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SEPT 28 - OCT 4
This week Los Angeles is rumbling, but it's not the ground shaking, it's your money-makers, as we chart a course for the future (of funky sounds, that is). Maybe it's the glam charm of the Scissor Sisters or the suave verbiage of Slick Rick that you dig. Or it could be the decadence of the Libertines or the punk 'n roll of Hot Snakes that shakes your tree. If you'd rather laugh your butt off than shake it all around, we've got the Comedians of Comedy. If you prefer to shake your fist instead and demand, Where's My Democracy? we've got you covered. And your friends in Chicago too — so keep spreadin' it to the Midwest.
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Focus Features presents THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES, "ONE OF THE GREAT FILMS OF THIS, OR ANY YEAR! It's one of those special films which, as the frames speed by, you know you're having an unforgettable experience; you can't wait for the next scene, but at the same time you want it to last. It is a film I know will
stay with me forever." Jeffrey Lyons, NBC - TV |
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| | Between Fahrenheit 9/11, The Yes Men, and Super Size Me, 2004 is shaping up to be the year of the popular lefty documentary. Super Size Me combines investigative journalism with a sadistic science experiment into an approach both funny and timely. In documenting his attempt to eat nothing but McDonalds' for a month, writer and director Morgan Spurlock explores not only his resulting malnutrition, but also the greater mechanisms of fast food culture. While a newcomer, Spurlock serves up as much irony and humor as any episode of Michael Moore's TV Nation. Make sure to stop for a Big Mac before the film, because, chances are, you won't want one for quite a while afterward. (JCF)
  
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| | As bands including the Strokes and the White Stripes lead the way, our musical tastes have been reintroduced to the noise and violence of '60s garage rock. And as that taste tempers, we reach for the soothing sounds of vocal harmonies and ethereal melodies, which brings us to vintage acts such as Arthur Lee and the Zombies. While he tends toward the psychedelic, Lee is at his best when his songs are concise and tightly arranged, as in "Alone Again Or." Whether it's piano driven ballads or straightforward rock tunes, the Zombies could go blow for blow with the Beatles and the Beach Boys anytime. (JCF)
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| | Television comedy is at a crossroads. While the success of Aqua Teen Hunger Force and the Emmy for Arrested Development prove that acerbic satire is viable, quality character actors like Brian Posehn and Patton Oswalt, despite impressive credentials, are continually relegated to fare aimed at the lowest common denominator. Not content to accept this fate, the ever resourceful Oswalt takes matters into his own hands, producing a DVD of his latest foray into the frontlines of avant-garde humor. He's joined on this five-city tour by fellow misfit Posehn, who has the corner on that "f**ked up metal guy" character, and by up-and-comer Maria Bamford. Expect a healthy dose of celebrity cameos and off-color bits not suitable for network television. (JH)
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| | Erupting onto the scene late last year with a cheeky cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," Scissor Sisters quickly developed a following and whipped the dance floor faithful into a frenzy with their Elton John-styled radio hit "Take Your Mama Out." The way their disco-rock-pop sparkles, it could only be matched with a flashy live show, and the Sisters do not disappoint. On center stage are acrobatic frontman Jake Shears' freakshow falsetto and the campy antics of partner in glam Ana Matronic, a NY cabaret performance artist. Now that MTV is in on the joke, don't be surprised if tonight's show draws crowds from all walks. (TCR)
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| | By all rights, Earlimart should be among the most admired indie bands in town. Not simply because their psychedelic orchestrations pick up on LA's long tradition of studio-enhanced, lightly druggy pop; but because Aaron Espinoza's songs tug the same intimate, desperate heartstrings that Elliott Smith's did. Built in Espinoza's Eagle Rock hideaway, the new Treble & Tremble — for which this gig serves as a record release party — is full of piano, sound effects, and downcast loveliness that perfectly soundtracks a life of tear-stained proclamations (many written in the shadow of Smith's passing). The show, which benefits AIDS Project LA, will also feature a rare acoustic set from head Grandaddy Jason Lytle. (PO)
 What other member of Grandaddy produced Treble & Tremble? The third and fourth correct answers each win a pair of tickets to the show, while the seventh and eighth correct answers each win a copy of the CD.
