The Smell: Eclipse, Moon Fuzz, Rain on Fridays

This was my first time heading out to The Smell since venues started opening up again in June 2021. I might be missing a venue, but I believe I've now been to every music venue on the east side that I used to head out to prior to the pandemic (excluding those that have closed, of course): The Echo, Silverlake Lounge, Redwood Bar, Highland Park Bowl, The Goldfish (previously The Hi Hat), The Lodge Room, Harvard & Stone, Resident, and Hotel Café. Some of those aren't necessarily considered the east side, I suppose. I guess my definition is everything east of Hotel Café. I still have yet to venture west of Hotel Café other than Bar Lubitsch. So no Troubadour and the Sunset Strip venues.  

I walked in as Eclipse was starting up. They're a three piece band that came in from Las Vegas. They let their music do the talking. Their music had a smooth jazz quality to it.

Eclipse

What hit me about what had changed at The Smell since I was last there was the fact that the lights were just a touch better. I looked up at the stage lights and noticed that they were all new. Other than that, same guy at the door though there were now two dogs instead of one. It looked like there were the same magazines on the bookcase that probably should have been tossed during the pandemic. It looked like some of the newspapers at the very bottom had a layer of dust covering them. The couches were still torn up and should have been dragged out to the dump or upholstery done. In some way though, isn't that what we love about The Smell?

MoonFuzz came on next. I'd seen this band at Happy Sundays Long Beach. The guitarist and bassist love playing across from each other. The band concluded the same way as they did at Happy Sundays by allowing their drummer to go solo for a few minutes. It is awesome watching her take control. And it is just not me who loved it. The crowd was cheering every beat.

MoonFuzz

Rain on Fridays concluded the night. They drove up from San Diego. Though they're San Diego based, I noticed that Strawberry Army and promoter In Fuzz We Trust follow the band on Instagram so they do have some fans here in Los Angeles. They have a grunge style and sound. As the set was concluding, I noticed three young women coming up to the front of the stage. Hopefully, they hadn't just walked in, because it looked like they were fans of the band and would have missed 90% of the set.

Rain on Fridays

Quick Hit Band Interview: Liposuction

Liposuction at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What would you describe your band's sound? We’re just a glorified Beach Boys’ cover band.

What motivates you to write your music? Easily the Wilson brothers. They’ve truly changed the world with their talent. God bless Luke and Owen.

Own final thoughts: Hmm… I suppose the only thing I’d want the world to know about lipo is that we truly do practice liposuctions inside Emanuel’s apartment after we all get home from work. We do free consultations and liposuctions start at only $99.

Quick Hit Band Interview: The Gems

The Gems at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What's the story behind how your band started? The band started when the lead singer (Thurston Day) and drummer (Jackson Fox ) became friends in their freshman year of high-school and started casually playing music together. It grew more intense from there.

What band/artist would you most like to open for and why the choice? A band we would love to open for would be Franz Ferdinand. We have opened for them before in 2018 at the Wiltern and it was a really fun and interactive show and we are looking forward to playing with them again in the future. However, we would love to open for a band like Interpol because we look up to them in a lot of ways.
Own unique information about the band: we started with just 2 members and have now grown to be a 4-piece band with: Thurston Day (vocals/guitar) Jakob Sorensen (Bass) Michael Faust (keyboards/vocals) Jackson Fox (Drums) We have finished recording our latest Album “WHITE LIES” and will be releasing it sometime towards the end of this year!

Quick Hit Band Interview: Skippin Stoned

Skippin Stoned at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your music? We see ourselves as a psychedelic progressive punk band bringing a trippy twist to a heavier groove.

Other than Los Angeles, where could you see yourself living/playing music and why? We are actually getting ready to take our sound up to Humboldt County in two weeks. We would like to see how we fair to a crowd who might like a different take on their heavily influenced psychedelic scene. Aside from that anywhere! Our keyboardist Jamil is from Nicaragua and we would be stoked to check out the central American scene if we can make it happen!

Own final thoughts: Influences. We all came from different backgrounds of music . . . genres like metal, funk, grunge, Latin music and hip hop, all will poke through in our sound!

Quick Hit Band Interview: The Slop

The Slop at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What's the story behind how your band started? Mickey and Kiki met, they fell in love and a couple years later they decided to jam and it sounded really sloppy so they called it the slop.

What motivates you to write your music? We just love rock n roll!

Own final thoughts: Rock and roll all the time.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Kicked Off The Streets

Kicked Off The Streets at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

What is currently influencing your music? We all have different influences right now:

Christian (singer) - The Wytches Milo (bass)- Rancid Karrick (drums)- Tool Matt (guitar)- Slayer

Are there any high jinks or funny (or even mundane) tendencies that the band is known for – during sets, band practice, otherwise? during practice we like to scream really loud and flail our arms after we finish jammin a song

Final thoughts: What makes us unique as a band is that we are like brothers to each other. It’s not just a band it’s a brotherhood.

