band reviews

Alex's Bar, Feb, 15th 2008

- Valley Arena, The Soft Hands, Repeater, Bella Novela - $5
Author: Jeff Boulter

This show was a disappointment for me only because I got their so late, just in time to completely miss out on Bella Novela's performance and catching only the last song from Valley Arena, but from that one song I could tell I missed a really good set, and good band, so needless to say I was a little jaded by this time.

But as the crowd in Alex's Bar seemed to get bigger and bigger, there came that mental massaging sound from the band Repeater, with their ambient sound to match their mini Light show they had set up behind the Drum kit, some times I feel that I just cant get enough of their music, something seems to seep inside and talk to you through it. With their extraordinary Guitar melodies and their Bass and Drum alignment, not to forget about the harmonic vocals generated by their singer, another impressive show by these guys.

So the night was to say not a total loss, being able to see Repeater again and then to move on to the next band that came up called The Soft Hands, with this unique trio, they had dual singers one that played the Guitar and sang some songs or sang back up in others and the other a female Bass player/keyboardist who during one of the songs was actually playing both instruments and singing at the same time, very talented, though their set started off horrible with a sound that would not come together in the right timing and then with Guitar tech problems, during which they had someone hop up from the audience and tell horrible jokes until they were finally able to borrow a Guitar from another band. But then they got on track dishing out a great sound and great impressive show, this local Long Beach band defiantly had some tremendous talent, and by the end of their set I even found my self mixed in with the crowd and enjoying their music.

And that was the all but small evening at Alex's Bar, missed out on a couple I'm sure great bands but would not know, I'll have to catch them again another time, but for the ones I did catch, I was impressed by and had a great evening, as did the rest of the people that showed up by the looks and smiles, and the gratitude they showed the band members as they came of stage with the words "great job" "I love you guys" "that was brilliant" "amazing". And that is how I will end it; this was a brilliantly amazing short evening well worth the 5 dollar cover charge.

Anarchy Library Feb 08, 2008.

- Renegade Roller girls O.C. , Inazuma, The Haters, Noise Attack.
Author: Jeff Boulter

I would not have expected anything else different to have happened tonight then what did, let me start off by saying the Anarchy Library defiantly held up to its name, a night of Anarchy and chaos, while I sat back on the sidelines and observed the evening. The Anarchy Library is a small greaser/punk bar out in Downey ca, with a 2 layer stage set back in the far corner of the bar properly placed right by the restrooms. The place had flame painted walls, covered in mirrors decked out in stickers, and posters such as a big one of Jack Nicolson from the movie, by Stephen king "The Shining", the seat's around the edge of the bar were covered in a cheetah print fabric. The bar was a hum of conversation and laughter as I entered seeing smiles on faces thou rout the place. While the Renegade Roller Girls, were rollin around on their quad skates and performing some interesting skate moves. I was speaking with the door guy, he was not completely sure exactly who was playing tonight for this benefit that the Renegade roller girls were putting on but so far on the list was Noise Attack, and word had it that Inazuma was supposed to show up later as well, the crowd continued to mingle and have a great time getting photos with the roller girls while Noise Attack was setting up.

Noise Attack was setting up their gear of a Yamaha Drum kit, what looked like a squire Bass Guitar and a fender strat Guitar, while they were setting up there GearTree.comamps, a lady by the name of Earl for the Renegades got up on stage and started making a few announcement about a raffle they were holding that evening and about the benefit how they were collecting money for there roller team, during this time I over heard one of the bar patrons say something to the effect how "this place looks like a strip club now". Noise Attack finally went on, they were a five piece band of younger members in their early 20's, and they started off with a very loud mic check. Wearing everything from bullet belts, The Clash and Moterhead shirts, sailor hats and base ball caps, they defiantly had an array of style, to match the Neo-punk era. They def had a Neo Crash Punk sound, with full blown chaos but good melody, with their singer all over the stage almost falling off the front of it, they got the crowd bobbing their head while one of the roller girls, known as, "The Dude", took over the small dance floor, bustin out her own mini roller pit, before one of her team members joined her. One of the guitarists asked for someone in the crowd to buy him a BUD, as the other guitarist followed that statement bye saying "I'll take water, cause I'm not yet 21". This younger band defiantly had the energy needed to give off a great show, young with a lot of raw talent and heart. Though not a perfect set, with timing issues and other mishaps their name made that ok, because when you have a name like Noise Attack, all you have to do is make noise, they went above and beyond this, after their set talking to one of the guitarist, mentioning their CD release show on Cinco Day Mayo. Go check em out and make up your own mind about them, they are a band that have something to say lyrically as well, enjoy.

While the next band, The Haters, set up with an elaborate system of equipment from full on racked Drum kit to heavy Bass and Guitar GearTree.comamps, some one in the crowd decided to be a "Hater" if you will, to one of the roller girls, from what I saw and could make out, some lady either threw or spilled a drink on one of the Renegades, which clicked a spark for the night and irrupted a mini fight with some pushing, glass breaking and yelling between the two ladies, while the crowd was trying to break it up the scuffle continued, and finally was pushed out side. Hmmm interesting a bunch of drunken people mixed with loud music, and roller girls, why would that not start a fight of some sort? Haaa... Good good times for sure. After that the Renegade Roller girls from O.C. had one of the first many raffles of the night, with prizes from, bands t-shirts to kinky sex bags, and skateboard wheels.

Well anyway, The Haters finally went on, and with the stage full of 5 of their members and all their gear the singer was forced onto a bar stool out in front of the stage performing most of the night from there, this band I gotta admit not a big fan of, to me sounded like your average Orange County, Social D with a ruffer and tougher hard rock, metal appeal to it, though musically they are a great band with their lead guitarist rocking out on a Les Paul Guitar with some sick riffs and solo's, and Bass player tearing up the neck of his Bass, the singer even made a comment that he would put him up to the "Matt Freeman test", now I don't know about that but he was a great Bass player, and the drummer on his decked out Drum kit, with a Travis barker look and feel kept the timing well and handled his business. So for a band that musically not really my thing, I gotta give them credit where credit is owed they were great musician's, and if your out looking to get smashed and have some heavy music in the back ground they are a band to check out, they even managed to pump out a song I have already heard twice this week, another Misfits cover, "Eagles Dare", and another one of their own songs in which I believe was titled "Prison Rodeo" that I must say I actually got into, fun thunderous punk arrangement, that even member of Inazuma go into rockin' out in the pit, the singer of the Haters even mentioned the only reason why he showed up tonight was to see Inazuma.

After The Haters finished up the Renegades went up once again for their raffle call off to give out even more shirts, more kinky accessories and other goodies and to thank everyone for showing up to the charity drive and for the bands that played, and then they introduced Inazuma.

Inazuma got set up and with their leather jackets and studded belts, hit the stage with Ninja precision and Johnny Thunder appeal, rocking out with the same energy, spirit and instruments as the night before (look at the review on Feb 08 for more details on that show). Inazuma not only being a great band musically, they also know how to party like the best of them, while still maintaining a very positive and professional quality about themselfs. They know that their in a band for fun, but they also know how to give their audience a great time and reach out to your inner rocker and make you wanna just lose it to one of their songs. You could hear the power of the marshal half stack through your bones in the that small bar known as the Anarchy Library, even with the stage being so small, Inazuma never once let it hinder their performance, if anything it emphasized it even more . As the singer once again busted out his trademark Katana blade, using it to saw at his strings of his beautiful Gretch Guitar, and then during one of their rocking solo parts placing it in his mouth running around the stage and into the crowd where it was finally knocked out of his mouth from one of the Renegades coming out of the ladies room, this did not even stop him as he bursted back on stage to finish out their set. The crowd loved them so much, they were called back onto the stage for an encore performance, in which the happily grabbed up their instruments again and rocked out to the Pee wee Herman favorite "Tequila". This band has got to be one of my top 10 local L.A. favorites at the moment, look them up and if you have not seen them yet don't miss their next performance. The night concluded with the last of the Renegades raffles and a lot of really inebriated patrons exiting out of the bar smiling, laughing, taking photos and having what could be described as nothing more then a drunken roller derby of a good time.

Alex's Bar Feb 07, 2008

- The Flying Saucers, Inazuma.

Stepped into Alex's Bar to a small crowd of no more then 10 or so people very early in the evening, no bands had even arrived yet, so I started mingling with a few friends I saw there. While waiting for the bands to arrive headed over to the only pool table that was properly placed under an American flag with a great image of Elvis sporting a cowboy get up, to shoot a few games of pool. Alex's Bar always has a great vibe to it, with the people and the set up of the place, as more people started to make their way into the bar, the first band started setting up.

The Flying Saucers was there name out of the Orange County area, they had a small set up of a hip Gretch drum kit, a stickered up black and white bass, and blood red Hammer guitar that the singer started tuning up to rock out on. They kicked off their set with a rock and roll, blue's style. They were a pretty good band with the guitarist/ singer only messing up on a few notes early in the set, but did not let it affect him as he kept dishing out the tunes. After a couple songs they asked "how's it sound out there", the crowd replied that the bass needed to be up more, but they bassist laughed and said "naw let's not". They started picking up the pace a bit, with a George Thorogoodish kind of sound; they really had a great smooth rock and roll sound, which the crowd was able to dance along to in place. The drummer showing his passion pounding away intensely on his snare, while the other two members, with smiles on their faces, were simply enjoying and loving what they were doing, like there was not a better place they could be but up on stage. Noticing the bassist has a great taste in music, sporting a Tom Waits shirt, and the drummer wearing a shirt from that political cartoon The Boondocks. In the middle of the set bassist switched up with singer/ guitarist and took over the guitar and the mic, showing his array of rock infused gritty vocals, that added a nice touch to the performance, while stating "we are taking alcohol donations", the crowd accepted him with a warm welcome. They kept the same energy through the entire set, making it easy to really get into a steady groove and rock out. These guys really know how to keep it simple and just jam out and maintain a fun happy sense to them. On their last song they did some switching up again and the first singer jumped back on the mic and guitar while the drummer took over on bass and the bassist jumped behind the kit, to play an energetic up beat instrumental called "soda pop". I would say to check them out at their next performance and get a chance to experience them for yourself your sure to have a good time. One fact I found out about the band was the singer lives in a place with no running water, just a small bit of info I happened to pick up while talking to a gentlemen out side of Alex's Bar that happened to know the band.

Inazuma. went up next, they set up fast and started right in warming up with a nice instrumental that was foreshadowing there focus and energy for the night. Their a 3 piece all Japanese psycho-Billy band whose singer moved to America no more then 4 years ago and just wants to be a rocker, and had the whole band had the style down just like the Japanese do, with always a great sense of fashion, they had there leather jackets black t-shirts bandanas and slicked back black hair. The drummer was pounding away so precise on a Tama drum kit, while the bassist pounded out the deep rhythm on an all white bass, singer/ Guitarist rocked away on an amazing Gretch guitar that was the size of half his body but he dominated that instrument. Would not expect anything but a great performance from the Far East, timing was impeccable while their style and stage presence was energetic and rambunctious, I was digging deep to find any sort of flaws with this band, I do try to throw in my own personal views on bands I right about, even any defects they have, but with these guys I could not find any, unless it was for the fact that with my ignorant American brain, I could not decipher all the lyrics for some were in Japanese, and though I lived in Japan for a few years my Japanese is rusty. The Singer broke it down for the crowd shaking his ass to them while not missing a note, as the drummer and bass player dept the rhythm, as the bassist flung himself around on the stage. They seemed to genuinely be stoked to be up on stage having a great time and being able to magnify that energy to the crowd, with one guy getting so amped that he was jumping off the stage and throwing himself on to the floor feeling the music through his body. Right after that the singer fell on his back finishing out a solo of that song in that posture. While they were going into the next song the bassist was drinking a Pabst Blue Ribbon and pumping up the crowd with a few words, and politely bowing to the audience as they broke off a great classic rockabilly sound that Elvis would be proud of. With true Ninja-Billy style, cut throat precision and an intensity that would put some UFC fighters to shame, they defiantly deserve the "Badtastic" award� Their second to last song I don't think the singer came off the floor for more then a few seconds while rolling around and still punching out his solo's with no problem, the last song thundered away at the bar and came off rocking in a manner that could only be explained by thunder and lightning, with the singer pulling out and waving around his Katana Blade in a manor he was going to cut into the music by any means necessary, with true samurai style, they kept the intensity through the whole set and more. Cheesy, but this is like they say on TV, "A must see band", my last words to Inazuma. is simply domo arigato Gozaimashite.

Ending the evening walking away with some Ja Rule tickets : for the 28th of Feb., to the sound of descendents song "Hope" Playing on the juke box, great night.

Que Sera, Feb 06, 2008 - Crystal Antlers, Howling Rain, CB Brand, True Human Design, The West

Que Sera is a nice little joint located on 7th and cherry in Long Beach, California. Walking into this place first thing that caught my attention was the pleasant atmosphere, with the soothing sounds of B.B. King playing over head and a nice warm feel incurred by their fire place, shrined in catholic candles. Typically known as one of Long Beaches lesbian spots, it's a gritty place with the bathroom decked out with graph writing and stickers all over the walls, a single pool table and a nice ballerina like dance floor with one wall covered in a wall sized mirror, and plenty of standing and sitting room. I arrived semi early for once, there was only about 20 heads in the place at that time, and the night was still young, not even past 9 yet. The house Dj was playing a nice blues/ classic country rock set.

The first band that warmed up the night was a band from Los Angeles, Called CB Brand, and the four members looking like they stepped out of a Wyatt Earp Movie. They reminded me of a more modern version of Alabama, with a soft indie country sound. The bass player was keeping rhythm with his, red and white, Fender Squire bass guitar, playing out of an older model Fender amp. While the singer played on a old vintage Danelectro guitar, as the bearded lead guitarist rolled out his smooth tone on a Fender as well, while the drummer and his metal flak drum kit, kept it all together. They had a very clean country-esque sound, a definite joy to listen to; if I knew how to swing or two-step it would have even been that much more amazing. Not to mention the free beer cozies they were giving out to member in the audience.

Next up was a band called The West, from the local area of Long Beach, this 5 piece band rocked out their indie post-punk garage sound with a female keyboardist holding a nice harmonic sound with a Yamaha keyboard, the drummer keeping the beat on an all black drum kit, and the singer and lead guitarist were handling the rest with a black Epiphone and Fender Stratocaster guitars. To go along with their harmonic, break beat indie sound, they added in a male back up singer and tambourine man who gave a great performance. Their a band you can really feel and dance to with their female audience really getting into them, even hearing one girl in the crowd yell out "The West loves me". One song particularly stood out was a song that was dedicated to the singers younger brother, called "Brother", had a great break down in this song and full of emotional energy. The singer had clarity to his voice that was crystal clear to listen to, one word for this band would have to be "JOY", and a memorable comment and advice from the front man, "Don't take GHB before a show, take it after".

The third band to hop onto stage sporting a nice Nord Electro keyboard beat up black and gray drum set, multiple effects pedals to Marshal Head that would be fueling some of the sounds from a Fender bass, a Jaguar and Austin guitar. These guys were an older bunch, rocking longer hair and beards, known for older 70's truckers, coming down from Oakland, Ca, called Howling Rain. With a sound to match their look coming right out of the gate with what sounded like 60's early 70's good time rock and roll. With a psychedelic sound of the Doors mixed with a rocking sound of the Guess Who, with such a "Badtastic" Stage presence, almost thought the singer was gonna throw his guitar threw an amp. Power, fusion, chaos, with a soulful side, powerful vocal qualities, these guys made me want to buy an old ford pickup truck with a gun rack, some dirt covered cowboy boots, smoke some weed, kick back with a 6 pack of beer around a camp fire, and plot for a revolution, defiantly a sound for the war revolutionists and southern rock enthusiasts. Very impressed with this full feeling set, specially after the last song that had a violent angry love feel, singer pulled off the down on two knees solo move one word for these guys, I know I say it a lot but "Badtastic", leaving us with words of "Please turn your brains up out there, so we can turn our brains down up here".

Crystal Antlers came up next another local band from Long Beach, with a unique setup with a bongo player rocking out with the tambourine and a few other percussion instruments, while they had another drummer on a fancy flashy drum kit, 2 separate keyboards that looked like they were bought at a vintage music shop, bass guitarist on a Fender bass, while guitarists played what I could not quite tell but looked like Washburn's. A person in the audience made a comparison of their sound to that of the Stooges first album "straight kills it rock". This five piece band with the bongo man in a classic all black out fit sporting a bright white tie, and black fedora hat starting off with a story about Taco Bell and diarrhea. Singer/ bassist wearing a plain T-shirt with a map of Vietnam with big print of a skull and the words Vietnam written on it, with his long dirty blonde hair kicked off the set. All I can say here is loud, destructive, intense, and vibrant, destroy everything kind of energy that made you feel like you could take on the world and win. There stage energy and enthusiasm could bring even a paralyzed man to his feet and get amped and excited. Made my insides want to yell out in a sound that could only be described as a sense of freedom and passion. Got to go check them out as soon as you can find there next show and by the looks of it they play everywhere, to see this band live is just simply "WOW beyond Badtastic".

The last and final band unfortunately for them most the audience went home by this point, was a band not like any others this evening, called True Human Design, also out of Long Beach. The drummer set up quite the drum set that was all a gray and white metallic splatter paint look, with added bongos. They had a Gibson guitar all black and matching five string bass guitar, while the singer stood alone with his microphone and dread locks all tattooed up and down, resembling a look of Zach Delaroche from his Inside out days. They kicked off their set with more metal edge sounding like a mix of Sepulture/Soulfly, P.O.D. vibe. Harmonic and deep growing vocal sound with a hint of old Integrity feel, though musically talented, could have been the sound system at Que Sera, but could have been a little more put together. Some great break downs that could match some of Earth Crisis's music, if you're into Post-metal hardcore then you would enjoy this band. Should check them out at a show more suited for their style and sound since they played clean up crew, and the majority of the people at the show left before they got a chance to even set up, I'm glad I stuck around to watch them.

The Prospector Feb 04, 2008.

- Sparrow Love Crew, We Are Wolves , Repeater , Dj Mashed Potatos.

So tonight we were at The Prospector out in good old Long Beach, for an amazing low price show, FIVE BUCKS, saying a lot for the entertainment that went on tonight. Started with a drunken guy out side of the bar telling me how much Sparrow Love Crew sucked compared to his roommate Real Talk. Made my way into the very 49rs gold rush era bar/restaurant, packed house of about 65 people or so all crammed into this tiny venue. Cramped tight enough to smell the person in front of you, even the band aid smelling photographer that was walking around snapping shots of the event, with his Cannon camera , and the rank smelling sound guy, but what can you say he was working hard, not his fault. For as small as this place was it was packed with all kinds of neat things too look at on the walls from the ten TV's , five of which were fancy enough plasma screens . With DJ Dj Mashed Potatos and his Numark mixer and the standard Technic 1200 decks, placed in an area that could have been good crowd standing room, but eh what do ya do, you make the best out of it and mix in.

With Bjork and The Cure mixing up the sound system getting the crowd warmed up for Repeater, a band from the local Long Beach area. People started making there way to the little nook in the corner where the band was getting ready to start there set, gotta add the stage though tucked away, all neatly like it was, look pretty amazing like a mini bat cave of sorts. Repeater finally hit the stage, with a slow melodic song around 10:30, and the crowd instantly felt what they were dishing out. With a post-punk sound this band had an array of talent, with 5 members all of equal talent. The keyboardist had a dual set up of two keyboards one of which was a Yamaha and the other an Alesis , while the the drummer beat out on some Remco drums and guitarist churning it out on a Guild guitar and Hartke amp , using an array of foot pedals . Remarks heard in the crowd of onlookers mentioned they had an easy listening Sparta sound with some hints of Interpol, with a tamer Against Me vocalist sound. Though not a very talkative band I would recommend anyone coming out to see these guys play and let there music say it all with what felt like a mental massage.

We Are Wolves hit the stage next around 11:45, and when I say "hit the stage" that may be a bit of an understatement. With a musical set up of Roland and Korg keyboards a Fender Stratocaster guitar and Gibson 4 string bass , which the singer of this 3 piece band swapped between the two during their set, and drummer set up with only a 4 piece drum ensemble mixed up of only a standup floor bass , snare, hi hat and a single tom. This band made its way down from Montreal Canada, with a hard hitting, dirty, indie roock & roll sound that matched the way they looked. All three members started in singing as the drummer had a unique posture of standing up the whole set, while the lead singer rocked out on his Gibson bass , and keyboardist flowing out his melodic notes. If Repeater was a mental massage these guys were on the polar opposite with hard driving sonic sounds, very "dance vibish", with more of a Mars Volta chime. For as small as this place was to play in the show was still strong and intense with a sense it was a bigger venue. They mixed it up with a drum and bass solo with keyboardist getting into the action with the drummer both beating down on the drums, and then switching instruments completely with the drummer for one of there last songs, while the singer was encouraging the crowd to get closer, which not sure they really could with out playing the instruments themselves. Defiantly a band to check out, they will satisfy your power edge needs, with a tougher White Strips appeal, with a Neo-electronic robotic sound. And if not for the music to at least see the singer and his mix of James Brown and Elvis moves.

Last up was another Long Beach Local hip-hop group called Sparrow Love Crew with a total of five members including there DJ Opi Styles laying down the beats, these guys bring back and older east coast hip hop flavor with a new funky edge spitting out lyrics that make you smile and wanna dance around, though they started off with some technical sound issues they managed to get through a few songs until unfortunately they blew out the monitors and the sound system went dead, the fans were disappointed but they were sure to remind everyone of there E.P. release show on March 8th.

Overall the night was a success for the bands and The Prospector and the crowd, with the ending of the night consisting of me standing out side running into the same drunk guy talking about how amazing and awesome Sparrow Love Crew was, and shouting out warnings to everyone not to go into Watts??? :)

Alex's Bar Feb 3, 2008
- The Wrecking Dead, Belfry Bats, Creepsville 666.
This night at Alex's Bar was a standard BBQ Sunday, with three bands set to play on the bill, when I arrived; I had already missed the opening band. Which I thought was supposed to be Creepsville 666, I was mistaken, it was another band that was not placed on the flyer and did not catch there name, so I came into the set not sure what to expect. I see these gentlemen on stage setting up and it looks as if it was a Misfits fashion show, they were taking quite along time to set up their gear, when finally I saw the drum set erected I could tell that this was Creepsville 666 by the sticker on the front of the bass drum. Not sure if Fashion-Billy could be used for this Psycho-Billy band but I know they spent some time on there appearance, they are a 4 piece band with a gentleman by the name of K. Daver on standup Bass , that was the only name I heard up there. The singer and other guitarist were playing your standard Gretsch guitars, very nice looking I might add, not to mention that the sound from them was pristine, specially coming from a Marshall half stack. They threw in a Cover song, Standard issue for any band these days, it was "Eagles' Dare" by the Misfits. One of the best quotes from the band was from the singer, saying right after they finished up a song, "Nothing like singing into a Microphone and having the spit from the last singer drain into your mouth." These guys punched out a number of "dead" love songs that I'm sure would make any teenage girl wet. They came out from Mesa, Arizona, and as they were finishing up there set the singers final words were "Hail Satan".
The next band up, were The Belfry Bats, whom I might go far enough to say looked like old man Rock-a-Billy band, and something that came across as noise pollution, but I think it was from the Microphone, should have been turned down a wee bit in my opinion. Nothing to unique here, they were also from the Arizona home front, with there Standup Bass player, Jimmy Jam, Born out in Whittier, California. They busted out songs by the names of "Were Losers", "Suzanne" (really kind of liked that song) and "Zombies attack". There sound had a good steady beat for the most part, just a little more tightened is all it needed for my taste. The singer tried to hard, think he could have pulled off a good vocal set if he practiced more with his singing, problem with some bands nowadays they start a band and they just throw anyone up to sing, what happened to at least checking into some kind of singing lessons if your going to try and actually sing, instead of scream, though he had a nice unique gritty quality about his singing. One part I found kind of amusing was a time when the singer dedicated a song to the owner of Alex's Bar Alex, which at first sounded like a great gesture of thanks for having them play at his bar, then the song kicked on and with lyrics such as "your life don't matter anymore" & "I'll be gone, you'll be six feet deep". Not sure if it was just a hap-hazard shout out or they meant something more by it. Interesting what people will dedicate to others. They ended their set with a Misfits cover "attitude", having some of the members from Creepsville 666 come up on stage and rock out with them. With there last words as they exited the stage being "It was what it was." Though I was looking forward to checking out this band The Wrecking Dead, who started and formed back in 2001 in Copenhagen, Denmark. After 3 or so years they eventually migrated here to the states, but unfortunately, rumor has it they were in a pretty serious car accident and could not make the show.