Rock Insider

Robert Francis "Before Nightfall" Available Today!

2009-10-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Ok slight return to 'ze blög but then I'm gone again peoples.

Just wanted to give you a totally biased full disclosure message to check out Robert Francis' new album "Before Nightfall" which officially hits stores TODAY.

Most of you know this but for those who do not I work with the young Mr. Francis. That should not stop you from checking out his new record - WHICH IS AMAZING.

Robert will be performing tonight at The Roxy opening for Noah and The Whale.

Pick up Before Nightfall on iTUNES right here for $7.99. That's only .67 per track!

SIGN UP FOR ROCK INSIDER'S WEEKLY CONCERT CALENDAR

2009-10-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

Rock Insider is taking a bit of a blog break for the next few months. Why? We've discovered the absolutely amazing new fad called EMAIL. I know right? Who uses email these days anyway? It'll be just another passing meme like myspace and twitter for sure.

Sign up for the Rock Insider Weekly Concert Calendar. We also include MP3s, A mixtape of new music, and a little scene scoop on what's going on in LA.

I couldn't stay away...

2009-10-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ok - Once a blogger always a blogger. Blame me and my big freaking mouth.

Things they are a'changing around the Rock Insider parts and though we may never return to daily content we do have other tricks up our sleeves...

Rock Insider is starting an exclusive weekly concert calendar for the city of Los Angeles.

the Rock Insider Concert Calendar will be sent every Sunday night with a listing of all the hot shows/events/parties/music related gatherings you should know about going on in LA that week. The newsletter will also include exclusive ticket giveaways, MP3s and Mixtapes, as well as scene gossip you can't find any where.

This site isn't called "Rock Insider" for nothing.

Click here to sign-up for the TONIGHT IN LA CONCERT CALENDAR.

PS. Band you need to check out now:

Pearl Harbor - LISTEN
Kurt Vile - LISTEN
Real Estate - LISTEN
GIRLS - LISTEN
Le Loup - LISTEN
Graham Forest - LISTEN

Email *

First Name

Last Name

City

State

Zip/Postal Code

LA Event List

* required

Taking A Little Break From Blogging...

2009-09-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

I'm sure you've no doubt noticed my severe lack of writing over the last two months. As life has become increasingly hectic and the demands of the 70 other things I do in addition to keeping this blog have become more trying I have decided to put Rock Insider on a bit of a hiatus.

I will still be posting the occasional video, upcoming events, and great MP3s but not on a daily basis.

This is not me quitting the blog world for good. Think of it as a little bit of a vacation :) Rock Insider has been a daily obsession of mine for over 4 years. I don't see my willingness to write about music diminishing anytime soon.

Hopefully we will be back and better than ever before you know it!

Sincerely
JAX
RockInsider.com

The Feelies "Crazy Rhythms" & "The Good Earth" Re-Issues Out Now

2009-09-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

[MP3] The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms
[MP3] The Feelies - On The Roof

This year has been probably the best year in recent memory for re-issues but none have grabbed my interest as much as Bar/None's release of The Feelies two classic albums "Crazy Rhythms" and "The Good Earth." you bet your ass I ordered these LPs the second they went on pre-sale.

The Feelies recently played "Crazy Rhythms" start to finish at ATP last weekend in NYC. You can watch video of their performance below.

ORDER BOTH ALBUMS FROM BAR/NONE'S WEBSITE.

Ducktails - Landscapes

2009-09-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

There is something deliciously youthful about New Jersey based ambient noise artist Matthew Mondanile aka Ducktails' amazing new album Landscapes. Matthew's raw lo-fi mostly instrumental tracks seem to radiate postive energy and a feel that is decidedly SoCal. The album features loads of delay-riddled guitar, warbled fuzz, and child-like synths.

Landscapes is out now on Old English Spelling Bee. Purchase the LP right here.

Ducktails Interview at Tiny Mixtape.

