This weekend is Sunset Junction, when I have to fight with guards to cross the street for bagels or something and fight people off who are trying to squeeze their Escalade into the red zone in front of my house that fits a Mini.
And I also get to walk around to eat lots of junk food, see plenty of bands, be tempted by rickety carnival rides, and drink in public with friends.
It's pricey and parking is a bitch, but it's fun. Stop by! But please - don't drop your empties in my lawn.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Anything But Standard
Today, Raquel took me to the pool.
Pools are a dime a dozen in LA. Lots of apartment buildings have them, families invest in them... but rarely are they all that nice. Sometimes you can crash a hotel pool, without having to be a guest, but lots of swankier places have clued into this and started having pool parties where drinks cost too much, people are too beautiful, and lounge chairs come at a price.
Oddly, one of the swankiest places on the Strip didn't do that to our little gang of ruffians on a sizzling Wednesday afternoon. We went to The Standard, which is one of those" places that occasionally winds up in a tabloid or gossip blog. I'd been there for a pool date once before, when a friend was staying there. he held me a poolside seat alongside 3 girls, the 4th of which assumed my seat was actually hers. Of course, much cattiness ensued. I chose to ignore the nasty comments coming from the pool area and occasional directioned kick splashes for a while, but eventually got tired of the extreme lameness and bailed.
So I wasn't feeling terribly comfortable about this particular outing, but hoped that the fact that it was midweek would help, and we could relieve our overheated selves. We were about 10 people strong, and there was safety in numbers as we took over a corner of the grounds, did plenty of pool floating, sandwich munching, cocktail drinking, and laughing. The wait staff was having fun with us, and it turned out to be a lovely day in LA.
Who'd a thought it?
Pools are a dime a dozen in LA. Lots of apartment buildings have them, families invest in them... but rarely are they all that nice. Sometimes you can crash a hotel pool, without having to be a guest, but lots of swankier places have clued into this and started having pool parties where drinks cost too much, people are too beautiful, and lounge chairs come at a price.
Oddly, one of the swankiest places on the Strip didn't do that to our little gang of ruffians on a sizzling Wednesday afternoon. We went to The Standard, which is one of those" places that occasionally winds up in a tabloid or gossip blog. I'd been there for a pool date once before, when a friend was staying there. he held me a poolside seat alongside 3 girls, the 4th of which assumed my seat was actually hers. Of course, much cattiness ensued. I chose to ignore the nasty comments coming from the pool area and occasional directioned kick splashes for a while, but eventually got tired of the extreme lameness and bailed.
So I wasn't feeling terribly comfortable about this particular outing, but hoped that the fact that it was midweek would help, and we could relieve our overheated selves. We were about 10 people strong, and there was safety in numbers as we took over a corner of the grounds, did plenty of pool floating, sandwich munching, cocktail drinking, and laughing. The wait staff was having fun with us, and it turned out to be a lovely day in LA.
Who'd a thought it?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Geriatric Rock
Sooooo... last week I went to see some art. It was an exhibit called...
"Golden Gals Gone Wild!"
It seems a few years ago, the curator of this show bought a painting of Bea Arthur, topless. She fell so completely in lust with this painting that she thought it would be great to get some of her artist friends together and throw this show where all of the art consisted of sexually explicit images of those famous female retirees, the Golden Girls.
To say the idea took off would be kind of an understatement...
The opening for the show was last Friday. I went with some friends of the curator and a couple of the artists. We arrived when the go-go dancers hit the floor - girls in lingerie with papermachie heads representing each of the ladies in question.
The art was nasty and awesome. Rue McClanahan in a portrait of condoms and bubblegum. Betty White in bondage. And more than one topless Bea Arthur, besides the inspirational image (which was for sale at a cost of "Change Your Life Money!").
It's showing in Hollywood till the end of the month, and if you're in the neighborhood, you should check it out. You'll never see old folks in quite the same way again...
"Golden Gals Gone Wild!"
It seems a few years ago, the curator of this show bought a painting of Bea Arthur, topless. She fell so completely in lust with this painting that she thought it would be great to get some of her artist friends together and throw this show where all of the art consisted of sexually explicit images of those famous female retirees, the Golden Girls.
