See You After School

Band of Skulls @ Bootleg Theater

2011-06-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's always difficult when you love UK bands... they don't tour here in the US often. I was lucky that Band of Skulls was doing some tour dates here AND that they were around my birthday! Quite the present!

Photos:

Videos:

"Patterns"

"New Song #1"

"New Song #2"

Arctic Monkeys @ Fox Theater

2011-06-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Arctic Monkeys are one of those bands that I enjoy when they come on the radio... but I've never taken the time to really enjoy them otherwise. So, when my OG concert buddy Amateur Chemist invited me along to see them, I happily agreed.

Even though I loathe all things Pomona, I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the Fox Theater was. Too bad it isn't someplace else or I would go more often.

Arctic Monkeys were killer... photos and videos below.

Photos:

Video of "The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala":

Video of "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor":

Video of "Brick By Brick":

Rammstein @ Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas

2011-05-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

Rammstein.
Las Vegas.
The weekend of the supposed Rapture.
A bunch of girls in a swanky hotel room.

This was a weekend that would go down in the history books....

After my friend saw Rammstein in NYC and raved about their live show, I knew I had to try to see them when they hit the west coast. I happily jumped at the chance to get a ticket to the Vegas weekend and it quickly turned into a girl's weekend in Vegas with some of my dearest concert buddies that I had met through Nine Inch Nails touring.

Given the fact that they were giving out stickers that said "I Survived The Rail At Rammstein" after the shows, I was expecting one of the worst rails I'd ever seen. However, what I got was essentially one of the best line/rail experiences I've ever had. We arrived in the afternoon and they lined us up in an air-conditioned gymnasium with restrooms (did I mention it was super hot outside in Vegas right now?). We leisurely laid around the floor of the gym while we waited to go inside. I was stoked when we easily found a rail spot off to the side and was surprised to find that most of the show I would have enough space around me to stretch my legs out. No smashing against the rail, no punching or kicking, nobody trying to force their way onto the rail. I almost felt guilty taking the sticker at the end because it didn't seem like I had survived much.

What I had done though was seen something unlike I'd ever seen before. I'll admit, I wasn't a huge Rammstein expert. I knew a few infamous songs (and videos I'd like to forget) and was really going because my friend had raved about their live show after seeing them at Madison Square Garden in New York. I was blown away by what I saw - it is truly an amazing show. It's a delicate balance between entertainment (fire, theatrics) and the music. When I saw KISS, it was theatrics overload. What made Rammstein so good was that it was just enough of the two to make an great show where your eyes and your ears were pleased.

I also thought Combichrist was such an appropriate and well-chosen open for them. I love Combichrist, but hadn't had a chance to see them yet. Having been on the rail with a friend of mine who has seen them many times, I knew I was in for a treat. They are killer - no other way to put it. I am looking forward to seeing a proper solo show of theirs because I'm sure it's going to be even more intense.

And just when I thought my fun had ended... we headed off to the afterparty. 90's hip hop and lots of vodka. I'm gonna leave it at that.

Setlist:

Rammlied
B********
Weidmann’s Hail
Keine Lust
Weisses Fleisch
Feuer Frei
Weiner Blut
Fruhling In Paris
Ich ti Dir Weh
Du Riechst So Gut
Benzin
Links 2-3-4
Du Hast
Pussy

Encore
Sonne
Haifisch
Ich Will
Engel

Photos of Combichrist:

Photos of Rammstein:

Video of Combichrist performing "Fuck That Shit":

Video of Rammstein performing "Rammlied":

Video of Rammstein performing "Benzin":

Video of Rammstein performing "Pussy":

MusiCares MAP Benefit @ Club Nokia

2011-05-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

If you told me that there was a Depeche Mode concert somewhere else in the world, in the near future, I would max the credit card out and get my ass on a plane out there. The way I felt after seeing them live was the same way I felt after seeing NIN for the first time - I was hooked. These types of bands are what makes me love live shows so much - I adore the catalogs of both bands so much, but the live concert experience is just intoxicating to the point that I am craving more and willing to do stupid things to see them again. Sadly, I've only seen Depeche Mode once and it was amazing... so needless to say, I jumped at the chance to see Dave Gahan solo, even if it was for a short set, here in Los Angeles where he was being honored at the MusiCares MAP Benefit show.

HRC joined me for this show and I warned her ahead of time that my behavior in the presence of Dave Gahan is, what I imagine, similar to that of a adolescent girl at a Justin Bieber show. All logic and reason flies out the window when I see him. Yum. Seriously. Yum.

Oh yeah, and Jane's Addiction was going to be there too.. Normally I'd be more excited for this, but my head was clouded with Dave Gahan giddiness.

We had to endure some pain before getting to the good stuff; Paramore and some other people... I didn't really care, I just wanted my Dave Gahan.

Jane's Addiction were great, as usual, but I'll admit I missed seeing Eric Avery up there. I'm glad I got to see a lot of shows the last round with him still in the band.

Then the time came... Steven Tyler came out to give Dave Gahan his award and while accepting it, mentioned being a bar which I thought was a bit awkward. But I was waiting for the good stuff - his performance! Although I'd kill for a Depeche Mode concert, I do love Dave Gahan's solo work as well, especially Hourglass, which he never toured for. I was hoping to hear a mix of DM songs and solo work and that was exactly what I got... and more. He ended up performing a total of eight songs, a mix of solo, Depeche Mode and some covers. Including what I would later refer to on Facebook as the closest I think I'll ever get to having a religious experience - his cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart". Joy Division is what I listen to when I'm in a dark place... it's very emotional music for me. To hear one of my favorite musicians sing it, and sing it incredibly... was simply amazing. I was so stunned when I heard the first few notes being played that my friend had to literally elbow me to get out my camera and I'm so glad I did. My eyes were watery by the end of it... it was one of my most favorite live moments in music ever. That one song made going to that show completely worth it. He could have only played that and it would have been worth it still.

He continued to perform a solid set, with special guest (gee, I was so shocked...) Martin Gore coming out to play with him on "Personal Jesus". I love Martin's guitar intro (so sexy) on this song, so I was pretty stoked.

I left the venue dazed about what I had just witnessed and couldn't wait to go and re-watch what I'd just seen on my camera. Which you can enjoy for yourself below...

When's the next Depeche Mode tour?

Dave Gahan Setlist:
Cracked Actor (David Bowie cover)
Dirty Sticky Floors
I Feel You
Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division cover)
Low
New Rose (The Damned cover)
Saw Something
Personal Jesus (w/ Martin Gore)

Photos:

Video of Jane's Addiction performing "Stop":

Video of Dave Gahan performing "Dirty Sticky Floors":

Video of Dave Gahan performing "Saw Something":

Video of Dave Gahan performing "Love Will Tear Us Apart":

The Presets @ Club Nokia

2011-04-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Amateur Chemist has introduced me to quite a few bands over the years, but there are a few that I have totally fallen in love with and for that, I will forever be grateful to him. The Presets are, without a doubt, one of these bands. It started with me inquiring about the shirt he was wearing one night (I love skulls) and I was never the same.

Most people are a bit surprised to find that I like The Presets, given my usual taste in music and concerts, but it's as simple as this:

1) I love synths.
2) You can never go wrong with boys from Australia.
3) Sometimes a girl has just gotta shake her ass.

