Editor: Elise Thompson
Born and raised in the great city of Los Angeles, Elise joined her dad as he took Canadian relatives on endless tours of Olvera Street, The San Antonio Winery and The Griffith Observatory. This food, culture and music-loving punk rock Angeleno wants to turn you on to all that is funky, delicious and weird in the city. While Elise holds down the fort, her adventurous alter ego Kiki Maraschino is known to roam the country in search of catfish.
Music Editor: Bob Lee
Bob Lee started interviewing bands while working in college radio and later contributed to various publications including early issues of Ben is Dead. As a drummer and singer, he has toured and recorded with bands such as Claw Hammer, Jon Wahl & The Amadans, Mike Watt and the Black Gang, Backbiter, Crawlspace, Hot Damn and Fearless Leader. He is the quiet, sneaky one of the band. When writing, Bob’s credo is, “All we have is the truth.”
Food Editor: Karin E. Baker
Karin E. Baker is a native Angeleno who loves the eateries, history, nature, architecture, and art of her hometown. When not exploring poke shacks in Kona, tascas in Córdoba, and konditoris in Malmö, she writes about food, culture, lifestyle and travel. She obsesses over comma usage and classic films and is always happy to find an excuse to open a bottle of champagne.
Film Editor: Paul Gaita
Paul Gaita lives in Sherman Oaks, California with his lovely wife and daughter. He has written for The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, and The Fix, among many other publications, and was a home video reviewer for Amazon.com from 1998 to 2014. He has interviewed countless entertainment figures from both the A and Z lists, but his favorites remain Elmore Leonard, Ray Bradbury and George Newall, who created both Schoolhouse Rock and the Hai Karate aftershave commercials. He once shared a Thanksgiving dinner with celebrity astrologer Joyce Jillson, and regrettably, still owes the late character actor Charles Napier a dollar.
Cocktails Editor: Monique A. LeBleu
Monique is a writer, photographer, videographer, foodie, and unabashed book reader. A love of film history and a background in film production, post-production, and film theory provide unique insights into her movie reviews. A background in theater fuels her passion for drama behind the fourth wall.
Editor at Large: Ed Simon
I’m a native of Los Angeles who loves food and food culture. Whether looking for the best ceviche in Colombia, the best poke in Hawaii, the best pho in Saigon or the best Taiwanese Beef Roll in LA, it’s all good food! I also love a good drink. I’ve had Mai Tais in Hawaii, Bourbon in Kentucky, tequila in Mexico and rum in Jamaica. My wine escapades have taken me to Napa, Sonoma, the Willamette Valley and the Santa Ynez Valley. And I’ve had beer all over the world! Ed is founder and Editor of our sister publication, The Boise Beat.
The Offbeat: Nikki Kreuzer
Nikki Kreuzer has been a Los Angeles resident for over 30 years. When not working her day job in the film & TV industry, she spends her time over many obsessions, mainly music, art and exploring & photographing the oddities of the city she adores. So far she has written 110 Offbeat L.A. articles, published at the Los Angeles Beat. As a journalist she contributes regularly to LA Weekly, Blurred Culture and has also been published by Oddee.com, Twist Magazine, Strobe and Not For Hire. Nikki is also a mosaic artist, radio DJ and published photographer. Her photography has been featured in exhibit at the Museum of Neon Art, in print at the LA Weekly and in exhibit at the Neutra Museum in Los Angeles. She has recorded with the band Nikki & Candy as bassist, vocalist and songwriter, directing and appearing in the ‘Sunshine Sunshine Santa Claus’ music video for the band. She co-hosted the monthly radio show Bubblegum & Other Delights on Dublab.com for over two years. Her acting credits include a recent role in the ABC-TV show ‘For The People’, ‘Incident at Guilt Ridge’, ‘Two and a Half Men’, the film ‘Minority Report’ and ‘Offbeat L.A.’, a web series, written and hosted by Nikki Kreuzer. Her writing, radio and video portfolio can be found at OffbeatLA.com, her photography work @Lunabeat on Instagram and her music history posts @NikkiKreuzer on Twitter. Find Nikki & Candy music on iTunes or Amazon.
On bass
Billy Bennight is a writer, photographer and wardrobe stylist with expertise and years of experience in these disciplines. His musical youth started as a Punk Rocker and has expanded in exploring many genres of music, with a keen interest in art, fashion, red carpet and film festival coverage, photography, and writing. He’s very engaged in life.
Jennifer K. Hugus was born at a very young age. At an even earlier age, she just knew she would one day write for the LA Beat! Having grown up in Massachusetts, France, and Denmark, she is a noted fan of Asian Cuisine. She studied ballet at the Royal Danish Ballet Theatre and acting at U.S.C. in their prestigious BFA drama program. She also makes her own jewelry out of paints and canvas when she isn’t working on writing absurdist plays and comparatively mainstream screenplays. Jennifer would like to be a KID when she grows up!
I am a native Californian, born and raised in Bakersfield and eventually escaping to San Jose, then to San Francisco, where I spent every free moment in punk culture spaces before heading to LA permanently in 1989. I have also spent major time as an AIDS and queer street activist, which today, along with my passion for punk/alternative music still informs my personal and social life. I love photography, film and playing the bass badly. My posts are usually about events and social activities I attend, I’m really too lazy to take assignments.
Photographer John Gilhooley grew up in Los Angeles in the skateboarding/surfing and music scene. His first show was The GoGo’s and The Blasters at The Starwood 1980 at age 15. He formed the punk band VOA (Voice of Authority) with his friend Mike in 1982, starting on drums, and eventually taking the mic. Attending photo school at LATTC in DTLA in the mid 80’s and relocating to Huntington Beach in 1988 were all part of the journey. During the 90s John worked scouting locations for celebrity photographers. Portraits and live music photography are John’s specialty, with over 100 magazine covers to date for OC Weekly, The District, LA City Beat, Culture, and others. When not shooting photos, he still can be found Surfing and strumming guitar in his latest band, Infamous Stiffs. Check out John’s work and contact him on his website.
Born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Else “Evil E” Duff has been in Hollywood for over twenty five years. She enjoys all types of music but is a lifelong hesher. Living by the motto “buy the ticket, take the ride” her writing tends to focus on the experience and she has contributed to numerous media outlets, blogs, and books. Evil is a roller derby announcer, musician, and has worked at grassroots nonprofit organizations for decades.
Other contributors:
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