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| | "La di da di, we likes to _____." Now, who can't finish that line? Even Carl Jung would have been impressed by the way Slick Rick's lyrics have seeped into our collective unconscious. Not to mention that MC Ricky D virtually wrote the script for Snoop and Notorious B.I.G. with his storytelling and slow delivery on such landmark recordings as "Children's Story" and "Mona Lisa." While spending much of the '90s in prison on an attempted murder conviction and narrowly escaping the claws of the INS for immigration issues, Slick Rick is finally re-starting his interrupted career with a new level of freedom. (MS)
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| | The collective Godspeed You! Black Emperor provides Fly Pan Am's chief songwriter (Roger Tellier-Craig) with the general musical template for his oblique compositional approach. While a Krautrockian groove partially replaces Godspeed's orchestral dynamic, FPA's bombastic, surrealist tendencies and sonic backdrops will appeal to fans of the elder band's rock-noir. Although Mono hail from Japan, ol' Gotham provided the inspiration for their recent release, New York City Soundtracks, which features local field recordings and contributions from such downtown NYC luminaries as Loren Connors, Calla, and DJ Olive. Their sprawling, instrumental rock, which tempers minor key aggression and distortion with more graceful melodies, should serve as the perfect complement to the FPA sound — Mono's reputation as a jaw-dropping live act shouldn't hurt either. (JL)
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| | Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance earlier this year, Ondi Timoner's DIG! follows the unpredictable paths of two rock stars in training, Anton Newcombe and Courtney Taylor. Newcombe, leader of cult psychedelic act the Brian Jonestown Massacre, becomes the focus of the story as his recurring psychotic episodes keep his band from attaining any real success. Meanwhile, Courtney Taylor and the Dandy Warhols play the music industry game, enjoying MTV video play and sold-out concerts. This ultimately costs Taylor his close friendship with Newcombe. Seven years in the making and edited down from 1,500 hours of footage, this documentary is a bizarre ride through onstage fistfights and declarations of faith like you've never heard before. (DN)
Note: Filmmaker Ondi Timoner will attend the 7:30pm and 10pm screenings on Fri 10.1 and Sat 10.2.
If you could front any band, which one would you rock with, and why? The five answers that leave us starstruck each win a pair of tickets to a screening of their choice.
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| | Over the last three decades Joe Goode has been a fixture of the Los Angeles art scene, depicting nature in his signature abstract and minimalist style. Hermosa Beach poet Brooks Roddan collaborated with Goode on Tree, a new book with Roddan's awkwardly profound lines set beside Goode's altered photographs. To celebrate the launch of the book, Abbot Kinney newcomer (but soon-to-be institution) Equator Books is putting on a party fit for artists and art-lovers alike. Black Flag founder and bassist Chuck Dukowski provides the musical entertainment (wait until you see his current band), and hot dogs, beer, and margaritas are on hand to satisfy your taste buds. (MG)
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MULTIMEDIA
PostGen & Track 16 present: Put Up or Shut Up
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| when: | Fri 10.1 (8-10pm) |
| where: | Track 16 Gallery (2525 Michigan Ave, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, 310.264.4678) |
| price: |  FREE |
| links: |
PostGen | Track 16 |
| | The good people at PostGen and Track 16 still believe that we live in a free society, and in honor of election season they're taking that idea literally. Tonight's festival of free expression features music by J-Logic and Attached by Wires, topical film screenings, a video installation by accomplished multimedia artist Robert Drummond, and plenty of lively debate. But the heart and soul of the night is the distribution of free stickers, posters, and flyers by public art bigwigs Robbie Conal, Shepard Fairey, Mear-One, and dozens of other artists, who have all created activist art that is easy to duplicate and disseminate at will. (SND)
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| | No DJ personifies the word "chill" more than DJ Krush. In the vein of downtempo gods like DJ Cam and Nightmares on Wax, Krush makes music for the lounge, not necessarily for the club. Which isn't to say he's undanceable, it's just more of a head-bopping vibe than a rump-shaking crunkfest. His signature beat stands resilient and crisp like the ridges of a glacier against an icy landscape of ambient textures and subtle scratches. Leave it to the Japanese to take hip-hop and rewire it for maximum efficiency. (JCF)
