SSMF Lineup Announced!

I know we just got back to Bonnaroo and trust me, more on that soon. But today’s big news is the announcement of the lineup for the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF). Once a year, the Sunset Strip puts on a gigantic block party featuring major artists from around the world as well as more local bands that might call the strip their home. It’s a three day party starting on Thursday August 18th with a tribute to this year’s honorees, Motley Crue at the House of Blues. Both Thursday and Friday, clubs around the strip (The Roxy, The Viper Room, Whiskey a Go-Go, Key Club, House of Blues) will host a variety of bands. Saturday the 20th is the daytime festival where headliners Motley Crue as well as Bush, Public Enemy, Matt & Kim, etc will play on an outdoor stage while other bands continue to fill the surrounding clubs.

For more information about the lineups, tickets, etc., check out official SSMF website: http://www.sunsetstripmusicfestival.com/

I’m excited about so many of these artists…especially seeing so many of my favorites on the bill. Based on my initial reaction, here’s what I’ll most likely be up to that weekend.

 

Thursday August 18th: The Veronicas, The Tender Box, and Run Run Run at The Viper Room

Friday August 19th: Amazing lineup at The Viper Room featuring Eli James, Taylor Locke and The Roughs, Lady Sinatra, and Purple Melon
ALSO: Buckcherry at The Roxy

Saturday August 20th:
Outdoor Stage: Motley Crue, Bush
The Key Club:  Deluka, Youngblood Hawke, Indians
The Roxy: Queen Caveat, Sabrosa Purr, Jordan Cook, Imagine Dragons, Semi Precious Weapons

 

More to come about this festival I’m sure…get your tickets now.

This festival is going to rock!!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/30-6/5

Running out the door to go get my mind blown away by Dead Sara at Hemingways in Hollywood. I’m really enjoying the holiday weekend and the fact that I just woke up from a lovely nap.

As usual, lots of great shows this week. I’m most looking forward to New Band Love’s Parade of Lights return to LA on Weds. They are playing The Silverlake Lounge. Afterwards, I’ll be running to On the Rox to catch the deadly combo of Indians and Semi Precious Weapons. Talk about a crazy night!

As for the rest:

 

Monday: Maniac FREE at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at The Airliner (9pm)
ALSO: Taylor Locke and The Roughs FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)

 

Tuesday: Transfer, The Daylights, and The Parlotones at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:15, 10:15)
ALSO: The Filthy Souls FREE at Piano Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Amie Miriello at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Weds: Parade of Lights at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Indians and Semi Precious Weapons at On the Rox (10pm)…FREE with RSVP

 

Thursday: Chasing Avalanche and Youngblood Hawke at The Viper Room (9, 12)
ALSO: Manchester Orchestra at The Music Box (8pm)

 

Friday: The Shakers at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Barcelona and The 88 at The Hotel Cafe (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: The Lookout Kids at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Love and a .38 and Boy Hits Car at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Arctic Monkeys at Hollywood Palladium (8pm)

 

Saturday: Christopher Dallman, George Stanford, and Brother Sal at The Hotel Cafe (7,11,12)
ALSO: The Bird and The Bee at Bootleg Theater (8pm)

 

Sunday: Independence Jam in Oceanside featuring Cold War Kids, The Silent Comedy, Band of Skulls, Everest, etc. at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre (4:30)

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 6th and 7th: Band of Skulls at Bootleg Theater
June 7th: Death Cab for Cutie and The Lonely Forest at The El Rey
June 9th: Adele at Hollywood Palladium
June 9-12: Bonnaroo (TN)
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
June 15th: Augustana at The House of Blues Sunset
June 17th: Nico Vega at The House of Blues Anaheim
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 18-20th: SSMF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)

~ Kristen

 

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 4/25-5/1

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter or a nice Sunday (for those of you that don’t celebrate). Mine wasn’t one of the best but I got back yesterday from a fun mini-tour with Endoxi up around the bay area. I am glad to be home and glad to check out some local tunes.

