Rock Insider

Amazing Baby and Band Of Skulls For FREE Tonight!

2009-07-02T13:01:00.001-07:00

Amazing Baby (Brooklyn, NY)

I'm headed down to the Hammer Museum TONIGHT to check out Amazing Baby - who opened for Phoenix at The Wiltern on Sunday and my latest obsession - BAND OF SKULLS.

Four words. HOT CHICK BASS PLAYER. I have a new girl crush. Sorry Neko

It's all part of the kick off of the Hammer Museum's Also I Like To Rock Series. Starts at 8PM and is free and open to the public!

Band of Skulls - I Know What I Am

In Loving Memory: Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz (2003-2009)

2009-06-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most of you have heard the news by now of the passing of young Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz - the son of Dangerbird co-founder Jeff Castelaz. Jeff and his family shared their story with the world through their Pablog! holding nothing back. I followed their saga for over 9 months and like many was truly inspired by Pablo's strength, joy, and infectious smile.

Pablo was diagnosed with bilateral wilms tumor- a very rare form of pediatric cancer. This led to the founding of The Pablove Foundation which donates money to the Childrens Hospital LA. Sadly this past Saturday June 27th, 2009 Pablo passed away. He was 6 years old.

Tomorrow night's Eulogies/ Bad Veins which will also features performances from Avi Buffalo has now been made a benefit show with all proceeds going to The Pablove Foundation. I wanted to ask if you have a few dollars to spare please donate a few dollars in Pablo's honor.

A Benefit For
THE PABLOVE FOUNDATION
Fighting Childhood Cancer With Love

In Memory Of Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz
June 21st, 2003 - June 27th, 2009
Rest In Peace

Performances from:
Eulogies
Bad Veins
Avi Buffalo
A Decent Animal

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT TICKET WEB

$10 Advance | $12 Day Of Show | Doors at 8pm | All Ages

A proceeds benefit The Pablove Foundation / Children's Hospital LA

Reminder: Rad Warehouse Show Downtown Tonight!

2009-06-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

Our good buddies over at The Tape Blog are hosting what is sure to be a fabulous party downtown tonight! Fol Chen and Nite Jewel and Rock Insider homeboys for life Battlehooch will be performing. You really don't want to miss this show!

[MP3] Nite Jewel - Weak For Me
[MP3] Fol Chen - Cable TV
[MP3] Battlehooch - Looks You Can't See

FRIDAY JUNE 27TH 2009
at PDG Performance Warehouse
2485 Hunter St., Los Angeles, CA

w/ Fol Chen
Nite Jewel
Battlehooch
D.A.D (first show ever!!!)
the Beijing Blondes

Tickets are available for $10 at the door.

Do You Like A Little Reggae?

2009-06-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow night there's a cool little shindig going down in LA with FREE BEER! It's being thrown by Red Stripe and the fine folks at The Fader (so you know it'll be good).

The event will feature DJ sets from Johan Hugo and songs from Terry Lynn - who recently released a new album celebrating Jamaican music entitled "It Was Written" you can download the album in its entirety for free right here

Red Stripe presents a celebration of Jamaican music
Featuring Terry Lynn & John Hugo

Saturday, June 27th
8 – 11PM
Loft Seven (219 W. 7th St.) Los Angeles, CA

Additional DJ sets by Wildlife, Johan Hugo!

Plus songs from Terry Lynn’s critically acclaimed album “KingstonLogic 2.0”

Free Red Stripe Lager
This is a private, RSVP only event. You must be 21+ for entry.
Admission Based On Capacity.

Download the album "It Was Written" for free

Dance And Drink Responsibly

Click Here to RSVP

Video: Miniature Tigers - Cannibal Queen

2009-06-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Miniature Tigers (Photo: Esther Hyejin Chung)

You may remember I wrote about Miniature Tigers a few years back. The band even played a trio of Rock Insider presented shows for us. The band just finished a successful tour with Kevin Devine and will be heading back to the west coast for a handful of dates with Princeton. LA Readers can catch the band live at Spaceland on July 6th.

