Category: SHOWS

Photo Recap: Swamp Dogg at Teragram Ballroom

Janky Smooth Central Command July 19, 2022

For longer than most have been alive, Swamp Dogg has been an underground music hero. He’s outlived musical fads and seen the landscape of culture change, experimenting with music all the while but still remaining the same old Swamp Dogg. He’s played everything from blues, to funk, to R & B, even hints of disco, because the story of Swamp Dogg is the story of American music. To celebrate this legend’s 80th birthday, he performed a career spanning set that touched decades of releases at the Teragram Ballroom in an epic and unforgettable performance for all those in attendance. We sent a photographer out to the show to capture the magic and memories so that they may never be forgotten. Photos by: Todd Anderson Swamp Dogg

Photo Recap: Inner Wave at the Lodge Room

Janky Smooth Central Command July 17, 2022

Inner Wave returned to what seems to be their favorite venue to perform in LA at, The Lodge Room, for an epic evening of crowd favorites and new tunes. With a big spot on the Desert Daze lineup and shows that sell out left and right in Los Angeles, Inner Wave is quickly becoming one of, if not the most popular and thrilling indie rock band in all the scene. Joining them was Junior Mesa, a young artist with just as much pop punch as psych groove, giving his take on rock and roll an undeniable magnetism. Inner Wave Junior Mesa

Photo Recap: Skullcrusher at Moroccan Lounge

Rob Shepyer July 17, 2022

Skullcrusher is the most soul stirring modern troubadour of all the current folk artists of today. Using minimal electronics to create a tranquilizing and transportive atmosphere, she fills her canvas of sound with vulnerable notes and lyrics that command such power while sounding so soft and quiet and fragile. She’s an artist that has achieved impossible balances, strength through weakness, openness and mystery, all wrapped into one beautiful, folk package. Aided by Mal on electronic guitar, Skullcrusher’s rare and intimate Moroccan Lounge show was a must-see for any fan of the artist, or general music-head in the know like myself. Having played the Lodge Room last time she was in Los Angeles, performing at the Moroccan Lounge next meant this was going to be a more closely knit show than the usual. And that’s how the audience was, all very close together with our eyes all paying attention to one figure, trying not to make any small sounds that could disrupt the holy moment in which Skullcrusher was performing. We were like moths to the flame and her fire glowed so brightly but refused to rage, instead it was a dancing, light, somber and sweet to the eyes and ears.

Whole Crew in the House: The Game at the Novo

Danny Ryan July 16, 2022

Words by: Danny Ryan Photos by: Manuel Arredondo The standards for what makes a hip-hop artist a GOAT amongst fans have shifted dramatically in recent years, as newer rappers bring more eccentric personalities and more diverse influences of sound into the genre than what was seen in its earlier history. As hip-hop evolves through this experimentation, the common debate of which rappers are considered the greatest has widened profoundly from the days of “2Pac vs Biggie” arguments. This is a natural progression, as many younger hip-hop heads grew up listening to more artists from the early 00’s than the artists worshiped throughout the Golden Age of Hip-Hop. Even as these standards change, most younger hip-hop fans have a deep appreciation for the roots of the genre and understand the importance of earlier scenes within it. Nobody has more respect for these ranges in hip-hop’s history than The Game, and his dedication to the genre could not have been more apparent than in his heartfelt tributes to the legends of every era of hip-hop that the audience experienced during his recent “Drillmatic” record release at the Novo Theater. related content: Lyrical Assassin: Pusha T’s “It’s Almost Dry Tour” Hits the Novo

A Sacred Sound Bath With William Basinski at Ambient Church

Audrey Kemp July 16, 2022

How affecting sounds and environments can be on our souls. The events that transpired at Ambient Church last Saturday concocted neo-chamber music that could provoke a transcendent experience in even the most spiritually bereft. Ambient Church, a self-proclaimed “nomadic experiential event series,” has worked with artists to create audio-visual experiences in unique locations since 2016. June 9’s sold-out show was held at the First Congregational Church in Koreatown, a Gothic cathedral that was erected in 1932. The opening act was 25-year-old vocalist-songwriter Zsela, who in 2020 released her debut EP Ache of Victory. The leading act was one of the most renowned experimental artists of the latter 20th century: William Basinski. related content: Full Moon on a Friday the 13th: Cold Waves L.A. Showcase at The Regent The first performer to enter the cathedral was not Zsela but her musical companion Daniel Aged – a session musician who has previously worked with Beck, Elton John and Frank Ocean. Immediately, Aged removed his combat boots so he could play the baby grand piano, guitar and pedal board before him with the utmost concentration. He began creating jangly loops with his guitar that had echoes of ‘80s greats, The Durutti Column. Within

