BLOOD BUDDIES at 5676 York Blvd

The other night, after the Street Eaters set, a local band called Blood Buddies played. At first I thought people were saying the Blood Brothers were playing. My immediate reaction was, Yuck, who still wants to listen to screamo shit in this day and age? Fortunately, it was Blood Buddies and not Blood Brothers. As Blood Buddies are a far better band, or actually duo. Featuring members of Swallowing Swords, and Touch Me Satan, their sound is definitely hard rock that goes over into punk territory. I thought they were pretty good, and they have a three song demo I'm listening to quite a bit these days. For more information go here.
And now, here's some photos...

STREET EATERS at 5676 York Blvd

The name Street Eaters had worked its way into my mind a while back. No idea how it got there. Then sometime later I heard a song from them on a Maximum Rocknroll podcast and became hooked. So, when I found out they were playing here in town, I jumped at the chance to see them. And it was better than I had expected. Tuneful punk/post punk type stuff delivered by two people who fill the room with their sound. Not to mention they have a great stage presence. They have a new LP out on Bakery Outlet called "Rusty Eyes and Hydrocarbons" that I recommend picking up.
 Here's but a few photos from the show...

ZINE UPDATE AND ODDS & ENDS...

Alright, working on the print version at the moment. Should be interesting, and it's definitely diverse in its coverage. Interviews include Total Abuse, Glass Candy, Secret Society of the Sonic Six, Gary Panter, Timebombs, and more. Check back at least by the end of this month for an update.

Went to the Timebombs / Dry Rot / Nomos / The Men show at the Unity Church in Long Beach last weekend. Awesome night the whole way through. Best hardcore show I've been to in some time. The whole line up was solid.

Cülo, and the School Jerks are coming through California in February. I hope to attend a couple of their shows. I hear the Fullerton show should be amazing. More details will be posted as I get them.

Within the next week I'll post my top records of the past year. Nothing to lose sleep over, but you know...

WITCHAVEN / GOATRIPPER free show

WITCHAVEN and GOATRIPPER (half of SUMMERIAN AXE) are playing a free show at Bert's Place in South Gate on November 6th. See the flyer below for the gruesome details.

Shows in the next week...

Alright, here's what I know of happening show wise this coming week. 

On Wednesday, October 13, 2010, IRRITONES, from France are playing in Los Angeles at the Redwood Bar. I've posted their tour dates below. I have their LP, "Negative Dots" on P.Trash, and it's a ripper. If you like straight up punk rock with attitude, then by all means come out to the show.  

And later, this coming weekend VITAMIN X are playing Los Angeles, Long Beach and Fullerton. In order of appearance here's the dates and venues:

October 15th, @ the Unity Church, 335 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 

Doors open at 5pm, $10 and all-ages.

October 16th, @ the Blvd, 2631 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 

October 17th @ the Riff Haus, 1150 E Valencia Dr, Fullerton, CA 

Doors at 7pm, $10, all-ages

RECORD SWAP THIS OCTOBER. FREE!!!!

Free record swap on October 24, from 4pm to 8pm.  Check out the image below for further details. 

I'm selling stuff there as well, so come on down and see if there's anything you want. Looking for the first press of Neanderthal? Original press of the Rain 12"? Happy Go Licky? I'll have those as well as tons more.

SOCIAL UNREST in Los Angeles

As promised in the past week or so, here's the Social Unrest photos from their recent show at the Blvd. Along with Code of Honor, Sick Pleasure, Christ On Parade, and Neurosis, Social Unrest is definitely one of my favorite Bay Area bands, and definitely one of my all time favorite punk/hardcore bands. I like the entire catalog. And every time I listen to their first EP, "Making Room For Youth" it gives me the same charge it did as the first time. 

BROKEN NEEDLE

Here's a few photos from Broken Needle opening for Social Unrest (I'll post photos of them in the next week) at the Blvd on August 21, 2010.
If you're interested, Broken Needle still have a few copies of their Japanese tour CD (which comes with a gigantic bandana) available. Hit them up on myspace, or at a show.

TOTAL ABUSE touches Los Angeles

Cut me some slack here. It's been a busy past couple weeks and my mind is like toast at the moment. Meant to pen a more indepth entry, but this is going to have to do for now. Otherwise it's going to be a longer wait. Total Abuse came and ripped it up in Los Angeles recently with two shows in one night! First was at the Smell, the second was at Club Ding-a-ling. I caught both shows and my summer is now better for it. If you haven't already, pick up their new album, "Mutt" on PPM. It's by far their best record yet. Noisier and more intense than before.

There will be a full interview in the upcoming print issue. Stay tuned...

SECRET SOCIETY OF THE SONIC SIX from the archives

Here's a photo of the SECRET SOCIETY OF THE SONIC SIX back stage at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles. I believe this was their first time playing there. There will be a lengthy interview with these folks in the print issue, due out later this summer. early fall.

