A handful of people in L.A. listen to 88.9 KXLU, which is broadcast from Loyola Marymount University and operated by students, faculty and volunteer staff. But more should listen, on account of the fact that they play an eclectic mix of stellar indie, rock, electronica, punk and hip-hop–much of which is yet to be discovered. This morning, on the way to “work” (i.e. a pleasant freelance gig with a rather long commute), I heard this song on the “Doom, Gloom and Happier Things” show. Although it’s over a decade old, it dug in enough to stick.
Because It’s Glenn Howerton’s Birthday
If Glenn Howerton was celebrating like his character “Dennis” from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it might play out like this:
Dennis decides to transform Paddy’s into a club for one night, pay an ex-con $200 to work the velvet rope and tell him to only allow hot chicks inside, so he could bang the three hottest ones in a “ménage a Dennis”–a phrase he coins pre-party. His logic? Most guys do two; but he can do three. As the ‘brainy one’ of the group, Mac serves as Event Promoter by harassing attractive women on the street. Meanwhile, Frank creates horribly misunderstood flyers to pass out. Because he has an ear for music, Charlie volunteers to DJ and work the strobe lights–dressed in hot pants and leather boots. Drink specials include wine, tequila, jello shots and other liquid clothing removers. Since it’s also Dee’s birthday, she posts an ad for an after-hours male model casting call at Paddy’s on the same night–so she’ll have her pick of actor-types, who she can date to help her launch her career as an actress.
In real life, Glenn Howerton is probably very little like his character. In the few minutes I spoke to him at The Gaslite in Santa Monica, he seemed pleasant, down-to-earth and appreciative that his show has fans. [I approached him after he sang the karaoke version of “Georgia On My Mind” and told him I loved the show.] Then again, that was four years ago. He could be a total dick now. Regardless, Happy Birthday Glenn! Here’s a clip from one of my favorite episodes:
Get Toasted! (For National Grilled Cheese Day, That Is…)
In honor of National Grilled Cheese Day, I give you a simple recipe from chow.com that’s both spicy and cheesy–the pillars of deliciousness. You’re welcome.
Sautéed Jalapeño and Aged Jack Grilled Cheese
INGREDIENTS
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and thinly sliced lengthwise
- 1 1/2 ounces grated aged Monterey Jack cheese (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 (1/2-inch-thick, 7-by-3-inch-long) slices pain au levain
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. When it’s heated, add oil and jalapeños. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and sauté peppers until tender, about 5 minutes. Set jalapeños aside and let cool slightly.
- Combine Jack and jalapeños in a small bowl. Spread butter on 1 side of each slice of bread.
- Return the pan to medium-low heat. Once the pan is warm, add 1 slice of bread (buttered side down), top with cheese mixture, then close sandwich with second bread slice (buttered side up).
- Cook until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes per side.
Listen Up: Skillz’ “Take It Back”
Here’s an old school jam to get you bumpin’ on this hump day. Originally released in 2004, this song was also on the “Never Not Fresh” compilation, featuring stellar tracks by hip-hop artists including Dilated Peoples, RJD2 and Jurassic 5.
Jason Spencer: I Am Killer Napkins
Internal organs spilling out from open gashes.
Eyeballs bleeding from their sockets.
Happy bears holding sad balloons.
Cannibalistic fish and evil, grinning sharks.
It’s illustration, sculpture, apparel design and painting that’s a potent cocktail of gory and whimsical, with just a splash of wit. And it’s all from the warped vision of prolific artist Jason Spencer. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Jason pulls from the darkest corners of his mind to devise beautifully twisted creations for clients that include Panic! At the Disco, The Black Dahlia Murder and Radiation Cake Clothing. Check out his work, and you’ll discover that it is, indeed, like opening up a killer napkin: You never know what creatures lurk in the folds.
Listen Up: 2:54’s “Scarlet”
There’s just something about this spellbinding, lethargic track from London’s 2:54. Sisters Colette and Hannah Thurlow unknowingly foretell its impact with their moody lyrics, ‘Love, she said. It’s all I hear in my head’–because this song haunts you long after your first listen. Find it and other heady melodies on their full-length self-titled debut, which is set for release on May 28th.
A New Hollywood Saloon For Swillin’
Outpost, which opens this Thursday at 1624 N. Cahuenga, is a bar that’s straight out of the old West—decked with a whole mess of animal skulls and dark wood. The menu boasts a number of tasty vittles, including Ranchero corn on the cob, pulled pork, wings, a Western bacon burger, plus a list of specialty drinks you can swig out of a 45-ounce cowboy boot. Check out the daily specials that will have you kicking up your spurs:
Happy Hour -$3.00/beers, $5.00/well, $6.00/call & $7.00/premium Monday – Friday 4PM – 7PM
Monday- Mug Night $1.00 Draft Beers (with purchase of a mug) 8PM – 2AM
Tuesday – 2 For 1 Drinks (restrictions may apply) 8PM – 2AM
Wednesday – Whiskey $5.00 Whiskey Drinks (restrictions may apply) 8PM – 2AM
Thursday – Country Wings $.25 Wings & Country Music 8PM – 2AM
Friday & Saturday – Skinny Margaritas $5.00 8PM – 2AM
Sunday – Cookout $9.95 All You Can Eat Buffet 11AM – 3PM, Happy Hour 11AM – 2AM
The Joe Pesci of Pandas
What’s black and white and takes things a little TOO personally? This guy.
Looks like you just fucked with the wrong bear.
Side note: I’m thinking this might be a pretty cool Halloween costume…
Listen Up: Willis Earl Beal’s “Monotony”
I can’t get enough of this simple, yet hypnotically-beautiful song from Willis Earl Beal. If you like his music, you can see him perform live at the Gene Autry Museum in L.A. on May 2.
Listen Up: Prinzhorn Dance School
This beguiling, evocative song is from Prinzhorn Dance School‘s five-song EP, available at iTunes on April 10, 2012. Listen to it once, and it’ll get stuck in your head. In a good way.
Daffodils & Devil Horns 