[MP3] Ducktails - Landscapes

[MP3] Ducktails - Beach Point Pleasant (from self-titled)

Ooh La La! French Music Festival In LA?

2009-09-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

Goldenvoice and KCRW are collaborating on an event that will bring the best french pop to the fine city of Los Angeles. OOH LA LA will feature performances from Sebastien Tellier and Nouvelle Vague. As the president of my high school french club I feel the burning desire to let you know about this event that is sure to be tout à fait le spectacle!

3 Day Passes are available for $65. Details can be found right here!

Wednesday September 23, 2009
Sébastien Tellier
Gonzales
Cocoon

Thursday September 24, 2009
Nouvelle Vague presents Hollywood Mon Amour
Emilie Simon
The Dø

Friday September 25, 2009
Electronic ‘French Party’
Brodinski
The Shoes
Jamaica aka Poney Poney

Hell Ya! At Spaceland This Sunday

2009-09-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'm really bummed I will be out of town This Sunday. Shirley Rolls will be playing a FREE SHOW at Spaceland alongside Absolutely Kosher artist Chris Garneau (plays at 9pm so please get there early!) Last American Buffalo and By Sunlight from Seattle, WA!

Show starts at 9PM and again is ABSOLUTELY FREE!

HELL YA! + SPACELAND PRESENTS
THIS SUNDAY! FREE SHOW! FEATURING:

Performances from

9:15PM – Chris Garneau (BROOKYLYN, NY)
EARLY SET BE SURE TO GET THERE BY 9PM!!!
http://www.myspace.com/chrisgarneau

10PM – Last American Buffalo
http://www.lastamericanbuffalo.com

10:45PM – Shirley Rolls
(Featuring Members of The Voyeurs, The Henry Clay People, and The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra )
http://www.myspace.com/shirleyrolls

11:30 By Sunlight (Seattle WA)
http://www.myspace.com/bysunlight

DANCE PARTY AFTERWARDS!!!!

Doors at 9PM | 21 Yrs + | FREE ADMISSION

AT SPACELAND
1717 N. Silverlake Blvd.

Is It True!?!?!>! IS IT TRUE!?!?!?! Pavement Reuniting?

2009-09-16T11:27:00.001-07:00

The Tripwire, Brooklyn Vegan, Pitchfork, and just about every blog known to man are all report that Pavement will be re-unite next summer playing 4 shows at Central Park's Summerstage.

Already planning my trip to New York bitches.

READ DETAILS BELOW

Pitchfork Article
Brooklyn Vegan Article
The Tripwire Article

VIDEO - Cass McCombs at Bootleg Theater

2009-09-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Cass McCombs

This past Thursday Cass McCombs perfomed live at the Bootleg Theater with Girls. I was on my way to Denver for Monolith and completely missed out!

The fine folks at videothing however have an awesome video of Cass performing "Dream Come True Girl" from the show up. Check it out below

VIDEO: Death To Anders - Camera Lens

2009-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since we've heard from the gentlemen of Death To Anders. The band are still on hiatus but recently released a music video for "Camera Lens" shot by none other than Mr. Simon Cardoza.

Check out the video below!

Death To Anders- Camera Lens from Simon Cardoza on Vimeo.

Sorry Its Been So Long!

2009-09-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the radio silence the past week. Regular blogging will resume on Tuesday when I am back from Denver!

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING THIS SUNDAY

2009-09-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

Monolators, Henry Clay People, SOKO @ Little Radio Summer Camp

If memory serves this is the first show we have played with The Clays since singer Joey Siara substituted on guitar for The Monolators at Detour Fest last year.

DETAILS:

Set Times For FYF Fest This Sarurday at LA Historic State Park

2009-09-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

FYF Fest just announved the set times for their FYF Fest which will go down this Saturday September 5th, 2009 at LA Historic Park featuring performances from No Age, Dillinger Escape Plan, Dan Deacon, Black Lips and more.