 

Monday: Little White Teeth @ Casbah @9 $10
AND: Republic of Letters and Family Wagon @ Soda Bar @9 $10

Tuesday: Agent Ribbons and Little Hurricane @ Soda Bar @9 $5
AND: The Builders and the Butchers @ Casbah @9 $12
AND: The Flowerthief @ House of Blues @& $FREE

Wednesday: Wendy Bailey and Echo Revolution @ Bar Pink @10

Thursday: Joe Purdy and Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up @ 8 $15 adv/$17 day of
AND: Greg Laswell @ Anthology @930 $10-28
AND: Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Casbah

Friday: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Anthology

Saturday: The Heavy Guilt @ Tin Can Alehouse $7
AND: Kevin Martin @ Eleven @9 $8

Sunday: Rest

 

Keep in Mind:

May 2nd- TV on the Radio @ 4th & B
May 3rd- James Blunt @ Humphreys
May 6th- Ghostland Observatory @ 4th & B
May 6th- Chris Cornell @ Humphreys
May 6th- Fleet Foxes @ Spreckles Theater
May 7th- The Raveonettes @ Belly Up
May 11th- Bayside and Silverstein @ Soma @6 $18
May 12th- Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Casbah
May 13th- Pinback @ Belly Up
May 16th- Black Angels @ Belly Up
May 21st- System of a Down @ Cricket Wireless Ampitheatre
May 27th- Transfer, Black Hondo, and Little Hurricane @ Casbah
June 1st- Cage the Elephant and Manchester Orchestra @ Soma @ 630 $20
June 8th- Adele @ Humphrey’s
June 11th- Airborne Toxic Event @ House of Blues
June 11th- Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae @ Del Mar Fair
June 17th- Switchfoot @ Del Mar Fair
June 19th- Panic! at the Disco @ House of Blues
June 22nd- Neon Trees @ Del Mar Fair
July 5th- Eddie Vedder @ Copley Symphony Hall
July 6th- Foster the People @ House of Blues
July 27th- Indigo Girls @ Humphrey’s
August 9th- Vans Warped Tour

New Band Loves: Maniac and Atomic Tom

I can’t believe I almost didn’t go out last night. I was tired and still recovering from the whole Foo Fighters shindig on Tuesday. I had been meaning to see the band Maniac while they were playing LA, so I forced myself out the door. I had heard good things from various sources about Maniac, a group fronted by Shawn Harris (The Matches) and Jake Grigg (Something with Numbers) and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Maniac is a band that needs to be seen live. Their energy combined with their unique stage presence and catchy tunes will draw you in. The love they have for one another and for the music emanates from the stage and before you know it you realize that you feel better just for standing in front of them for a little while. Plus, they are just so much fun!!

To listen to songs off their Extended Play EP: http://maniacmania.com/extendedplay/

After Maniac’s set, I was convinced it couldn’t get any better, but I decided to stick around anyway to check out Atomic Tom, a band I’d never heard of from New York City. They started playing and I was immediately captivated. By the end of their second song I was in love. They had me dancing, singing, swaying, and drifting closer and closer to the stage with each opportunity.  They remind me a bit of Franz Ferdinand…if FF also rocked the ballads.

By the time they did their encore of “This Is How We Like to End”, I was smiling uncontrollably from ear to ear. These guys recently signed to a label and are getting more attention (deservedly so) so go see them now while you have a change to get them in a more intimate venue. They are also really nice gentleman, eager to meet and talk to every one of their fans.

Tour dates: http://www.facebook.com/atomictomband?v=app_10442206389

I’m seriously considering dropping my current plans and heading down to San Diego Saturday to catch them and Maniac again at The House of Blues. This is how I know I am hooked.

Have a listen and be sure to go catch them live if they come to a town near you!

You know the night is good when even the opener is a solid act. Playing before Maniac and Atomic Tom were LA locals, LoversDrugs. I’ve seen these guys before and they always put on a good show and I’d be remiss not to mention the role they played in my fantastic evening. LoversDrugs released an EP and are making a series of music videos for each of the songs. Here’s my favorite:

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 2/7-2/13

I should be in San Diego where The Silent Comedy is rockin’ the cowboy hats off of Ryan Bingham fans at The House of Blues.  But I’m being responsible tonight seeing that I have a presentation to give tomorrow morning. Also, I did see TSC Friday in Ventura and Saturday at The El Rey…and hey, they’re coming back to LA tomorrow (Monday) to play The Satellite and I wouldn’t miss that for the world (or any number of secret shows that may or may not be in the LA area).

If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing The Silent Comedy, please make your way to Silverlake tomorrow night. It’s a good line-up all ‘round and it’s FREE. Get there early!

