SEPULVEDA PASS — A fast moving brush fire has forced the evacuation of thousands of people from the world famous Getty Center art complex in the Sepulveda pass.

The fire has burned between 30 and 40 acres of dry brush at Getty Center Drive above Sunset Boulevard west of the 405 freeway, according to Los Angeles City fire spokesman Eric Scott.

Sepulveda Boulevard has been closed between Sunset Boulevard and Mulholland Drive, near the Skirball Center due to the fire.

Some 800 staff members and several thousand visitors have been evacuated from the Getty Center, according to Getty spokesman Ron Hartwig.

» Brush Fire Forces Evacuation of Getty Center (KTLA)

BH: I was born in the McArthur park area.

TW: You remember when they drained McArthur Park, the lake?

BH: I do, yeah…

TW: They found unbelievable things: Cars, human bones, weaponry.

BH: They should have done an exhibit.

TW: I don’t know why they didn’t. I thought that’s why they drained it.

BH: I’d always heard that when they drained the Echo Park Lake they found an amateur submarine.

TW: Oh, my God.

BH: I don’t know if that was lore.

TW: You mean a homemade submarine?

BH: Yeah, I think it was older too, from the early days of “home submarine building.” I don’t know if that subculture still exists?

TW: That was the East Kids. (source)

Two guys just sort of shooting the shit, causal-like. They go on to further discuss the origins of Beverly Hills, Red Cars, lightning bolts, the quintessential “LA Song” and all kinds of interesting junk. Best go check it out yourself. (Photo: Beck @ Outside Lands 2008 by Sung)

» Tom Waits x Beck Hansen, Part 1 (Beck.com)

In LA we’ll be at The Wiltern, The Henry Fonda, The Palladium and The Echoplex. These should be cool, unusual and unique shows and I hope you come out – this is it.So far, The Horrors will be joining us for some shows in NYC, Mew will be with us at other shows in NYC, Chicago and LA, and perhaps more.Details and ticket info will be announced shortly, so check back.Thanks,Trent (source)

No mention of The Smell (opening for Mika Miko), Hotel Cafe, Mint, Knitting Factory (AlterKnit Lounge), Pehrspace, Machine Project Gallery, Betalevel, Air Conditioned Lounge, Avalon, La Cita, El Cid, O’Brien’s on Main Street, 769 N Gower, Silverlake Lounge, Echo Curio, Good Hurt, Santa Monica Bar and Grill, Margarita Bar, Food Court, Tom Bradley International Terminal, LAX, Zanzibar or UnUrban Cafe just yet. Keep fingers cross’t.

Hang on – two girls from the UCB who call themselves Garfunkel and Oates are opening for John Oates in Agoura? How exactly did this happen again? In Oates’ own words:

They are amazing. I’ve seen them on the web, but never seen them live. We have a little surprise planned…

I discovered them on the web, emailed them, and said, “Hey, you guys are amazing! I’m going to play the Canyon Club, do you want to come out and open for me?

We’ll have an extended conversation with solo artist John Oates, one half of the bestselling rock duo Hall and Oates, hitting the site this week. Stick around.

» John Oates’ 1000 Miles of Life is out now
» Garfunkel and Oates (official site)

I’ve seen plenty of puzzling billboards and advertising in LA. They’re usually viral marketing of some sort for an upcoming film. This one has me truly stumped, though.

Tara Lipinski (looking somewhat like a cross between Shakira and Shawn Johnson in this one) looms stories high above the 10 freeway sans any sort of Dodger t-shirt, cap or giant foam finger on a Dodgertown billboard stating “This is my town”. A pair of ice skates is thrown in for good measure, because…you know… LA is an ice skating kind of town.

Last I checked, Tara was born in Philly, grew up in New Jersey and Texas and finally moved to Detroit where she trained for the Olympics.