I was bummed when I first found out that this show was on the same night of the second Queens of the Stone Age show. However, after the events that occurred the first night (see previous blog post for reference), I decided that fate had determined my course - I sold my QOTSA tix easily (for face value; karma is a bitch) and bought tix for The Presets.

I had a lot riding on this show... after the awful time the night before I needed The Presets to save me. And they did. I danced to the point that I was sweaty and let the music take me over. By the end of the night, the events of the night before were but a memory and I was left longing for a new album and tour from my two Aussies.

Setlist:
Talk Like That
Down Down Down
Yippiyo-Ay Eucalyptus
A New Sky
New Song
If I Know You
Are You The One?
Together
This Boy's In Love
New Song
Kicking And Screaming
My People
Encore:
Anywhere

Photos:

Video of "A New Sky":

Video of "Together":

Video of "Yippyo-Ay":

Queens of the Stone Age @ The Wiltern

2011-04-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

The Fun Machine Took A Shit And Died.... this was my theme song of the evening.

This was easily the show I was the most excited about so far in 2011. I was as excited for this show as I would have been for a NIN or Depeche Mode show, and went to crazy lengths for it as well. I was first in the venue, with a spot dead center on the rail. I had time to get a poster by my favorite gig poster artist Kii Arens for the show. Everything was going perfectly...

First it giveth

I am always excited to see QOTSA in concert, but I was particularly excited about this show because they were playing their first, self-titled album in it's entirety. The early QOTSA songs are some of my absolute favorites so the first part of the show was nothing short of mind-blowing. Being in the front, with Josh singing those songs right in my face - it was a dream come true.

Then it taketh away

Just as I was standing there, thinking this was going to be in my top shows of 2011, the unthinkable (literally) happened. I went to this show with my boyfriend, who was on the rail next to me. The guy next to him was acting like a moron the entire show and at some point around Little Sister, he decided to bite my boyfriend on the arm. Yes, you read that correctly. BITE. The asshole ran away after he did it, we remained on the rail, stunned. Frankly, I don't even remember most of the rest of the set because I spent most of the time looking for the guy so I could kill him. I tried to enjoy the rest of the show, but it was pointless.

On our way out, we made the decision not to come back for the second night. I ended up selling our tickets and we decided to go a different route the next evening for a show...

And I will still kill that dude if I ever see him again. I have had my ass kicked in pits before and never have I seen anything like that. Seriously, who BITES someone else?!

I am SO happy I am seeing QOTSA again in July. Hopefully that show will make up for this one, and then some...

Setlist
Regular John
Avon
If Only
Walkin’ on the Sidewalks
You Would Know
How to Handle a Rope
Mexicola
Hispanic Impressions
The Bronze
Give the Mule What He Wants
I Was A Teenage Hand Model
You Can’t Quit Me Baby

Encore
Someone’s in the Wolf
Little Sister
Make It With Chu
Hangin’ Tree
Tangled Up in Plaid

Encore # 2
Sick, Sick, Sick
Go With the Flow

Photos:

Video of "How To Handle A Rope":

Bad Religion @ Jimmy Kimmel Live

2011-04-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

I make the drive out to Los Angeles from the OC quite a bit... I'm used to the traffic by now. However, tonight was especially wretched, even with carpool lane use and it took me over 2 hours to get to Hollywood. When seeing the tapings of Jimmy Kimmel shows, they have pretty strict guidelines on the times they let people in, etc. I made it to the line, huffing and puffing from running from my car, just as they were letting people in. I land on the rail and proceed to have a full blown asthma attack.

I should have known the night was doomed when I ended up on the rail next to someone trying to convince his friend that Mein Kampf was a really good book.

I've done plenty of these Jimmy Kimmel shows and we waited a particularly long time this time around for the band to come on. Usually we're able to watch the show from a screen on the stage to at least pass the time, but this time it was on the side and you could barely see it. So, I was left to amuse myself with the insane converations occuring around me which varied from, of course, Hitler and his writing skills and how bummer people were that their buzzes were wearing off. Lovely. This isn't my first time with Bad Religion fans, but it was my first time with Bad Religion fans at a free show which might have made a bit of a difference... Just sayin'.

After what seemed like forever, the band finally came on!! I was excited to hear their new material and I always enjoy seeing them live (as opposed to Social Distortion, which I can't stand to see live). Now, as I said before, I've been to plenty of these Jimmy Kimmel tapings before and I know that they are not full sets. However, the bands typically play for about a half an hour or so total, between the songs that are aired on TV and then the songs they play after for the people who have been waiting hours, outside, to see them. With that being said, I was a bit surprised, and pissed off to be honest, that they only played five songs. Keeping in mind, that most of Bad Religion's songs are quite short. All that waiting and we got barely 20 minutes worth of songs. And honestly, the band didn't even seem into it. They seem annoyed to be there, especially Graffin, who is usually so energetic on stage. It just felt half-hearted and I walked out of the outdoor stage area feeling quite defeated.

Honestly, these free Jimmy Kimmel tapings are a hit or miss. I've been pleasantly surprised with long sets from Eagles of Death Metal, Stone Temple Pilots, and recently, Duran Duran. I do wish Bad Religion would play a show of their own locally instead of just small things like this, opening for others (who the hell thought THEY should open for Tiger Army and not the other way around?!), and playing festivals (I loathe all things KROQ when it comes to acquiring tickets). Hopefully they'll do some solo shows in the future and I can get the Bad Religion show that I know and love.

Setlist:

Wrong Way Kids

21st Century Digital Boy

Cyanide

Meeting Of The Minds

American Jesus

Photos:

Seth MacFarlane @ Club Nokia

2011-03-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

When I first saw that Seth MacFarlane was performing here in Los Angeles, I figured it was something Family Guy related or a stand-up show of some sort. I was surprised to find that it was a concert in which he'd be backed by a 39-piece big band and performing songs from mostly the '40s and '50s. Upon further research, I discovered that he is a huge fan of this music and has gone as far as recording with Frank Sinatra's own microphone. I suppose I shouldn't be all that surprised - anyone who's watched a fair amount of Family Guy knows he has a penchant for big musical numbers on the show. I just had no idea that it went this far!

I was hesitant to purchase tickets... I was definitely intrigued by the idea and I do love music from that time period, but I was a bit low on funds at the moment and really watching what I was spending money on. I was thrilled to learn that I had won tickets from Oscar at The Scenestar and was going to get to see the show after all!

We arrived in time to see the opener, Elizaveta, who entered the stage in quite the elaborate outfit; a cross between Lady Gaga and the Chiquita Banana girl. She proved to be much more talented than both though. Elizaveta touts herself as a "singer-songwriter, pianist, poet and opera diva-in-training" and she delivered on all counts. Her songs were beautiful - the lyrics sweet and sassy and had you tapping your foot along. They're the perfect songs for a romantic comedy.

After a brief opening set from her, Michael Feinstein, famed singer of The Great American Songbook, came out and introduced Seth MacFarlane.

We were treated to a wide array of songs throughout the night, none of which you'd expect given the theme of the night, which I appreciated. You'd expect the usual Sinatra hits in there, but he pulled out obscure songs and often explained why the song was so dear to him or just used it as an opportunity to crack a joke about what the song was really about. The night was definitely not short on laughs in the midst of the music, but I have a feeling a lot of it will be edited out later for the final cut of the show (which was being filmed). Singer Sara Bareilles joined MacFarlane on stage for a few songs, including "Two Sleepy People" and "Love Won't Let You Get Away" and the chemistry between the two was infectious.