Quick Hit Artist Interview: The Swells

The Swells at The Smell

Interview with the band (with Wyatt). Enjoy:

How would you describe the band's sound? If I had to call it something I would say “Indie-Jazz.”

What is one of the band’s high or low moments and what makes it stand out? We just played SXSW, which was our first real festival performance!

Own final thoughts: something interesting is that we started as a two piece (drums/ guitar) and now our line up consists of five (sometimes six) members!

The Smell: Liposuction and Pure Shit

I decided to head off to The Smell to catch a couple bands I'd never seen before. That's something I like to do every so often. I also have to admit that I decided to head off to The Smell to try a new photography technique. Yes, I've been doing photography for years, but I'd never tried double exposure photography. That is a strange thing to admit that I never tried that technique. (See photos for a couple examples of what resulted from the night.)

I got to see Liposuction and Pure Shit. Liposuction came out as doctors ready to perform liposuction. They also used an old-school elementary desk to hold their keyboards. The band's lead singer took advantage of the fact that the band played on the floor of The Smell versus the stage. He took command of the floor, roaming The Smell throughout the set.

Liposuction

Pure Shit started out the set by handing out overhead transparencies to everyone. Was there a theme going on between Liposuction and Pure Shit? Old school elementary desk and transparencies. The transparencies had some written words on them, "Only love is real. God doesn't believe in us. Forgetting is essential . . . ." I'm pretty sure these were the only words that were written or sung throughout the set. Their lead singer spent the set in a sonic mode.

Pure Shit

Quick Hit Band Interview: Suzie True

Suzie True at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? We would describe our sound as “thrash pop for sensitive crybabies”

If you weren’t pursuing music as a career or passion, what do you think you might be doing in its place?

Sarah: Professional surfer.
Gee: Absolutely nothing else, this is it.
Lexi: I’d open a sanctuary for elderly chihuahuas.

April Ends/May Begins: Local Music Blast - Part 1

For me, the Los Angeles music scene during the transition week between April and May was a real blast. This is part 1 of my adventures.

It started off on Saturday at The Smell. All three bands hit the jazz genre.

It's Butter started off the night. Their drummer couldn't make the night as he got injured while getting ready for the night. If I heard correctly, he tripped down the stairs of his home while taking out his drum kit. He had to go to the emergency room (from what I heard he's doing fine) so the band went on as a two piece. The two remaining members weren't sure how things would turn out, but I say their set turned out fine with some electric guitar driven jazz jams.

It's Butter

The Swells brought their 5 piece jazz sound to stage. Their sound had that cool jazz sound. And then there was the saxophone musician who added the style. Though their sound was on the cool side, they still got the crowd to form a mosh pit.

The Swells

Cotton Ships set was mosh pit jazz. This band has some solid vocals led by BreeAnn and Kenny. You can tell that BreeAnn has a charismatic quality. When not on vocals, she would float around the stage with a cool demeanor. And if that wasn't enough, early on into their set, she jumped into the crowd to make sure that a mosh pit formed during the set. I wonder how many times jazz musicians have started mosh pits?

Cotton Ships

Monday night was a night that I had circled on my calendar a long while back. After a long while away from the stage, Lauren Rocket returned. I've followed Lauren Rocket for years. I first came across her band Rocket. Rocket ended shortly thereafter, but I continued to follow her in The Child, which was a band with Holly Marilyn. There was also the short lived project Lavinia Slaughter. Then there was radio silence for a number of years until finally there was announcements that new music was on the way. Her return brought sophisticated dance tunes to The Mint's stage. Backing her in this new endeavor was Shayne Eastin. Another musician that I followed for years when she played in a band called Spider Problem.

Interesting note: it's probably been 5+ years since the last time I was at The Mint.

Lauren Rocket

Quick Hit Band Interview: The Mad Walls

The Mad Walls at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? I call it cinnamon rock

What are some of your favorite spots, locations, areas in Los Angeles? What make them your favorites? My apartment is probably my most favorite spot, my sanctuary. Also, Folliero's Pizza in Highland Park is amazing and should be noted.

Own final thoughts. The Mad Walls released a 7” so look out for that!

The Smell: The Mad Walls, Automatic and Marcos Vaca

I don't know if this is much of a band blog as it is an story about the Los Angeles Dodgers. I have to admit that I'm not the biggest baseball fan, but I do keep an eye on baseball. With the Dodgers in the World Series, I spent moments here and there watching the games. It was Game 3 of the World Series, a Friday night. There was also something else going on that night, I wanted to head out to The Smell to catch Marcos Vaca, Automatic and The Mad Walls. I don't go to The Smell that often, but I do try to head out to that venue every so often.

