Quick Hit Band Interview: The Years

The Years at The Echo

Interview with The Years. Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? Like 10 basses and a drum kit with some dark disco

Is there a story behind when you knew you wanted to become a musician/singer? Seeing Kool and the Gang at six flags as a kid! No joke.

Pacific Radio and BAH RAM YOU at Silverlake Lounge

To be honest, Silverlake Lounge fell off my radar for about four months. I got into a cycle of going to the Bootleg Theater, The Echo, and The Satellite. And other nights I headed out to Harvard and Stone, The Hi Hat, and Hotel Cafe. There just wasn't enough time to head over to Silverlake Lounge.

On the fly, I decided to head over to Silverlake Lounge on a Monday night (2/19). I have to say I was happy I went. First off, it was nice to see that the bar was filled with an audience. In the past, when I've gone, there were only a handful of folks in the bar. Folks must have known they were in for a good show.

I caught two band: BAH RAM YOU and Pacific Radio.

BAH RAM YOU brought the horns for some ska-punk power. For the horns, they had two trumpets and two saxophones. Yeah, this is one large band. In total, the band features 8 musicians.

What I noticed: one of the saxophone players was wearing an animal hat. I wasn't sure if it was a cow or a lamb.

BAH RAM YOU

Pacific Radio hit the rock notes. They moved from song to song, almost getting a mosh pit going among the crowd. The lead singer had some fun with me, I have to admit. I was trying to take a photo of their guitarist. The lead singer spread out his arms and his hand got in front of my camera. He looked me in the eye and made some sort of amusing comment that I didn't exactly hear. Later, he went out into the audience for part of a song. When he headed back to the stage, he grabbed me camera and pointed my lens directly into his face to get a semi-selfie. Ha ha, my lenses couldn't focus at such close range so the shot came out blurry.

Pacific Radio

Quick Hit Band Interview: Silver Needle

Silver Needle at Saint Felix

A favorite memory from the band (via Johnny 99). Enjoy:

We were looking at playing shows in the Valley before we hit the Hollywood/Silver Lake scene. At the time there were tons of bands with great players so I wanted to season us up before we played in front of a larger band.

I bought a Music Connection magazine that listed all the venues to play and booker info.

I decided to call Aaah Capella Cafe which was run by Debbie/David. I called and asked for Debbie. A gentleman answered and said yes. I said David then he said yes and then I said I'm sorry. I mean Debbie he said yes. I was confused but whatever.

I described the band as a power pop high energy band with elements of Bowie Glam, Punk, & Hard Rock. Debbie said oh wonderful you can play right after Pippen. I said is that a musical and he said yes. I'm like okay. Again...whatever.

I asked what time the set was. They said whatever you want, any time after midnight til 4am. He said bring your own beer as this is an after-hours coffee shop.

So we get there at 10 pm and Pippen was wrapping up. Out comes a drag queen dressed like a female cop and she said she was the security. I'm like wow this is gonna be fun.

We load onto the stage with the backdrop of Pippen with a cardboard castle in the background. The seating was like a movie theater with staging.

Debbie came out and introduced herself. So nice. She said the other girls will be in around midnight and can we let her friend Spanky play a couple of acoustic songs after our first set. I'm like, sure of course.

We play the show and a couple of our girlfriends were there watching with the drag queens and they all started dancing in front of us. Amazing fun and energy.

After the set - Spanky plays a few songs, one was about a Hooker working for Heidi Fleiss then working the Boulevard, she was Scanadalous.

I loved it. What a first gig. Spanky was amazing. Ripped fishnets a big brown wig practically falling off with cheap heels and big hoop earrings also a little on the older side of the girls in attendance.

After the show another queen ran right up to Spanky and started yelling at her saying you’re hitting on my fine Puerto Rican Ass and slapped Spanky in the face right in front of my gear. I run up to grab my bass from the action. Wig pulling ensues, Spanky's falls off his bald head and the security guard queen comes in to break it up. Think Springer, but was more fabulous.

We kill the second set. Rocking high energy, everyone having a blast. We complete the last song. I am putting my bass down and talking to Dan. The next minute the walls start shaking and I see a disco ball on the ceiling swaying. I look at Dan & he looks at me and we both start laughing and say we rocked the world! We were so encouraged we thought this was a sign from the rock gods.

Well it was kind of a heavy quake and the power went out. We heard a drag queen screech and everyone ran outside. One of the electrical cables behind the venue was live. Crazy sparks flying everywhere. I said to the guys and told them this was the start of a genius journey for us.

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: Ex-poets

Ex-poets at the Bootleg Theater

Interview with the band (via Jordan). Enjoy:

How would you describe your sound? I’d say our forthcoming record is dreamy experimental pop.

What inspires you to write/compose your songs? What inspires me to write and compose could be many different things. It might be something I’d thought about for a while or something that came to me suddenly, it might be a sound of someone’s voice or how I envision a certain rhythm, or maybe from hearing another musician play or remembering feelings I got from listening to another artist’s records. But ultimately, I think it comes from giving myself time to be creative and to be open, and waiting for an idea to appear. It doesn’t always happen but when it does it’s pretty wonderful.

A Movie Review: Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour. I have to admit that Darkest Hour was not on my list of movies to see. I was thinking: I've already seen Dunkirk. Darkest Hour is basically Dunkirk from the viewpoint of British politicians versus the British military. Then the movie got a nomination for Best Picture so I decided to see what the fuss was all about.

The movie opens with calls in Parliament for Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to resign. He had followed a policy of appeasement towards the Nazis. With country after country falling to the Germans, British politicians were calling for his head. And so it was delivered.

Initially, the Conservative Party -- Neville Chamberlain was part of the Conservative Party and even though he resigned they still were able to select the replacement Prime Minister -- considered Lord Halifax, who withdrew his name from consideration. A compromise choice that would gain the support of the opposition was then put forth, Winston Churchill.  Churchill in fact had concluded that he would be the next Prime Minister.

After the decision, he went about putting together a War Cabinet of rivals, which included Neville Chamberlain and Lord Halifax. The movie then explores the various pressures that he went through over the course of a few weeks. Chamberlain and Halifax didn't agree with Churchill's desire to go to war with Germany and so went about being his political foils. He had to figure out a way to rescue British troops from Dunkirk. His military generals essentially provided no suggestions on how to do that. He had to rally the British people around the concept of fighting Hitler. And then there were other pressing issues that got minor moments in the movie, but were also just as important such as trying to convince the Americans to come to his rescue and dealing with personal financial short falls.

What I really love about the movie is how Churchill's characteristics are revealed throughout the movie via short conversations. For example, we learn that Churchill had a drinking problem via brief conversations such as when he had lunch with the king and the king asked why he drank in the middle of the day. I loved how the movie showed him as a wordsmith. There was a scene where he edits a speech right up to the last moment.

I always find it interesting how closely a biopic sticks to the facts. Slate does a rundown on fact vs. fiction.

And to conclude: this is my favorite Best Picture nomination of 2018.

The Mots Nouveaux at The Hotel Cafe

The Mots Nouveaux. Time passes. The last time I saw this band was at Brokechella -- 2014. Yes, it was Brokechella at the time, not Broke LA. So yeah, almost four years later I got to see them again. Well, at least, if my records are correct. Why so long since the last time I saw them especially when I used to see them 3 or 4 times a year? Half the band moved to New York City. They did play a set at Hotel Cafe in 2016, but I wasn't able to attend for some random reason or another. So recently on Super Bowl Sunday, the half of the band that is living in New York City came back to Los Angeles for a few days. They set up a night at Hotel Cafe. Of course, I was a little concerned that I'd miss their set once again. I mean, what if the Super Bowl went into OT like last year? The Super Bowl did not go into over-time though it very well could have if Tom Brady had just a touch of magical powers like he had in 2017.

Aaron Beaumont

It was such a pleasure to see the band again. Emma Fitzpatrick doing the 1920's style vocals. Aaron Beaumont hitting the keys like he was playing a prohibition speakeasy. And then they had Rob Benedict of Supernatural fame on guitar for a song or two.

Emma Fitzpatrick

I have to say, I wasn't the only one who was happy to see The Mots Nouveaux playing again. After their set, a lineup of friends went over to talk to the band members.

Rob Benedict