Sometimes surprise/secret shows are truly just that. What was billed as a headlining showcase for the Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group turned into an impromptu Mars Volta performance when Volta vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala joined co-founder Lopez for the show. Even before the addition of Bixler-Zavala to the group, the line was one of the longest seen at the festival with fans without badges lining up for the 12:50am show at around 2pm for the small chance that they would have the opportunity to get in. Once the show started and it was clear what the show really was crowds gathered in the alleys and fences lining the makeshift Emo's Annex venue to hear a taste of the new Mars Volta sound. more ›

Portland based musician and known as "the Stephen King of Indie Pop," Chris Robley and his band -- Fear of Heights -- play at Mr. T's Bowl tonight in Highland Park. Plenty of MP3s to check out of this indie-pop folk band below. more ›

The Mars Volta, not that I'm some kind of outraged fan, had terrible terrible sound on Letterman last night. I've noticed this over the last few years, yeah I'm slow, that the sound production on the live band performances (not "the CBS Orchestra") is always sub par on Letterman. All the other late night shows have better live sound, Late Night needs to figure this out. more ›

As you can see below it's slim pickins tonight. Last Friday the Wall Street Journal ran an article about all the smoke that the networks are blowing with their overuse of the word "new" as it applies to their programming. ABC's "all new (but partial) season of Lost" and the "all new funny" Carpoolers, which would be a welcome change for that sub par offering. I guess we're supposed to be excited about this and the fact that Victoria's Secret will be running it's first Super Bowl ad since 1999, mark your calendars. more ›

Venues are still recovering from New Year's Eve as not many concerts are happening tonight. But that doesn't mean there's good music to check out. Local organic hip-hoppers, Swamphouse (a mixture of R&B, rock and jazz), open up at Temple Bar in Santa Monica tonight at 9:30 p.m. They are followed by the Manhattan Beach based reggae band -- International Farmers -- at 11 p.m. more ›

Mars Volta - L'Via L'Viaquez more ›

I know you stay true when my world is false / everything around’s breaking down to chaos Even after a year and a half of following Mute Math, it still feels like I know a huge secret. People still ask, "what math?" You haven't heard of the electronic, ambient, prog rock, jazz and classically influenced rock quartet making headway through the music industry with a sound that resembles a mix of Sting, Radiohead, Mars... more ›

If you go as far west as you can in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd., right before you wind up in Beverly Hills you will see the Troubadour - one of the most famous rock clubs in the world - established in 1957. more ›

Are you looking for an alternative to the indie hipster lovefest called the Sunset Junction Street Fair? Are you looking for an artsy fartsy night, after pigging out on tofu from the Tofu Festival? Are you looking to rock, but not necessarily roll? Check out the Michael Motorcycle, Dan Grzeca, and Guy Burwell show on Saturday night, Aug. 18th, at the Mr. Musichead Gallery (7511 W. Sunset Blvd.). The man who shares the same first name and middle initial is one of the most sought-after rock 'n roll poster artist. Having designed posters for musical acts such as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah to the Blonde Redhead and the Mars Volta, Michael Michael Motorcycle's work has been showcased around the country as well as in concert festivals like Vegoose. His unique creative style, typography, and design sets him apart from his contemporaries. His handmade Victorian-styled prints are some of the most-prized rock/art posters available out there. more ›

A Word or 14: Check out all the crazy bands performing tonight on late night shows(??) Bolded below. Tonight - Friday - April 27th, 2007 Angels @ White Sox (KCOP, 5:00 p.m.) Ghost Whisperer/Close to Home/NUMB3RS (CBS, 8-11:00 p.m.) Melinda meets another ghost whispererer!/Anabeth discovers police corruption!/Death-row inmate wants to reveal location of bodies Bill Moyers' Journal (PBS, 8:00 p.m.) The Daily Show's Jon Stewart! Henry Rollins Show (IFC, 8:00 p.m.) John Waters visits;... more ›

We don't know about where you are, but it seems like spring can't decide whether or not to happen. Some days are warm, some days are cold, and sometimes you aren't sure which. Baseball may have started up (and soccer/football winding down) but it still seems cold out there. Unless it's not. Anyways, onto the -ists. more ›

No piece of video can capture the Mars Volta. No photo graph or online news source or audio tape or mp3 could properly convey each squeal and beat and diversity of sounds that come at you at a Mars Volta show. At first we were all, "wtf why are they playing at a place with seats?", but then we went and were like, "if people are just going to watch with their mouths wide open, why bother standing, just sit." more ›

