This year marks the 20th annual KROQ Weenie Roast (y Fiesta), and if remembering them announce the inaugural one doesn't make you feel old enough, consider some of the old-is-new-again bands that are part of this year's lineup. more ›

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Tonight local indie rockers Silversun Pickups (LAist Review, #2, #3) will be headlining the Greek Theatre with none other the Henry Clay People. NY-by-way-of-Berkeley-by-way-of-Claremont dance punk outfit We Are Scientists are poised to take on the Troubadour. And, lastly, local electro pop singer-songwriter Evan Voytas will be gracing Spaceland with female-fronted, bicoastal indie rock quintet, "both figuratively and technically," All Wrong and the Plans Change. But we strongly suggest heading over to Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens to catch a slew of fantastic local bands, including LAist favorites the Happy Hollows (LAist Review, #2, #3), Voxhaul Broadcast, Useless Keys, Walking Sleep, Slang Chickens and more. more ›

If one took a quick glance at the lineup for this year's installment of KROQ's annual early summer bash, the Weenie Roast, you might think you had stepped into a time machine (Hot Tub or Delorean, your choice) and were blasted back to the Mid-Nineties. With Hole, Stone Temple Pilots, Devo and Sublime all at the top of the bill, nostalgia was the name of the game at this Weenie Roast. more ›

As with last year, while you are waiting for the tape-delayed West Coast television feed of the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, LAist will be covering the awards show as it unfolds live at LA Live! This year a slew of LAist favorites, including Brooklyn-based indie pop duo MGMT (LAist Review, #2, #3, #4, #5), Parisian indie rock outfit Phoenix (LAist Review), local indie rockers Silversun Pickups (LAist Review, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6) and English indie pop duo the Ting Tings (LAist Review, #2, #3), have been nominated in various categories. They may be relatively diminutive in comparison to recording industry giants like Taylor Swift, the Black Eyed Peas, Kings of Leon and Lady Gaga, but we are rooting for the underdogs. Stay tuned for frequent updates! more ›

Earlier this month, the family-friendly Kidrockers followed their November show with The Henry Clay People and Silversun Pickups with their last show of 2009 at The Echo, hosted by comedian Matt Dwyer and music by local indies The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra and The 88. more ›

Last month, the family-friendly Kidrockers presented a show at The Echo, hosted by comedians Matt Dwyer and Greg Behrendt, with music by The Henry Clay People and the newly Grammy-nominated Silversun Pickups. "Two hometown favorites returning from their respective fall tours, performed together... filling the room with a wall-to-wall mass of kids and their rock-savvy parents, with the Henry Clays modifying their rock 'n roll classicism for the under 18-crowd (lyrical references to beer were quickly and humorously ad-libbed to Hi-C) and the Pickups playing a full-band acoustic set," reported Travis Woods from Web In Front. more ›

You've got to really, really want to see a band if you go to the Gibson Amphitheatre. You can't just drop by casually and check it out. One has to commit themselves mentally, physically, and financially for such a trip. By the time you've shelled out an exorbitant sum for parking, had your senses assaulted from all sides by the glowing hell scape that is Universal Citywalk and are finally sitting in the murky, oppressive gloom of the amphitheater, most of us are grumpy as hell and in desperate need of a stiff drink. Fortunately for everyone at that venue The Silversun Pickups are so good that they managed to erase all of those bad memories after the first couple notes. Even the depressing ambiance of the venue was lifted immediately as front man, Brian Aubert couldn't contain his joy at being home, "Forgive us if it’s a little cheeseball, but we’ve been waiting so long to say these three little words: Hello, Los Angeles!” The crowd roared in welcome, and Aubert asked that the house lights be turned on so he could see his adoring fans. After soaking up some of the hometown love, the triumphant Pickups set about the task of blowing everyone's mind (and eardrums). more ›

Tonight legendary Akron-based new wave act Devo (LAist Interview) will be taking on a two-night stint at the Henry Fonda Music Box. Local indie rockers Silversun Pickups (LAist Review, #2, #3) are poised to headline LA Weekly's 101 Fest at the Gibson Amphitheatre. And, lastly, LA-bred electronic mastermind Daedelus will be gracing Cinespace with Jogger... more ›

