Hands Across America, eat your heart out. Tonight, on the last Friday of the first month of the Pagan new year (this is not true), the hardest working blog in showbiz salutes you, Los Angeles, the object of our collective desire, with a high-hoisted brew, and a coordinated, planet-wide toast. You are all invited to join in the revelry, and together in nerdiness we will plot our success, literally, on a google map. The bottle-opening...... [continue]

At 21 years old, less than two months new to town, living in my cousin’s back room in the deep valley, making love to a Thomas Guide every night, with zero frame of reference for my situation, I embark on a film career. My first break, an independent film, hires me to be their production secretary. What’s that? I don’t know either. Here’s what I do know. The production office is at 6th and Alameda...... [continue]

The Fuck Yeah Fest IV has creeped upon Los Angeles like a wedgie at a water park. Be there this weekend and join the legions of depraved and debaucherous rock and roll souls as they wander the lovely and history Echo Park in search of their sonic masters. 50 bands. 5 venues. 2 days. And all the music, art and comedy you can eat for the nice price of $24. LAist has a pair...... [continue]

Dear MCA, I would like to marry you and have 1000 of your Buddhist-rapper babies. While this may come across trite or ill conceived I assure you I am neither a crazy person nor a stalker fan. Of course I think you make great music, but what I’m saying is that I have not been harboring these feeling for two decades hoping that one day I’d have a chance to spring them on you....... [continue]

Really, who doesn't love robot sounds and music about outer space? The 900 Number sample at 2:49 ain't bad either. This is clearly the Beastie Boys' world and we're just livin' in it. Ps: Adam Yauch is a dreamboat....... [continue]

Fountains of Wayne played a tight, if not under appreciated, set week last week to a trickling-in crowd who at least knew the words to Radiation Vibe. Chris Collingwood and the boys humbly played the part of the opening act and Squeeze fan. “Enjoy the show!” they shouted, as if one had not just taken place. With a synthy and sexy Take Me I’m Yours, Squeeze emerged with some new players and some old...... [continue]

When it comes to crotch identification, no one works harder than LAist. Last week one of our favorite LA blogs, Defamer, ran the underwear photo above (and to the right), accompanied with a story about a movie and blah blah blah. But the mystery remained: Who's Crotch is That?" Happily, our tireless hours of up-close interviews and in-your-face journalism have not been for naught. Thanks to an amazingly reliable source close to the project,...... [continue]

Bluesy, smokey, growly, and deep -- Patti Smith the original She-punk poet, commanded the Santa Monica Pier last Thursday night. Her voice was clear and the sound was fantastical. Her stage banter was absurd and somewhat drowned out by the rumblings of the mostly parental type fans in attendance. I’m pretty sure there was talk of tacos, but I’m definitely sure there was discussion of oatmeal. Patti thought she was at a festival, but hey,...... [continue]

Compared to Tony's pictures, mine look like they were taken from outer space. Nevertheless, there is a certain satellite-like grainy quality that makes me tingle when I look at them. I hope it does the same for you. Many more pix from the milky way cam after the jump...... [continue]

OUT TODAY: Junior Senior - Hey Hey My My Yo Yo (Rykodisc) [MP3]: “We R The Handclaps” via Fluxblog Eisley - Combinations (Reprise / Wea) [MP3]: “Invasion” via Lullabyes Linda Thompson - Versatile Heart (Rounder) [MP3]: “Beauty (feat Antony)” via Homo Eclectic The Wildbirds - Golden Daze (Universal Republic) [MP3]: “Way Down Low” via Come Pick Me Up You Say Party! We Say Die! - Lose All Time (Paper Bag) [MP3]: “Giant Hands” via...... [continue]

British pop new-wavers, Squeeze, have (mostly) reunited and they feel so good. Did you know that Molly Ringwald had a Squeeze poster in her Sixteen Candles room? Did you know that the dreamy blonde lifeguard who worked with me at summer camp had a copy of 45’s and Under in his car. Did you know I can play Yankee Doodle on a ukulele? Slightly subversive post-punk with an energetic and upbeat sound, Squeeze makes...... [continue]