The Mars Volta @ Orpheum Theater Son Volt (above) @ El Rey Theatre John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae @ Bren Events Center Killola @ Key Club (free, all ages) Ozomatli @ Amoeba (6pm, free) Don Carlos @ House of Blues Gregory Page, Tom Brosseau, John Doe @ Largo The Lashes, Ambulette, hosted by DJ Andrew WK @ Safari Sam's The Steve Carlson Band, Jake Coco, Leland Grant, Jackie Bristow @ The Hotel Cafe Piebald,... more ›

Hoodoo Gurus @ El Rey Theatre The Mars Volta @ Ventura Theatre The Ataris, Blackpool Lights, Wax on Radio @ House of Blues The Locust, Daughters, Cattle Decapitation @ Knitting Factory Datarock, The Lady Tigra, Scanners @ Spaceland Traeh, Swan Island, Fuckin A, Shiloe @ The Smell Black Time, The Husbands, The Guilty Hearts, Static Static @ The Scene The Ebbs, Ready the Jet, Jessica Dobson, Dirty Men @ Silverlake Lounge The Love Dolls,... more ›

People always ask us, "how do you always get great tickets to all those shows?" And we say, "we get them the day they come out." And they say, "how do you know?" And we say, "you mean you don't know?" Tickets go on sale Saturday morning (10am) for: The Mars Volta @ Orpheum Theatre, 4/3 The Format @ Mayan Theater, 6/14 Iggy and The Stooges @ Wiltern 4/23 John Legend @ Gibson, 4/6... more ›

Babydaddy, Jake Shears, Ana Matronic and the rest of the Abba-esque Brit dance group Scissor Sisters are finding just as much success here in the states as they did early last month in the UK where they debuted at #1. The follow-up to 2004's eponymous freshman offerring did extremely well here in LA last week due to several factors: they headlined a sold-out show at the Shrine last Thursday, they appeared on Indie on... more ›

Hey Rockers, our Vegoose Ticket Giveaway ends today at 4:20pm. Vegoose is the Halloween weekend two day rock fest in Las Vegas with dozens of bands and a crowd that loves to dress up in wild costumes. Tom Petty will be headlining, the Mars Volta will be there, the Black Crowes will be there, Fiona Apple will be there, and we want you to be there. So here's how you can enter... go to... more ›

Rock is back in a real way, including old school rock from some classic rock legends as well as Nicole Richie's dad! May we recommend the Black Keys, Catfish Haven, Everclear, Hella, Roger Manning Jr. (from Beck's band and Jellyfish), The Mars Volta, Los Lobos, (Santa Barbara's) Sugarcult, TV on the Radio, and yes even JT Basement Jaxx - Crazy Itch Radio (XL Recordings) Bettie Serveert - Bare Stripped Naked (with DVD; Minty Fresh)... more ›

Hey Rockers, we have a cool contest for you today... Halloween weekend in Las Vegas there will be a two-day rock fest with dozens of bands and a crowd that loves to dress up in wild costumes. And you know the old saying about what happens in Vegas, right? Tom Petty will be headlining, the Mars Volta will be there, the Black Crowes will be there, Fiona Apple will be there, and we want... more ›

8-Bit @ Mr. T's Bowl Jamie Lidell @ Getty Center (free) The Dickies @ Safari Sam's Steve Poltz @ The Mint Death by Stereo @ Key Club Mary J. Blige @ Verizon John Williams @ Hollywood Bowl Elemenopy, Billy Boy on Poison @ The Whisky Marshall Tucker Band, Atlantic Rhythm Section @ Cerritos Center The Mars Volta, Red Hot Chili Peppers @ The Forum photo by the sweaty ms. hermit... more ›

Look at that line-up, people. Accept that you live in the greatest city in the world for live music. We might not have a thousand venues, but how do you resist these options? LAist is going to see the Format, but only because we've already seen the Chilis a million times, and the Subs earlier this summer, and the Foos, and Talib, but never Steve Wynn, especially in a tiny place like that. Hmmmm...... more ›

The Bellrays Have a Little Faith (Cheap Lullaby) – Local rock band with a powerful female soul singer. Catch them live at Sea Level Records on 5/2 at 7:00 PM and Safari Sam’s on 5/12. Listen to some tracks on their Myspace page. more ›