The band's hilarious video for "Cannibal Queen" their sweet as nails track was also recently added to MTV2's Subterranean. Watch it below!

TOUR DATES:
7.2 - Plush - Tucson, AZ**
7.4 - Wyndham Hotel "Star Swim" - Phoenix, AZ**
7.6 - Spaceland - Silverlake, CA**
7.7 - Cafe du Nord - San Francisco, CA
7.9 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR**
7.10 - Too Beautiful to Live Listener Party - Seattle, WA**

** with Princeton

Collected Twitter and Facebook thoughts on Michael jackson's death:

2009-06-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

http://ismichaeljacksonazombieyet.com/

Collected Twitter and Facebook thoughts on Michael jackson's death:

NOTE! I DID NOT WRITE THESE PEOPLE SO DONT SHOOT THE MESSENGER

Steve Aoki This is bigger than any artist dying in our lifetime. Bigger than elvis and freddie mercury for me.

13 minutes ago

Scottgum: Somewhere Kanye nominates himself King of Pop

hipsterrunoff:does n e 1 know how I can convert today's 'tragedy' into more blog hits/twitter followers?

ANDY: (551): Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett are dead (201): NOOO not MJ! Someone tell the paramedic to grab him by the heart and just "Beat it"

Lally: The woman little boys masturbate to and the man who masturbates to little boys: dead on the same day. Weak sauce indeed.

11 minutes ago · via Twitter · Comment · Like

JACOB: ELLIOTT SMITH DIED?!?!?!?!?!

Roddy MJ may have been acquitted of molestation but he was guilty of touching us all. Today, we are all Neverland Ranch overnight visitors.

Matt is very sad about MJ. On the other hand, this does mean I've won my bet about him completing less than a third of his London summer tour dates

Jason Michael Jackson dies and all of a sudden everyone is his biggest fan.

Well...Sunny Day Real Estate reunited. I guess we still got that. (via @sexyresults)

The King Of Pop Has Died

2009-06-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

CBS News, LA Times, and CNN are now reporting that Michael Jackson - AKA The King Of Pop has passed away at the UCLA medical center of an apparent heart attack. I am shocked and stunned beyond belief

This comes just hours after the announcement that Farrah Fawcett died this morning at St John's Medical center after a long battle with Anal Cancer. She was 62 Yrs Old.

Read More at LA TIMES.

Avi Buffalo, The Minor Canon, LANDy TONIGHT at The Regent Theater

2009-06-25T10:31:00.001-07:00

Great show tonight in Downtown Los Angeles as Long Beach favorites Avi Buffalo will perform alongside longtime Rock Insider favs The Minor Canon and LANDy - the new project featuring sometimes actor Adam Goldberg. The show is being presented by Little Radio and admission tonight is just $5. Show starts at 9PM!

The Regent Theatre
448 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, California

Video: St. Vincent On Letterman

2009-06-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

Did anyone else catch St. Vincent's amazing debut on David Letterman last night? In case you missed it you can watch the electrifying performance below. She better sell a shit ton of records based on this performance.

HOLY CRAP.

[MP3] St. Vincent - The Strangers

Her new album Actor is available now on iTUNES.

VIDEO: St. Vincent - "Marrow" on Letterman 6/24

Dirty Projectors In Serious Car Accident - Show Tonight Cancelled

2009-06-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

Pitchfork is reporting that The Dirty Projector's have canceled tonight's show in Toronto due to what's being describe as a "pretty bad" car accident

READ ARTICLE

Sean Bones and Local Natives At Space 1520 TONIGHT!

2009-06-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

Cool show tonight in Hollywood that will feature DJ sets from Larry (Future Sounds) and Mr. Kevin Bronson (Buzz Bands). I'm trying to make it out but Ive suddenly come down with a severe sore throat! ahhhhh!

