X at Black Cat
I'm not sure whether X is the most famous punk band from Los Angeles or just the one most closely associated with the city. Maybe it's the fact that they have a song called "Los Angeles", or perhaps it is because they're the only one left. Still touring with their full original lineup, even! Take that "The Germs"!
Boogarins at The Pinch
They keep changing the lighting at The Pinch for some reason. Maybe they keep blowing fuses or something, I dunno. Anyway, the Boogarins traveled all the way from Brazil to play this particular basement. Gotta respect that, so no more jokes about the venue. Please enjoy these shots of a real garage band playing a real garage show.
Regal Degal at Black Cat
Regal Degal are one of those electronic fusion bands. Imagine a disco version of Talking Heads, or a techno band (perhaps Javelin?) giving dream-pop a try. Think of an electronic rhythm underlying a pop (or occasionally rock) song. Regal Degal are like that, though once in a while they just go straight-up electronic (e.g. the song Mac The Halls). At least on their recordings that is what they sound like.
If you're wondering how a guitar-bass-drum trio pull that off live, the answer is that they kinda don't. Live they sound closer to a rock band. Perhaps it is just the particular songs they chose to play but their live music was heavier than their recorded output while at least on occasion retaining those danceable beats. Tricky, but they puled it off.
Posted: 7/30/2014 at 4:00pm Tags: Black Cat Regal Degal
Wanted Man at Rock N Roll Hotel
I don't know whether Wanted Man were named after the Johnny Cash song (or even the Frankie Laine song) but it seems like there might be an outside chance. Wanted Man have a real old-school rock sound which draws heavily on blues and country music. More than anything else, though, they play take-no-shit outlaw music. Real mean, real aggressive... hell even their ballads are pretty aggressive. They remind me of the Chrome Cranks, though Wanted Man stay quite a bit closer to their musical roots.
They have some old recordings floating around but I definitely recommend checking out their recent live recording from DC9. That recording captures their impressive live energy. It's fairly obvious why someone decided to pair them with Reignwolf.
Posted: 7/27/2014 at 4:00pm Tags: Rock N Roll Hotel Wanted Man
