This new four-CD collection from the Dream Syndicate, History Kinda Pales When It And You Are Aligned (Fire Records) is what you might call a throwback. It completely reminds me what it was like to find a new band back in the 80s, to get knocked out by a debut album and reach over to the tape traders to see what kind of live recordings, early demos and other audio gems might be found by this new obsession. When you were lucky, these tapes could reveal a new side to the band – songs you hadn’t heard, what kind of covers they might break into on a wild night.
And with this particular trove of recordings, you can really hear one of the great, short-lived combos of the era in its natural setting, a roaring forest fire of pure power that becomes refined to a kiln furnace in time for a single album-length studio recording, then burns out, in a little over twelve months. Dream Syndicate would go on to make more records, later in the life of singer-guitarist Steve Wynn and drummer Dennis Duck. Some of the music they’ve made has been great, including some made in the last few years. But during that first year, when they had Kendra Smith on bass and Karl Precoda on guitar, they were a unique beast of a band, one worth spending some time with. Continue reading →
As we gather together with family and friends this 4th of July, despite concerning recent events, there’s a lot to be thankful for in America, and in California. And if we are to celebrate where we are at, just for the fact that we’re here, there’s perhaps no better representative of Southern California culture to soundtrack that party than the Beach Boys. They are OUR band, all of us in LA, all the little nieces and nephews, and the grandparents, many of whom were in attendance at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday for opening night of the annual July Fireworks Spectacular.
While I’ve been a regular at Brian Wilson’s shows since he started touring in 1999, I had never been to see the Mike Love and Bruce Johnston-fronted Beach Boys, other than a brief four-song appearance at the Grammy Museum during the original members’ reunion in 2012. I know a few of the former Wondermints that play with Brian, and give them a lot of credit for really elevating the live performances of his material, with a really intense attention to detail. That approach seems to have rubbed off on this other ensemble, which sounded quite wonderful. Almost every musician on the stage got a vocal feature and did a credible job with it, including new drummer Jon Bolton, who vaguely resembles me from a far distance and allowed me to imagine myself being one of the Beach Boys for a while.
I have to give respect, when Jon Stamos took over the drum kit on “Don’t Worry Baby,” he played the hell out of it. He’s been part of the scene for decades now, and far as I’m concerned, has earned his spot by now. He and Mike Love have a Vegas comedy banter worked out, which wasn’t necessarily my favorite part. But such unnecessary moments are fleeting enough to be drowned out by the majesty of hearing Bruce Johnston sing “Disney Girls” from 1972’s Surf’s Up, or the masterful Pet Sounds segment, accompanied by a full symphony orchestra. The LA Phil often shows up at these things, and perhaps no band I’ve seen has ever made better use of them.
Brian’s shows often make sure to feature some aspect of his career that is beloved by fans, doing tours specific to bodies of work like Smile, Friends, and even his new album That Lucky Old Sun. As Elise Thompson put it, this was more like watching Endless Summer Live. Just hit after hit, and it’s a long show, where you know pretty much every song. And so many of them are about where we are, maybe compared to where we want to be. But there are things about living in So Cal to celebrate, like when sometimes you just need to get the radio blastin’ and go cruisin’ just as fast as you can. Now! This is a good place for that to happen, and we have a local band that sings about it too. I really enjoyed seeing this show and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this music, or any music.
Fireworks shows at the Rose Bowl, in Redondo Beach, Pacific Palisades and Malibu have been canceled this year, primarily due to new environmental rules regarding plastics falling into the ocean. Speaking of the environment, please don’t light illegal fireworks, instead check out this July 4th fireworks roundup.
Calabasas’ Big Bad Voodoo Daddy concert and Harbor Cruises’ 4th of July Harbor Cruises are sold out, but you can watch from nearby.
In a first, downtown L.A.’s largest free Fourth of July celebration will feature a drones show in lieu of traditional fireworks. There won’t be bits of plastic everywhere, no fire danger, and it won’t panic everyone’s dogs, but I wonder if the noise and danger is part of the draw of fireworks. The 3-D drone show will be accompanied by a live playlist curated by The Beat Junkies’ founder DJ J Rocc, so it looks like you will be spared the John Phillip Sousa. The six-hour free celebration, covering the six city blocks of the park, will also have gourmet food trucks, music performances on two stages, digital and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, exciting art projects, arts, crafts and games.
You can bring a picnic, but alcohol is not permitted in the park and will not be sold at the event. Pets are welcome. There are four specially marked entrances at Olive and 1st Streets, and Temple Streets, Main and 1st Streets, and Hill and 1st Streets. Public parking will be available at The Music Center garage and the Walt Disney Concert Hall garage for $10 per vehicle.
*indicates that this title is also available to view, rent, or buy on various digital streaming sources.