Rye Rye - Bang

2009-06-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

[MP3] Rye Rye - Bang feat. M.I.A [WTF I Asked for a Kuduro Remix by Buraka Som Sistema]

M.I.A protege Rye Rye at the tender age of 18 yrs has suddenly been swept into the spotlight with her new single "Bang" - an incredible percussive track that is already infiltrating club nights both electro and hip-hop alike. This girl is on the fast track to being a huge star.

The remix above is off her new remix EP which is available on 12" vinyl now over at InSound. The 12" also includes instrumental & a capella versions of the track!

Southern California readers can catch Rye Rye performing at HARD Summer At The Forum with Underworld, Crystal Castles, A-Trak, and more. Tickets are available now.

Rye Rye / A-Trak Hamburger Tour Dates

05-28 Shanghai, China - Absolute House
05-30 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Festival
06-02 Sao Paulo, Brazil - TW Eventos
06-04 Buenos Aires, Argentina - Excursionistas Football Club
06-17 New York, NY - M2 Ultra Lounge @
06-18 Boston, MA - House of Blues @
06-19 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory @
07-02 Charlotte, NC - The Forum @
07-03 Atlanta, GA - Opera @
07-04 Orlando, FL - House of Blues @
07-05 Tampa, FL - Czar *
07-08 Miami, FL - Liv *
07-10 Austin, TX - Austin Music Hall @
07-11 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live *
07-13 Phoenix, AZ - Club Red *
07-14 San Diego, CA - Voyeur ^
07-16 San Francisco, CA - The Independent *
07-17 Portland, OR - Rotture ^
07-18 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey *
07-22 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards ^
07-23 Calgary, Alberta - Hi Fi *
07-24 Edmonton, Alberta - Star Lite Room ^
07-25 Toronto, Ontario - Time Festival
07-30 Ottawa, Ontario - Ritual Nightclub *
07-31 New York, NY - Webster Hall #
08-01 Montreal, Quebec - SAT *
08-07 Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza
08-08 Los Angeles, CA - Hard Festival

@ with MSTRKRFT, Major Lazer, DJ AM, Jazzy Jeff and Drop The Lime
* with Rye Rye and Treasure Fingers
^ with Rye Rye
# with Treasure Fingers, Theophilus London and Jack Beats

So What Are You Doing On The 4th Of July?

2009-06-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

I may or may not be out of town but if I'm still in SoCal you bet your ass I'd be going to The New Weird America Festival featuring Ancestors, Night Horse, Spindrift, and more at the Nomad Gallery. The event is being organized by the fine folks at Teepee Records.

LINEUP:
Imaad Wasif w/ Two Part Beast
Ancestors
Night Horse
Weird Owl
Radio Moscow
Spindrift
Farflung

Chairlift TONIGHT at The Echo + Dance Right Afterparty!

2009-06-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

Chairlift (Brooklyn, NY)

TONIGHT I will be heading out to The Echo to check out Brooklyn's Chairlift. I saw the band for the first time at CMJ and must say it wasn't the best introduction. Their set was plagued by technical difficulties. I kind of wrote the band off until I saw their Laundro-Matinee performance and was blown away. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they've developed.

After the show Dance Right is hosting an after party at La Cita that features DJ sets from IAMSOUND(System).

IPOD NANO COMMERCIAL

Body Of Young Man Found At Bonnaroo

2009-06-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

Sad news. A clean up crew clearing the site of Bonnaroo discovered the body of a young man in his 20s. The identity of the young man has not been released yet.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

Tiny Vipers - Life On Earth

2009-06-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

[MP3] Tiny Vipers- Dreamer

At first listen Tiny Vipers' track "Dreamer" immediately made me think of Sybille Baier with a dash of Joanna Newsom. Lord knows I love Sybille Baier almost to the point of discomfort.

