The Builders and the Butchers are back in LA for another stint at Spaceland.  I discovered this band about 2 years ago when they opened for Helio Sequence at the Detriot Bar of all places. They played an epic hour set that was complete with them passing out pots, pans, spoons, tambourines, etc to everyone in the crowd. I just love bands that invite the crowd to help out in developing the overall energy of an evening. At that show I picked up their only album at the time and subsequently listened to it for about two weeks straight in the car. Other of my friends became equally obsessed with it; in fact one of my friends used to call my work number and I was answer the phone in my cubicle to him singing their opening song at full blast in my ear. Awesome stuff. Now they have a new album which is part of this tour and I am very excited to hear it for the first time live.

Long story short. They are fun. It is cheap. We should go. Here is a video of them on the road the last time they were in town. Its pretty hilarious.

We are getting tickets at the show but here is who is going so far:

1. Capt AKAK
2. ALHP
3. J WYA
4. Ebee
5. Capt Shabbin
6. George Pants
7. Jewels

Good friend and official member (not even sure what actually makes someone official) of the TSS group Jody Orsborn is presenting Leslie and the Badger’s CD release bash at Spaceland this Tuesday.

(more…)

Its question time again for the group.

Saturday night a good friend of mine/us is showing off a video art piece in Long Beach at 7pm and 9 pm (more info). I was thinking we go to the 7pm showing and then either head to see Blind Pilot at Spaceland or stay local for the Mike Watt and the Missingmen at 10:30 pm at di piazza’s.

Write up on Blind Pilot:
“Blind Pilot is the musical project of Portland, Ore. natives Ryan Dobrowski and Israel Nebeker. The two recorded their debut album, 3 Rounds and a Sound, after completing a tour that took them from Vancouver all the way to San Francisco — by bike. Nebeker says the group now plays as a nine-piece collective, but you would never know it from listening to 3 Rounds. The group offers a minimalist folk sound built on Nebeker’s simple acoustic guitar and Dobrowski’s sparse drumming. It’s perhaps an appropriate soundtrack to the duo’s environmentally conscious touring style.”

Okay here is tomorrow iternary:

7:00 Dinner Somewhere

8:00 Viento Coffeehouse for an art opening

9:00 Jon Thomas Video

10:30 RU Long Beach Show Recommended by Jaime from Sunnins
Brand new venue in Long Beach featuring a 6000 sq ft warehouse with 12 artists and 6 musicians playing.

VS  VS

Some of you were in attendance when we discussed going to the Echo every Monday night for their free residency of Fool’s Gold (no, not a re-enactment of the delightful comedy with Matthew and Kate). All of these plans of course involved eating at our favorite little restaurant, Masa, beforehand.

I just found out that Spaceland is having a free show involving Mike Watts’ latest endeavour, Mike Watt and the Missingmen (ramping up for their tour with Dinosaur Jr.) and The Henry Clay People. Frankly, I was not wholly impressed with their last performance at Alex’s Bar. They did however have that special something the first time I saw them opening for Quasi at the Detroit Bar.

I am feeling a bit of tired side today, so I might not do either…..figured I would ping the group to gauge interest.

Chabby and I saw Loney, Dear open for Andrew Bird in February and they were so much fun.

The singer, Emil Svanängen,  is charmingly whimsical and a delight to hear and watch.

So… you should go.

Obviously, my new life’s goal is to find a reason to be at spaceland every Saturday Night. I mean it is the best ten bucks spent north of the Mexican border.

I feel like these two bands are probably new to TSS community as they are fresh to the Kittle dome.

Grails is an experimental, post-rock, noise band ala God is an Astronaut and Trans Am except a little on the lighter side. James Blackshaw is an acoustic guitar specialist whose songs embody more than their original point of origin. There are many rhythms and paces yet one person, ten fingers and six strings. Enigmatic. From JB, I recommend the album “The Cloud of Unknowing” which was released in 2007.

I am really interested in seeing James Blackshaw who just signed with YoungGodRecords (Angels of Light, Banhart, and formerly Akron Family). Michael Gira described listening to his acoustic sets as “exquisite in an ineffable way, and taps into a place, a dream place, or a pre-thought place, which each of us might recognize was always there inside of us and is suddenly revealed. Like coming home after a painful journey, I suppose…” Sentences such as that make me want to jump out of a building.

On balance I figured I could spend ten dollars on “Marley & Me” or explore spaceland. My choice was easy. What is yours?

Land that is. More details to come I just wanted to get it up on the board. It is a saturday night so I say why the f*ck not.

I am still thinking of a way to become friends with Warpaint…….wait I am actually trying to find that with every band…..

1. Capt AKAK
2. ??
3. Easeness
4. ??
5. Mroyed