“The Cynic, the Rat, and the Fist” (1977, Severin Films*) The cynic is the magnificently mustachioed Maurizio Merli, who reprises his role as the no-nonsense Inspector Merli from “The Tough Ones,” albeit now retired from the police force (but still toting a gun). The Rat is most likely Tomas Milian’s hot-headed gangster, newly sprung from prison and carrying a king-sized grudge against Merli, which leaves John Saxon, sporting an equally impressive cookie duster as a coolly sadistic American crime boss, as the Fist. The trio do their best to tear each other and late ’70s Rome apart in this Italian crime pic from the prolific Umberto Lenzi, who helmed “Tough Ones” along with countless other films in nearly every conceivable genre. Fans will undoubtedly appreciate seeing these three icons in action guided by Lenzi’s steady hand; first-timers will be impressed by the frenetic pace, though the casual abuse of female characters is off-putting. Severin’s restored Blu-ray – part of its eight-disc “Violent Streets” set of Lenzi/Milian titles – has English and Italian audio options, and interviews with Lenzi, the late Saxon, and co-writer Dardano Sachetti, who hold court on Merli and Milian’s forceful personalities (and apparent dislike of each other), the state of crime films and Italian movie production in the late 1970s, and producing high-energy action on a low budget. The original trailer and a CD of Franco Micalizzi’s propulsive score are also included.
Fireworks shows at the Rose Bowl, in Redondo Beach, Pacific Palisades and Malibu have been canceled this year due to new environmental rules regarding plastics falling into the ocean. Speaking of the environment, please don’t light illegal fireworks, instead check out everywhere else you can party this weekend! Stay tuned for a July 4th fireworks roundup.
Fri, Jun 30, 2023 from 5pm until 10pm, the Port of Los Angeles and LA Waterfront invite you to celebrate with their Pre-Independence Day “Cars & Stripes Forever.” The free event takes place at Harbor Boulevard & Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, and features classic cars, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and a fireworks finale! at 9 p.m. Live bands include Midlife Crisis AND Identity Crisis!
Celebrate Independence Day with Rudolph Valentino. Jayne Mansfield, and two Ramones. Cinespia will be screening Tim Burton’s film, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure at 9pm at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The screenings, which have become an LA staple, will be followed by a fireworks display. The party will feature DJs, a concession stand, and free photo booth. Pack your own picnic with beer and wine, but no hard liquor. Low chairs are allowed, and a tarp is recommended if you are using a blanket, as the grass is often dewy.
EXOTIKON promises to be the “Disneyland of Exotica” — an inaugural weekend celebration of all things “wild, weird, and wonderful” in the World of Exotica, this weekend, Friday through Sunday, June 23-25, 2023, at the WisdomeLA Art Park in DTLA’s Arts District.
The event, which features a different theme each day of the 3-day festival, begins with RISE of the SUN GODDESS: A Celebration of YMA SUMAC – Queen of Exotica, a 100th birthday celebration highlighting the music of the legendary and sublime Peruvian songstress, Yma Sumac and Xymposium “YMA SUMAC: Exotic Bird of the Andes.” (Day One schedule)
Day Two’s theme, “APOCALYPSE TIKI: The Rise and Fall of THE TIKIS, features a Xymposium discussing Tiki history and centering on the story of Polynesian showman and entrepreneur Danny Balsz. His Defunct theme park, “The Tikis,” in Monterey Park is the stuff of legend, and the evening’s entertainment promises a tribute with live Polynesian dancing, fire acts, and comedy–and an exploding volcano!
*Indicates that the title is also available to rent or buy in streaming format on various digital platforms.
“The Iron Prefect” (1977, Radiance Films) In pre-World War II Italy, the Fascist government sends its most unyielding public servant to break the Mafia’s grip on a region of Sicily, which he carries out with ruthless efficiency. Though the presence of popular action star Gemma as real-life “Iron Prefect” Cesare Mori, suggests that Pasquale Squitieri’s film will be a brawny bullet fest, the end result hews closer to a more stately-paced and lavishly appointed take on two-fisted social reformer stories of the period like “Serpico” or “Report to the Commissioner,” with an emphasis on the perils that occur when irresistible forces meet immovable objects in the political/social field. With Claudia Cardinale (Squitieri’s longtime SO), Rik Battaglia, and Francisco Rabal among the better-known cast members; Radiance Films’ Limited Edition Blu-ray features a 2K restoration along with a mix of archival interviews (Squitieri, Gemma) and new material (an appreciation of Gemma by “Repo Man” director Alex Cox) as well as liner notes that detail Mori’s crimefighting efforts.
Directed by Jane Cantillon, a rare opportunity to see the story of the legendary The Other Side queer Los Feliz piano bar, which sadly is no longer around. This is the 10th anniversary screening of “The Other Side, A Queer History’s Last Call” documentary, perfect for pride month! And some live tinkling of the ivories by James Lent and Sonja Kimmons to boot!
Thursday, June 22: The Other Side, A Queer History’s Last Call, The Philosophical Society, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90027; tickets $10, doors 7:00p, small parking lot and street parking.
This new four-CD collection from the Dream Syndicate, History Kinda Pales When It And You Are Aligned (Fire Records) is what you might call a throwback. It completely reminds me what it was like to find a new band back in the 80s, to get knocked out by a debut album and reach over to the tape traders to see what kind of live recordings, early demos and other audio gems might be found by this new obsession. When you were lucky, these tapes could reveal a new side to the band – songs you hadn’t heard, what kind of covers they might break into on a wild night.
