lucky enough to snag a copy of their ep I Mostri Feroci and I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to their set tonight in San Diego. Check them out on Myspace!

Also, here is a FREE DOWNLOAD of Satan Is a Vampire courtesy of the band!

Song in My Head: “Lost and Found”

“sleeping with the television and all the lights on. One of us is leaving soon, but we’re both already gone…”

“Lost and Found” by Adrienne Pierce is on one of my very favorite soundtracks from the TV show Veronica Mars. The song randomly came up on my IPod the other day and ever since it has been making regular appearances on that soundtrack in my head that plays when all else is quite. This morning, I literally got out of bed singing it…took me a minute to figure out what I was singing, but when I did, I felt inspired to share.

Turns out Adrienne, a Vancouver native, has released a new CD this year entitled Oh Deer. The cover art alone makes me want to go out and get a copy. Which I should be able to do Monday November 22nd at Genghis Cohen where Adrienne will play at 9pm!

Excellent!

~ Kristen

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Allen Stone and Lenka at The Hotel Cafe

Taking a wee break from grading exams, I ventured to The Hotel Cafe to check out Allen Stone. This guy has quite the impressive voice, teeming with a lot more soul than expected from a guy from Seattle.  It was the perfect hand clapping, head bobbing, feeting tapping time and I will definately keep Allen on my list of artists to go see…I’d suggest you do the same!

For a taste, check out some songs on his myspace (including a terrific cover of “Bare Necessities”)

Here’s an amusing video of the song he ended his set with

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Also playing at The Hotel Cafe was Lenka. If you don’t know the name, I’m sure you’d recognize a song or two. The Austrialian artist has an array of catchy tunes that become even cuter as she performs them on a stage with her band in front of colorful cardboard shapes. I really like some of her new tunes and am looking forward to her forthcoming album…but the hightlight of her set for me was when she brought out a trumpet and, along with another member of the band, engaged in some lovely harmonizing trumpet action.

Can’t find any videos of new tunes, but here’s an old one you may recognize…

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~ Kristen

Amanda’s Show Calendar 11/8-11/14

I don’t know about you but mind body is still having a hard time with this “fall back” business. I keep waking up thinking I’m late and having to remind my body that I’m not but in fact I have another hour to sleep and should be happy. Alas, no such luck.

I have an upcoming post about some snazzy bands I found in Vegas but for now, you will have to settle with this week’s concert calendar. It’s chock full of goodness on Friday and Saturday! 🙂

Monday: The Howls @ The Casbah @9 $8
AND: Circle Pit @ Soda Bar @9 $7

Tuesday: Relax 🙂

Wednesday: 91X Snow Jam Pre Party w/ Nervous Wreckords @ The Belly Up @ 9 $12
AND: Sean Hayes @ Soda Bar @9 $12

Thursday: The Silent Comedy, Andy Clockwise, Fierce Creatures @ The Casbah @9 $10 adv/$12 day of

Friday: Tyler Hilton and Trevor Davis @ Lestats @9 $?
AND: Skyline Union @ Bar Eleven @10 $5
AND: Republic of Letters @ Epicentre @6:30 $8 adv/$10 day of
AND: Illuminauts @ Soda Bar @9 $8
AND: KT Tunstall @ House of Blues SD @730 $22.50 adv/$26 day of

Saturday: Gayle Skidmore @ The Ruby Room @8 $8
AND: The Soft Pack @ The Casbah @9 $13 adv/$15 day of
AND: Endoxi @ Winstons @8 $FREE
AND: Scheff’s Beer, Bands, and BBQ @ Bar Pink @1-4 $10
AND: FM 94.9 8th Anniversary with The Hold Steady and The Night Marchers @ 4th & B  @7 $26
AND: Josh Damigo @ Lestats @9 $?

Sunday: Blonde Redhead @ House of Blues San Diego @7:30 $22

Keep in Mind:

November 15th- Joey Ryan and Meg and Dia @ Epicentre @6:30
November 16th- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
November 18th- Echo Revolution and Wendy Bailey @ Bar Eleven @9
November 18th- Get Back Loretta @ The Casbah @10 $8
November 20th- Cartel, Hey Monday, and The Ready Set @ Epicentre @6 $15
December 2nd-The Dead Kennedys- House of Blues San Diego
December 5th- Passion Pit @ Soma
December 10th-  Delta Spirit @ House of Blues San Diego
December 15th- Wrex the Halls w/Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Bad Religion, Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin, Switchfoot, A Day to Remember

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/8-11/14

I Love Nico Vega!! It must be said. Again. Saturday night I impulsively drove up to Santa Barbara to see them play the New Noise Music Festival. I had just gotten through a horrid week…so bad towards the end it was almost funny how many things were going wrong. Then, just in time, Saturday night was one of those evenings that made me once again realize that life is worth living. Danced and sang into the wee hours with some of my favorite people, heard amazing music from a local Santa Barbara band, Verna Beware, as well as an LA fave, Killola. And then, of course, there was Nico Vega. I don’t know if I felt like it was one of Nico Vega’s best performances because it was or because I so desperately needed it…but does it really matter?

Here’s to hoping that this next week won’t be so dreadful and that I’ll be able to get out and see some music! Here are my preferred options (some really good ones this week!!):

Monday: Makepeace Brothers at Aviator Nation in Venice (9pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Florence and The Machine at The Wiltern (7:30)
ALSO: A Perfect Circle at Avalon (7:30)
ALSO: Street Sweeper Social Club at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9) 

Tuesday: Allen Stone and Lenka at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Brian Wright at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Ari Hest at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: A Perfect Circle at Avalon (7:30) 

Weds: ANT Management Presents On The Rox featuring Kyle Nicolaides, The Right Coast, Lakes, and Pan America (8pm)
ALSO: A Perfect Circle at Avalon (7:30)
ALSO: Elle King at Bootleg Theater (8:30) 

Thursday: Austin Hartley Leonard (CD RELEASE!) and Alex Dezen at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Sabrosa Purr at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: KT Tunstall at the Music Box (8pm)
ALSO: Volcano Dolls at The Viper Room (midnight)
ALSO: Kurt Vile and the Violators at The Echoplex (8:30) 

Friday: Teitur at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Over the Rhine at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Nonpoint at The Whiskey (10pm) 

Saturday: Terrible Things and Mae at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Darren Criss and Charlene Kaye at The Mint (2:45, 4pm)
ALSO: Tyrone Wells at The Hotel Cafe TWO shows (8,11)
ALSO: The Shakers and Fat City Reprise FREE at The Cat Club 

Sunday: The Elizabeth Kill at The Mint (8pm)
ALSO: Joey Ryan and Meg & Dia at Saint Rocke (8:20,9:10) 

To Keep in Mind:
November 16th: The Lonely Forest at Spaceland
November 17th: Tyler Hilton at The Roxy
November 18th: The Silent Comedy at The Echo
November 18th: Freelance Whales at The Troubadour
November 21st and 22nd: Dar Williams at The Hotel Café
December 1st: Eve 6 at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Scarlet Grey at The Troubadour
December 4th: Joe Firstman at Saint Rocke
December 11th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium
January 22nd: Guster at The Music Box 

~ Kristen