PICKSYSTICKS

KATE CRASH CRASHES ELECTRIC GLITTER

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Tue, 29 May 2012 01:07:00 +0000

Kate Crash performs during Electric Glitter at The Dragonfly.
photo by picksysticks

Last week, The Dragonfly was the scene of Electric Glitter, a visual/rock spectacular that included art, dance, fashion, comedy and performances by today's can't miss bands.

A two-person wrecking crew by Kate Crash and guitarist Mo Matatquin, headlined the night. In typical lighting-fury fashion, Crash proved why she's become the queen of glitter-rock. She puts the glam back in glamours, putting on a visual performance that showcases her clobbering dance beats that's wrapped up in glimmering laced-up melodies. You can't help but get exhausted watching Kate bounce and thrash on stage. She does it with ease, all the while not missing a beat which explains how she manages to easily slip into her shimmery skin-tight body suit. Sweatin' to the Oldies this isn't. But witnessing a Kate Crash show is like watching a tornado crash down on a peacock sanctuary, an iridescence whirlwind of brilliance that couldn't be contained by the small confines the Dragonfly stage.

PIEL performs during Electric Glitter at The Dragonfly Hollywood.
photo by picksysticks

Piel, another LA-based band and fronted by front-woman Tiki Lewis, displayed an electro-funkadelic set, all the while sipping from her specialty made drink concoction she occasionally drank between songs. This group, who just wants to have fun, has a cool swagger about them, more inclined to have a party on stage and if the audience wants to join in, then so be it. Piel's songs have a free-floating sonic vibe that makes you want to drink what Tiki is drinking.

Kelly Mantle opened the night in dragtastic fashion, shining with flashiness with radiated covers of The Runaways' "Cherry Bomb" as well as playful renditions of Peaches and Jack White tunes. And along for the ride with accomplished back-up Lawrencia Dandridge. Donning blonde this night, Kelly is a Jack of all trades as a successful actor, comedian and this night a singer.

With artwork also presented by Xany, the night started with comedy by Mike O'Connell who projected with Jack Black-like, Shakespearian prose quickly grew on me, especially when he picked up his guitar singing "Asian Babies Are Cute," and "Getting My Girlfriend Back," cooing she will back to me some day 'cause I stole her insulin."

Closing the night was Nylon Pink who took the stage at the stroke of midnight playing a shortened set after technical difficulties delayed their set time. But who needs sleep anyways? Sugary-pop with electro layers by Nylon Pink is enough squeeze any amount of dance juices to last you well into sunrise. Sleep is for sissys! And you have to be if you can't will yourself to stay awake for these sexy rock gals.

Nylon Pink performs at The Dragonfly.
photos by picksysticks.
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STATES Announce Tour Dates with ROCKET SUMMER

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:25:00 +0000

facebook.com/statesmusic

photo by Ethan Luck

Alt-pop rockers States just announced that they will head out on tour supporting The Rocket Summer and The Scene Aesthetic. Having toured with Circa Survive, Anberlin, Maps & Atlases, played 5 shows at SXSW 2012 and was a CMJ 2011 Festival buzz band, States cannot wait to get back on the road all summer long.

Fronted by Mindy White, States formed when indie-band Copeland called it quits. Former members began a new adventure, acquiring Mindy White, formerly of Lydia. Consisting of White, Bryan Laurenson (guitar), Stephen Laurenson (guitar), Jonathan Bucklew (bass) and Dean Lorenz (drummer), States begins their 27-city tour on May 31st. in Seattle. Luckily for us, they have two Los Angeles stops on June 5th at The Roxy and on June 6th at Pomona's Glass House.

"Timebomb" by States

Tour Dates:
5/31 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
6/2 Sparks, NV @ The Alley
6/3 San Francisco, CA @ Slims
6/5 Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
6/6 Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
6/7 Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Café(Vegas Strip)
6/8 San Diego, CA @ The Irenic
6/9 Scottsdale, AZ @ Martini Ranch
6/11 Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound
6/12 Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
6/14 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live(Studio)
6/15 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
6/16 Austin, TX @ The Parish
6/19 Petersburg, FL The State TheatreSt
6/20 Orlando, FL The Social
6/21 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
6/22 Richmond, VA Kingdom
6/23 Baltimore, MD Sonar
6/25 New York, NY Highline Ballroom
6/26 Philadelphia, PA 1st Unitarian Church
6/27 Cambridge, MA The Middle East
6/28 Montreal, Canada La Tulipe
6/29 Toronto, Canada Virgin Mobile Mod Club
7/01 Pontiac, MI Crofoot Ballroom
7/03 Chicago, IL The Bottom Lounge
7/04 St Paul, MN Station 4
7/06 Lawrence, KS Granada Theatre