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MULTIMEDIA
Create: Fixate Optical Lounge and Audio Lab
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| when: | Sat 10.2 (7pm-2am) |
| where: | Spring Arts Tower (453 S Spring Street, 323.466.5141) |
| price: | $8 / $5 before 9pm / Free before 7pm |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | Create: Fixate is an art consortium on a mission: to get Angelenos accustomed to the idea of exciting, inspired cultural experimentation right here at home. Featuring a rotating group of visual, sound, and multimedia artists, they have fast become a fixture in our urban landscape. This month's installation keeps up the pace, with a group show of painting and photography featuring David Meanix (whose distinctive photographs recently played Claire's art on Six Feet Under), Gary Palmer, and Rex Bruce of the LA Center for Digital Art. The music is also excellent, as Pepe Mogt of Fussible, KCRW's Liza Richardson, and Moontribe's Jerome Oliver cook up some grooves in the Audio Lab. This is just a sampling of the dozens of talents coordinating their mellow assault on your senses. (SND)
What's so distinctive about David Meanix's process of photography? The third and fifth correct answers each win a pair of tickets to the show.
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| | Each new Libertines release seems to unleash at least as much media hype as unbridled rock 'n roll, but their lively shows are worth every penny. Drug-addled lead singer Pete Doherty is MIA, but with a new guitarist/vocalist they're sure to bring to life the amped-up rock stylings of Up The Bracket and their latest eponymous new album. New York post-punk outfit Radio 4 stunned both rock and dance enthusiasts on their previous DFA-produced album, Gotham!, and their new offering, Stealing of a Nation, is sure to dislodge any straggling wallflowers. There's no telling which band will actually rock the spot harder, but both will easily foster more left coast admirers. Get 'em while they're hot, because this is sure to sell out. (TCR)
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| | It's unlikely that singer-guitarist John Freis' involvement with San Diego scorchers Hot Snakes spells the end to his time as Speedo, the cartoonish frontman of the West Coast's old-time punk 'n roll staple Rocket from the Crypt. But maybe he should reconsider. Reunited with Rick Froberg, his partner in seminal pre-emo artisans Drive Like Jehu, Freis' Snakes kick out the jams with a fervor rare for scene veterans. Neither complacent nor (visibly) sober, their albums, including the soon-to-be released Audit in Progress, go from zero to 60 without idle thoughts or pop-punk cop-outs, single-handedly raising the declining IQ of the SoCal chain-wallet set. (PO)
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| | Formed a decade before the current tide of psych acts began to rise, Japan's Ghost have been (not so quietly) lurking just under the surface ever since, releasing album after album of twisted hymns on the renowned Drag City label. This fall they're taking their freak-magic stateside in support of their latest release, Underground Hypnotic, which moves from an ethereal 24-minute improv opus into compositions populated by flutes, theremins, and some surprising guitar licks. Flanking Ghost are labelmates White Magic, and Santa Cruz's Ben Chasny, aka Six Organs of Admittance, who works a double shift as the new guitarist for Comets on Fire. Chasny's blend of psych-folk and Indian ragas have made him a headlining name in his own right, which makes this rare appearance even more unmissable. (TW)
When was the last time you saw a ghost? The two answers that set our hair on end each win a pair of tickets to the show.
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FILM
The Hillside Strangler
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| when: | Mon 10.4 (7:30pm) |
| where: | Egyptian Theatre (6712 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, 323.466.FILM) |
| price: | $9 |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | If you grew up in Los Angeles in the '70s, the name "Hillside Strangler" likely evokes the mysterious masked men who terrorized women in the hilly neighborhoods of Southern California. The crime wave spanned eight months and nine women, filling the evening news with new victims and the community with fear. Cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono turned out to be responsible, and the notorious duo became household names during their sentencing. Director Chris Fischer brings those uneasy months to life in a film that's destined to disturb and dismantle your sense of safety. Never mind that C. Thomas Howell stars as Bianchi — because as cheap as his inclusion may seem, the ex-child star makes for a great serial murderer. (TCR)
It's always the quiet ones. Whom do you suspect is secretely a homicidal maniac? The two most conspiratorial answers each win a pair of tickets to the film.