Monday: The Silent Comedy, Rocco DeLuca, Red Cortez FREE at The Satellite (8pm)
ALSO: Everest at Bootleg (9pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi and Jenny Owen Young at The Hotel Cafe (8,10)
ALSO: Soraia at The Viper Room (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Hanni, El Khatib, and Hot as Sun (10pm)
ALSO: secret Foo Fighters show at ?? (??)…good luck with this one

Tuesday: Jonathan Clark and Satellite at Molly Malone’s (8,9)
ALSO: Infantree at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Joseph Arthur at Bootleg (9:45)

Weds: Tina Dico at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick and Nina Storey at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)
ALSO: Satellite at Club Central (8pm)
ALSO: Shawn Hlookoff and Jenni Alpert at Genghis Cohen (9pm)
ALSO: Butterfly Boucher and Sarah McLaughlan at Nokia Theater (8pm)

Thursday: Maniac at The Bootleg (10pm)
ALSO: Lelia Broussard and The Canyons at The Hotel Cafe (9,11)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Satellite (midnight)

Friday: The Howls at The Mountain Bar (?)
ALSO: Bryan Greenberg and Lindsey Ray at The Hotel Cafe (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Jake Newton and Matt Sucich at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: The Pretty Reckless at The El Rey (10pm)
ALSO: Dead Country at The Roxy (10pm)

Saturday: Saint Motel’s Zombie Prom at the Palm Court Ballroom of the Alexandria Hotel (8pm)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven and Andy Clockwise at The Hotel Cafe (10, 12)
ALSO: Will Hoge at The Troubadour (8pm)

Sunday: The Elizabeth Kill at The Mint (8pm)
ALSO: Val Emmich at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
Feb. 15th: Mother Mother at The Satellite
Feb 16th: Nicole Atkins at The Troubadour
Feb. 16th: Scars on 45 at The Hotel Cafe
Feb. 20th: Beth Hart at The Echoplex
Feb. 21st: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
Feb. 22nd: Sick of Sarah at The Roxy
Feb 26th: Josh Ritter and Scott Hutchinson (Frightened Rabbit) at The Music Box
Feb 26th: Young the Giant at The Roxy
March 1st: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour
March 1st: Queen Caveat and The Silent Comedy at Saint Rocke
March 3rd: Civil Twilight at The Troubadour
March 4th: After Midnight Project at The Roxy
March 8th: Vertical Horizon at The Roxy
March 9th: Jay Nash at Saint Rocke
March 17th: Alkaline Trio and Dead Country at The Mayan
March 21st: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe
March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina

~ Kristen

The Silent Comedy Tour: Get Pumped Up!

This is one of the best promotion videos for a tour I’ve ever seen.

One of my favorite San Diego based bands is going on a West Coast tour with Academy Award winning artist Ryan Bingham (wrote a couple songs for the film Crazy Horse). They hit LA on Feb. 5th (The El Rey) and are in San Diego Feb. 6th (House of Blues). For the rest of the dates and locations, watch the video…and then watch it again because chances are you’ll be too distracted to get the dates the first time around :).

http://thesilentcomedy.com/

http://www.binghammusic.com/

~ Kristen

Kristen’s Concert Calendar 11/22-11/28

I hope everyone is gearing up for a lovely Thanksgiving holiday spent with family, friends, and good food. I have been charged with procuring some sort of dessert…I’m thinking pie. I’m actually really looking forward to the extended weekend as it will provide some much needed time to catch up with my lab work. Unfortunately, due I’m sure to the holiday season (and the inevitable efflux of people from Los Angeles), the music schedule is a bit light this week.

Here’s what I’m thinking for Thanksgiving week:

Monday: Dar Williams and Jessie Cole at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10:30)
ALSO: Chasing Kings FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Adrienne Pierce at Genghis Cohen (9pm)
ALSO: My Chemical Romance at House of Blues (8pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9) 

Tuesday: Kitten at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Street Drum Corps at The Roxy (10pm) 

Weds: Viza at The Key Club (10pm)
ALSO: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at The Honda Center (8pm) 

Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving 

Friday: recovering from Thanksgiving? 

Saturday: A Fine Frenzy and OK GO at Club Nokia (9pm) 

Sunday:Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven and The Smart Brothers at Saint Rocke (9,10)

To Keep in Mind:
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

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat