Check out this addictive track from Torche’s latest album Harmonicraft, which was released last week. It’s stoner metal that’s melodic to embrace you, yet heavy enough to smash your core.
Tomorrow: The Corners Festival in Downtown L.A.
Hit the corner of Spring and 5th Street tomorrow for the motherload of music, theater and poetry. A few bars and book stores around the Alexandria Hotel are hosting. I’m DJ-ing at The Down and Out Bar from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., between band sets. If The Down and Out sounds familiar, it’s the one with celebrity mugshots on the back wall, including a significantly-sloshed Nick Nolte and the ever-befuddled Hugh Grant, post-tranny hooker hummer. The bands promise to rock. And the beer is only $1, at least during my set.
Here’s a taste of Dandelo, who’s playing when I’m there:
The Down and Out, 501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Listen Up: Wreckless Eric’s “Whole Wide World”
Apparently, “Whole Wide World” is is a classic, two-chord punk melody from 1977. Will Ferrell also sang it in 2006 in “Stranger Than Fiction,” while playing acoustic guitar. But I had never listened to it until I turned on 88.9 KXLU today. Sometimes, it astounds me how much good music there is that goes unheard. Then, you accidentally encounter a song or someone turns you on to a band, and you think, “Why have I not heard this before?” For me, this is one of those songs.
Listen Up: Jacuzzi Boys’ “Cool Vapors”
This catchy ditty from Miami’s Jacuzzi Boys evokes images of cruising across town with the top down, playing dashboard drums, on the way to the beach. Granted, the lyrics aren’t the most thought-provoking. But c’mon people, it’s garage rock. And while the L.A. forecast currently calls for rain, this is the perfect song to add sunshine to your dreary day.
Deliciously Aesthetic: The Art of Cooking
“Cherrios” by Lucien Smith; courtesy of Wagstaff Worldwide, Inc.
Get ready to fill your plate with hearty helping of scrumptious art: Starting Friday, April 27 and extending through August 2012, Royal/T in downtown Culver City will host a food and art-themed exhibit called “The Art of Cooking.” It’s a celebration of food in art form—featuring a series of vibrant, playful drawings, paintings, digital pieces and more. Look for everything from abstract paintings using raw and cooked spaghetti to clothing patterned with hot dogs and bananas to a canvas covered in Cheerios. (Note to self: If only I had kept that sculpture I made out of shellacked Cheetos in 3-D design class…)
Handle It: “Between Two Ferns” Hits Comedy Central
From inquiring if Natalie Portman shaved her “V” for vagina to mouth-raping Will Ferrell and groping Michael Cera inappropriately, Zach Galifianakis is the ultimate inept talk show host on “Between Two Ferns.” Now, he’s created a half-hour episode of the show, featuring interviews with Sir Richard Branson, Tina Fey and more, called “Between Two Ferns: A Fairy Tale of New York.” The show is set to air on Comedy Central on May 6, right before the Comedy Awards. If it’s anything like his other episodes, it promises to be awkwardly hilarious.
In the meantime, here’s one of my favorite “Between Two Ferns” episodes from Funny or Die.
TOMORROW NIGHT @ Mandrake: The Sunday Brownout
I’m DJ-ing at Mandrake tomorrow night 4/22 from 9 pm to midnight. We’re talking the motherload of good music–Tune-Yards, Snoop & Dr. Dre, Black Lips, Atmosphere, Bloc Party, Foxy Shazam, The Roots and much, much more.
It’s sort of like Coachella. Only FREE. With less hipsters. And no Tupac hologram.
Go, and prepare to shake your ass, drink your face off and maybe even eat some delicious cheese.
Mandrake Bar- 2692 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90034 (between Venice Blvd and Washington Blvd)
It’s Time to Get Art with Mike D
Starting Friday, April 20, MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary is blowing minds and multiple senses with 17 days of the best in contemporary design, food, film, music and culture—compiled through the vision of Mike D. Yes, that Mike D. It’s all part of TRANSMISSION LA: AV CLUB—an exhibition that shows how audio and visual art forms feed off of each other.
The event kicks off tomorrow night with a live performance from Santogold. From there, expect epic art installations, DJ sets from the likes of Z-Trip and LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, a Mike Mills experiential showing…even a pop-up Kogi restaurant.
And it’s ALL FREE.
That’s sweeter than a cherry pie with Reddi-Whip topping.
Listen Up: Marilyn Manson’s “No Reflection”
While I’m not a huge Marilyn Manson fan, he does have a number of songs that pleasure you with a pulsating, clenched fist. And if you haven’t read his book, I highly recommend it. The man is extremely articulate and intelligent. Don’t let the codpiece fool you.
This track is from his newest album “Born Villain,” which drops on May 1st. In typical MM fashion, his lyrics are dark and melodramatic. ‘This’ll hurt you worse than me. I’m weak seven days a week.’ Oh, Brian…
But damn, does it rock.
Daffodils & Devil Horns 