The frail Seattle based musician whose given name is Jesy Fortino will be releasing her second full length LP Life On Earth on July 7th via Sub Pop. Her gorgeous deep and haunting voice echoes amid some ghostly chord progressions creating delicious negative space that is just as moving as the amazing melodies. Don't take just my word on it - Pitchfork recently gave the track it's dubious "Best New Track" honor

Tiny Vipers will be playing what is most assured to be a beyond packed show at Echo Curio on July 27th with Lazarus. Pre-Order Life On Earth in the Sub Pop Online Store.

Monolith Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now

2009-06-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

Most people who know me well know of my severe aversion to large crowds. I have had full blown panic attacks on crowded nights at Spaceland forcing me to leave early. This pyshosis stems from being nearly crushed at one of my first big concerts ever. I now make it a point to note where all the exits are the second I walk into a venue and always stand at the edge of the crowd so if something does happen there's no more than 2 steps between me and freedom.

This makes large music festivals a truly hellish and mentally trying experience for me. I have been avoiding the Coachella and Bonnaroo's of the world for years now.

This year I am finally breaking my streak because I have found the festival for me - The Monolith Music Festival in Denver, CO. The event will go down Friday September 12th - 13th, 2009 in one of the most scenic venues in the U.S. at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Reasons I've Decided To Go:

The confirmed lineup for the festival reads like my iTUNES playlist.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the most beautiful venues in the U.S. and has lot of space. Chances are I'll be able to find places where I won't get that "stampede" feeling
Price. Early bird tickets went on sale yesterday and are only $75 for a two day pass. This includes parking and has no hidden fees.
Great representation of bands from Southern California including Spindrift, Avi Buffalo, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes, HEALTH, and Miniature Tigers.
Bigger bands are still to be announced.

Get your tickets below!

Rad Show Announcement: Nite Jewel, Fol Chen, Battlehooch Downtown

2009-06-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

[MP3] Nite Jewel - Weak For Me
[MP3] Fol Chen - Cable TV
[MP3] Battlehooch - Looks You Can't See

Our good buddies over at The Tape have put together one fucking awesome show that will be going off downtown on Friday June 26th, 2009. The lineup features a great cross section of artists from LA's Underground including Fol Chen and Nite Jewel - as well as Battlehooch - good pals of Rock Insider and quite possibly the craziest band from the Bay Area. Battlehooch will be releasing their debut full length album Piecechow next week and will be doing a mini tour in celebration. Find out more on Facebook.

FRIDAY JUNE 27TH 2009
at PDG Performance Warehouse
2485 Hunter St., Los Angeles, CA

w/ Fol Chen
Nite Jewel
Battlehooch
D.A.D (first show ever!!!)
the Beijing Blondes

Tickets are available for $10 at the door.

Frank Turner - Love Ire & Song Free Album Download

2009-06-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Frank Turner (United Kingdom)

My friend Jason turned me on to Frank Turner a few weeks back. I apologize for not bringing you his amazing tunes singer. The voice is clear and direct and his songs at the core sound sound like Irish folk tunes mixed with the energy and fervor of clearly rooted in punk. The songs have message, melody, and a rawness that I find deliciously awesome.

His new album Love, Ire, and Song is available for COMPLETELY FREE DOWNLOAD. You can get the whole thing at the link below!

LOVE, IRE, AND SONG DOWNLOAD

VIDEO: Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes

2009-06-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

I really don't have much to say about Animal Collective's new video for "Summertime Clothes." While I think Merriweather Post Pavilion is a good album I don't understand the hype and fervor behind it. Still enjoy!

Deerhunter - Rainwater Cassette Exchange

2009-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

[MP3] Deerhunter - Rainwater Cassette Exchange

I finally downloaded the entirety of Deerhunter's new Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP over the weekend and have been listening to it nonstop. The Georgia four piece continue to put out one solid shoegaze/psychedelic rock meets punk offering after another. It also helps that vocalist Bradford Cox voice just exudes charisma.

You can download "Rainwater Cassette Exchange" - the EP's trippy title track above. Purchase the whole EP over at EMUSIC.