This seems like an image more suited for a Wheaties box 10 years ago than a Dodgers billboard. I’m grasping at straws trying to come up with a connection. A quick survey of friends, family and RYAN yielded these equally unlikely guesses and cynical replies:

• She’s dating a player
• Michelle Kwan who SHOULD have been on the billboard wouldn’t do it
• It makes no sense
• They’re trying to get more Dodger Fans to skate in Pershing Square
• Tonya Harding’s next
• They had to cover up the Manny billboard and this was the only celebrity photo available on a Creative Commons license. The skates were clip art.
• She wrote a column for the LA Times about Ice Skating so of course it makes sense that she’s on a Dodgers billboard.
• She threw out the ceremonial pitch at a Dodgers game in 2007 so of course she should be on a Dodgers billboard (along with Anil Kapur, the fire chief of Pasadena and Adam Carolla).
• Her agent has some filthy photos of Frank McCourt.

Elfman will bring all three classics to American Cinematheque at the Egyptian this month. Modern Vampires (”Uncut and fucking scandalous!” in the director’s own words) and Shrunken Heads Friday; Forbidden Zone (we talked about this one last year) on Saturday.

Don’t miss either night! Friday he’ll be there in person with Matthew Bright, Casper Van Dien and more; Saturday he’ll return with more guests. We’ll be talking to Richard about a couple of his films this week; stick around, but do purchase your tickets soon. (Fandango: Friday | Saturday)

Dusty Rhodes and The River Band
w/ These United States and Olin & The Moon
Thursday, July 9
Echoplex
Info
 
 

The Hold Steady
w/ El Bronx at
Tuesday, July 7
El Rey Theatre
Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
 

Andrew Bird
w/ Ra Ra Riot & Heartless Bastards
Friday, July 10
Greek Theater
Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
 

The Dan Band
as seen in Old School and The Hangover
Saturday, July 11
Club Nokia
Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
 

WEDNESDAY
Bert Jansch @ Largo (Cancelled)
Dirty Projectors @ Troubadour
Sergio Mendes, Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez @ Hollywood Bowl
Ty Segall w/ Mika Miko, Charlie and the Moonhearts & Shark Toys @ The Smell

THURSDAY
Ace Enders & A Million Different People with Person L / The Gay Blades / The Dangerous Summer / Bleu @ Knitting Factory
Dusty Rhodes and The River Band with These United States and Olin & The Moon @ Echoplex
Everest w/ Red Cortez @ Hammer Museum
Old 97’s w/ Rhett Miller and Murry Hammond solo @ Henry Fonda
Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3 (Performing Dream Syndicate’s Medicine Show LP)
You And Me And Iowa w/ The Damselles @ Hotel Cafe

FRIDAY
Andrew Bird w/ Ra Ra Riot & Heartless Bastards @ Greek Theatre
Sara Lov @ The Mint
Scarub & Eligh, Sleep, Destruct, Equalknox, Alter Egos, more @ Knitting Factory
The Rural Alberta Advantage @ The Echo

SATURDAY
Beyonce @ Honda Center
Copeland @ Hotel Cafe
Duran Duran @ Pacific Amphitheatre
Nightmare of You featuring Plushgun / Brian Bonz @ Knitting Factory
Rise Against w/ Rancid & Billy Talent @ The Forum
The Dan Band @ Club Nokia
Tortoise @ Troubadour

SUNDAY
Michelle Shocked, Bernie Pearl, Roy Zimmerman, Sheila Nicholls, S. Pearl Sharp, Conjunto Los Pochos, Get Lit players, S.H.I.N.E. Mawusi drummers @ 939 San Vicente Boulevard (at Larkin Place) in Santa Monica (Ash Grove Summer Intra-National Event)
Ray LaMontagne with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Jenny Lewis, Blitzen Trapper @ Hollywood Bowl

1) Animal Collective – “My Girls”