Overall, the concert was really enjoyable and it was nice, for me personally, to enjoy something different for once. The only downside with watching something that's being filmed is the re-dos. We had to listen to some songs a few times over because something got messed up the first time.

Later this year, Seth MacFarlane releases his album Music Is Better Than Words, which reflects the same style of music as the concert did. I suspect the release of this show on video will coincide with the album release...

Photos:

Duran Duran @ Jimmy Kimmel Live

2011-03-24T01:10:00.000-07:00

"Hold back the rain..."

The month of March in Los Angeles was the month of bi-polar weather. One minute we'd have 90 degree sunny days and the next day it would be cold and pouring rain. LA decided to be nasty that day and give us one of the rainy days, which doesn't work well when you have to sit outside for hours waiting in line to get into a free show.

After a few hours of waiting in the rain, dealing with all kinds of line drama (it was like a Nine Inch Nails meets Justin Bieber line - line cutting mixed in with women screaming and carrying on like a 12-year old at a JB concert), we were let in. I surprisingly got a rail spot and the concert gods must have finally felt sorry for us because the rain finally stopped. We didn't get rained on for the remainder of the time, except shortly after the set ended.

This was my first time seeing Duran Duran live and I was quite overwhelmed by their hardcore fanbase, primarily made up of women. Like I said, it reminded me a lot of the Nine Inch Nails shows, except these people were a bit more... rabid. At one point while waiting in line, one of the band members drove down the street and women were actually trying to scale a fence to get into the parking lot where he was going. That is some crazy shit! It was pretty damn amusing...

The show was really enjoyable and they were solid even after all these years. Simon Le Bon looks crazy good for his age - very Dave Gahan-ish... seems to have stopped aging at a point and still as a good as ever. The whole band was great - I was really impressed and get why people are so crazy about them. Even though it was a short set, I was grateful for my first introduction to Duran Duran live and will probably try to catch a full set of theirs the next time they come around.

Setlist
All You Need Is Now
Notorious
Ordinary World
Girl Panic!
A View To A Kill

Video of "Ordinary World":

DEVO @ Club Nokia

2011-03-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

DEVO is one of those bands that I always wanted to see, heard so many good things about and had the opportunity to see multiple times, but the stars never seemed to align and I'd always miss out on them.

My stars finally aligned and not only did I finally get to see DEVO in one of my favorite venues in Los Angeles, but I was going to get to see them for free (thank you to Losanjealous)!

I didn't quite know what to expect from the show, but I knew the moment I got in that I needed an energy dome of my very own. Once that was on my head, the good times began!

The opening band was enjoyable - it sounded like the soundtrack to a video game, which I found pleasant. I could tell it wasn't for everyone, but I was a fan... anyone who has a theremin on stage usually has my vote.

I've had a really hard time writing this entry for DEVO because I don't really know what to say... it left me with my mind blown. Watching them in concert, you realize why they have been so successful for so long and have such a devoted following. Seeing DEVO live isn't just a concert, it's an experience. They're having so much fun on stage that you can't help but get sucked in by the energy of it and begin dancing around yourself. Everyone in the audience is so engaged and happy that it all of a sudden seems as if you went to a concert with a bunch of your friends; everyone just starts smiling at each other, giving those approving looks to each other like you know what the other is feeling too. It was crazy... I don't think I've ever experienced something like that before on that large of a scale. Usually on a rail, but this time it was like the entire venue was sucked in and embracing the word of DEVO. If the energy put off by the band isn't enough for you, you become fascinated by the constant outfit changes, videos, imagery and ridiculous actions by the band that it all of a sudden seems as if you're in a big party.

Perhaps Gerald Casale (courtesy of DEVO website) explains this "experience" best when he describes the purpose of the energy dome:
"It was designed according to ancient ziggurat mound proportions used in votive worship. Like the mounds it collects energy and recirculates it. In this case the Dome collects energy that escapes from the crown of the human head and pushes it back into the Medula Oblongata for increased mental energy. It's very important that you buy a cheap plastic hardhat liner, adjust it to your head size and affix it with duct tape or Super Glue to the inside of the Dome. This allows the Dome to "float" just above the cranium and thus do its job. Unfortunately, without a hard hat liner, the recirculation of energy WILL NOT occur."

All I know is that there was a lot of energy recirculating in that place and I couldn't get enough of it. I hope to put my energy dome back on sometime in the future and experience DEVO again. Nothing like it...

On a side note, it was great to see Josh Freese again and having been a fan of his for a long time, I have to say I think this is the best fit for him. I loved watching him in Nine Inch Nails, but DEVO just seems like the perfect place for him. Go watch some of Josh's videos on YouTube, then go watch some of DEVO's videos. You'll understand.

Setlist
Don’t Shoot
Peek A Boo
What We Do
Going Under
Fresh
That’s Good
Girl U Want
Whip It
Planet Earth
Satisfaction (Rolling Stones cover)
Secret Agent Man (Johnny Rivers cover)
Uncontrollable Urge
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Smart Patrol/Mr DNA
Gates of Steel
Devo Corporate Anthem
Freedom of Choice
It’s A Beautiful World

Image of concert poster by Kii Arens of La La Land Posters

Photos:

Video of "Jocko Homo":

Video of "Whip It":

Motörhead @ Club Nokia

2011-03-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

My previous Motörhead show was also my first...and it was not a good introduction to them. It was one of those shows where everything was doomed from the start and it just ruined the evening. I was eager to try again and was pleased to see that they were not only playing the same venue again, but that I had won tickets to the show! This time, I saw the show I was supposed to see... the Motörhead I had heard epic tales about. The band just killed it; they blow bands half their age out of the water with their talent and energy. A pleasant surprise was when Lemmy brought out Cheri Curie (The Runaways) and his son Paul Inder to assist on "Killed By Death". Headbanging...devil horns thrust in the air... this is just pure rock and roll at it's finest. I strolled out of the venue with "Overkill" blasting in the distance with a big smile on my face, fortunate to see a legendary band like this and have my mind blown.

Setlist:
We Are Motörhead
Stay Clean
Get Back In Line
Metropolis
Over The Top
One Night Stand
Rock Out
Guitar Solo
The Thousand Names of God
I Got Mine
I Know How To Die
The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
In The Name of Tragedy (with drum solo)
Just 'Cos You Got The Power
Going To Brazil
Killed By Death
Ace of Spades
Encore
Overkill

Photos:

Video of "Ace of Spades":

Autolux & The Soft Moon @ Detroit Bar

2011-03-05T21:33:00.000-08:00

I have seen Autolux... a lot. I actually had to stop seeing them at some point because it was just the same show over and over again and on a teacher's salary, I have to pick and choose what I spend my money on. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and my absence away from Autolux made me cherish this performance all the more.

The Detroit Bar has everything I could possibly love - it's 15 minutes from my house, has cheap tickets that are not purchased through Ticketbastard, it's small and intimate, has free parking and good beer. I really should have listened to Amateur Chemist sooner when he raved about the place... I missed out on some killer shows there.