To say the idea took off would be kind of an understatement...
The opening for the show was last Friday. I went with some friends of the curator and a couple of the artists. We arrived when the go-go dancers hit the floor - girls in lingerie with papermachie heads representing each of the ladies in question.
The art was nasty and awesome. Rue McClanahan in a portrait of condoms and bubblegum. Betty White in bondage. And more than one topless Bea Arthur, besides the inspirational image (which was for sale at a cost of "Change Your Life Money!").
It's showing in Hollywood till the end of the month, and if you're in the neighborhood, you should check it out. You'll never see old folks in quite the same way again...
Saturday, August 11, 2007
And Now, Before the Break...
Little Radio will be taking next week off, and then I'll be outta town again the week after that. Time to go pay my respects to Don Ramon in the muggy Amish Pennslyvania Dutch air on the east coast... but keep checking the podcast page for any updates! It's been a little slow on the uptake getting them up there, but there's fun stuff to be had all over Little Radio's page.
And now, the playlist:
Little Radio Playlist
8/9/07
Theme From Gidget - Johnny Tillotson (RIP Kelly...)
Skinny Boy - Amy Millan
Sally Cinnamon - Stone Roses
Endless Shovel - Rogue Wave
Do Me A Favor - The Arctic Monkeys
Twist & Crawl - The English Beat
Rumble - You Am I
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - The Animals
On The Green Light - The Spencer Davis Group
Your Love Is Certified - Rasputin's Stash
She's A Burglar - Howard Tate
Into The White - The Pixies
Jaime - Girls Vs. Boys
Born In '69 - Rocket From The Crypt
She's Back On Crack - The Mint Chicks
To Veux Ou Tu Veux Pas - Brigette Bardot
Comme Un Garcon - Stereo Total
Glad All Over - The Rums & Coke
Carry On - Jean Knight
I Wanna Hold Your Hand - Al Green
Why (Am I Treated So Bad?) - The Sweet Inspirations
Don't Even See Me - Dimmer
Who Do You Think - Interpol
Apartment Story - The National
Broadway (So Many People) - Low
Too Many Pills - The Corn Sisters
The Grand Tour - The Geraldine Fibbers
Radio Waves - O.M.D.
Frolic - Komeda
Vicious - Lou Reed
Hot Child In The City - Nick Gilder
Dazzle - Siouxsie & the Banshees
Remember, back on the air August 30th. Till then, podcast like crazy, baby!
And now, the playlist:
Little Radio Playlist
8/9/07
Theme From Gidget - Johnny Tillotson (RIP Kelly...)
Skinny Boy - Amy Millan
Sally Cinnamon - Stone Roses
Endless Shovel - Rogue Wave
Do Me A Favor - The Arctic Monkeys
Twist & Crawl - The English Beat
Rumble - You Am I
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - The Animals
On The Green Light - The Spencer Davis Group
Your Love Is Certified - Rasputin's Stash
She's A Burglar - Howard Tate
Into The White - The Pixies
Jaime - Girls Vs. Boys
Born In '69 - Rocket From The Crypt
She's Back On Crack - The Mint Chicks
To Veux Ou Tu Veux Pas - Brigette Bardot
Comme Un Garcon - Stereo Total
Glad All Over - The Rums & Coke
Carry On - Jean Knight
I Wanna Hold Your Hand - Al Green
Why (Am I Treated So Bad?) - The Sweet Inspirations
Don't Even See Me - Dimmer
Who Do You Think - Interpol
Apartment Story - The National
Broadway (So Many People) - Low
Too Many Pills - The Corn Sisters
The Grand Tour - The Geraldine Fibbers
Radio Waves - O.M.D.
Frolic - Komeda
Vicious - Lou Reed
Hot Child In The City - Nick Gilder
Dazzle - Siouxsie & the Banshees
Remember, back on the air August 30th. Till then, podcast like crazy, baby!
Friday, August 10, 2007
R.I.P. Tony Wilson
Who is Tony Wilson?