This week legendary Boston-bred alternative rock outfit the Pixies will be taking on a three-night stint at the Hollywood Palladium with local noise-infused rockers No Age (LAist Review, #2) and Brooklyn-bred TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone, who will be performing material from his solo endeavor Rain Machine of course. Equally legendary Akron-based new wave act Devo are poised to take on a two-night stint at the Henry Fonda Music Box. Local indie rockers Silversun Pickups (LAist Review, #2, #3) will not only be headlining LA Weekly's 101 Fest at the Gibson Amphitheatre, but will also be performing special sets for Kia Soul Collective at Siren Studio and Kidrockers at the Echo. And, lastly, experimental Icelandic collective Múm will be gracing the El Rey Theatre with none other than Icelandic indie pop outfit Sin Fang Bous. more ›

As mentioned earlier this month, the family-friendly Kidrockers kicked off its second season at The Echo, hosted by comedians Matt Dwyer and Emily Maya Mills, with music by The Damselles & the TC4 and Quazar & the Bamboozled. more ›

Tonight NY-based alternative rock trio Yeah Yeah Yeahs (LAist Review), among many other prominent rockers including hometown heroes Silversun Pickups (LAist Review, #2) and the Airborne Toxic Event (LAist Interview, Review, #2, #3, #4, #5), will be performing at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater for this year's edition of KROQ's famed "Weenie Roast" (LAist Review). English indie rockers Doves are poised to headline the Wiltern with none other than Massachusetts-based buzz band Wild Light (LAist Review). And, lastly, Birmingham's own indie-pop duo O+S will be gracing the Bootleg Theater. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown to catch prolific Scottish post-rockers Mogwai. LAist favorites Dead Meadow are slated to kick things off. more ›

Tonight San Franciscan folk rockers Vetiver will be taking on a two-night stint at the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock with none other than Oregon-based singer-songwriter Richard Swift. London-based electro-pop duo La Roux are slated to headline the Roxy with LAist favorite, local instrumental duo El Ten Eleven. And, lastly, around mid-day LA-based country troubadour Mike Stinson will be gracing Redwood Bar & Grill. But we strongly suggest trekking all the way out to the Glass House to catch local buzz band Silversun Pickups, who are poised to release their forthcoming sophomore effort Swoon this coming Tuesday. more ›

Tonight Rockford-based rockers Cheap Trick will be concluding their two-night stint at the House of Blues Sunset. Austin's own shredders the Sword (LAist Review) are coming through the Viper Room. Buffalo-based alternative rock outfit Mercury Rev will be performing at the El Rey Theatre with singer-songwriter Imaad Wasif (LAist Review). And, lastly, a handful of great local acts, like War Tapes, Seasons and Exitmusic, will be rocking out at Spaceland. But we strongly recommend that you head over to Space 15 Twenty for the Pablove Supreme Benefit. Not only are Eulogies (LAist Review, #2) playing, but Jimmy Tamborello (of the Postal Service & Dntel), Silversun Pickups and Daedelus are slated to DJ as well. Make it out for the great cause and great tunes! more ›

The out-of-state Monolith Music Festival at Red Rocks was this past weekend (did you go?) and this year's lineup of Band of Horses, The Avett Brothers, Mickey Avalon, TV on the Radio, American Bang, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, among many others did not disappoint. Set up on five stages over two days at arguably the most scenic venue ever, Monolith brought indie-rock fanatics a mile-high in the air to celebrate all things music.
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Last Thursday, Echo Curio (MySpace) presented a show with local artist Ronald Dzerigian (MySpace) and local band The Pity Party (MySpace). Much of The Pity Party's merchandise showcases Dzerigian's artwork, and this evening featured their free limited-edition show-exclusive EP). more ›