My friend (who was the one that got me into Autolux in the first place) and I were pleasantly surprised with The Soft Moon who opened up for Autolux. It's been a while since I'd found a new band that I instantly liked... the last I can remember was A Place To Bury Strangers when the opened up for Nine Inch Nails in Texas. After the first song, my friend and I just looked at each other with the same look and immediately whipped out our cameras to capture it! I'll definitely be catching them again the next time they hit up Los Angeles.

Autolux was the same as I'd always seen them - they never put on a bad show and their music just takes me away to another place... I often find myself closing my eyes when listening to them live. It's like the soundtrack to a dream. I was reminded of why I saw them so many times in the past and why I'll continue to always see them whenever they're in town. They never disappoint and that kind of a music therapy session is always good for the soul.

Photos of The Soft Moon & Autolux:

Video of The Soft Moon performing "We Are We":

Video of Autolux performing "Plantlife":

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Avalon

2011-02-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

It's not what you wanted
It's not what you came here for

This show was definitely not what I wanted and was not what I came there for.

I came to see BRMC perform. I wanted to get there in a reasonable amount of time. I came to enjoy the set. I wanted to see one of my favorite bands and help out a good cause (Global Green USA Party) at the same time.

I should have known that blowing a tire in the middle of the 110 freeway was a sign of things to come...

I got there after 2 hours, dropping my car off at a local shop to get a new tire for the ride how while waiting in line outside, freezing. I got to see them perform, but it was a short set (despite being the headiner). I enjoyed BRMC, but I had to deal with drunk hipsters acting like 3 year olds around me the entire set. (LA hipsters - you made the drunks in Vegas look better behaved. Seriously.)

This experience eerily reminded me of seeing them open for STP last year. I had seen some amazing shows up until that show. I knew it wouldn't be a full set, but I still went... I'll take a BRMC any way I can get it. I seem to always end up disappointed though when I see bands I love and it's not their show. Short sets, prickly crowds... all the makings for an unpleasant experience that is hard to stomach after seeing such mind-blowing shows up until that point.

I had come from my unbelievable experience last week with BRMC and ended up here. Deep down, I suppose I knew what I was in store for... but it's just so hard to accept after seeing an amazing show in such close proximity.

At the end of the day, the band was great. I was glad I got to hear "High/Low" again and despite being short, it was a solid setlist, mostly comprised of their more energetic songs. Halfway through the set I had to deal with three girls who felt the need to headbang into me and the girls next to me and then make out with each other. Repeatedly. For like 20 minutes straight. Then yell during "Open Invitation". It was a good thing I had someone with me because under normal circumstances, that combination usually leads to me cussing like a sailor and my hands ending up on someone else. Instead, I attempted to tune it out and soak in the band for what I knew would be my last time seeing them for a while.

I left the Avalon that night clinging to the memories of the week before and longing for what was to come next from BRMC...

Photos:

Video of "High/Low" by YouTube user dmezragirl:

Setlist:

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Book & Stage, Las Vegas

2011-02-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

I've always joked around that my life could be described in a series of song lyrics and titles; my own personal soundtrack to life. In this particular instance, I couldn't help but think that a few particular BRMC song lyrics were the components of the "theme song" to the adventures I would have in less than 24 hours, across two different states.

It's a complicated situation
It's a complicated situation, mama
I'm a complicated situation

When I first saw that BRMC was playing in Vegas, it seemed like a no-brainer - Get my partner in crime, HRC, and make the trip out there! Upon further investigation, HRC was unable to go and I was horrified to discover that the two shows were in the middle of the week. The kiss of death for the teacher/concert maven. I can pull off late night shows in LA with a big 'ol Starbucks the next morning, but Vegas? How am I gonna pull this one off?

You want it, you need it, the words slip away
You're crying your eyes out, your mind wants to break

Between the time I found out about this show and the time I decided to go, something massive happened in my professional life... something that will change everything about my existence as a teacher... may even warrant the changing of this blog. (Hint: Don't teach in a cash-strapped state.) I have a habit of falling into despair for a brief moment and within a day or two my courage (or insanity, depending on how you look at it) grows and my attitude totally changes. For about a day or two, I thought that there was just no way to make this work, but after finding out my bad news, I decided to just seize the moment and do it.

There ain't no easy way
No there ain't no easy way out

So, here was the plan. Head to LAX after school. Hop on plane to Vegas. Get to hotel and drop off stuff, clean up, attempt to nap. Go to venue, rock out. Back to hotel for little sleep. Head back the next morning on the first flight out of Vegas back to Los Angeles and go straight to school. Yeah, not so bright in theory, but it could work. Granted, nothing could possibly go wrong - no delayed flight, no traffic on the 110... or the plan is toast.

Try keep your head up high
Time burns so deep inside you

Get to LAX with lots of time to spare and I spend a good hour chatting with one of my best buddies Amateur Chemist. Apparently my conversation with him was so interesting that someone asked me after I got off the phone if I worked in the music business. Sadly no... and looking at my current situation, wishing a bit that I was. Soon, I'm on the plane and know that I should be getting some sleep since there isn't much in my future, but I'm too excited to even close my eyes. I'm in Vegas before I know it and I'm off to the hotel. I've got a bit of time to spare so I again try to take a nap and instead end up watching Law and Order while I get cleaned up and ready for the show. I decide to head out at 6:40 pm for a show that starts at 10 pm. If you knew how early I left for NIN shows in the past, this seemed pretty reasonable. I arrived at the Cosmopolitan at 7:00 and nearly walked right past the "venue". I use the word "venue" very loosely as it was really just a bar with a stage behind it. So bizarre. But, I snag the seat closest to the stage and I've even got a blackjack game to occupy my time. The waiting begins...

I'm ready for you, all ready for you
Come and get me darling, you know I'm gonna get you darling

Of course, after all this waiting, the show wouldn't start right on time. Anticipation builds. Finally, the lights go out and they come on stage. There was one emotion overriding all the others I was having at this moment - worry. I was so worried that this show wouldn't go well and my trip would have been for naught. I soon came to find that I had nothing to worry about and this would end up being one of the best BRMC nights I'd ever had. Surprisingly, the bar being between me and the stage wasn't all that bad. I'd still rather not have it there (having people coming up to order drinks next to you can be a bit irritating, but it's nothing that a well-placed bar stool and a glare can't fix), but it wasn't a deal-breaker. Often I am so close to the stage with them that I am looking almost straight up at them, so it was kind of nice, for once, to look straight on at them and take it all in together.

You make me feel so free

The plan was for there to be one show at 10 and another at 12. Instead they just blurred the two together and played into Thursday morning. Overall the setlist was incredible - a good mix of the songs I love to hear as well as ones that I don't get to hear that often. A lot of my favorite songs are the slower ones where Peter sings, so having Shade of Blue (which gives me goosebumps every single time I hear it) and Screaming Gun in the set was pure bliss. I was also happy to hear some of my favorite live songs In Like The Rose and Stop (which could be my anthem for BRMC) and was surprised to hear High/Low which proved to just be absolutely epic. I want that on the setlist every time now!

Today, my soul is unscathed
I can't touch the ground

A magical show turned into an even more magical evening. Items were checked off the bucket list and HRC was let off the hook. I strolled out of the Cosmopolitan hotel around 2 am, got back to the hotel and got a whopping hour and a half of sleep before waking up to head out to the airport.