FEVER FEVER'S "THE CHAIR"

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:45:00 +0000

"The Chair" by Fever Fever

GETTY'S "SATURDAYS OFF THE 405" KICKS OFF WITH DUM DUM GIRLS

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:12:00 +0000

Dum Dum Girls kick-off Saturdays Off The 405 at The Getty Museum.
photos by picksysticks

Museums house everything old and antique - paintings, sculptures, pottery, books and furniture. You can say it's a Hipster's wet dream. So, last Saturday, Hipsters converged to The Getty Museum not for the vintage art but for the band Dum Dum Girls.

The Dum Dum Girls kicked off The Getty's "Saturdays Off The 405," a free outdoor concert series from 6-9pm that features up-and-coming bands along with DJ sets to set the mood while people picnic, mingle and drink cocktails - all while enjoying the picture-esque views above Los Angeles.

Known for their hip, fuzzy, Mazzy Star meets Shangri-Las West Coast beach vibe, the quartet are currently on tour promoting their most recent album Only In Dreams. It's the second album from the group, offering a more mature sound with deeply personal songwriting from front-woman Dee Dee and features, for the first time, all members playing and singing together on the album.

And to showcase how much they’ve grown musically as a group, Dum Dum Girls played their songs from old to new, in chronological order, it seemed, starting from their 2010 debut album I Will Be and then transitioning to their most recent release, Only In Dreams.

DJ Neil Schield
photo by picksysticks

Opening the night was DJ Neil Schield of Origami Vinyl spinning LPs, a welcomed musical escape for those eating out in the courtyard. And judging by the positive reception of all those in attendance, the night was a success. Offering many programs throughout the year to reach out and encourage younger and professional groups to visit the Getty, the Saturdays Off The 405 series has proved popular when it first debuted back in 2007 when it was first called "Fridays Off The 405." The response was encouraging as the museum thought up of ways to develop a new generation of art lovers and museum supporters. And what they've created was a space for people who share the same interests enjoy art while listening to music and drinking cocktails.

The next show on June 16th brings Allen Stone and his smooth vocals to the Getty. July 14th welcomes Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang and Nick Waterhouse and his vintage R&B will echo over Los Angeles on July 28th.

Saturdays Off The 405 photo gallery with Dum Dum Girls.

Listen to Cassadee Pope’s first single, “Original Love”

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:54:00 +0000

Head over to Idobi Network right now where they're exclusively streaming Cassadee Pope's new single "Original Love" off her upcoming EP which drops tomorrow (May 22nd). The EP will have four original tracks which will include "Original Love," "I Guess We're Cool," "Second Hand" and "I Told You So."

Earlier this year, Pope embarked on her first ever solo tour after announcing members of her band, including herself, were taking a 'hiatus' to pursue other interests. During the tour, she previewed some of her newest songs as well as singing some Hey Monday favorites. Below is a video of Cassadee performing "Second Hand" from her San Diego show in January.

DOWNLOAD NEW SONGS FROM KITTEN

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:36:00 +0000

Chloe Chaidez of KITTEN
photo credit: Hana Ardelean and Jennifer Szilvagyi

Here's something new from one of my favorite bands in L.A. KITTEN is offering a free download (for a limited time) of two new tracks from their upcoming EP Cut It Out, which is slated for release in August ahead of their debut full-length album in January. The new songs "Cut It Out" and "Sugar" showcase their inventive, dreamy-pop melodies that have given them high praise from such publications as SPIN Magazine and Verbicide Magazine while New York's Metromix labeled front-woman Chloe Chaidez as one of the 25 Hottest Stars Under 25.

Known for their raw and energetic stage shows, KITTEN has wowed audiences since they burst out onto the scene at 2010's SXSW when lead singer Chloe Chaidez was just 15 years old and independently released their debut EP Sunday School soon after which included their indie-hit "Kill The Light."

Check them out when they perform a FREE show at The Bootleg Theater on June 25th. If you can't wait, KITTEN next plays at The Casbah in San Diego Tuesday (May 22nd) and then head up north to San Francisco's Bottom of the Hill on June 13th.