Glorious Leader, Kim John Kill: Mosswood Meltdown 2022

Rob Shepyer July 13, 2022

Warning: This article contains humor. A lost art among some, yet one cherished till the grave by this writer and self-professed fool. Jokes, gags and gut-busters bring us closer to some elusive human truth, even in the case of fart jokes. No one is safe, but you can subscribe to certain ideologies that will vaccinate you from this humor and gain you entry to the “no punks allowed” club. If you’re wondering what the name of this article is all about, it’s a merging of all three queens of Mosswood Meltdown into one radioactive mutant. I created this title after realizing the original title was not going to fly in 2022, if this was 2002 though and Jason Biggs was headlining, you better believe I would’ve went with my first choice. “Kim John Kill” does not by any means a suggest any relation between Bay Area punks and communists like Kim Jong Il, though I’m sure he’d do well if he was booked at Eli’s. I was so thrilled to be back at Mosswood Park. To me, this festival is more than just a gathering of bands and rad fellows. This is an annual tradition that brings me closer to

Robots Need Music Too: Kraftwerk 3D at the Shrine Auditorium

Rob Shepyer July 12, 2022

Kraftwerk are a legendary band and it’s not until you see them perform that you truly comprehend the impact they’ve had on every genre, from hip hop samples to electronic music, these strange German art rockers created sounds that were essential to the world’s musical fabric. At first, I wanted to go to this show just to enjoy the sheer spectacle of it. Kraftwerk 3D, or any 3D show, must be a mind-expanding experience, I surmised. Then, very quickly, my understanding of the band deepened much further than I expected. These guys are artists in the highest regard in the sense that this robot rock is a veil for heavy political and social commentary. The song Computer World for instance features the lyrics: Interpol and Deautsche Bank, FBI and Scotland Yard CIA and KGB and total data and memory This song isn’t so much minimalist poetry but the suggestion these forces collaborate and misuse your personal data. People are rather ambivalent to the impact data mining and control have over their lives but as society draws closer to what can really be considered a “computer world”, it’s control of data that will sculpt your user experience simply living in reality.

Photo Recap: Fleet Foxes at Santa Barbara Bowl

Janky Smooth Central Command July 11, 2022

Legendary band of modern-day troubadours, Fleet Foxes, toured through Santa Barbara to play the SB Bowl with support from Tim Bernardes and played the classics as well as fresh tunes off their grammy nominated album, Shores. The voices of all Santa Barbara came together to sing with Robin Pecknold, culminating in their final song, the epic Helplessness Blues, who’s lyrics feel more poignant now than ever. This concert was the perfect proof of the healing powers of music and community and we’ve got the photos to show it from that memorable night. Fleet Foxes

The Calm Before the Shit Storm: S.H.I.T. at Zebulon

Danny Ryan July 11, 2022

Words by: Danny Ryan Photos by: Albert Licano With the constant shifts of trends and sounds that have taken place in punk rock music throughout the years, shows nowadays can often feel as though the genre has been restructured so drastically that the roots of it are hard to find. With the current emphasis on the structured breakdowns in hardcore punk and the genre-bending influences found in emo and pop-punk, it’s a breath of fresh air to come across an artist that simply plays their music as fast and chaotic as possible. S.H.I.T.’s recent show at Zebulon with The Passing and Abuso De Poder was a stacked lineup that moved at lightning speed, epitomizing this classic formula of rapid instrumentals mixed with noisey feedback and the snarling character that punk rock was founded on. While recent evolutions of the genre have brought the scene to a larger audience, S.H.I.T. is a band with deep appreciation for the origins of punk rock and they aim to re-create the disorderly energy that the genre was known for. The most impressive aspect of S.H.I.T. is their ability to evoke this feeling of early punk scenes without emulating the past in a nostalgic way

Daddy’s Day: Tom of Finland Celebrated 29 Years of TOM’s Bar w/Orville Peck and Mareux

Janky Smooth Central Command July 2, 2022

Let’s be honest, most of the time, Father’s Day is one of the worst holidays. Father’s usually don’t get the respect they deserve on that day, let alone the rest of the year. Daddy’s however, require that respect and usually get it. This year, Father’s Day hit its peak with a celebration by The Tom of Finland Foundation commemorating 29 years of TOM’s Bar at Avalon with rare performances by Orville Peck and Mareux. We sent our manliest Daddy on the camera, Taylor Wong out to capture all the decadent festivities. Photos by: Taylor Wong Orville Peck Tom’s Club