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| | North Carolinian Petey Pablo may seem like crunk's utility man, but he's also a connoisseur's choice. No one could confuse him with a Dirty South mogul like Lil' Jon, and, unlike the David Banners of the world, he's an equal opportunity employee, sharing his skills with the Virginia Beach futurists (Missy and Timbaland), New York gangstas (Bad Boy and G-Unit), and the New Orleans foot soldiers (Cash Money) alike. Petey's disproportionate ratio of hits ("Raise Up," "Freek-a-Leek," "Goodies") to record appearances — and the way his gruff voice rides weird track grinds — make him a hip-hop secret weapon nonpareil. (PO)
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| | Michael C. McMillen is a kind of patron saint of installation art, at least on the West Coast. For decades, his work has amazed, enchanted, and creeped-out art insiders and the general public alike. He creates magic atmospheres — self-contained environments full of both drama and humor. Devoid of people, his works are narratives of absence, whose stories are told through the iconic, well-used, and often dirty objects and architecture that contain them. For this show, he has created site-specific works in a series of rooms that investigate the topic of distraction with a cinematic sensibility and an attention to detail that will either inspire you or make you drop out of art school first thing in the morning. (SND)
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ART
Vicissivitudes
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| when: | Now through Sat 10.9 (Wed-Fri: 1-5pm / Sat: 1-6pm) |
| where: | New Image Art (1005 N Fairfax Ave, W Hollywood, 323.654.2192) |
| price: | FREE |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | San Francisco artist Jo Jackson is well known for her paintings, drawings, and installations depicting the candy-coated wonderland of contemporary urban dystopia, but in this group exhibition at New Image Art she tries her hand at curating. Jackson's show gives us a chance to see what's going on with our sister city to the north, but her premise is a little deeper than that. Every artist included was asked to create a video piece to be installed alongside their more traditional works, creating a level playing field on which to explore the broad issue of life's state of constant flux. (SND)
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FILM
Westward Bound: The 1st Annual Westerns Festival
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| when: | Fri 10.1 - Mon 10.11 (schedule) |
| where: | Egyptian Theatre (6712 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, 323.466.FILM) |
| price: | $9 |
| links: |
Event Info |
| | Why do people like to rag on westerns as if they're just cattle-rustling soap operas? For a century the genre allowed American filmmakers to explore ethical dilemmas far from the rule of law — where else but the frontier could John Ford expose the searing vengeance of The Searchers, and Howard Hawks the naked jealousy of Red River? If you want to unbridle your passions, or just bask in the fine prairie sun, saddle up and head to the Egyptian Theatre all week long. There are double features of films by such titans as Howard Hawks, Anthony Mann, and Raoul Walsh, along with minor masterpieces by lesser-known directors, and modern interpretations by Robert Altman and Sydney Pollack — all studded with more vintage celebrity appearances than the Duke's chaps. (TW)
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| | Fundraising juggernaut Downtown for Democracy is heading west ahead of the election with its literary barnstorming campaign. After massive successes in New York City, D4D has assembled yet another supergroup of literary stars to give readings in support of regime change at home. Bringing down the house are Alice Sebold (The Lovely Bones), David Foster Wallace (Oblivion), Michael Chabon (Summerland), Dave Eggers (And You Shall Know Our Velocity), Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird), and playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (In the Blood). Five benjamins get you into a private reception with the authors and a limited edition Raymond Pettibon lithograph, but $25 still lands you a seat in the balcony. Anyone could endure a nosebleed for this lineup of politically engaged literati. (TW)
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| CD REVIEW: Rogue Wave, Out of the Shadows |
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Sub Pop