The man who brought us Factory Records because he wanted the world to hear Joy Division (later New Order), A Certain Ratio, The Happy Mondays and more. The man who started the Hacienda and accelerated the whole Madchester scene, spreading the happy-go-ecstasy rave virus all over the world.
He was a true music lover and used whatever was within his means to share his passion with everyone. He was a character, for sure, and a prouder citizen of Manchester we may not hear of again any time soon.
If you haven't seen "24 Hour Party People" yet, do. It's a hilarious documentation of his life, and he approved even if it painted him as a bit of a twat.
He was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year and music industry friends created a fund to pay for his treatment. But a heart attack ended his fight...He passed away today.
Rock on, Mr. Wilson. I wonder what they'll play at your funeral?
The man who brought us Factory Records because he wanted the world to hear Joy Division (later New Order), A Certain Ratio, The Happy Mondays and more. The man who started the Hacienda and accelerated the whole Madchester scene, spreading the happy-go-ecstasy rave virus all over the world.
He was a true music lover and used whatever was within his means to share his passion with everyone. He was a character, for sure, and a prouder citizen of Manchester we may not hear of again any time soon.
If you haven't seen "24 Hour Party People" yet, do. It's a hilarious documentation of his life, and he approved even if it painted him as a bit of a twat.
He was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year and music industry friends created a fund to pay for his treatment. But a heart attack ended his fight...He passed away today.
Rock on, Mr. Wilson. I wonder what they'll play at your funeral?
Thursday, August 09, 2007
On The Town
Where have I been? Rockin' and a-rollin', pretty much.
I recently became unemployed. The company I worked for declared bankruptcy on June 1st, and then it was just a waiting game before the doors were locked. For a while it looked like we were gonna make it, but alas... Actually, I hated the job. I was totally into the idea of doing no work and scoring the paychecks, you know? While looking for a better job.
Luckily I scored a pretty cool freelance gig which allows me to work from home. I cannot even begin to tell you what having NO COMMUTE means to me... As long as I've lived in my plush Silverlake digs, I've had to drive to work on the westside. For you non Angelenos, this means a 12 mile drive which takes about an hour and a half. Each way.
My car loves hanging out in the garage now.
So I roll out of bed and get to work, take a break for a walk and when the sun comes blasting through my window. Then I can work some more in the cool evening breeze. It rules.
And without that drive, I've got more time and energy to spend with friends. That also rules.
So I went to some shows!
Dappled Cities came to town, taking a night off from their tour with Tokyo Police Club to do a show of their own at the Echo. I had seen these boys play at the Hopetoun Hotel in Sydney back in January, and was looking forward to seeing them while not under the influence of various substances because they seemed really good. And nice.
And they were! Kind of a Modest Mouse/XTC flavor, their quirky indie pop is just accessible enough to not be alienating and still just off kilter enough to keep it interesting. I got to interview them just before the show, but sadly I couldn't use it because the band playing downstairs drowned out some of their clever responses. But I can say that they are nice, silly, and living in the States for the next few months so catch them the next time they are in town - which will probably be in the fall. Oh, and they dropped the "Fly" part from their name because "we've grown up since then." Cute.
Then Kevs, Ritchie & I went to check out Machine Gun Blues. The boys had seen this Denver band at a YMCA or something at the South Park music festival a year ago, and I'd heard nothing except raves for these rowdy rockers who worked the crowd up into such a frenzy that everyone was a sweaty naked mess by the end, running into the snow for relief. Well, that didn't happen at the Knitting Factory that night (does anything quite like that ever really happen in LA?), but the bands rocked with their cocks (almost) out, writhed on the floor, and generally made me feel like slamming my body into something hard. Which is a good thing.
The next night, Raquel and I went to check out the 5 O'clock Somewhere show at the Echo. They had been doing a residency which was turning into alot of fun. The band consists of a bunch of people from other bands, most of whom are also bartenders at eastside watering holes, doing a bunch of country songs (originals and covers, as far as I can tell). I got to do a little waltzin' with a big dude, which is a-ok by me.