Is it cool this week to like or not like this album? Dunno it’s hard to keep up. Live, I enjoy “Lion in a Coma” the most, but on the album this ode to the familial unit gets my vote. It’s the drums that make the song for me. (photos)

2) Antony & The Johnsons – “Dust and Water”

One of those songs that is probably best first listened to without trying to make out the lyrics. Still feel bad for Antony having to fry in the Coachella sun this year. (photos)

3) Camera Obscura – “My Maudlin Career”

I never bought their stoic image, especially after the last album Let’s Get Out of This Country. This song, despite its title, is another uptempo tune from the post-twee Glaswegians. (photos)

4) Clues – Remember “Severed Head”

Every element of this song seems recognizable from various indie hits of yore. It just adds another layer of meaning to the band’s name.

5) Dirty Projectors – “Temecula Sunrise”

Dave Longstreth has been my favorite guitarist for the past couple of years. This is one of the songs that best showcases his fretwork. (photos by Carlie!)

6) Bob Dylan – “Life Is Hard”

Dylan’s voice for the last twenty years or so has been the epitome of the term ‘weathered’. This song seems to have all of his different vocal incarnations sometimes in the same verse.

7) Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks”

Like “My Girls”, this is another obvious song on another obvious album. It must be obviously good. (photos)

8 ) The Maccabees – “Love You Better”

If the music on this song and others on the album remind you of Arcade Fire it’s because the producer Markus Dravs also worked on Neon Bible. My favorite young British band. (photos)

9) Phoenix – “Liztomania”

I know you have to filter out the ridiculous from blog commentary, but it’s hard for me to ignore people saying that Pheonix is this year’s Vampire Weekend. They’ve been around for ten years for chrissakes.

10) Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Hysteric”

The beginning of this song sounds unassured. Then the lyrics reveal the song’s subject, the vulnerability of falling in love, with Karen O eventually dropping her cool gloves to proclaim, “You suddenly complete me.” (photos)

CONGRATULATIONS to Joey Chestnut, who downed an unprecedented 68 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in 10 minutes at noon EST today, the fourth of July, at the corner of Surf and Stillwell on Coney Island, setting a new world record and keeping the Mustard Belt right here at home WHERE IT BELONGS. Fellow USA gurgitator and wig-and-vintage-ruffle-shirt-clad daytime chef Pat Bertoletti also showed remarkable prowess, downing some 55 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Dog Count: The Top Three
Joey Chestnut…………………68
Takeru Kobayashi…………..64.5
Pat Bertoletti………………….55

Chestnut told ESPN that he plans to eat a Cobb salad with ranch dressing for dinner this evening, offering further proof that the USA can and will eat more than any other country. Never forget that. Happy 4th!

DID YOU KNOW?
Ryan is no stranger to the IFOCE judging process, having witnessed and judged a popcorn-eating contest and a chili-cheese-fry eating contest for George Shea and the IFOCE at various points in his shady past.

I just love the fact that we celebrate the birth of the good ol’ USA by exploding colorful things made in China! Don’t YOU!!!

What are your 4th of July traditions???

Here’s to Chinese fireworks, the USA’s 233rd Birthday and YOU!

Visit Charles’ site or join his Slide of the Week Mailing List.

Eulogies, Bad Veins & Avi Buffalo @ The Echo Wed 7/1

Tonight’s Eulogies / Bad Veins / Avi Buffalo show at The Echo has become a benefit show for the Pablove Foundation.

The Pablove Foundation was named for Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz, the son of Dangerbird Records co-founder Jeff Castelaz and his wife Jo Ann Thrailkill. Sadly, six-year-old Pablo passed away Saturday, June 27 after a 13-month battle with cancer.

For more information about the Foundation, please visit pablove.org or getwellpablo.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Windows | Mac

Fun stuff. Now I get to hit the (digi) decks and switch between Donna Summer, Jimmy Somerville and Inara, seamlessly, while all the booties in the house are shaking madly.