Keep me high, keep me low
I don't want to tell you where I've been

You know you are checking out too early when the automatic check-out on the TV isn't even available yet. But despite it being way too early, I had a spring in my step... I was still on my concert high. I arrived to the airport, acquired my Trenta (thank goodness for that!) Frappucino with an extra shot, got on the plane and headed home. We got in 5 minutes early, I hit the freeway and ended up at school earlier than I do on a normal day. The plan may have been crazy, but hot damn, I pulled it off. No one had any idea where I had been or what I'd done. Probably not a good thing in the end... It will only encourage me more the next time I think about doing something like this... ;-)

Photos:

Video of "Screaming Gun":

Video of "In Like The Rose":

Setlist:

Rob Zombie @ Catalyst, Santa Cruz

2011-02-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

Observations & Musings from my adventure to Santa Cruz to see Rob Zombie...

I hate hippies. Therefore, I hate Santa Cruz.
One day I will write a book on "line etiquette"; many will agree, no one will practice.
People in Santa Cruz do a lot of drugs. Case and point? The many people going into the pit in flip-flops.
The venue should have been more worried about the cougar ladies drinking alcohol than the underage people. Honestly, the underage people would have probably behaved better under the influence.
I have never seen such a high stage in my life. They claimed the reason for the excessive height was because people kept jumping up on stage. Apparently security guards don't exist in Santa Cruz either. Just a lot of drugs.
Opening bands that have been arranged by the label are never a good fit. Never.
Clocks on a stage just suck (see pic of Piggy D in photo set). Seriously. I go to a concert to escape, not be reminded that it's just a matter of time until I have to return to reality.
When Rob Zombie is sick, Rob Zombie is very very cranky. Yes to photos! No to photos! Ok, yes again! Let's play a rare song, wait let's play one instead that we've played a million times!
John 5 fucking rules. Seriously.
I thought Ginger Fish was a homeless dude they picked up outside until HRC clarified for me.
I expected a more varied setlist, but alas, just what I'd heard before. Still rocked though and had a blast.
Stomach bruises hurt like a motherfucker. Not quite as bad as when I broke a rib at Deftones, but pretty brutal nonetheless.
All venues should also double as a pizza joint that still sells pizza after the show. This was the only redeeming factor of The Catalyst.

For a much better recap of the show than I could ever write, check out HRC's post for the show here. Photos, videos & other goodies below...

Great poster (that I have since acquired for my own collection) advertising the show:

Photos:

Video of "Werewolf Women of the SS":

Setlist & Souvenirs:

Slash & Ozzy Osbourne @ Gibson Amphitheatre

2011-02-01T21:42:00.000-08:00

My night started off backstage amongst quite an eclectic crowd that would prove, oddly, to be much more mature and well-behaved than what inhabited the rest of the Gibson that night. You know it's off to a good start when the paramedics rush backstage before the show has even begun...only to find out later it's because of this.

I didn't go in with high expectations for the Slash & Myles Kennedy performance... I'm one of those rare individuals that isn't infatuated with the concept of Slash, but I found that I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, mainly due to the charisma and energy of Myles Kennedy. My only real problem with the set was when they started playing the Guns & Roses and Velvet Revolver songs - Myles sings Myles great, Myles does poor imitations of Axl & Weiland. He was just trying to hard to sound just like them and I would have rather had him sing just like Myles - that sounded great on it's own.

Ok, the following statements may be polarizing but this is just my opinion...and I'm entitled to it, dammit.

Ozzy was disappointing. I expected it to be bad, but it was honestly just sad to watch. Ozzy really does give 110% out there on stage, but he just seems like he's struggling to do so. He is really fun to watch still, he's having a blast out there, but it's like watching your Grandpa get out and try to do what he used to do 30 years ago. The band sounded insanely good - Ozzy has got a talented group of musicians supporting him and that definitely helps. I oddly found that the further I got away from the stage the better it sounded; apparently he has a really good sound mixer as well. ;)

I know people have given Robert Plant a lot of shit about not jumping on board for a Led Zeppelin reunion, but he claims that he just isn't the same person he was back then and he doesn't want to pretend to be. I always respected him for saying that (even though I would be at that reunion show in a heartbeat...) and this show made that concept even clearer. Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should.

Photos:

Video of Slash & Myles Kennedy performing "Nightrain":

Video of Ozzy performing "Iron Man":

Video of Ozzy performing "Suicide Solution":

Setlist:

"Bark At The Moon"

"Let Me Hear You Scream"

"Mr. Crowley"

"I Don't Know"

"Fairies Wear Boots"

"Suicide Solution"

"Road To Nowhere"

"War Pigs"

"Fire In The Sky"

"Into The Void"

"Shot In the Dark"

"Rat Salad"

"Iron Man"

"I Don't Wanna Change The World"

"Crazy Train"

Encore
"Mama, I'm Coming Home"

"Paranoid"

Social Distortion @ Hollywood Palladium

2011-01-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

First show of 2011!

Social Distortion hit Los Angeles in support of their new album Hard Times & Lullabyes. Photos & videos below...

Photos:

Video of "Mommy's Little Monster":

My Top 10 Concerts of 2010

2010-12-30T00:42:00.000-08:00

It was really hard to narrow it down out of all the shows I saw this year, but here is my list of my 10 favorite concerts I saw in 2010:

10. Air
4th & B, March 27th
Air wasn't playing any local shows, so one of my best friends and I made the trek down to San Diego to see them - this is the same friend that introduced me to Air in the first place. What I remember most about this show was the feeling that I had gone to another place - I was going through some difficult personal stuff at the time and this show was a savior for me. For those few hours, my mind was absorbed in the beauty that is Air and their music. I thought about nothing else, at all. Usually music does this for me, but I'm distracted by that guy about to crowdsurf and nail me in the head or the two people fighting next to me... but not at this show. Complete peace.

9. A Place To Bury Strangers
Spaceland, June 26th
I have loved A Place To Bury Strangers ever since I first saw the open for Nine Inch Nails in Texas a while back. Despite the fact that they had played many times between now and then, I just kept missing them when they were in town. I finally made it and had my sense annihilated by the guys and can't wait for it to happen again.

8. Jane's Addiction
The Roxy, July 2nd
When I first heard this show get announced, I thought, "Wow, that would be so cool to go but I'll never get in." So, imagine my delight and surprise when my dear HRC texts me early that week to ask if I want to go! What ended up happening that night surpassed even my wildest dreams and has gone down in my own personal history as one of the best rock and roll nights I've ever had during all my years here in LA.

7. A Perfect Circle
Avalon, November 9th
I know everyone seems to be a fan of Mer de Noms the most, but for me, the Thirteenth Step night was the one that I loved the most. I lost myself in the album being played live that night.

6. Alice In Chains
Hollywood Palladium, February 13th
This show was one of those shows that made me think there really are Rock Gods and that I had done something to please them because they sure as hell were good to me this night. A great rail spot, great company, Alice in Chains... perfect. But what really made this night was the somewhat religious experience of having Jerry Cantrell walk right in front of my friend and I and play Love, Hate, Love right in front of us. I still can't quite describe the experience, only that it has stuck with me ever since.

5. Roger Waters - The Wall
Staples Center, November 29th
As I said in my post for this show, I have never seen anything like this and know, with all certainty, that I won't see anything like it again.

