Song Spotlight: Zig Zags' Why I Carry A Knife (a night at Zebulon)

The self described heavy metal, punk rock band Zig Zags shook the foundations of the Zebulon throughout their 13 song set - that being from the stage to the floor to the back step benches. As the band said, "Not bad for a Tuesday night." It was a free night, but they didn't treat it as one. They obliterated the more than willing crowd with a 45 minute set.

Zig Zags at Zebulon

Review: Stars Align for Tender Misfit at Oblivion (with Jesse Detor)

Tender Misfit (the moniker for Ariel Beesley) recently concluded her first headliner tour that took her across California to celebrate the release of her Stargirl album. I got to catch her at the Los Angeles Oblivion stop. It was my first time catching a set since seeing her twice in 2024 -- a close to two year gap. During that time frame, she was busy writing up new songs. I did a setlist check and the only song that was similar between 2026 and the previous time I crossed paths with her was "Dirt."

Tender Misfit at Oblivion

Notes from Vivace Show Alerts (Los Angeles): Jul 19th - Jul 25th

A Handful (Bucketful) of Show Alerts 

Sunday, Jul 19th: Julez and the Rollerz at The Fable. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Call Me Up" back in 2025.

Sunday, Jul 19th: Mr. Dinkles at Alex's Bar. Doors at 8 p.m.
I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Eat Chips and Talk Shit" back in May.

Sunday, Jul 19th: The Mastersons at Gold-Diggers. Doors at 7 p.m.
In 2024, the band was part of a Roots Rock tribute night at Zebulon that I covered for US Rocker Music.

Sunday, Jul 19th: Colleen Green and DA Stern at Zebulon. Doors at 8 p.m.

In 2025, I wrote a review of Colleen Green's set at El Cid. 

I wrote a Song Spotlight for his song "I Never Said I Was The One" earlier this year.

Sunday, Jul 19th: Guantanamo Baywatch at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Two sets with doors at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

In 2023, I covered the band for Buzzbands.

Monday, Jul 20th: Tashaki Miyaki at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "City" in 2025.

Tuesday, Jul 21st: Simi at Harvard & Stone. Doors at 8 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "Stranger With My Secret" in 2025. 

Thursday, Jul 23rd: Alex Andre at The Woodbridge. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

In 2021, I covered the band for Buzzbands.

Thursday, Jul 23rd: Bruvvy at The Airliner. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2025, I wrote a review of their set at  Good Times at Davey Wayne's.

Thursday, Jul 23rd: Ricky Berger at Scribbles. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "My Insides" earlier this year.

Thursday, Jul 23rd: The Paranoyds and Suzie True at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2022, I covered The Paranoyds for Buzzbands. 

In 2024, I covered Suzie True for US Rocker Music.

Friday, July 24th: Ron Blakely at Hotel Ziggy. Doors at 7 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Tired" in 2025. 

Saturday, Jul 25th: Brookelen at The Woodbridge. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for her song "moon" just last month.

Saturday, Jul 25th: Dutch East Indians at Alex's Bar. Doors at 2 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for the band's "All Time High" in 2025.

Saturday, Jul 25th: Mirrorball at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Doors at 6 p.m.

I wrote a Song Spotlight for their song "Red Hot Dust" earlier this year.

Saturday, Jul 25th: Sunder at Oblivion. Doors at 7 p.m.

In 2025, the band made my list of favorite new finds.

Song Spotlight: Laguna Hill's Can't Buy Time (Even with a Million Dollars) (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

It was a special night at Bar Lubitsch. Grant Owens of WFNM was celebrating his birthday. Opening up was the recently formed Laguna Hill. The band is the husband-wife team of Ryan and Lena Doyle. They mentioned during the set that they formed the band on the inauspicious date of April 1st, 2026. Also, the recently married couple moved from New York to Laguna Beach. The folk-pop band has Lena on violin and Ryan on guitar. They share vocal duties. Their Spotify bio has this detail about their music, "their music reflects real-life experiences and a shared creative chemistry."

Laguna Hill at Bar Lubitsch

Review: OP ED Revs Ups the Celebration Antics at Gold-Diggers

I came across OP ED at Echo Park Rising last year. Megan Tracy suggested that I catch them as one of the members of the band is Marlon Rabenreither. He fronts the band Gold Star and both of us are fans of the band. The rock-punk set was so dynamic and awesome that I put them on my list of favorite new bands of 2025 (see link here). 

OP ED at Gold-Diggers

Song Spotlight: Small Forward's Hollywood Con (a night at The Fable)

I was trying to figure out how I was going to plan out a recent week of music. I knew I had two days locked down towards the end of the week. I had a random day to plan out. On Monday, I checked out Ryan Pollie's Instagram page to see what he had scheduled for his showcase at The Fable. One of the bands playing was Small Forward and I knew I was going to do the short drive from Glendale to Eagle Rock. 

Small Forward at The Fable

Song Spotlight: Sāde Frame's I Need You (No I Don't) (a night at Bar Lubitsch)

Grant Owens, founder of WFNM, was celebrating his birthday at Bar Lubitsch. One of the artists performing was vocal talent Sāde Frame. Back in 2021, she got an American Idol golden ticket. A year later, she won one of the the weekly "Love Song" contests held by the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for her song "Dating Isn't Fun," which was the first song she performed for the birthday party festivities.    

 Sāde Frame at Bar Lubitsch