And then, M.I.A . So the BFF, Raquel, Kevs and myself hauled ourselves to the EchoplexBoyz, and got sweaty real fast. I had somehow scored tix to the second show at the Echoplex, the first having sold out in milliseconds. She played quite a few new tracks (XR2, Bird Flu, Jimmy) and a smattering of old. The old ones, of course, got the crowd beyond pumped. The new ones, though, were a bit more challenging for the average dancers in the crowd, as the beats were pretty erratic at times. Is her new genre Difficult Dance? I'll have to wait for the CD. It was a good time anyway!
A couple days later, I get an email from Kevs: "Are you going to You Am I on Wednesday?" WHAT? I wasn't keeping track of those Aussies since I've already seen them 6 times this year, and before that, I'd seen them twice over a period of 10 years. They never came to this country, and now suddenly they won't leave? No problem! So Kevs, Ritchie and I set out for NME night at Spaceland, where the Wombats and the Redwalls filled out the bill. The Wombats were very cute and British, extremely poppy with tight little harmonies that they showed off acapella style from time to time. The Redwalls were garagey at times, Big Starish at others. But I was there for you Am I - who ripped out the rock and roll just as riotously as I've seen them do at every other show this year, and had a good time in the process. It was especially fun being there with fellow Aussie Kevs, who would yell out some Oz slang occasionally in as thick a brogue as possible for the benefit of the band. I love my mates.
Time to take a little break now, as Sunset junction is coming next weekend and even though the lineup is quite ho-hum this year, it is literally on my street so I will still be checking it out. And then off to the east coast for a little bit to remember what "humidity" really means...
I recently became unemployed. The company I worked for declared bankruptcy on June 1st, and then it was just a waiting game before the doors were locked. For a while it looked like we were gonna make it, but alas... Actually, I hated the job. I was totally into the idea of doing no work and scoring the paychecks, you know? While looking for a better job.
Luckily I scored a pretty cool freelance gig which allows me to work from home. I cannot even begin to tell you what having NO COMMUTE means to me... As long as I've lived in my plush Silverlake digs, I've had to drive to work on the westside. For you non Angelenos, this means a 12 mile drive which takes about an hour and a half. Each way.
My car loves hanging out in the garage now.
So I roll out of bed and get to work, take a break for a walk and when the sun comes blasting through my window. Then I can work some more in the cool evening breeze. It rules.
And without that drive, I've got more time and energy to spend with friends. That also rules.
So I went to some shows!
Dappled Cities came to town, taking a night off from their tour with Tokyo Police Club to do a show of their own at the Echo. I had seen these boys play at the Hopetoun Hotel in Sydney back in January, and was looking forward to seeing them while not under the influence of various substances because they seemed really good. And nice.
And they were! Kind of a Modest Mouse/XTC flavor, their quirky indie pop is just accessible enough to not be alienating and still just off kilter enough to keep it interesting. I got to interview them just before the show, but sadly I couldn't use it because the band playing downstairs drowned out some of their clever responses. But I can say that they are nice, silly, and living in the States for the next few months so catch them the next time they are in town - which will probably be in the fall. Oh, and they dropped the "Fly" part from their name because "we've grown up since then." Cute.
Then Kevs, Ritchie & I went to check out Machine Gun Blues. The boys had seen this Denver band at a YMCA or something at the South Park music festival a year ago, and I'd heard nothing except raves for these rowdy rockers who worked the crowd up into such a frenzy that everyone was a sweaty naked mess by the end, running into the snow for relief. Well, that didn't happen at the Knitting Factory that night (does anything quite like that ever really happen in LA?), but the bands rocked with their cocks (almost) out, writhed on the floor, and generally made me feel like slamming my body into something hard. Which is a good thing.The next night, Raquel and I went to check out the 5 O'clock Somewhere show at the Echo. They had been doing a residency which was turning into alot of fun. The band consists of a bunch of people from other bands, most of whom are also bartenders at eastside watering holes, doing a bunch of country songs (originals and covers, as far as I can tell). I got to do a little waltzin' with a big dude, which is a-ok by me.