Did you know that the Philippines' No. 1 fast food chain was here in Los Angeles? Well, it is. And with inventive flavor-concoctions and the best named foods around (Yumburger, Chickenjoy) what Jollibee lacks in nutritional value it makes up for in wow-factor. And grease-factor. And indigestion. Beyond the jump, behold the wonders of Jollibee... Jollibee 3821 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 906-8617...... [continue]

Sometimes the things that strike me funny are hard to explain. All I can say is, I have new tennis shoes... And pay special attention to secret sauce guy. This is a Jack commercial from 1970, and it's clear that we the people of 2007 are not doing nearly enough drugs. Tacos 2 for 99, Jack in the Box... Bacon Cheddar Tato Wedges, Jack in the Box... Midnight at the Drive-Thru window, Jack in...... [continue]

OUT TODAY: Flight Of The Conchords - The Distant Future (Sub Pop) [MP3]: “Business Time” via Tunes Consumed Magnolia Electric Co - Sojourner (Secretly Canadian) [MP3]: “Leave The City” via Aquarium Drunkard The Budos Band - The Budos Band II (Daptone Records) [MP3]: “Chicago Falcon” via Inflight at Night Okkervil River - The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar) [MP3]: “Unless It’s Kicks” via Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good Augie March - Moo, You Bloody...... [continue]

I know the end of the Nordstrom anniversary sale was painful for all of us, but what better way to quick-heal a fresh wound then with new savings. Ready your checkbooks. Saks has embarked upon its yearly Consolidation Sale which means almost every department (minus handbags and cosmetics) is reduced. Men’s Store too. The pre-sale mark downs have already taken place but the full effect slashings don’t happen until Thursday, Aug 9th. The racket goes...... [continue]

Leslie Landis is an enigma, wrapped in a vintage coat, eating a hot dog, wrapped in bacon. This LA-based interior decorator with rising “it-girl” status has gained widespread attention for her fiercely held aesthetic and unmatched intellectual understanding of design. She boasts a devout social following that rivals Andy’s Factory, and her Silver Lake bicycle gang is not to be trifled with either. Leading the ascent of LA’s art elite with a modern bent that...... [continue]

What is the point of elevating ordinary objects into works of art? Is it pretension? Is it creative genius? Under a cold, white light, and placed high behind glass, if I say a paperclip represents the complex maze of modern life and its circuitous parallels are symbolic of the duality of isolation and overexposure in an accelerated workplace, is it true? Ask Murray Moss, the New York design guru and tastemaker extraordinaire, who has...... [continue]

Happy Monday. Here are cat songs. And since racist stereotypes know no species boundaries, and psychedelic jazz is as much for cartoon felines as it is for the children who love them, please also watch the post-jump video and behold Eva Gabor in all her boho wonder. France is swinging y’all. Dylan Hears A Who - The Cat In The Hat &righticonhover=0x333232&text=0x333232&slider=0xF2F2F2&track=0xFFFFFF&border=0xFFFFFF&loader=0x838383&soundFile=http://andysternberg.com/laist/TheCatInTheHat.mp3"> Squeeze - Cool For Cats &righticonhover=0x333232&text=0x333232&slider=0xF2F2F2&track=0xFFFFFF&border=0xFFFFFF&loader=0x838383&soundFile=http://andysternberg.com/laist/03 Cool for Cats.mp3"> Bruce Springsteen -...... [continue]

Ever read the Shel Silverstein poem, True Story? That's why New Music Tuesday is on a Friday. Go forth into your weekends, and rock. OUT NOW: Bat for Lashes - Fur & Gold (Caroline) Common - Finding Forever (Geffen) Josh Rouse - Country Mouse City House (Bedroom Classics) Culver City Dub Collective - Dos (Everloving) 1990s - Cookies (Rough Trade) Dr. Hook - Greatest Hooks (Capitol/EMI) G. Love & Special Sauce - A Year...... [continue]

Whether you are partial to the Annette Bening days, or a fan of the emo-beatle hair phase, everyone's favorite Presidential advisor and American Idol runner up is playing a show at the Greek this Saturday. LAist has one pair of tickets for one lucky person (or their lucky mom). Sincerely though, people are nuts about this Aiken fellow and far be it from me to begrudge them their fetishes. In fact, I encourage them....... [continue]