One look at the bill for Night Two of KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas one might think with all of the INDIE flavor that that LA's "other" rock station was behind the programming. But alas it was KROQ and Night Two featured great performances by Modest Mouse, Muse, Feist, Silversun Pickups, Jimmy Eat World, Spoon and a surprise unannounced performance from the Killers.
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"Knights of Cydonia" - Muse (One of the best videos of the year because we can relate to it via Guitar Hero 3 and we love Western themes. That and it's a great song.) Abstract 3's Armenian Folk Jazz @ The Baked Potato Muse, Feist, Jimmy Eat World, Modest Mouse, Silversun Pickups, Spoon, The Shins @ Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal Citywalk The Cult, The Cliks @ House of Blues - Disneyland Heavy D @... more ›

Tell me this isn't the best single and video of the year more ›

released August 21st, 2007 more ›

My boy Carson Daly takes a lot of heat. People complain that he is a late night talk show hack, and that he is basically unwatchable. Sure he is not the leader of the pack, maybe not even close to the leader, but his show rocks and it's about time people appreciate it before he's replaced with someone even lamer. We'll admit that his opening monologue is always just a bunch of poorly delivered... more ›

Sea Wolf played right around this time yesterday. They were great (photo essay here). Unfortunately our cameraman was not. He had been drinking, and it appears the camera that he spent a fortune on isn't so great. And neither is the Google Video uploading compression ratio. Fortunately you get the gist of what it was like on the roof of Dangerbird Records as Sea Wolf played "The Garden You Planted" (above) and a new... more ›

Attention record labels who want people to love you forever and think fondly of your bands: do what Dangerbird did today and invite the good people who adore music to come to your roof and drink beer and eat tacos and meet cool people, and listen to some of your great new talent. Do it a little after noon so we're awake. And make sure it's a perfectly sunny day. Oh, and make sure... more ›

Tonight's a crazy night of rock. And yet, is there anything cooler than Morrissey playing the bowl tonight? Chris Cornell, Queens of the Stone Age, Sum 41, The Bravery, Plain White T's, Silversun Pickups, Shiny Toy Guns, Cold War Kids @ Seaside Park (Ventura) Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock, Sugar Hill Gang, Stacey Q, Expose, Stevie B. @ Honda Center Morrissey @ The Hollywood Bowl Reverend Horton Heat,... more ›

Recently there has been an explosion of local bands that have burst onto the music scene, Silversun Pickups, Cold War Kids and Under the Influence Of Giants, to name a few. After touring extensively for the past year one of these bands returned home for the first time in about that long. Under The Influence Of Giants returned home to Los Angeles to the El Rey Thursday Night. more ›

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A Word or 52: TV icon Bob Barker is retiring and is getting a big sendoff from CBS. Lost will be killing us by not giving us any additional info about Locke. Idol will knock another one off. There are no decent movies on TCM or IFC to go take refuge from regular broadcast TV tonight. Tonight - Wednesday - May 9, 2007 Angels @ Mariners (Fox Sports, 7:00 p.m.) Cardinals @ Dodgers (PRIME,... more ›

Now that the dust has settled out in Indio, the world famous KROQ today announced its lineup for its annual spring fling, and just like any weenie roast there are some dogs in the bunch. So the question is, is it worth it to venture down behind the Orange Curtain and put up with annoying high schoolers in order to see The Killers, Bad Religion, Rise Against, Social D, Tim Armstrong and the Silversun... more ›

The Jesus and Mary Chain, Gogol Bordello, Bjork, Sonic Youth, Peaches, Arctic Monkeys, Stephen Marley, Of Montreal, Silversun Pickups, Satellite Party, Julieta Venegas, Noisettes, Amy Winehouse and others @ Coachella Gwen Stefani, Lady Sovereign @ Gibson Pigeon John @ Malibu Inn Grant Lee Phillips @ The Troubadour I See Hawks in L.A., Horsepainters, Amy Farris @ The Scene The Cinematics, The Heavenly States, Le Meu le Purr @ Spaceland Apes of the New Millennium,... more ›

Now that the line-ups have been announced, I'm happy to follow Sloane's lead and speculate on what my day will look like. more ›