The band are current touring abroad but will return to the west coast August 29th performing live at the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA. Single day passes go on sale next Sunday. Thank god. There's no way I could afford those 3 day passes.

Lots of Fun To Be Had This Weekend

2009-06-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

I think its safe to say Summer is officially here! Free BBQs and events happening all day tomorrow! Check it out!

BLAQSTARR JUST ADDED!!
RSVP HERE

This Saturday, June 13th at the Standard Downtown LA rooftop

Swimming With Sharks
IAMSOUND vs. Mad Decent

IAMSOUND
Telepathe (DJ set)
Nosaj Thing
IAMSOUND(System)

MAD DECENT
Blaqstarr
Paul Devro
Eric Devereux

Photobooth by Jiro
Roaming photos by The Squid
Special guest Shadowscene
Free water guns from Mad Decent

Drink specials, champagne specials, etc.
First 100 people in free, $10 after that with RSVP

This Saturday, June 13th
Vice presents....
the Nightmarchers
the Soft Pack
Japanese Motors
The Lamps

+ the following bands & people will be playing records
no age
bobby evans from brother reade
johnny marr
travis keller
pubes

this show is free
sorry, it is 21+. has to do with the fact that its open bar all night
and there is free tacos
and dan monick will be walking around taking photos and asking people if they want touch his beard.

its at lot 613 S. Imperial
LA, CA 90021

You have to rsvp so go to at viceland.com/rsvphornitos

Starts at 10:00pm

Tell your friends.

sorry, i know, another 21+ show that were involved with. we will be making it to the kids by doing a series of shows this summer. promise.

Here is flyer:
http://www.danceright.net/flyers/vice.jpg

Flyer will be uploaded shortly when facebook starts working properly

Division Day Sign To Dangerbird + Announce New Record

2009-06-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by Justin Harris

It's been a while since we've heard from Division Day. They have been an important part of the Rock Insider extended family for years now and have the clear distinction of being official Rock Insider "Homies For Life."

The band have been hard at work recording their follow up to Beartrap Island with producer Justin Meldal Johnson.

The band announced yesterday that they have since signed to Dangerbird Records and will be releasing their new full length, Visitation, on August 18th. Two new tracks are available for streaming on the bands myspace page and whoa nelly are they different and absolutely fucking awesome. "Devil Light" is my overwhelming favorite.

Visitation is a departure from Beartrap and takes the band in a more intense direction. From what I've been told of the record expect lots of amazing reverb, noise, tape effects, and really interesting production.

One can only hope the band will play a show in Los Angeles soonish.

Read over at Buzz Bands.

A.A. Bondy Announces Sophomore Album When The Devil's Loose

2009-06-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

GOD I LOVE ME SOME A.A. BONDY.

[MP3] A.A. Bondy - When The Devil's Loose (NEW TRACK!)

A.A. Bondy's sophomore album, When The Devil's Loose, will be released September 1, 2009 on Fat Possum. This is the second offering of neo-folk tunes from the former Verbena frontman. After an excellent showing at Sasquatch this year Bondy is set to take on the open road with a string of dates. Be sure to catch him when he comes through a city near you.

TRACKLISTING
1. When The Devil's Loose
2. Mightiest Of Guns
3. A Slow Parade
4. To The Morning
5. Oh The Vampyre
6. I Can See The Pines Are Dancing
7. False River
8. On The Moon
9. The Mercy Wheel
10. The Coal Hits The Fire

A.A. Bondy Tour Dates:

June 8 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
June 9 Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
June 11 Arlington, VA Iota
June 12 Charlotte, NC Snug Harbor
June 14 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music Festival
June 15 Columbus, OH The Basement
June 16 Indianapolis, IN Radio Radio
June 17 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room
June 18 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
June 19 Milwaukee, WI Club Garibaldi
June 20 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar
June 22 Denver, CO Hi Dive
June 23 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
June 25 San Francisco, CA Café du Nord
June 26 Visalia, CA Cellar Door
June 29 Phoenix, AZ Modified Arts
July 7 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon

Video: Band Of Skulls - I Know What I Am

2009-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

I Know What I Am

OK so Band Of Skulls are totally growing me. Maybe its the fact that their bass player is hot as hell and can sing and their songs are comprised of really solid classic rock.