And then, M.I.A . So the BFF, Raquel, Kevs and myself hauled ourselves to the EchoplexBoyz, and got sweaty real fast. I had somehow scored tix to the second show at the Echoplex, the first having sold out in milliseconds. She played quite a few new tracks (XR2, Bird Flu, Jimmy) and a smattering of old. The old ones, of course, got the crowd beyond pumped. The new ones, though, were a bit more challenging for the average dancers in the crowd, as the beats were pretty erratic at times. Is her new genre Difficult Dance? I'll have to wait for the CD. It was a good time anyway!A couple days later, I get an email from Kevs: "Are you going to You Am I on Wednesday?" WHAT? I wasn't keeping track of those Aussies since I've already seen them 6 times this year, and before that, I'd seen them twice over a period of 10 years. They never came to this country, and now suddenly they won't leave? No problem! So Kevs, Ritchie and I set out for NME night at Spaceland, where the Wombats and the Redwalls filled out the bill. The Wombats were very cute and British, extremely poppy with tight little harmonies that they showed off acapella style from time to time. The Redwalls were garagey at times, Big Starish at others. But I was there for you Am I - who ripped out the rock and roll just as riotously as I've seen them do at every other show this year, and had a good time in the process. It was especially fun being there with fellow Aussie Kevs, who would yell out some Oz slang occasionally in as thick a brogue as possible for the benefit of the band. I love my mates.
Time to take a little break now, as Sunset junction is coming next weekend and even though the lineup is quite ho-hum this year, it is literally on my street so I will still be checking it out. And then off to the east coast for a little bit to remember what "humidity" really means...
Monday, August 06, 2007
One More Time
The Little Radio Playlist!
8/2/07
(ugh, August already...)
Gloom Junky - The Verlaines
Long Time Coming - The Delays
Terry - The Ladybug Transistor
You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me - Frank Sinatra
Mean Streets - Van Halen
Dumbjaw - Barkmarket
Anti-Love Song - Betty Davis
Home Is Where the Hatred Is - Esther Phillips
Who Is She (And What Is She To You) - Gladys Knight & the Pips
Kingdom Of The Animals - Iron & Wine
Puzzle Heart - Jay Bennet & Edward Burch
Moonage Daydream - David Bowie
Baby Got Shot - Verbena
Lime House - The Breeders
Do You Love Me - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
The False Husband - Isobell Campbell & Mark Lanegan
Ode To Booker T - The Young Marble Giants
Ominous Cloud - Broadcast
Rides the Rails - The Besnard Lakes
Neighborhood - Sugar & Gold
All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem
Tthhee Ppaarrttyy - Justice
My Girl Is Calling Me (A Liar) - Chromeo
Controversy - Prince
About That Rock - Brother Reade
Fleece On Brain - Matthew Dear
Satellite - TV On The Radio
Stella Was A Diver & She Was Always Down - Interpol
Make Your Bed - Neko Case
And if you want to download it to listen for yourself, go here and have a blast!
8/2/07
(ugh, August already...)
Gloom Junky - The Verlaines
Long Time Coming - The Delays
Terry - The Ladybug Transistor
You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me - Frank Sinatra
Mean Streets - Van Halen
Dumbjaw - Barkmarket
Anti-Love Song - Betty Davis
Home Is Where the Hatred Is - Esther Phillips
Who Is She (And What Is She To You) - Gladys Knight & the Pips
Kingdom Of The Animals - Iron & Wine
Puzzle Heart - Jay Bennet & Edward Burch
Moonage Daydream - David Bowie
Baby Got Shot - Verbena
Lime House - The Breeders
Do You Love Me - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
The False Husband - Isobell Campbell & Mark Lanegan
Ode To Booker T - The Young Marble Giants
Ominous Cloud - Broadcast
Rides the Rails - The Besnard Lakes
Neighborhood - Sugar & Gold
All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem
Tthhee Ppaarrttyy - Justice
My Girl Is Calling Me (A Liar) - Chromeo
Controversy - Prince
About That Rock - Brother Reade
Fleece On Brain - Matthew Dear
Satellite - TV On The Radio
Stella Was A Diver & She Was Always Down - Interpol
Make Your Bed - Neko Case
And if you want to download it to listen for yourself, go here and have a blast!
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