Be sure to get there early by 1:45pm to check out Avi Buffalo ;) The band is now offering a new track "Raccoon" up for download on bandcamp. You can set your own price starting at just $1 for Apple Lossless audio. The band going out on tour which Beach House later this month and are trying to raise some funds for tour.

LISTEN TO RACOON ON BANDCAMP

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://avibuffalo.bandcamp.com/track/raccoon"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Raccoon by Avi Buffalo&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

TICKETS TO THE FEST ARE $20 and can be purchased in ADVANCE RIGHT HERE.

Stage 1:
Black Lips: 11:00pm – 11:45pm
No Age: 10:05pm – 10:40pm
Tim & Eric Special Musical Performance: 9:05pm – 9:45pm
F* Up: 7:55pm – 8:40pm
The Strange Boys: 7:05pm – 7:35pm
Times New Viking: 6:15pm – 6:45pm
Dan Deacon: 5:10pm – 5:55pm
Wavves: 4:15pm – 4:45pm
Crystal Antlers: 3:25pm – 3:55pm
Woods: 2:35pm - 3:05pm
Avi Buffalo: 1:45pm – 2:15pm

Stage 2:
Dillinger Escape Plan: 10:35pm – 11:25pm
Converge: 9:30pm – 10:15pm
Torche: 8:25pm – 9:05pm
Lucero: 7:20pm – 8:05pm
The Thermals: 6:15pm – 7:00pm
Mika Miko: 5:20pm – 5:50pm
Carbonas: 4:30pm – 5:00pm
Darker My Love: 3:40pm – 4:10pm
Dios: 2:50pm – 3:20pm
Grabbass Charlestons: 2:00pm – 2:30pm

Stage 3:
Glass Candy: 10:40pm – 11:25pm
Telepathe: 9:50pm – 10:20pm
Cold Cave: 9:00pm – 9:30pm
Peanut Butter Wolf: 8:00pm - 8:40pm
Lightning Bolt: 7:00pm – 7:40pm
Japanther / NinjaSonik: 5:50pm – 6:40pm
Har Mar Superstar: 5:00pm – 5:30pm
Comedy: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Contest Winners: 3:25pm – 3:40pm (Contest posted Tuesday, September 1st)
Nobunny: 2:35pm – 3:05pm
Kurt Vile: 1:55pm – 2:20pm
Eat Skull: 1:30pm – 1:55pm

Video: Ninjasonik - Somebody Gonna Get Pregnant

2009-08-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ninjasonik unveiled a new video this week for their track "Somebody Gonna Get Pregnant." The video features Matt & Kim, The Death Set, members of Heartsrevolution and more. Pretty hilarious vid and song.

Blonde Moment: Crocodiles Play To A Drum Machine?

2009-08-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

[MP3] Crocodiles - I Wanna Kill
[MP3] Graffiti Island - WolfGuy

I went to go see Crocodiles at Spaceland on Thursday night and felt severely jipped to discover that the band plays to a drum machine and bass track. Their live show was good but it certainly lacked a fair deal of punch that a solid rhythm section can offer.

I later learned in my youtube musings that the band ALWYAS play to a drum and bass track. My blondeness rears its ugly head. Watch the interview above with Nylon TV.

Crocodiles "Hollow Hollow Eyes" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

More at Yours Truly.

I really like Crocodiles tunes and think they are definitely a band to watch but feel they lack the ability to get to the next level without a full live band. Get on it dudes.

I also picked up their 4 way tour split 7 inch with Graffiti Island, Dum Dum Girls, and Pens which is out now on Art Fag Recordings. You can buy it online right here.

SIDE NOTE: Graffiti Island were great last night.

SPLIT 7" W/ PENS, GRAFFITI ISLAND, & DUM DUM GIRLS (ART FAG)
OUT NOW

The Bear w/ Live Score By No Age This Sunday At Cinefamily

2009-08-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

No Age To Play Live Score Set at Silent Movie Theatre This Sunday

File this under awesome events. The fine folks at Cinefamily (AKA The Silent Movie Theatre) are continuing their Live Scoring series this Sunday with a showing of The Bear with Live music score courtesy of No Age.

