When the inevitable Hardcore Hall Of Fame hosts its opening ceremonies at the Huntington Beach Quality Inn’s main ballroom in spring of 2014 (even as debate over the eventual location of the actual Hall is still being debated in the letters pages of Maximum Rock And Roll), Bad Brains will be among its first inductees. From the time of their first recordings in 1979, the influence these DC Rastafarians held over a swath of pimply white teenagers was equivalent to any band of their era: Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Minor Threat, DOA, anybody. Their sheer other-ness, the fact that they didn’t look or sound anything like the other bands, their ability to bust into a reggae jam at any moment, served notice that this scene could be expanded in any direction its participants wanted to take it. more ›

Tonight Australian hard rock band AC/DC will be performing at the Forum. Legendary punk rockers Bad Brains are slated to play the newly renovated Hollywood Palladium. Brooklyn-based noise rock outfit Japanther is headlining a pretty thorough bill at Enjoy Human. And, lastly, ambient maestros the Antarcticans will be tearing up the Smell in Downtown. But we strongly suggest heading over to the hole-and-corner Pehrspace to experience the glory of LA locals the Monolators. more ›

I am thankful for… Thanksgiving - even though I think it’s a stupid holiday, and I pretty much hate all the food associated with it - for giving me the opportunity to spend the day with family that I love and actually enjoy being around. I am thankful every day that I am able to make a living being creative and doing something I love. (Except for when I’m on strike) I am thankful... more ›

Various Artists Kurt Cobain About A Son Music From The Motion Picture Barsuk Records, released 9/11/07 The loud-quiet-LOUD bipolarity and creepy darkness of Kurt Cobain's music comes across loud-and-clear in this excellent collection of grunge, punk, and blues that make up the music of Kurt Cobain About A Son. The fact that no actual Cobain material is used in this makes it even weirder, and if you ask me, better. It makes you miss... more ›

The last time I saw DC punk icons Bad Brains play live was in a big hall somewhere in Long Beach or Pedro circa 1987. HR still plays solo projects, and sometimes they come around billed as Soul Brains, playing mostly reggae. Wednesday night was a rare opportunity to see the original lineup play their punk rock catalog. Their new record, Build a Nation, produced by Adam Yauch, is definitely reminiscent of their early... more ›

Tack, Going Direct, Sam Boyd, Rogue Stallion, Foiled @ Whisky more ›

Eddie Van Halen still sorta is the greatest guitarist alive. And maybe you don't like your rock gods to be a little looney and close to death, but we do. And if we learned one thing about David Lee Roth it's that he aint no morning man, which is fine. What he is is the only front man that Van Halen should have ever had, and we're glad that all the nonsense was able... more ›

Beastie Boys - The Mix Up (Capitol) Bryan Ferry - Dylanesque (Virgin) Metric - Grow Up and Blow Away (Last Gang) Love - Blue Thumb Recordings (Hip-O) Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger (Lost Highway) Sinead O'Connor - Theology (Koch) Blondie - Eat To The Beat [REISSUE] (EMI) Chris and Thomas - Land of Sea (Defend Music) Bad Brains - Build A Nation (Megaforce) Nick Lowe - At My Age (Yep Rock) Taste the rainbow...... more ›

- The Police will play Dodger Stadium on July 23. There's that number again - NBC 4 - Gov. Schwarzenegger's killer plan to export California prisoners out of Cali and let other states deal with our problem was declared "unlawful" by Sacto County Superior Court judge - The Merc - "Homeboy Goes to Harvard" founder speaks to Reseda's Cleveland High thanks to people like Fluke Fluker - LA Daily News - Over 28,000 people... more ›

The hot babes have invaded LA today. Over at Hollywood & Highland they're throwing a free show with some bands that are easy on the ears and eyes, and then down the road at the Viper there's Metric's singer Emily Haines doing a solo performance to support her solo cd. If that's too sweet and mellow for you, the Knitting Factory is screening the new DVD of Bad Brains' 1982 CBGB shows -- and... more ›