WHITE LUNG @ Wooly Blvd

Went to see White Lung at Wooly Blvd here in Los Angeles last night. I had never heard of this place before, so I was a little skeptical. Turns out it's actually a decent place for shows. Apparently during the day it's a mime school. At night it transforms into a open space that reminded friends and I of the Smell from a few years back.

The opening bands were nothing special, and I didn't bother to get their names. White Lung set up and blasted through a quick set and left the stage just as fast. More bands need to follow their example. I posted their set list, so you can see what they played. 

Also, picked up their LP, "It's The Evil", released on Deranged Records, which is on the turntable at the moment. Pretty true to their live sound. I'll post a review of it later this week

BLACK COBRA @ 3 of Clubs in Los Angeles

I had been hearing about this duo for some time now, but never had the chance to catch them live until this past March when they played at the Relax Bar, and destroyed. So when they came back through earlier this month (June) playing a free show at 3 of Clubs with -16- it was a no brainer. Absolute must attend show. Their albums are decent, but have yet to capture the sonic intensity of their live shows. Easily one of my favorite live bands going at the moment.

HENRY ROLLINS interview

Here's a short interview with Henry Rollins I conducted through the email a while back. This was intended for another zine I was working on, but never came out for various reasons. So, instead of letting it rot in a digital deadzone, I'm posting it here.

From following your work over the years, I've noticed a change that's occurred in about the past 8 to 9 years. At one time you projected this image of being solitary and focused inward. Now you seem to be more concerned with politics, the human condition and the world in general. As well as being able to laugh at yourself more. What instigated this change?

Rollins: I am, for the most part, focused inward and solitary. Over the last several years, with the travel I have been able to do, I have seen a lot. I willfully put myself in unfamiliar places to learn a thing or two. These travels have expanded my world view and made me understand some things about how America does business. I can’t ignore that. Also, with age, for some, comes other concerns. I have always laughed at myself, many people just never bothered to note it.

Where does your work ethic come from? Why the need to keep yourself busy?

R: It’s how my parents were so that’s a factor. I know I am fortunate to have this opportunity and want to do right by it and the mediocre always go home. There’s always the opportunity to be so-so if you want. Also, I really have nothing else in life that interests me. I don’t want to sit on the porch. I am too angry.

Is there any person in particular who has made a large impact on your life? If so, in what way?

R: My friend Ian MacKaye. I have learned a lot from him and continue to do so. We live very differently but we have a lot of the same values. I think he goes about things in the right way. Me not always so much, so I always see what he’s up to.

From Black Flag on, you have come under an unbelievable amount of criticism. Why is?

R: think you do what you do and others may choose to not like it. I think it’s all fair for the most part. I do what I want. Life is short. If someone has a problem with me for doing what I do, then they should tell a friend and pass it on. It keeps democracy strong. That is to say, I don’t care.

What instrument do you listen to when you sing? Example, some vocalists listen to the drums, or the bass, etc.

R: Drums.

You had a great record label with Rick Rubin, Infinite Zero that reissued Gang Of Four, The Contortions, etc. What happened with that?

R: Rubin moved to Columbia and the corporate gods of Warner Bros. dropped the label.

Where do you see the future of the music business going?

R: I honestly have no idea. I don’t pay attention to that aspect of it and it really doesn’t interest me.

Is there any record in particular that was 'life changing', so to speak? That once you listened to it nothing was the same.

R: "Fun House" by The Stooges.

What record in your collection is the rarest?

R: I would rather not say.

If there was a fire at your place and you had time to grab 10 records, which would they be?

R:
UK Subs – Brand New Age
Damned – Black Album
Rites Of Spring – Rites of Spring
Buzzcocks – Another Music In A Different Kitchen
The Ruts – The Crack
The Clash – The Clash
I don’t know what else to put. There’s a many records I admire very much but can’t play too often because of their density, Hendrix, Coltrane, stuff like that. It’s great but a heavy place to visit. The incomplete list are records I can play any time for the most part.

If a record is mediocre, but rare, do you think it's worth adding to your collection?

R: I tend to let the ones I don’t care about too much go no matter what they’re worth but I really have to not like that record. If it has any redeeming qualities, I tend to hold onto them.

When collecting punk records, is there any particular era, or country that you think put out the best stuff?

R: I think the UK stuff 77 to 78 is very good.

What's the one record you are looking for, but have yet to find?

R: At this point, I am down to acetates and test pressings.

When I saw you at McCabe's in Santa Monica a couple years back you mentioned that you like to read heavy and dense books on tour. What are you reading currently?

R: I am re-reading "The Sorrows of Empire" by Chalmers Johnson. It might not be all that dense to many but books like that take me awhile to get through as I really try to get something out of them.

Do you ever wake up in morning and think, "fuck yeah, I was in Black Flag!"? Seriously.

R: No. It was a long time ago and there are not many fond memories of those times for me.

What is the most valuable life lesson you have learned so far?
R I am on my own.