Released July 2004
$12.99 (Amazon)
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On Rogue Wave's debut, Out of the Shadow, singer-songwriter Zach Rogue and his cohorts must clear one formidable hurdle: the band's remarkable similarity to the Shins. Indeed, the two bands share an affinity for gentle acoustic/electric psychedelia and understated vocals; Rogue Wave, however, distills the formula — the band's introspective, tightly-structured indie pop has more in common with Death Cab for Cutie than the sprawling psych-folk of their aforementioned labelmates. The careening "Endless Shovel" showcases Zach Rogue's knack for the plucked-out-of-the-air melody, its wide-eyed chorus rolling hook over hook as if down a hill; "Sewn Up" is melancholic and painfully catchy, channeling a sad, slightly stoned Kinks. It's an immensely promising first outing — superficial similarities be damned! (TG)
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| GROUP THINK: Boing Boing |
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Mark Frauenfelder and Carla Sinclair began Boing Boing as a zine before it migrated to the web in 2000. Since then, the group-written site has become one of the most trafficked and influential blogs on the web. Focusing on eccentric technology, new media issues, breaking news, and crazy Web antics, this "Directory of Wonderful Things" is the first stop on the Internet for fun, nerdy facts. Where else could you learn about the latest inventions, unique global sightseeing opportunities, and offbeat stories that everyone will be talking about tomorrow? (SN)
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| STREAMS: KCRW |
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At 89.9 it's happening online as well as on the airwaves, so you needn't miss out just 'cause you're in the office. Which is good news, because KCRW offers much more than just eclectic music (though they do have that in spades). Don't miss their election coverage, especially since they'll be carrying Thursday's inaugural Presidential candidate debate. For the nearsighted, there's Bookworm, a page-turning program with a Dan Chaon talk and a tribute to poet Czeslaw Milosz upcoming in October. Of course, all this doesn't mean you shouldn't tune in for tunes, too — try The Drop when you're getting dressed for success on a Saturday night. (JKG)
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| CREDITS |
| Header Design: |
| Macarena | Neuhues | | |
| Editors: |
| Electric slide | Shana Nys Dambrot | | Robo cop | Jocelyn K. Glei | | Lindy hop | Çemile Kavountzis | | Tango | Paul Laster | | Bus stop | Jane Lerner | | Chicken dance | Sascha Lewis | | Hitch hike | Mark Mangan | | Stoned stumble | Piotr Orlov | | Sugar push | Lauren Ragland | | Mashed potato | Peter D. Stepek | | Ubangi stomp | Toby Warner | | |
ABOUT US
flavorpill LA is a free weekly mailer covering music, arts, and cultural events in Los Angeles. All listings are pure editorial, researched and written based on what we think has flavor. No money is accepted from venues, artists, or promoters. Find out more.
FEEDBACK
As always, feel free to send in any and all feedback — comments, questions, ideas, or rants. Spread the flavor...
EVENT SUBMISSIONS
Please send all interesting event information (press releases, links, etc.) to events. |
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| Contributors: |
| Temptation walk | Lee Bradley | | Cabbage patch | Angi Brzycki | | Pac man | Hilary Craven | | Charleston | Quinn Doan | | Big apple | Nick Doherty | | Groucho | Josh C. Forbes | | Chameleon | Menaka Gopinath | | Lockin' | Liam Gowing | | The Zelman | Jonathan Heit | | Dip | Jake Lancaster | | Funky twist | Nicole Levine | | Poppin' | Amanda M | | Twist | Jenn Marston | | Four corners | Allen Moon | | Running man | Steve Nalepa |
| Hat dance | Drew Neuhues | | The Smurf | Andrea Neustein | | Suzie Q | Todd C. Roberts | | YMCA | Jeff Safran | | Time warp | Jason Satler | | Steve Urkel | Michael Shawver | | The Electroglide | Eve Smilack | | Waltz | Ken Taylor | | Jungle boogie | Laura Tepper | | Watusi | Lisa Won | | |
| Production: |
| Cavern stomp | Anjuli Ayer | | Egyptian | Krista Freibaum | | Shoulder shake | David Morrow | | Bunny hop | Liz McDonald |
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GLOBAL FASHIONS
In addition to Earplug and Boldtype, Flavorpill Productions also publishes JC Report, an inside track to fashions and trends from around the world. Issue 50 is out now.
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