Radio Dance Floor EP tracklisting:
“I Feel Love (Full Length)” 5:00
“I Feel Love (Radio Edit)” 3:34
“Clipped Wings Secret Circuit’s Cosmic Clip Mixx” (Full Length)” 8:25
“Clipped Wings Secret Circuit’s Cosmic Clip Mixx” (Radio Edit)” 5:26

THEIRSPACE
Dengue Fever | Inara George

Death Cab For Cutie w/ The LA Phil
The New Pornographers
and Tegan & Sara
Sunday, July 5
Info | [ENTER TO WIN]
*Include a daytime mailing address
 

Yes
& Asia
Tuesday, July 7
Gibson Amphitheatre
Info
[ENTER TO WIN]
 

Ingrid Michaelson @ Troubadour Wed 10/7
Phoenix w/ Metric @ Greek Theatre Wed 9/16
Frightened Rabbit, Twilight Sad, We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Knitting Factory Sun 9/20
Tracy Chapman @ The Wiltern Thu 8/20
Paolo Nutini @ The Wiltern Fri 9/11
Snow Patrol @ The Wiltern Tue 10/20
Pete Yorn @ Henry Fonda Fri 8/28
Pete Yorn @ Henry Fonda Thu 8/27
Whodini, Naughty by Nature, 2 Live Crew, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick @ Nokia Theater (Fresh Fest) Sat 8/15
Meat Puppets w/ Dead Confederate @ El Rey Fri 9/18
Sunny Day Real Estate @ Henry Fonda Sun 10/11
The Pogues @ Club Nokia Sat 10/17
The Psychedelic Furs & Happy Mondays w/ Amusement Parks on Fire @ Club Nokia Fri 9/18
Jedi Mind Tricks w/ MC Esoteric & Reef the Lost Cause @ El Rey Thu 8/20
Scarub & Eligh, Sleep, Destruct, Equalknox, Alter Egos, more @ Knitting Factory Fri 7/10
Flaming Lips @ Fox Theater, Pomona (On-sale TBD) Tue 8/18
Davíd Garza @ The Mint Wed 7/22
Brian Eno @ CSULB University Art Museum (art + lecture) Sun 9/20
Chickenfoot (Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, Chad Smith) @ Gibson Amphitheatre Sun 9/27
Sonic Youth @ The Wiltern Tue 9/29
Flaming Lips @ Greek Theatre Mon 8/17
 

TUESDAY
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood @ Hollywood Bowl
Leslie and the Badgers w/ Chapin Sisters, Ollin and the Moon & Eagle Winged Palace @ Spaceland

WEDNESDAY
Bill Callahan @ Troubadour (formerly Smog)
Eulogies @ The Echo
Fitz & The Tantrums @ Spaceland
Stone Temple Pilots @ House of Blues (St. Jude Rock ‘N Roll Hope Show )

THURSDAY
Amazing Baby w/ Dazzler @ Hammer Museum
Citay @ Silverlake Lounge
Kick out the Clots: A Benefit for Jennifer Tefft with She Wants Revenge & Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (special acoustic performance) & L.A.Ladies Choir, Great Northern & more TBA @ Echoplex

FRIDAY
Emilie Simon @ The Levitt Pavilion, Pasadena
Jay-Z w/ Ciara @ Pearl Theater at Palms Hotel (Bonus Losanjealous 4th of July Weekend in Vegas Pick)

SATURDAY
Deer Tick w/ Dawes @ Spaceland
Jay-Z w/ Ciara @ Pearl Theater at Palms Hotel (Bonus Losanjealous 4th of July Weekend in Vegas Pick)

SUNDAY
Death Cab for Cutie, New Pornographers, Tegan and Sara @ Hollywood Bowl
The Coathangers w/ Bipolar Bear & Goldiggers @ The Smell
Yes & Asia @ House of Blues Anaheim

Explosions In The Sky
Official site| MySpace