4. Paul McCartney
Hollywood Bowl, March 31st
The only way I can describe this show and this evening is "magical". It's what I used to describe it at the time and I still haven't found a better word to describe it. I was raised on the Beatles. All I listened to, literally, until I was in middle school and figured out how to find music on my own. I still listen to them a ridiculous amount and love them, probably more, than any other band on the planet. Macca, although not my favorite Beatle (go George!), is special to me because Wings was my first concert ever as a kid and he winked and blew a kiss at me. I waited all day on the rail at Coachella to see him and was now seeing him at the Hollywood Bowl with the only other person in my life who understands the importance of the Beatles like I do. I'm not talking about musical importance, but life-changing importance. They wrote the soundtrack for a good chunk of my life and the music means so very much to me. I couldn't imagine seeing this show with anyone else and had such a wonderful time.

3. Black Rebel Motorycycle Club
Slim's March 9th & Echoplex March 14th
BRMC is one of my favorite bands. Personally, I'd be happy if they toured my area about every 6 months to give me a fix. They never get old to me and I never want to stop seeing them live. They are one of the best bands out there and they put other bands to shame with their live performance.

Out of the 6 shows I saw this year, these two stood out for different reasons which is why they tied at 3rd place. The Slim's show was the first show I saw for them this year and was my first time hearing the Beat The Devil's Tattoo songs live. It was an intimate, tiny venue with Peter Hayes and his guitar in my face. Nothing sucked about it. What happened after the show... I'm still bitter, but I know HRC will make it up to me one day. ;-) The Echoplex show was an amazing setlist and an amazing energy. What I love about BRMC is that no two shows are the same. Different energy, different songs... these two shows embodied everything I love about BRMC. Looking forward to more shows in 2011???!?!

2. Queens of the Stone Age & Eagles of Death Metal
Brian O'Connor Benefit Show
Club Nokia, August 12th
I could follow QOTSA around on tour like I did for NIN, but I haven't had the chance. Last new album was in 2007... not much touring since. I jumped at the chance to see them again and was even more pleased to find that it was with one of my other favorites, EODM, and for such a wonderful cause. Show was mind-blowingly-amazing. I hope that Big Hands is doing better... Can't imagine anyone else up there with EODM. Wishing you the best Brian!

1. Soundgarden
Paramount Studios, September 27th
I spend a ridiculous amount of money seeing concerts and go figure... The best show of the year for me ended up being free. A band I've dreamed of seeing since I was a teen...dream realized, and is inches from my face playing all my favorite songs. Just insane and I still can't believe it actually happened.

Killing Joke @ The Wiltern

2010-12-18T00:30:00.000-08:00

Last show of the year... Killing Joke at the Wiltern.

Photos:

Camp Freddy @ The Roxy

2010-12-17T23:16:00.000-08:00

Camp Freddy consists of Dave Navarro (guitar), Matt Sorum (drums), Donovan Leitch, Jr. (vocals) and Chris Chaney (bass) and the guests that join them change as often as a teenage girl's mood. The show we were at brought out such special guests as Juliette Lewis, Sebastian Bach and my personal fave, Billy Idol. I'd love to catch another Camp Freddy show sometime and see who comes out...

Photos:

Video of "Proud Mary" featuring Juliette Lewis:

Video of "Dancing With Myself" featuring Billy Idol:

Faith No More @ Hollywood Palladium

2010-12-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

Faith No More's last U.S. show for the foreseeable future. You know it's going to be EPIC... (oh yeah, I went there.)

Photos:

Video of "Midlife Crisis":

Setlist:

Pills for Breakfast

Be Aggressive

Land of Sunshine

Everything's Ruined

Evidence

Got That Feeling

Last Cup of Sorrow

Helpless

Cuckoo for Caca

Ben (Michael Jackson cover)

Ashes to Ashes

Midlife Crisis

Spirit

King for a Day

Epic

Kiss and Say Goodbye

(The Manhattans cover)

Encore:

This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us (Sparks cover with Sparks)

Digging the Grave (with Dean Menta)

Encore 2:

We Care a Lot

Pristina

Roger Waters @ Staples Center

2010-11-29T22:48:00.000-08:00

I tried for many hours to come up with any words to describe this night but at the end of the day, I just can't. It truly was indescribable. I have never witnessed anything like it and know with all certainty that I'll never see anything like it again. I've seen some elaborate stage shows, but nothing like this.

My quote of the evening: "You don't even need drugs for this... I think if I was doing drugs, my head would explode."

Photos:

Video of "Mother", where Waters performs alongside a film of himself performing the song back in 1980:

Video of "Hey You":

A Perfect Circle @ The Avalon

2010-11-10T22:36:00.000-08:00

I was very fortunate to procure tickets to all three nights of the A Perfect Circle shows here in Los Angeles for myself and HardRockChick. As expected, photography was nearly impossible... I was only able to sneak in a few camera phone pictures. I enjoyed Night Two the best - I'm a Thirteenth Step fan and I was in heaven when I got to hear their version of Failure's "The Nurse Who Loved Me" live for the first time. Overall, the shows were great and were very well received - I have no doubt we'll see more APC in 2011.

Night One: Mer de Noms
Night Two: Thirteenth Step
Night Three: Emotive

Photo from Mer de Noms evening.

Whenever there was some downtime, Maynard would ask James Iha to tell some jokes.
Here he is sharing the stage with special guest Troy van Leeuwen.

Setlist from Night Two (Thirteenth Step)

Just when I thought I wouldn't see another NIN box on stage...

Ghostland Observatory @ Club Nokia

2010-11-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to The Scenestar, I won tickets to the Ghostland Observatory show at Club Nokia.

Photos:

Video of "Freeze":

BRMC & STP @ Nokia Theatre

2010-10-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

This was one of those beautiful occurrences when I love not only the headliner band, but the band that is opening for them as well. Anyone that knows me well enough knows who I was really here for more than anything, but having two bands that you love tour together NEVER sucks.

Despite it being a short set and having a fairly empty venue to play to, BRMC once again did not disappoint. Every time I see them, it reaffirms my love for them as one of the greatest bands out there. There's no bullshit, no gimmicks - just a great band that plays great music. It was hard watching them and knowing that I wouldn't get to see them again for a while; this show was my 6th BRMC this year alone and I've been a bit spoiled to see a band I love so much so many times in one year. I'm thankful for all the amazing shows - they are, in my opinion, at their best right now. But, that doesn't mean I'm not hoping for another U.S. tour in 2011... ;)

I've seen STP quite a few times and when Weiland is bad, he is really bad... but when he's good, he's really really good. Tonight was thankfully one of those good nights and we were treated to an amazing set by STP to close out their tour. Kids were on stage, moms were on the sidestage; it's always fun to be at the hometown shows, especially when they are wrapping up the tour.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Photos:

Stone Temple Pilots Photos:

Video of STP - "Still Remains":

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Setlist:

Their set ended with Rob and Peter sharing a look and adding "Open Invitation" to the setlist to close out the set. I couldn't have asked for anything more...(Wait, I could have... an entire set, but I knew that was out of the question...)

Stone Temple Pilots Setlist:
Crackerman / Wicked Garden / Vasoline / Heaven & Hot Rods / Between the Lines / Hickory Dichotomy / Still Remains / Cinnamon / Big Empty / Dancing Days / Silvergun Superman / Plush / Interstate Love Song / Huckleberry Crumble / Down / Sex Type Thing
Encore: Dead & Bloated / Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart

Rocky Horror Picture Show 35th Anniversary @ Wiltern Theatre

2010-10-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

What better way to kick off Halloween than attending the 35th Anniversary celebration of The Rocky Horror Picture Show???