Their will be two showings at 8pm and 10:30, and tickets are available for $15

I highly recommend signing up for their mailing list to learn about future events and showings. They are definitely doing something inventive and awesome.

FROM CINEFAMILY:
L.A.-based, world-renowned experimental noise pop duo No Age will appear live at the Cinefamily to perform their brand-new score for Jean-Jacques Annaud's majestic 1988 film The Bear, a near-wordless cinematic expedition deep into the savagery and tenderness of the animal kingdom. Told from the titular species' point of view, The Bear chronicles the journey of an orphan bear cub and a lone adult bear banding together to avoid two human hunters. Along the way, director Annaud has great fun with the storytelling possibilities from a non-human perspective, including dream sequences and an unforgettable psychdelic mushroom bear trip! With nearly no (human) dialogue, the film easily lends itself to live scoring, and No Age drummer Dean Spunt and guitarist Randy Randall have crafted a shimmering 90-minute set of sonic blasts and delicate textures that perfectly complement the peculiar, touching and altogether unique experience that is The Bear.

Tonight In Los Angeles: PoPo, Os Mutantes, Hecuba, Gang Gang Dance, Ariel Pink

2009-08-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

PoPo (Philadelphia, PA)

[JAX PICK] PoPo @ Discotheque - God I fucking love the PoPo. The Philadelphia, PA natives and resident indie rock band of Mad Decent will be DJing at Discotheque tonight.

Discotheque is a new weekly night happening every Friday at the 740 Club downtown at 740 Broadway. Traditionally nights like these make my skin crawl but the POPO are fabulous and worth the outing.

Be sure to get there before 11pm and make sure you're good and drunk after that.

POPO @ mad decent block party from Christina Acevedo on Vimeo.

ALSO TONIGHT WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Os Mutantes @ The Echoplex

Gang Gang Dance, Ariel Pink @ The Troubadour

Learning Music, Video, Rats @ Pehrspace

Pete Yorn, Juliette Commagere @ Henry Fonda Theater

Blue Jungle, UV Lights, Jungle Peeps, Leash Kids, Okie Dokie @ L'Keg Gallery

The Warlocks, The Morning After Girls, Gliss @ Spaceland

Hecuba, Lucky Dragons, Eats Tapes, Beast Cop @ The Smell

MP3S:
[MP3] Os Mutantes - Anagrama
[MP3] Ariel Pink - The Bottom
[MP3] Gang Gang Dance - First Communion
[MP3] Hecuba - Miles Away
[MP3] Blue Jungle - Slap On The Face
[MP3] PoPo - Feel Good Song Of The Year

The Monolators TOMORROW NIGHT at Silver Factory Studios

2009-08-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Monolators New 12" Remix EP

[MP3] Odd Modern - "We Fell Dead (Vanina's Fancy Remix)"
(courtesy of la-underground.net)

Just a reminder THE MONOLATORS will be celebrating the release of the newet addition to their vinyl family TOMORROW NIGHT AT SILVER FACTORY STUDIOS.

So what's the newest arrival? A limited edition 12" remix EP for "We Fell Dead" featuring a cover by boxViolet and remixes by Odd Modern, The Sweet Hurt, and Boy Without Orange.

The record will be available on iTUNES and select Vinyl stores (think Origami Vinyl, Vacation Vinyl and the like) next Tuesday September 1st. TOMORROW NIGHT'S SHOW WILL FEATURE: Performances from Odd Modern and boxViolet as well as DJ sets by Boy Without Orange.

The 12" EP is being released on la-underground's own Los Angeles Loves Records.
We here at Rock Insider are huge supporters of any and all LA music blogs who start labels. Believe it or not LA Record (White Noise), Aquarium Drunkard (Autumn Tone), and of course this very site (JAXART) all have their own labels. We're just waiting on CGT and RFSL to get in the game ;)

la-underground in association with Los Angeles Loves Records presents:

We All Fell Dead 12" record release
featuring performances by...