Check out their video for "I Know What I Am" above. It's basically a performance video but damn that's what sells this band.

Rock Insider

Amazing Baby and Band Of Skulls For FREE Tonight!

In Loving Memory: Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz (2003-2009)

Reminder: Rad Warehouse Show Downtown Tonight!

[MP3] Nite Jewel - Weak For Me[MP3] Fol Chen - Cable TV [MP3] Battlehooch - Looks You Can't See

FRIDAY JUNE 27TH 2009at PDG Performance Warehouse2485 Hunter St., Los Angeles, CA

w/ Fol ChenNite JewelBattlehoochD.A.D (first show ever!!!)the Beijing Blondes Tickets are available for $10 at the door.

Do You Like A Little Reggae?

Video: Miniature Tigers - Cannibal Queen

Collected Twitter and Facebook thoughts on Michael jackson's death:

Steve Aoki This is bigger than any artist dying in our lifetime. Bigger than elvis and freddie mercury for me.

ANDY: (551): Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett are dead (201): NOOO not MJ! Someone tell the paramedic to grab him by the heart and just "Beat it"

Lally: The woman little boys masturbate to and the man who masturbates to little boys: dead on the same day. Weak sauce indeed.

JACOB: ELLIOTT SMITH DIED?!?!?!?!?!

Roddy MJ may have been acquitted of molestation but he was guilty of touching us all. Today, we are all Neverland Ranch overnight visitors.

Matt is very sad about MJ. On the other hand, this does mean I've won my bet about him completing less than a third of his London summer tour dates

Jason Michael Jackson dies and all of a sudden everyone is his biggest fan.

The King Of Pop Has Died

Avi Buffalo, The Minor Canon, LANDy TONIGHT at The Regent Theater

Video: St. Vincent On Letterman

Dirty Projectors In Serious Car Accident - Show Tonight Cancelled

Sean Bones and Local Natives At Space 1520 TONIGHT!

Rye Rye - Bang

So What Are You Doing On The 4th Of July?

Chairlift TONIGHT at The Echo + Dance Right Afterparty!

Body Of Young Man Found At Bonnaroo

Tiny Vipers - Life On Earth

Monolith Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now

Rad Show Announcement: Nite Jewel, Fol Chen, Battlehooch Downtown

FRIDAY JUNE 27TH 2009at PDG Performance Warehouse2485 Hunter St., Los Angeles, CA

w/ Fol ChenNite JewelBattlehoochD.A.D (first show ever!!!)the Beijing Blondes Tickets are available for $10 at the door.

Frank Turner - Love Ire & Song Free Album Download

VIDEO: Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes

Deerhunter - Rainwater Cassette Exchange

Lots of Fun To Be Had This Weekend

Division Day Sign To Dangerbird + Announce New Record

A.A. Bondy Announces Sophomore Album When The Devil's Loose

Video: Band Of Skulls - I Know What I Am

[MP3] Nite Jewel - Weak For Me
[MP3] Fol Chen - Cable TV
[MP3] Battlehooch - Looks You Can't See

FRIDAY JUNE 27TH 2009
at PDG Performance Warehouse
2485 Hunter St., Los Angeles, CA

w/ Fol Chen
Nite Jewel
Battlehooch
D.A.D (first show ever!!!)
the Beijing Blondes

Tickets are available for $10 at the door.

FRIDAY JUNE 27TH 2009
at PDG Performance Warehouse
2485 Hunter St., Los Angeles, CA

w/ Fol Chen
Nite Jewel
Battlehooch
D.A.D (first show ever!!!)
the Beijing Blondes

Tickets are available for $10 at the door.