I got home after work and started to watch the game. As the bottom of the 9th inning was starting, I decided to drive over to The Smell. As I was parking my car, the 9th had either ended or was about to end. As I was walking to The Smell, I passed by a small little store front where folks were sitting inside and on seats that were set up outside, watching the game on a couple televisions that were set up inside.

Marcos Vaca

When Marcos Vaca hit the stage with his solo set, the game was entering extra innings. Interesting note was that he was doing a double billing that night. As soon as his set ended, he was headed off to another venue for a tribute night.

I continued to check my phone for game updates as Automatic and The Mad Walls played their sets. Automatic reminded me of either a sped up Pinky Pinky or a sped down The Paranoyds. Basically, since I love both Pinky Pinky and The Paranoyds, I'm saying that I'm keeping an eye on Automatic. The band also joked about how they were the only band to dress up for the pre-Halloween night.

Automatic

The Mad Walls played their set without their bassist. They mentioned that she was off on tour with Death Valley Girls. That their bassist was off playing with Death Valley Girls was a nice tidbit of information. With the liquid show that was being put on (lights were used for all three bands), there was a nice psychedelic feel to their set. Their lead singer really knows how to put on a show. And their drummer had a fun way of playing the a fictional violin with his sticks.

The Mad Walls

As The Mad Walls finished their set, the World Series was still going. I walked past that same storefront and I don't believe anyone had left. I got to my car and wondered if I'd get home before the game came to an end. I decided to press my luck and got a burrito at one of my favorite taco trucks. There wasn't even a line at the truck -- probably because everyone was at home watching the game. I got home and watching the final moments of the game, eating my burrito. Not a bad night at all.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Total Heat

Total Heat at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? Velvet Underground in a year 3000 jazz club.

What’s the favorite part of your set? When the spiritual journey of our opening scape rides out into rock and roll song #1. Here we are people, if you didn’t notice before. Total Heat is an experience. 

Own Q&A. Is music love? Hmm . . . YES

Quick Hit Artist Interview: Miko Masoto

Miko Masoto at The Smell

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

What’s the story behind how you started out as a musician? My mom had this boyfriend who was an R&B musician and I would sing with him on certain songs, he would just record over these beats using the bare minimum.

How do you go about combining lyrics and sound? I like to start off with a melody. I’ll sing whatever comes out, usually nonsense. The lyrics come secondary, usually after I’ve sat with the melody for a little while.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Espresso

Espresso at The Smell

Interview with the band. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? We are psychedelic sex funk, melting minds and creaming jeans.

What is your favorite Espresso lyric and what about it makes it so special? All lyrics from the song “Alvin Bovin,” they tell a story of all the little stories we have accumulated while on the road. Listen to it and hear what’s going down !!

Three Straight Days of Music: Led by The Sweetheart Deal and Kitten

I recently had a conversation with a musician who is in a couple bands that I follow. She follows me on Instagram and asked how often I go out to catch bands as she notices that I'm always posting photos. I told her, "I used to say once a week, but I think it is more like twice a week now."

There are always exceptions to the rule. How about three straight days of music. Admittedly, that's a lot, but on this specific occasion it was worth it.

I was scanning The Hotel Cafe website and noticed that a band called The Sweetheart Deal was playing a set. In parentheses, it mentioned that Emily Kinney was in the band. Emily Kinney from The Walking Dead. I was like, "I want to go." Now this wasn't the first time I'd seen Emily Kinney sing. I actually saw her way back in 2013, also at The Hotel Cafe. Also, in the band with Emily Kinney is Paul McDonald. Paul McDonald is an American Idol alum. I hadn't seen him before, but interestingly I've come across a number of American Idol alums over the years. Just over the last couple years I've seen Zealyn (Angie Miller), Machineheart (Stevie Scott) and VIAA.

Anyways, I decided to see if they might need a photographer. I sent over an e-mail and got a response back. Paul responded back they sure could use a photographer and that they'd put in on the guest list. Got to say I was happy. Their set was a sweet 7 songs. One thing I couldn't help but notice via the photos I took and also from the social media comments that there sure is this lovely look of love that one can see in their eyes.

The Sweetheart Deal

That was a Thursday night (2/15). Way before that, I was scanning The Smell's website and noticed that Kitten was playing a FREE show at The Smell on Friday night (2/16). I'm pretty sure I was one of the first persons to RSVP to that set. Like with Emily Kinney, I have a history with Kitten. I first saw her in 2012 at the Bootleg Theater. I then got to catch a show in 2016.