THE MONOLATORS
BOXVIOLET
ODD MODERN
DJ BOY WITHOUT ORANGE

Silver Factory Studios
915 Mateo Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021 | Map
21+ / 10pm / $5 guestlist RSVP only

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to recent vandalism, Silver Factory Studios is now a private gated venue. You MUST RSVP to attend this show or you will not be allowed entrance. Sorry for the inconvenience this may cause (we hate guestlists too). Message any of the bands or us to get on the list. It's only $5.

IMPORTANT SIDENOTE: Anyone caught vandalizing during this show will be shot on sight.

IMPORTANT SIDENOTE TO SIDENOTE: Silver Factory Studios is an afterhours venue. The trick is to wake up early Saturday morning. Take a long nap Saturday afternoon. Go to all the early shows you want to Saturday evening. Then come by around 10pm and hang all night at one of the best new venues in L.A.

The Raincoats Re-issue Out Oct 13th On Kill Rock Stars

2009-08-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed our excitement yesterday when we discovered that legendary all female UK post-punk band The Raincoats were named as one of the headliners at the upcoming Part Time Punks Festival hitting the Echo/Echoplex on Oct. 11th.

I was first introduced to the band at the ripe old age of 11 thanks to the liner notes of Nirvana's Incesticide. I became thoroughly obsessed again around 15 thanks to 10 Things I Hate About You (Thank you Julia Stiles).

The band's seminal first album originally released in 1979 is being re-released October 13th via Kill Rock Stars. It is an absolute MUST HAVE.

This will be The Raincoats first time on the west coast EVER. AS IN EVVVVAHHHHHH. If you go to Part Time Punks Fest and don't see this band you will be skinned alive.

[MP3] The Raincoats - Lola (Kinks Cover)

TRACKLISTING:

Side A

"No Side to Fall In" – 1:46
"Adventures Close to Home" – 1:52
"Off Duty Trip" – 3:14
"Black and White" – 2:28
"Lola" (Ray Davies) – 4:01

Side B

"The Void" – 3:51
"Life on the Line" – 4:21 (Lyrics by Ross Crighton and The Raincoats)
"You're a Million" – 3:32
"In Love" – 3:11
"No Looking" – 3:16 (Lyrics translated and adapted by The Raincoats from a poem by Jacques Prévert)

tour dates

October 2009
09 -- San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine -- Part Time Punks mini-fest Tickets
11 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex -- Part Time Punks mini-fest Tickets
13 -- Portland, OR @ Holocene -- w/ Explode Into Colors, Panther Tickets
16 -- New York, NY @ Knitting Factory -- Tickets

Fairytale in the Supermarket

Part Time Punks Fest Lineup Announced!

2009-08-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

The initial lineup for the 2nd annual Part Time Punks Fest has been announced. The event will take place on October 11th at The Echo/Echoplex and will feature performances from The Raincoats (OMG!!!!!), Abe Vigoda, Crystal Stilts, and more. More performers to be announced soon! Lineup can be found below.

PART TIME PUNKS
2ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL.
Buy Advanced Tix
(first 100 are $20/each)
CONFIRMED SO FAR:
(MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!)
THE RAINCOATS
SECTION 25 (Factory Records)
MEDIUM MEDIUM
THE JAZZ BUTCHER
CRYSTAL STILTS
ABE VIGODA
KID CONGO POWERS
FOR AGAINST
SAVAGE REPUBLIC
THE INTELLIGENCE
VIV ALBERTINE [ex-SLITS]
WEAVE
+ guest DJs +
GANG OF FOUR members Hugo Burnham & Dave Allen
DAN SELZER (ACUTE RECORDS)
(MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!)

TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES: Franz Ferdinand, Crocodiles, Conor Oberst, Matt & Kim, Best Coast, Kurt Vile, Woods

2009-08-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Best Coast (Los Angeles, CA)

[JAX PICK] Woods, Best Coast, Garbaj Kaetz, La Fog, TEARIST @ Echo Curio - $5

Best Coast is the new project of Bethany formerly of Pocahaunted and the multi-talented Bobb Bruno. Their droney lo-fi surf and 60s pop influenced tunes are the perfect fit for a summer night. Download "Something In The Way" below to see what I mean.

Tonight they will be playing with Brooklyn psychedelic darlings Woods and experimental art punks Tearist at Echo Curio in what is sure to be a show Pitchfork staffers will say they were like "totally at" back in the day. Don't be left out or just tell people you were there in a few months when all these bands get huge.

ALSO TONIGHT WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Crocodiles, PENS , Graffiti Island @ Spaceland

Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band, Dungen, Kurt Vile @ The Echoplex

Deerhunter @ Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa

Franz Ferdinand @ Palladium

Matt & Kim, Amanda Blank @ The El Rey

MP3S:
[MP3] Best Coast - Something In The Way
[MP3] Crocodiles - I Wanna Kill
[MP3] Deerhunter - Rainwater Cassette Exchange
[MP3] Kurt Vile - Freeway

TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES: Music Go Music, The Dead Weather, Deerhunter, Kurt Vile, Woods

2009-08-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

Music Go Music (Los Angeles, CA)

[JAX PICK] Music Go Music, Rainbow Arabia, Tommy Santee Klaws @ Bordello

Music Go Music will play their first show EVER tonight at Bordello backed up by the stellar lineup of Rainbow Arabia and Tommy Santee Klaws - someone we've been meaning to feature on this fair site for quite sometime.

Music Go Music's ethereal ABBA inspired tunes will be released on Secretly Canadian on October 6th.

ALSO WORTH CHECKING OUT:

The Dead Weather @ The Regent Theater - NOON - FREE SHOW

Deerhunter, Extra Golden, Blank Blue @ Eagle Rock Center For The Arts

The Dead Weather @ The Mayan, Downtown LA

Peanut Butter Wolf @ Amoeba Hollywood - 1PM - FREE

Fruit Bats, Death Vessel @ Spaceland

Dawes, Michael Davis, Andrew Lynch @ The Echo - FREE

Dungen, Woods, Kurt Vile @ The Troubadour

MP3S

[MP3] Music Go Music - Warm In The Shadows

M.I.A. Secret Show In LA TOMORROW NIGHT!

2009-08-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

M.I.A. will also performing a secret show at an undisclosed downtown tomorrow night. Tickets go on sale TODAY at Turntable Lab at 1pm for $25. Get all the details right here.

TONIGHT IN LA: The Dead Weather, Green Day, Lee "Scratch " Perry,

2009-08-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Dead Weather (Nashville, TN)

[JAX PICK] The Dead Weather @ The Wiltern

Sorry about the radio silence yesterday. Been working like a crazy person it seems like.

Tonight there is a bevy of amazing shows going down in Southern California tonight but the one sure to cause the most stir (sorry Green Day) will be The Dead Weather - Jack White's new little pet project Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) and Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs) will be performing at The Wiltern this evening.

Their debut album "Horehound" was released on Jack White's own Third Man Records back in July.

ALSO WORTH CHECKING OUT:

John Vanderslice @ Origami Vinyl 7PM - FREE

Green Day, Franz Ferdinand @ The Forum

The Shys, Army Navy, Eastern Conference Champions, Radio Frequency @ The Troubadour - Great little lineup at the Troubie tonight.

Lee "Scratch" Perry @ The Key Club

The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Friendly Fires (DJ Set) @ Cinespace

The Terrapin, Last Legs, Merry Christmas @ The Echo - FREE

Mellowdrone @ Spaceland

MP3S:
[MP3] The Dead Weather - Cut Like A Buffalo
[MP3] The Phenomenal Handclap Band - Baby
[MP3] Lee "Scratch" Perry - Pussy Man
[MP3] Mellowdrone - Elephant