The event was held at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles with a star-studded cast along with a "shadow-cast" that performed while the movie ran in the background.

The guest stars included Lea Michele & Matthew Morrison from Glee as "Janet & Brad", Evan Rachel Wood as "Magenta", Jack Nicholson & Danny DeVito sharing duties as the "Criminologist", Jorge Garcia from Lost as "Eddie" and, in my opinion, stealing the show, was Julian McMahon from Nip/Tuck as "Dr. Frank-N-Furter".

The show not only celebrate the anniversary of the movie, but all proceeds from the show benefited the Painted Turtle charity - a camp for kids with serious illnesses.

Once in a lifetime event, for a great cause & celebrating one of my favorite movies....and a great way to start off Halloween.

Photos:

Video from Hard Rock Chick:

Recoil @ Galaxy Theatre

2010-10-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

Recoil 'Selected' Events 2010/USA
Paul Kendall & Alan Wilder

Opener: Architect
Special Guest: Martin Gore, DJ Set

Photos:

Video of Recoil:

Video of Martin's DJ Set:

BlackDiamondSkye Night 2 @ The Joint, Las Vegas, NV

2010-10-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

My favorite concert buddy Hard Rock Chick joined me in Vegas for the last date of the BlackDiamondSkye tour. No videos from this show...security wasn't having any of it. However, we met a nice guy who worked for Buzznet and won the contest to videotape the show. He took some awesome videos from the photo pit - check them out here. My photos are below...

Mastodon Photo Set:

Deftones Photo Set:

Alice In Chains Photo Set:

BlackDiamondSkye Night 1 @ Gibson Amphitheater

2010-10-12T22:14:00.000-07:00

Photos and video of Deftones and Alice In Chains at the Gibson Amphitheater for the BlackDiamondSkye tour.

Photos of Deftones & Alice In Chains:

Video of the Deftones' "Be Quiet & Drive (Far Away)":

Video of Alice in Chains' "No Excuses":

Halloween Hootenanny @ Gibson Ampitheatre

2010-09-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

Photos and videos of the EPIC Halloween Hootenanny with Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie!

Photos of Alice Cooper:

Video of Alice Cooper performing "Feed My Frankenstein":

Photos of Rob Zombie:

Video of Rob Zombie performing "Pussy Liquor":

Soundgarden @ Paramount Studios

2010-09-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

When I rolled out of bed on September 27th, there were two surprises in store for me that I could have never expected. First, it ended up being the hottest day ever recorded in history in Los Angeles. Second, I would be going on a mini-adventure to obtain tickets and eventually attend an exclusive Soundgarden concert.

Sometime around 11, I received an e-mail that there was going to a secret Soundgarden concert in Los Angeles that night. You could get a ticket if you were a member of the mailing list and could get down to Amoeba Hollywood to get a ticket before they ran out. I figured with class I wouldn't be able to get out there in time, but decided to take a chance anyways. I hauled ass out there, to the sound of my engine making funny noises due to speed and heat, and dashed into the store, terrified that I was going to have gone all the way down there for nothing. I discovered that there were indeed tickets left, and I snagged my wristbands and info and headed home.

After cleaning up, I headed back out to Paramount Studios in Hollywood for the show. The show was part of a Guitar Hero: Legends of Rock launch party. When you walk into a party behind Gene Simmons, you know it's going to be a good night.

The studio lot was made to look like New York, with street vendors serving food, spots available to play the game, open bars... all you'd expect from a video game-sponsored party. I ran in, grabbed as many bottles of water as I could, and figured out where the actual concert would be. They recreated the infamous music venue CBGB, which is where the line was forming to see the show inside.

Forget free booze and food - I was here to see Soundgarden. I remained in line for almost an hour and half, on a still very hot evening, to only enter into a room that was even hotter than it was outside. After waiting a while more... it was finally time for the show. I honestly can't remember the last time I was that excited for a show. What happened after that has gone down as one of the best shows I've been to all year and perhaps one of the top shows I've ever attended. I grew up loving Soundgarden, but never getting the chance to see them, so this was a dream come true and one that was truly unexpected.

Here's hoping for a full blown tour... although I don't think anything would top this show.

Photos & videos below...

Photo Set:

Video of "Black Rain" (Performed live for the first time):

Video of "Spoonman":

Muse @ Staples Center

2010-09-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

Yet again, I was blown away by the epic show that is Muse live. This goes beyond just being a concert - it's a SHOW. Photos and videos below...

Photo Set:

Video of "Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 1: Overture":

Video of "Resistance":

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ The Glass House

2010-09-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

In an ideal world, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club tours non-stop and I get to see them every few months. I am addicted and need my fix on a fairly regular basis. I was lucky that they were fitting in one headlining show before jumping on tour as support for Stone Temple Pilots. I hope to see them again soon, just not at one of my least favorite places on the planet - Pomona. Photos are below...

Photo Set:

Video of "Complicated Situation":

Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Stubb's BBQ, Austin, TX

2010-09-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

I went to visit my dear friend and partner in crime Hard Rock Chick in Texas during my last few days of freedom, also known as Summer Vacation. I was stoked that she was able to score us tickets to the sold out Rodrigo y Gabriela show at Stubb's BBQ in Austin. Many of my dear friends live in Texas and Stubb's is one of those places I hear about often, so I was pleased to finally be seeing the infamous venue.

Aside from some obscenely drunk and creepy guys in front, I had a great time at this show. I was yet again impressed with Rodrigo y Gabriela. It's unbelievable that all of that music is coming from just two people.

Photos from the show:

I ♥ NOLA

2010-08-31T10:24:00.000-07:00

Some little girls dream of the day that they get married... I was the little girl that dreamed of going to New Orleans.

I don't know what it is, but I have been obsessed with this city since I was about 10 years old. So, when my trip to New Orleans was finally being realized, you could be certain that I was going to fit some live music into my trip as well.

I've always been a lover of jazz, so I was excited to go to a city that is known for it's intimate venues and countless musicians. On any given night, there were just tons of shows going on all over the city - so many options to choose from.

While planning my visit, I saw that there was going to be a benefit show at the House of Blues that was put on by HBO's Treme show to benefit the Make It Right foundation, which builds houses for people who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. I love benefit shows because they often showcase lots of different artists, so this was right up my alley. The show included the following artists: Lloyd Price, John Boutte, Jon Cleary, Irma Thomas, Coco Robicheaux, Kermit Ruffins, Paul Sanchez, Doreen Ketchens, James Andrews, Rebirth Brass Band, and the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indians. I swear we were the only people in the venue who weren't locals, which was a bit awkward, but we had a blast. I honestly couldn't believe that this show only cost $25 to get into. We saw a ton of people perform, all of them were amazing, and it went to a good cause.

We also hit up Preservation Hall that is a historic venue located in the French Quarter. The jazz band that plays there has changed over the years and the band also tours throughout the year as well. We caught a show one evening in the tiny venue that holds no more than about 30 people. Out of all the places we saw live jazz, this was our favorite. There was something about its history and it's rawness - nothing fancy, just a room and some great musicians. This is a must-visit place if you are ever heading to NOLA.