I got to The Smell at around 8:30 p.m. By that time, there was a long line waiting to get in. When we started to head in at around 9:30 p.m. the line was twice as long. During the wait, Chloe (of Kitten) came out a couple times, running up and down the line with her phone recording the night. I think the first time she came out, not everyone recognized her. And then when folks noticed who was running, loud cheers went out from the crowd. From what I read, there were sound check problems that resulted in the delayed entry into the venue. It also took awhile to get into the venue as a handful of individuals tried to get inside without an RSVP. Though -- I guess it is too late for the fire marshal to do anything about it -- I did notice that they were eventually let in via the backdoor. I have to think that Chloe took care of them.

Opening up was La Bouquet. I've seen this band a couple times: during their Bootleg residency and at Broke LA. I've got to say, they appear to me to have kicked it up a notch. They came out rocking a thirty minute set. For some reason, I recall them being a bit more mellow.

La Bouquet

Then it was time for Kitten. Chloe's backup band started to warm up the crowd and the crowd responded by chanting, "Kitten! Kitten! Kitten!." Out she came giving the crowd a high energy set from start to end. She even jumped off the bass drum a couple times.

What's something I couldn't help but notice? She was barefoot through out the set and as she was jumping around I thought, "Is she going to end up with any splinters?"

What's something else I couldn't help but notice? Her bassist was covering the stage like it was her own living room. Stage right one moment. Stage left the next. Front and center another time. So not only was Chloe putting on a show, but her band was putting everything into it, as well.

What's another final thing I couldn't help but notice? Okay, so I was approached by a number of folks while I was in line. They all asked a variation of the following, "Is this the line for Kitten? Are they letting folks in now?" I was polite, but in the back of my mind I was thinking, "Why would we all be outside in line if they were letting folks in now?" I guess I'm just a grouch. If they'd asked "Is this the ticket line" I'd be less judgmental.

Kitten

To close out the three straight days of music (2/17), the Chinese Year of the Dog was being celebrating in Chinatown. Did I have any similar music history with the bands that played in Chinatown as I did with the other two nights? Not as much though I did go specifically to see Nicole Kiki Jaffe. Why? Well, in January, The Echo changed their photographer policy. I went on the second night of Lauren Ruth Ward's residency and was told I couldn't bring in my camera. While I worked out a photo pass, she hit the stage and I only caught glimpses of her set. I was impressed enough to want to see a full set. So when I saw her listed as one of the bands/musicians playing in Chinatown, I set my schedule up to make sure I caught her set.

Up first was Sleep State. A four piece band that played some hook inducing pop sounds. They had a friend filming their set. I couldn't help but over-hear her tell someone, "They're called Sleep State as in the best possible sleep level you can reach."

Sleep Stage

Up next was Zhao who hit the beats on his synthesizer. His comment of the set, "I'd like to thank Buzzbands for having me play. It is actually really validating."

Zhao

Nicole Kiki Jaffe then came on stage with her singer-songwriter vocals. One has to say she took the Chinese New Year seriously. Before the set, she learned to say "Happy New Year" in both Cantonese and Mandarin.

Nicole Kiki Jaffe

Over-all, what was most amusing to see: during Sleep State's set, the garbage trucks were out cleaning up after the parade that had gone on before the event.

And so that ended my three straight days of music. Was there anything on 2/18 to catch? I'm sure there was, but I refused to look things up. No matter how much I love live music, four days straight would have killed me.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Lily Waters

Lily Waters at The Smell

Q&A time with the band (via Gabbi Green): Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? Filled with grit and from the soul.

How would you like your music to impact people who listen or see you play live? A lot of my songs speak against the male gaze, dealing with loss, and struggling with mental health. I want people to realize that there’s a creative outlet for all that pain and hurt and I want to see more badass women channel that emotion and step up in the industry!

Own Q and A: Best (veggie) pho in LA? Pho Cafe in Silverlake, so yummy!

Quick Hit Band Interview: Mommy Long Legs

Mommy Long Legs at The Smell

Q&A time with the band. Hope you enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? Vomit garage//Crazy Turkeys.

Is there a specific decision the band has made (good or bad) that it feels other bands/artists could learn from? Don't pick a shitty offensive band name. Don't be afraid to tell ppl in your audience to calm down if they're being dicks. Also, there's no need for competition with your band mates or other bands! Everyone is talented and great and there's room for us all.

Own question: What's your least favorite nut? Just for the heck of it, notes from vivace’s response: cashews though for some reason it makes for a tasty vegan cheese option.

Quick Hit Band Interview: Alyeska

Alyeska at The Smell

Q&A time with the band.  Hope you enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? It alternates between that big sparkly Jazzmaster sound, like being in a snowstorm— with Dusty Springfield vocals.

I read that Alaska Reid comes from Montana, what does she miss most about Montana? I miss being in the town I grew up in, and the mountains, the Beartooths, the Crazies and the Absarokas.

(Interview took place in May 2016.)