KITTEN's Chloe Chaidez performs at The Unknown Theater.

photo by picksysticks

NEW VIDEO: "Leave the Lights On" by MEIKO

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Check out the official music video to "Leave the Lights On" from Meiko's new album The Bright Side which dropped on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Meiko had her two-night album release party at The Hotel Cafe and this Saturday she performs at Fingerprints Music in Long Beach at 6pm-ish. Call 562.433.4996 and it's FREE (all ages) with an RSVP.

"Leave the Lights On" by Meiko

SUBMARINES' SONG "FIRE" FEATURED IN KINDLE FIRE COMMERICAL

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:15:00 +0000

Blake Hazard of The Submarines performs at The Sunset Junction in 2009.
photo by picksysticks

Once again, a national commercial is using a song by The Submarines to promote their product. Play With Fire is the the newest Amazon Kindle Fire commercial is using The Submarines' song aptly titled "Fire" which is off their latest album Love Notes/Letter Bombs.

"Fire" official music video by The Submarines

If you remember, in 2009, their song "Submarine Symphonika" was used in the iPhone 3GS app ad. And the year before, the iPhone used "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie." Both songs were off their album Honeysuckle Weeks.

And last year, you might have heard their cover song of Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" used in a Nike ad celebrating World Surfing Champion Carissa Moore.

"Just Can't Get Enough" cover by The Submarines

THIS SATURDAY: DUM DUM GIRLS Kicks off 'Saturdays Off The 405"

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:24:00 +0000

DUM DUM GIRLS
PHOTO BY LAUREN DUKOFF

This Saturday, The Dum Dum Girls kicks off The Getty Museum's 2012 concert series Saturday's Off The 405. Releasing their album Only In Dreams late last year, plan on spending the totally FREE event taking in the picturesque views above Los Angeles while having a picnic, drinking wine and listening to great music.

In the past, Saturdays Off The 405 hosted Best Coast, Dengue Fever, Avi Buffalo, Tom Tom Club and Chairlift. This season brings a new batch of exciting and new music including Allen Stone, Janka Nabay and Nick Waterhouse. This Saturday also features a DJ set by DJ Neil Schield, owner of Origami Vinyl.

"Their signature blend of the girl-gang eyeliner punk of the Shangri-Las, the trashy propulsion of the Cramps, and the moody atmospherics of Mazzy Star has won over a world of fans during their massively successful headline tours. All that time on the road has molded Dum Dum Girls into a very formidable rock-roll band, giving the music an undeniable force." - Getty.edu

If you can't make their Getty show, then you can catch them when they perform at The Echoplex the night before on May 18th.

"Bedroom Eyes" by Dum Dum Girls off their album Only In Dreams

FILTER'S CULTURE COLLIDE RETURNS OCTOBER 4-7

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:50:00 +0000

CSS at 2011's Culture Collide at The Echoplex
photos by picksysticks

In what has to be the best (and also my favorite) music festivals of the year, Filter Magazine's Third Annual Culture Collide Festival returns in October with a stellar musical line-up that includes School of Seven Bells, Class Actress and Marit Larsen. Also headlining are of Montreal, Junip and Clinic with more additional artists and activities annnounced in the coming weeks.

Held on October 4-7, Culture Collide celebrates and brings together musical acts from across the globe to perform in clubs and venues in a five-block radius of Echo Park that culminates in an all-day block party to close out the festival. $20 wristbands gets you into all the performances, intimate acoustic sets, film screenings and happy hours that feature free food and drinks from other cultures. Get your writstbands quick! They've sold out quickly the past two years.

V for Volume performs at the block party during Culture Collide last year.
photo by picksysticks

Last year, Culture Collide brought us high-profile acts such as CSS, Ximena Sarinana, Asteroids Galaxy Tour, You Say France & I Whistle, Cassette, Los Hollywood, Rainbow Arabia, and V For Volume. This, year, it's sure to be even better! Click HERE to grab your tickets and to read more on this year's Culture Collide.

Tickets: http://tktwb.tw/ItI05S
Also see:
Culture Collide 2011: Day 1 & 2
Culture Collide 2011: Day 3 & 4

Filter's Third Annual Culture Collide 2012 returns Oct. 4-7
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NEW VIDEO: "UNLESS I'M LED" BY MATES OF STATE

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:27:00 +0000

New video from Mates of State of "Unless I'm Led" off their fourth album Mountaintops which was released last year. The video premiered on RollingStone.com.

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"Indie-pop duo Mates of State often inject their tunes with an uplifting dose of whimsy. In the video for "Unless I'm Led," married members Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel playfully frolic across an outdoor expanse in a single take, singing to the camera as they walk across flaming logs, release a cluster of red balloons, thrash a painting, sit at a table and celebrate their emotional fortitude around a small campfire."

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/premiere-mates-of-state-unless-im-led-20120509#ixzz1uPFB9WVg

"Unless I'm Led" by Mates of State.

SHE'S BACK! REBECCA BLACK'S NEW VID FOR "SING IT"

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:07:00 +0000

Rebecca Black is back with a new single and video. It's called "Sing It" and she released it today.

"SING IT" by Rebecca Black

Download the song on iTunes!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rebecca-black/id426285675

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IAmRebeccaBlack
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/msrebeccablack
Official Site: http://www.rebeccablackonline.com

"FRIDAY"

ALLO DARLIN' @ THE ECHO

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:08:00 +0000

Currently on their West Coast leg of their tour, AlloDarlin' stopped by The Echo on Saturday, welcomed by a loyal fan-base that made Allo Darlin's debut album a favorite among fans and critics alike. Now, they return with their second full-length album called Europe which was released last month and has already been featured as the album of the week by USA Today.

Allo Darlin' performs at The Echo
photos by picksysticks

Those who are familiar with this UK based band fell in love with their vintage-pop harmonies which are delivered over folk-pop balladry. (Specifically a ukulele) If I had to compare? The sonic candy sounds of the Submarines mixed in with the simplicity of The Weepies. This London-based band is so fun to watch and listen to, it's hard not to love this band.

Allo Darlin's Elizabeth Morris

I was drawn in by their infectious single "Capricornia, " which is their first single off their newest album. YouTube helped me generate more love for this band as I scoured more songs from this five-piece comprised of Elizabeth Morris, Paul Rains, Mike Collins and Bill Botting. And as luck would have it, they were playing The Echo a week later.

They didn't disappoint, singing their songs that made them indie-darlings. ""The Polaroid Song," "Kiss Your Lips" and "Dreaming" felt magical under the glimmering mirror-ball lights skipping against the dancing crowd. They even performed one of my favorites off of last year's EP, the catchy single "Darren."

But it was songs off their newest album, Europe, that was showcased this night. Underneath their indie-rock of soaring, playful arrangements, Allo Darlin's songs evoke nostalgia, longing and often times, heartbreak. In "Some People Say" Morris sings "I wish some things would stay the same" while Morris' breezy vocals sings "I'll remember these nights always" in the title track "Europe." One of the highlights of the night was when Morris returned for an encore to perform a stripped-down version of "Tallulah" proving more emotional in its simplicity.

Allo Darlin' continues their tour up the coast to San Francisco to Seattle and then ending their U.S. leg in New York City at the May 20th Popfest.

Allo Darlin' performs at The Echo
photos by picksysticks

"Capricornia" by Allo Darlin' off their latest album Europe.
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CASSADEE POPE ANNOUNCES DEBUT EP RELEASE DATE

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:33:00 +0000

Cassadee Pope performs at the El Rey with her band Hey Monday.
photo by picksysticks

Today, Cassadee Pope announced May 22nd as the release date for her self-titled debut EP and it'll have four original tracks which will include "Original Love," "I Guess We're Cool," "Seconhand" and "I Told You So."

Earlier this year, Pope embarked on her first ever solo tour after announcing members of her band, including herself, were taking a 'hiatus' to pursue other interests. During the tour, she previewed some of her newest songs as well as singing some Hey Monday favorites. Below is a video of Cassadee performing "Second Hand" from her San Diego show in January.

"Secondhand Love" by Cassadee Pope.

vid by TheRealConcertKing

WE ARE/SHE IS @ Lot 1 Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:52:00 +0000

Here's a band I'm really looking forward to seeing. This duo of Merilou Salazar and Jessie Meehan make up the So-Cal band, We Are / She Is and they make pop/dance music that's sweet on the ears. Skipping with fun, just like their EP Young and Pretty Clean which was released last March.

We Are/She Is plays tonight at The Detroit Bar and then joins Tic Tic Boom's residency at Lot 1 Cafe on May 23rd.

STARS ALIGN FOR STARS IN STEREO

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:42:00 +0000

Becca Hollcraft, Ryan 'Frogs' McCormack & Drew Langan perform at The Troubadour Aprill 22nd.
photos by picksysticks

It was a simple tweet that brought me and hundreds out to a private performance at The Troubadour last month. And that simple tweet packed the venue to its capacity to watch Becca Hollcraft unveil her new band Stars In Stereo. Actually, you could also say the large turnout was there to see the members of Stars In Stereo unveil their new lead singer.

Stars in Stereo/photo by picksysticks

When City (Comma) State lead-singer left the band to pursue a solo career, remaining members Jordan McGraw (guitar), Ryan McCormack (guitar), Justin Siegel (bass) and Drew Langan (drums) changed the band name to Stars In Stereo and went in search of a new lead singer. Enter Hollcraft, the journey-pop-rocker who's loyal fan-base has watched her career from her start performing at local venues, to having her songs appear on soundtracks, touring with Warped Tour and her label signing to Sony Entertainment Music where she released a few albums.

It was Stars In Stereos' celebration of new beginnings, a coming out party of sorts that echoed a Hollywood premiere which included rock and roll sweets and glam deserts provided by Hollywood Candy Girls. Even Cassadee Pope (formerly of Hey Monday) tweeted "About to head to Troubadour to see Stars In Stereo. Yayuh!"

And beginning May 12th, Stars In Stereo goes on tour with The Used and Dead Sara that begins in New York and ends in Portland, Oregon a month later. They also just released their first single "Broken," which showcases Becca's commanding power-vocals delivered over a landscape of raw rock-atmospherics. For a band that's been together for less than a year, Stars In Stereo already sounded like tour veterans playing close to an hour without missing a beat and even performing an inspiring version of Nine Inch Nails' "Closer." After their performance, I'm sure many thanked their lucky stars to witness such an electrifying show.

Set list: Dealing Secrets / All Together / Red-eyed Romance / Closer (NIN cover) / At the Stroke of Midnight / Violence / The Broken / Every Last Thing

Hundreds packed the Troubadour to watch Stars in Stereo.
photo by picksysticks

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NEW VIDEO: DRAGONETTE'S "LET IT GO"

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:29:00 +0000

Here's the newest vid from Dragonette called "Let It Go." It was directed by Drew Lightfood and produced by Revolver Films. Dragonette also announced that they're headed on their U.S. tour starting in June. Supporting them will be New York City's The Knocks. They come to Los Angeles on September 25th when they play The El Rey. List of tour dates is below:

Sat June 2 - Mountain View, CA - Live 105 BFD @ Shoreline Amphitheater / Subsonic Dance Tent
Sat June 16 - Belleville, ON - Big Music Fest @ East Zwicks Park
Fri - June 22 - Saskatoon, SK @ The Odeon
Sat - June 23 - Winnipeg, MB - Red River Exhibition - FREE SHOW w/ gate admission
Fri - July 6 - Vancouver, BC - Summer Playland Festival
Sat - July 7 - Regina, SK - Summer Invasion
Wed Sep 12 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall *
Thu Sep 13 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Fri Sep 14 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *
Sat Sep 15 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Tue Sep 18 - Chicago, IL @ Metro *
Wed Sep 19 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *
Thu Sep 20 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club *
Fri Sep 21 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge *
Mon Sep 24 - San Diego, CA @ Belly Up *
Tue Sep 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre *
Fri Sep 28 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos *

* = w/ The Knocks

ALLO DARLIN' @ THE ECHO MAY 5TH

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:18:00 +0000

Allo Darlin' are Elizabeth Morris, Michael Collins, Paul Rains and Bill Botting.

photo via Allo Darlin' facebook

Hate your Monday morning already? Allo Darlin's songs are a cup of sunshine that will perk up your day back at work. It's indie-pop that'll shower you with tickles and rainbows. Mwaaah. The quartet hails from London and is fronted by Elizabeth Morris and they just released their new hotly anticipated second album Europe earlier this month. Catch the rainbow when Allo Darlin' performs at The Echo on May 5th.

"Capricornia" is the first single off of their second album Europe by Allo Darlin'.
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SCREAMING FEMALES @ Eagle Rock Center of the Arts

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:23:00 +0000

Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females perform at The Eagle Rock Center of the Arts.
photo by picksysticks

They shred with precise efficiency under the blinding, siezure-astic strobes. Ordered chaos with laser sighting concentration. Screaming Females, the New Jersey trio who has been featured on Spin Magazine and Rolling Stone brought their garage-punk wailings to the Eagle Rock Center of the Arts last Thursday and put on a show for the ages. Tormenting Smashing Pumpkins-esque melodies sewn with sharp, Van Halen-like riffs, pint-sized front-woman Marissa Paternoster screams and thrashes without abandon. But although it seems like they're raising anarchy onstage it's Screaming Females' sense of control that impresses most, like a well trained knife juggler, you cant' take your eyes off them - sooner or later they may draw blood.

They're currently on their West Coast leg supporting the release of their fifth studio album, Ugly, which was released earlier this month. Tonight, they perform at Pomona's VLHS Warehouse and then play the Continental Room in Fullerton on Monday.

"It All Means Nothing" by Screaming Females.

"Wild" by Screaming Females

CHERRI BOMB and EVOLOVE @ Universal CityWalk's 5 Towers

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:47:00 +0000

Cherri Bomb (L-R: Miranda Miller, Julia Pierce, Nia Lovelis & Rena Lovelis) performs at Universal CityWalk's 5 Towers Music Spotlight Series.
photos

It was the second weekend in a row that the 5 Towers concert stage drew me to Universal’s CityWalk. Two weeks ago, it was Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen. And last week it was a double-billing of local bands Evolove and Cherri Bomb who took the stage as part of the April Music Spotlight Series, featuring special performances by some of pop and rock’s hottest debut artists.

The 5 Towers is one of the largest free venues in the country, boasting state-of-the-art jaw-dropping sights and sounds. 5,000 LED lights encompass the 31 x 24-foot stage that features five 42-foot LED light-towers and to make sure there isn't a bad seat in the house, a large 26-foot monitor is mounted above the stage for all to see.

Commanding performance delivered over head-banging tempos and shredding guitars, Cherri Bomb are past the point of trying to prove themselves. No longer a mere curiosity act, Cherri Bomb are now creating buzz for their music rather than their youthfulness.

This year may be the break out year for Cherri Bomb, the Los Angeles quartet who have just announced they'll be performing on this year’s Warped Tour. Already seasoned tour veterans, in their short career, they've already shared the stage with the likes of Foo Fighters, Filter and Smashing Pumpkins and have also played some of the top music festivals in the world including Sunset Strip Music Festival, Reading Festival, Leeds Festival, SXSW and the upcoming Bamboozle. This summer, their single "Shake the Ground" is going to be appearing on Marvel's The Avengers soundtrack alongside Soundgarden, Bush and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots. And next month, on May 15th, Cherri Bomb releases their debut album "The End of Control." Not bad for the band considering they're not even old enough to drink yet.

Evolove performs at 5 Towers Citywalk
photos by picksysticks

Earlier in the night, Evolove, the five-piece band fronted by Lucy Levinsohn showed why they're one of the best live acts in town. And unlike the constrained stage of smaller venues, the openness of CityWalk's 5 Towers suits the pop-core band's arena-ready songs. But the heart of the band shines in their vulnerable melodies. When they tone it down in songs like "Four Walls " and "Let Me In" you get to see that this band is more than just a hard-pop-core band. They have range and can veer from electric-power-guitar-assault to soft-acoustic-strumming. Maybe that's why they're readying future acoustic shows just in time to promote the release of their upcoming acoustic called Acoustic Sessions Vol. 1. But until then, you can catch Evolove when they next perform at The Roxy May 7th with Lacey Conner and We Are The Riot.

Evolove photo gallery @ Universal CityWalk's 5 Towers
photo by picksysticks

MAKE MUSIC PASADENA 2012 LINEUP ANNOUNCED

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 06:27:00 +0000

Ra Ra Riot performs at last year's Make Music Pasadena.
photo by picksysticks

Make Music Pasadena just announced the lineup for this year's festival which takes place on June 16th. Girls will be in full force once again as Grouplove, Grimes, Milo Greene, The Cults, Dengue Fever, Soko, Correatown, Jessica Fichot and The Happy Hollows are scheduled perform. Click HERE for more information on Make Music Pasadena.

Make Music Pasadena is one of my favorite festivals of the year. The annual free music festival brought in 20,000 people last year on the streets of Old Towne Pasadena to watch Best Coast, Ra Ra Riot, Zola Jesus and Eliza Rickman to name a few.

Also see:
Make Music Pasadena 2011

MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS ACOUSTIC "STARRING ROLE"

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:25:00 +0000

Next month, Marina and the Diamonds begins her own headline tour and then in May, supports Coldplay. And Angelinos will be able to catch her when she performs at The Fonda on July 10th.

Here's the fourth and last acoustic video from Marina and the Diamonds. It's called "Starring Role" and it's off her upcoming album Electra Heart which drops April 30th. She's already released a few singles off her new album including "Primadonna" and "Homewrecker" which you can download for free (for a limited) time on her website below.

"Starring Role" by Marina and the Diamonds.

Pre-order Marina's new album Electra Heart - http://bit.ly/PreOrders
Get "Primadonna" on iTunes - http://smarturl.it/primadonna
Get album track "Homewrecker" for F.R.E.E ! at http://www.marinaandthediamonds.com/

Website: http://www.marinaandthediamonds.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marinaandthediamonds
Twitter: http://twitter.com/marinasdiamonds

CARLY RAE JEPSEN'S "CALL ME MAYBE" CERTIFIED PLATINUM IN U.S.

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:35:00 +0000

Carly Rae Jepsen performs during Universal Studios' CityWalk's 5 Towers concert series.

photo by picksysticks

Canadian pop-crooner Carly Rae Jepsen's catchy single "Call Me Maybe" has been certified platinum in the U.S. selling 1.2 million singles. The third place runner-up in 2005's Canadian Idol, Jepsen's hit single was already a number #1 hit in her native country. It hit #1 on the iTunes singles charts in at least five countries including the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and has cracked the top 5 on the U.S. iTunes chart.

"Call Me Maybe" skyrocketed to international chart-topper after fellow Canadian, Justin Bieber tweeted about the song in conjuction with uploading a YouTube video as he lip-sync'd to the song with girlfriend Selena Gomez and Ashley Tisdale. That video raked in over 34 million hits while Jepsen's official video for "Call Me Maybe" attracted just over 30 million. Last week, thousands turned out for Carly Rae Jepsen's her first U.S. concert at Universal's CityWalk 5 Towers.

And just last month, Ryan Seacrest announced Carly will be playing at the annual 102.7 KIIS FM's Wango Tango on May 12th at L.A.'s Home Depot Center. Check out more pics on our Flickr page right HERE.

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen.

Also check out: Carly Rae Jepsen @ Universal CityWalk's 5 Towers Concert Series

HE IS WE RELEASE NEW DEMO "L-L-LOVE"

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:49:00 +0000

He Is We just released a new demo " L-L-Love" just as they set out on their "Give It All Tour" with Deas Vail, Plug in Stereo and South Jordan. It begins May 2nd in Minneapolis and ends in Seattle on June 6th. Click HERE for more details. As for Los Angeles? They will stop by and perform at The Troubadour on June 3rd. Yay!!

New song "L-L-Love" by He Is We

DELTA RAE PLAN ALBUM RELEASE PARTY AT TROUBADOUR JUNE 19th

noreply@blogger.com (Picksysticks) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Delta Rae are Brittany Hölljes, Ian Hölljes, Eric Hölljes, Elizabeth Hopkins, Mike McKee and Grant Emerson.

Known for their exciting live performances, selling out shows and performing at this years' SXSW, Delta Rae's pure sounds of Americana is what legendary A&R scout Seymore Stein loved about the Durham, North Carolina natives when he signed them to Warner Bros. Records.

"Their music, all original, is a mix of blues, country and gospel with a strong rock and roll influence," said Stein who also helped launched the careers of Ramones, Talking Heads, The Smiths and The Pretenders. "I hate labels, but if forced I would have to call their music 'Original Americana,' not unlike what the English are sending over via Mumford & Sons and others. I'm very proud to welcome Delta Rae to Sire."

Comprised of siblings Brittany, Ian and Eric Hölljes along with Elizabeth Hopkins, Mike McKee and Grant Emerson, Delta Rae will release their debut album Carry The Fire on June 19th, the same day they plan to have their album release party at the famed Troubadour in Los Angeles.

And for a limited time, you can head over to www.deltarae.com to get a FREE download of their single "Bottom of the River" as well as a FREE live album by simply giving them your email.

"Bottom of the River" by Delta Rae.