Live Music Picks: Monday - Thursday

We hope everybody had a great time at Coachella. Really. Secret Machines is the pick of the week.......

Mon 5/1 – Mark Olson & Gary Louris @ Troubadour ($25) – This should appeal to the y’Alternative / No Depression fans. The two main guys from the Jayhawks back together. Also at the Troubadour on Tuesday. Also on Mon - Sunset Rubdown @ the Echo.

Tues 5/2 - The Brokedown / Tony Gilkyson @ Silverlake Lounge ($7) – The Brokedown is a local sunshine-y pop band with a slight country sound. They should appeal to fans of the Jayhawks, Son Volt, etc. They play the Silverlake Lounge every Tuesday in May. Tony Gilkyson (formerly in X and Lone Justice) is a great guitarist and he’ll perform his songs with the help of Kip Boardman and Mike Stinson. Download The Brokedown’s “Down in the Valley” Also on Tues - Ladytron (sold out) @ El Rey, Bellrays @ Sea Level Records, Secret Machines @ Amoeba

Wed 5/3 – The Clean Prophets / The Morning After Girls @ Spaceland ($8) – The Clean Prophets are a local psyche-pop band with a growing fan base. Their music should appeal to fans of the Chameleons and Echo & the Bunnymen. Download their song, “Tambourine Crown.” Melbourne’s The Morning After Girls have played shows with Brian Jonestown Massacre and toured with BRMC. They should appeal to fans of those bands (the newer BRMC stuff). Also on Wed - Drive-By Truckers / Son Volt @ HOB.

Thur 5/4 – Secret Machines @ the El Rey ($24) – It’s a tough call - should you go see Daniel Johnston at Spaceland or Secret Machines at the El Rey? Seeing Johnston can be an uncomfortable experience. He’s not at ease on stage and some of the audience members are disrespectful. Since high quality sound isn’t important, see him for free at Amoeba at 6:00 PM. On the other hand, the Secret Machines should be seen with a loud sound system. David Bowie’s a huge fan of their live show for a reason. Like other great live bands, Radiohead and Spiritualized, their songs flow into one another, arrangements are changed and they take you on a “trip” (Bowie’s word choice). This is being billed as an "in-the-round performance" which should be interesting at the El Rey. Also on Thurs - Richard Buckner @ Largo, Drive-By Truckers / Son Volt @ HOB, Daniel Johnston @ Spaceland

Photo: Secret Machines vs. Daniel Johnston