Photos from both shows:

Brian O' Connor Benefit @ Club Nokia

2010-08-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

I love all sorts of bands, but there are a few that rank above the rest. They are the ones that I'll travel unreasonably for, the ones I know all the lyrics of, the ones that I wait in line for hours before the doors even open just to get that coveted spot in the front.

The last time I saw QOTSA & EODM play together, it was in Palm Desert a few years back. It was a good show, but the bizarre venue (an elegant Palm Desert theater) and my shitty seat kind of hindered the entire experience for me, not to mention having to drive back to LAthat night to go to work the next day. Ah, what I do for my bands.

Needless to say, my head just about exploded when I found out that they would be playing together again, this time for a great cause. Eagles of Death Metal is one of those bands that when I am listening to live, I have a huge grin on my face. You may even catch me shimmying in my car while driving and listening to them...they just make me happy. Bands that you love become an extension of your family. Like those distant cousins that you love, but you don't ever get to hang out with. I was devastated to hear that Brian O' Connor of EODM had developed cancer, and they were having this show (as well as one in London) to help offset his medical costs. I would have pounced on this show regardless of the reason for its existence, but this made it all the sweeter. I happily purchased my tickets & made an extra donation to the cause before and after the show. Anyone who went to this show and didn't make an extra donation after witnessing this incredible show is a moron. It was the first thing I did when I got home.

I got to the venue around 1 pm, found about 15 people in line already. I was lucky enough to end up next to some really cool people in line that made the wait a bit easier. Getting in was a disaster - Club Nokia staff can kiss my ass. I landed a decent spot on the rail, despite the moronic behavior of the guy letting us into the pit.

Eagles of Death Metal opened the show and I was pleased to see Brian was playing with the band. I know he had someone fill in for him during the last few shows, and I was thrilled to see him today. They all seemed so happy and humbled by it all that it just made you feel good inside... Such a weird combination of feelings at a rock show - warm fuzzies & rocking out. Weird, but really good.

The Last Shadow Puppets came out after, played a short set, and then Alain Johannes came out and performed some of his solo material. I was really impressed with Alain's solo material. It felt a bit out of place after the EODM set, but it was fantastic stuff. I'm really looking forward to hearing more of it when the album gets released.

Bring on QOTSA. I heard quite a few people complain about the setlist that night, but I loved it. Thought it was a good assortment of songs & I thought they sounded great. Everyone seemed really happy to be up there, most of all Josh. However, nothing could have topped the encore. I figured something special would happen that night, but I never expected this. Lots of people in line talked of John Paul Jones coming out, Dave Grohl drumming, the usual rumors... but I could have never guessed Mark-FUCKING-Lanegan would have come out and done an entire encore of songs.

Rated R is my favorite Queens of the Stone Age album, with In The Fade being one of my favorite Queens of the Stone Age tracks. I don't know what it is about that song, but I love it. I heard them soundchecking it while waiting in line and got really excited, but I've learned over time that just because you hear it in soundcheck, doesn't mean it's going to be played(I'm looking at you NIN...*ahem*), so I didn't get my hopes up. I had my camera ready for whatever the encore was going to bring, and imagine my excitement when I see Mark Lanegan stroll out in the shadows and hear the first chords of In The Fade start. It was hard for me to videotape this song because of how much I love it... I almost put it down just so I could fully enjoy it, but I'm glad I held out because I've got a video I can watch on repeat all the time now. In fact, I'm listening to it as I write this. ;-)

Only downside to the night was getting clocked in the face over a setlist (see ripped half below) and finding that someone side-swiped my car in the parking lot and took off my side mirror. Small price to pay to the Rock Gods though for an amazing night. This is one of those shows that has definitely secured a place in my list of top shows. Two of my favorite bands and an amazing night for a great cause.

Please donate to Brian's cause at www.brianeodm.org - every little bit counts.

Setlist & picks from Troy (QOTSA) & Dave (EODM).

Queens of the Stone Age Setlist:

Misfit Love

Sick, Sick, Sick

Feel Good Hit of the Summer

The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret

Tangled Up in Plaid

Burn the Witch

Battery Acid

Make it wit Chu

Long Slow Goodbye (with finale)

Little Sister

Turnin’ on the Screw

3’s and 7’s

Go with the Flow

No One Knows

I Think I Lost My Headache

Encores with Mark Lanegan:

In the Fade

Hangin’ Tree

God is on the Radio

A Song for the Dead

Photos:

Queens of the Stone Age - "Burn The Witch" Video

Queens of the Stone Age, with Mark Lanegan - "In The Fade" Video

Tool @ Nokia Theatre

2010-07-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

Slideshow of photos from the show... taken stealthily with my iPhone.

One Day As A Lion @ Eagle Rock Center for the Arts

2010-07-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

One Day As Lion (Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine & Jon Theodore of the Mars Volta) performing their second live show on July 18, 2010 at the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts. Photos & video below...

Jane's Addiction @ The Roxy

2010-07-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend this intimate show at the Roxy... this was one of those shows where I got totally caught up in the experience and chose not to spend a lot of time photographing the show. I did snag one video though, of the epic "Three Days"...

A Place To Bury Strangers @ Spaceland

2010-06-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Photos & Video from A Place To Bury Strangers at Spaceland
6.26.2010

She Wants Revenge @ Grove of Anaheim

2010-06-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

Photos & Video from She Wants Revenge at the Grove of Anaheim
6.25.2010

Air @ 4th & B

2010-03-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite French duos was playing in nearby San Diego, so I made the trek down to see Air at 4th & B.

Alpha Beta Gaga:

Alone in Kyoto:

Bad Religion @ House of Blues Anaheim

2010-03-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

Bad Religion is one of those bands that I can always count on for a good show and thankfully they tour a hell of a lot, especially locally in Anaheim. Photos & videos below.

Recipe For Hate:

How Much Is Enough:

American Jesus:

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ House of Blues Anaheim

2010-03-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

BRMC is one of my favorite bands... I will see them as many times as humanly (and economically) possible. Because I love them so, I didn't video this show and only photographed a little. I spent my time enjoying the show as much as I could, since this was the last in my mini-marathon of BRMC shows.

Although I photographed very little, I did end up getting a great photo of Peter Hayes... it's one of my favorite concert photos I've ever taken.

Photo:

Slideshow:

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in San Francisco

2010-03-09T21:08:00.000-08:00

My BRMC binge started in San Francisco (it would then take me to Los Angeles and Anaheim) with a a show at Slim's with HardRockChick. I originally flew up to SF to see the show and celebrate HRC's birthday, but my flight to return to LA was delayed the following day, so I got to fit in the Amoeba performance as well.

Photos from Slim's:

Video of "Bad Blood" from Slim's:

Video of "Shuffle Your Feet" from Slim's:

Photos from Amoeba In-Store Performance:

Alice in Chains @ Hollywood Palladium

2010-02-13T21:33:00.000-08:00

Chocolates & flowers for Valentine's Day weekend? Hell no. Alice in Chains? That's a little more up my alley...

Photos:

"Got Me Wrong" Video:

Band of Skulls @ Fingerprints

2009-12-17T21:52:00.000-08:00

Seeing a show at Fingerprints is always enjoyable... it's a small, intimate space, there is usually a sweet poster and meet & greet afterwards, free parking, and an excuse to buy stuff in one of the few cool record stores still around.

Band of Skulls was recommended to me by a friend, so I went to check them out & was not disappointed.

Photos:

"Hollywood Bowl" live at Fingerprints: