THE GO-SHEILAS!! Greatest Hits Vol. 1

The Go-Sheilas

"From the very first track to the last, The Go-Sheilas’ debut album, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 relentlessly crashes onto you like wave after wave of catchy and infectious songs. Their contagious hooks grab you from the very beginning...filled with hypnotic beats and swells of raw yet simple melodies..."

THE GO-SHEILAS
Sheila Go Sheila - vocals
Andy Fisher - guitar
David Robinson - guitar
Dan Carlton - drums
Tobie Hutto - bass

In Southern California sandwiched between Los Angeles and San Diego lays Orange County. Long accustomed to the warm Mediterranean climate, its residents enjoy miles of sandy beaches that are favorites for its sunbathing and surfing. A laid-back county which tourists flock to, it’s the home of Disneyland , Knott’s Berry Farm and the Anaheim Angels. Other than its popularity in becoming a tourist destination due to its picturesque views and easy and laid-back easygoing lifestyle The O.C. is also known for it’s punk rock music scene.

There must be something in the water in the O.C. that breeds great punk bands No Doubt, The Offspring, The Adolescents, Rage Against the Machine, Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, Black Flag, Bad Religion, The Germs, The Vandals, The Descendents and Sublime all hail from Orange County. Now, it can add another to that list. Enter The Go-Sheilas, an O.C. band that blends the defiant ripping pace of Blink 182 with the sweet but salty good-girl sounds of The Go Go’s.

From the very first track to the last, The Go-Sheilas’ debut album, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 relentlessly crashes onto you like wave after wave of catchy and infectious songs. Their contagious hooks grab you from the very beginning with Sheila Go Sheila's voice ringing out loud, “Whoa Whoa Whoa” in “Better Life” as though cautioning everyone to hold on tight. You’re about to go for one hell of a ride! This 12-track album is filled with hypnotic beats and swells of raw yet simple melodies in songs like “What I Say,” “My Life on TV,” while songs, “Unforgiven,” and “I Can Make it It,” makes your fist pump, head bang and hips shake. Honestly, for me, it’s hard to choose a favorite song which says a lot about this album.

(click image to buy their cd now!)

"[The Go-Sheilas splashes] this album with images of an ending summer, when those last days are spent partying the nights away like it’s your last. If it’s gonna be the end of summer then The Go-Sheilas are going to put on one last kick-ass beach party to close it out."

Complimenting Andy Fisher’s unforgiving ravenous tempo is Sheila’s Belinda Carlisle-esque sugary vocals, splashing this album with images of an ending summer, when those last days are spent partying the nights away like it’s your last. If it’s gonna be the end of summer then The Go-Sheilas are going to put on one last kick-ass beach party to close it out. It has the attitude of punk but with the free-spirit of pop, blending Andy’s punk background and fusing it with Sheila’s love of 80’s new wave. They even cap off the album with a cover of Nena’s “99 Red Balloons” (the English version)

This punk/pop band is definitely on the rise. A product of the OC punk scene, Andy recruited 80’s pop-lover Sheila to record a 4-track EP in 2006 and began playing all over SoCal. Adding to this mix are David Robinson (guitar), Dan Carlton (drums), and Tobie Hutto (bass). They quickly built a dedicated following and media attention that included, among other things, an award for “Best Female Vocalist” from UK ‘zine FFRUK and their songs already being featured on FOX and ABC shows. In their short time as a band they've already opened for bands such as Berlin and played in historic venues such as The Viper Room, The House of Blues and The Troubadour. The O.C. is definitely known for their easygoing fun attitude and The Go-Sheila’s debut album, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 shows it.


****CORRECTION: I wrote in this piece that both Bad Religion and The Descendants were from the OC. I have been corrected. Bad Religion originated from Los Angeles and the Descendants formed in Manhattan Beach. My mistake***
Here's a cool video for "Holiday."

UPCOMING SHOWS
July 8 - The Electric Chair (Huntington Beach)
July 11 - Surf City Saloon (Huntington Beach)
Aug 2 - Surf City Saloon (Huntington Beach)
Nov 15 - The Vault 350 w/ Berlin (Long Beach)

FUJI MINX on RockNRoll TV!

Wow. Haven't posted in awhile. Been in a funk lately. But what better way to get me out of it by some good ol' FUJI MINX news. OH YEAH! Here they are featured on Rock N Roll TV during their show at Mr. T's Bowl. It includes an interview and some of the best show footage yet of FM in action.

Check out our past write-up and photos HERE and grab their debut album, "Users Cheaters Theaters" HERE or by just clicking the songs below. (Check out a couple of my favs, "Dumb," "Better Place" and "Bye Love.") ;)

FUJI MINX MIXES Station at KIAC and IACmusic.com

THE WRONG TROUSERS

The Wrong Trousers

THE WRONG TROUSERS
Kelsea Little - harp & vocals
Joseph Lorge - mandolin & vocals
Mackenzie Leighton - bass

Just like most people, I came upon “The Wrong Trousers” while surfing the net, their video of their cover version of The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” being streamed and hosted on sites and usually found in the “Pick of the Week” or “Video of the Week” sections. Currently, since being posted on YouTube about a year ago, it’s been viewed over 300,000 times and still counting.

Wrong Trousers performs "Video Killed Radio Star"


Wrong Trousers performing "Everything All" at San Diego's FM 94/9

Hailing from San Diego, this trio comprised of Kelsea Little, Joseph Lorge and Mackenzie Leighton met and started playing together in the Coronado School of the Arts. And since then, from what began as playing high school talent shows and playing on the Prado at San Diego’s Balboa Park has resulted in a full album and an 18-city west coast tour.

With Kelsea and Joseph sharing vocal duties, The Wrong Trousers’ sound is definitely unique but quite infectious while marrying the sounds of stand-up bass, mandolin and harp. Like a chef experimenting with nontraditional ingredients, this trio brings out a sweet taste of melodic flavors that bursts onto your taste buds which makes you crave for more. Not too overpowering and relying on simple melodies like on the songs, “Had” and “Everything, All,” One and Counting… their debut album that was released in December is full of songs to appease the appetite including fresh covers of “Video Killed the Radio Star,” and The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights.” The Wrong Trousers’ sound is not new but it’s certainly refreshing. Time will tell if The Wrong Trousers’ unique sound will wear off and be brushed aside and forgotten. Personally, considering their debut album sounds better than most band's third or fourth album, I’m highly confident we’ll be hearing from this trio for years to come.

They come to Los Angeles and play the Steve Allen Theater July 1^st and then on July 3^rd at the Zephyr Coffee and Art Gallery. Go check ‘em out!

UPCOMING SHOWS
JULY 1 - Steve Allen Theater
JULY 3 - Zephyr Coffee & Art Gallery

MISS DERRINGER @ The Roxy

NICO VEGA performs for CHARITY:WATER

Nico Vega (Dan, Aja and Rich)
photo by Alex Prager

Very cool news for Nico Vega fans in the Los Angeles area! This Friday (tomorrow June 6th) Nico Vega is hosting a charity party and working up an acoustic set. Also performing are Crash Kings, Tyler Steele, DJ Fembot and ART by Chris Estes.

All proceeds go to CHARITY: WATER (www.charitywater.org) an organization that distributes clean water to the Third World. Check out this video HERE of what Charity: Water does. There's limited capacity so get there early!

The event starts at 8:00 pm,
Fri, June 6th
@ "the Warehouse"
2437 Riverside Dr
90039

Full open bar with a donation of $20. Sponsored by The Warehaus, Boru Vodka and Art Needs Freedom. Free Drinks and Snacks all nights. Vegan Appetizers ! And click here at www.myspace.com/avdcharity for more info on this event.

Here's a taste of Nico Vega playing "Gravity" acoustically. So freakin' awesome!

Nico Vega comes in to perform the song, "Gravity" on Indie 103.1's Feel My Heat with Danny Masterson and Brent Bolthouse.

AUDRA MAE @ The Hotel Cafe

Often times when I go to shows and take pics, I find myself concentrating too much on the photography aspect which makes it difficult to enjoy the music. Last night, I decided to leave the camera behind and relax and enjoy the greatness of Ms. Audra Mae. So, in a sense, it was my day off and I had a blast! Got to hear some new songs and some old favorites. This time I brought a buddy of mine who took this video of her performance. (The camera was placed on a table-top counter which explains the 'artsy' feel of it - OR - I'm guessing my buddy didn't want to put down his beer and hold the camera at the same time! Heheh. But the audio is great and after listening you'll see why I'm sooooo in love with her voice!) You'll have to see her live to get the full Audra Mae experience!!

Check out our previous pics and review HERE.

UPCOMING SHOW
June 10th @ Silverlake Lounge

courtesy of 405east

GRAM RABBIT @ Safari Sams

Gram Rabbit

Our favorite neighbors from Joshua Tree, GRAM RABBIT, stopped over to Safari Sams on Saturday. It's always a sure thing to expect a great visual show with great music on top of that as an electronic mish-mash of hypnotic beats and free-falling melodies sucked in the capacity crowd. None left disapointed, including yours truly.!

"Gram Rabbit’s third record, RadioAngel and the RobotBeat (Royal Order) takes a turn back towards the band's electro roots. Still, Gram Rabbit uses a wide variety of styles and sounds as they explore the state of Western Pop-Culture and the commercial apparatus that continues to lead us towards cultural bankruptcy. "

You can currently hear Gram Rabbit in the new movie, "War, Inc." written and produced by John Cusack. Their song "Devil's Playground" is featured! It also stars Hilary Duff, Marisa Tomei, Joan Cusack, Dan Aykroyd and Ben Kingsley.

Earlier this month, the Sunset Junction announced that Gram Rabbit was a headliner for the 28th annual street fair which takes place August 23rd and 24th. Other local acts of interest are The Happy Hollows and Radars in the Sky, Jonathan Rice, Henry Clay People and Oliver Future. Nice line-up!!!

"The Rest of Us Sleep"

Gram Rabbit performs "Cowboy Up" at Safari Sams
video by 405east