On June 1, 1967, The Beatles released their eighth studio album. "It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play..." begins the titular tune. Songs off Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band became classics. For your audio-centric video lunch today, a look at the album Beatle Paul McCartney said reflects their shift from boys in pop to men in rock. more ›

You'll never know how much I really love you, you'll never know how much I really care. Listen, do you want to know a secret? The Beatles catalog will finally effing be available on iTunes. more ›

It's a three dimensional brawl between horror films My Soul To Take and Scar 3D! The former has the advantage of genre legend Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream) as writer/director, but the disadvantage of a fake 3D conversion and title change (it was known as 25/8 - which title is worse?). Scar 3D has the advantage of being shot in 3D, but the disadvantage of only playing on one screen. more ›

Thousands of years ago, the pharaohs revered the scarab. This weekend, the Egyptian Theatre comes together to worship The Beatles. A Celluloid Celebration of John Lennon's 70th Birthday begins Thursday with the premiere of Nowhere Boy, a dramatization of Lennon's early life and the formation of Beatles proto-type The Quarrymen.... more ›

The GRAMMY Museum is getting set to debut their newest exhibit -- John Lennon, Songwriter -- on October 4, 2010 in association with Hard Rock International. John Lennon would have been 70-years-old on October 9. The exhibition is a tribute to "the seven-time GRAMMY winner's songwriting genius," and highlights influences... more ›

Paul McCartney came to the Hollywood Bowl with a stacked deck. Certainly the man’s written an improbable number of memorable songs on his own in the last fifty years. But advance news that he’d expanded his horizons to include a John song AND a George song among his selections (sorry, Ringo) suddenly increased the possibilities for the set list to near-infinity. Would he stick to the tried and true piano ballads that have anchored his live shows for twenty years? Would he blow all our minds and break out weird favorites from the catalog like “I Want To Tell You” and “Sun King”, or garage stompers like “I’m Down” and “Bad Boy”? Revive his saccharine MTV staples like “Spies Like Us”? more ›

I'm always stuck when it comes to New Year's resolutions. I've already got a great job, a beautiful lady & a weekly soap-box to rave about my favorite theaters. But there's always room for improvement. For instance, I'm not as curmudgeonly as I'd like. Luckily, the Aero has my late lifecoach, W.C. Fields, and two of his finest films to help me on my way. I'd also like to increase my martini consumption. New Year's Eve is a lovely opportunity to brush up, but if I'm resolving to do this, I should enroll in the Egyptian Theatre's weekend seminar, led by inspirational drinker James Bond. more ›

It was announced today that Harmonix and Electronic Arts, developer and publisher of the hugely successful Rock Band series, will be releasing the Beatles edition of the record-breaking music game on September 9th of this year. The game will feature tracks from every era of the band's lifespan thanks to Apple Corps., who recently opened up their catalog for the game's development. There will be a limited number of special edition hardware options, including instruments modeled after those used by the Fab Four throughout their career. The game will be offered as standalone software (priced at $59.99), with guitars ($99.99) and as a limited edition bundle ($249.99). Keep track of updates and pre-order information at the game's official homepage. more ›

While watching the Oscars at home in my bedroom, I got an email informing me that I was invited to Prince's Post-Oscar party. Me? The guy who was sitting in his room watching the Oscars in a sweaty t-shirt and shorts thanks to some much needed time at the gym was now going to be partying with Prince at his ultra-exclusive post-Oscar party. more ›

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. more ›

Ringo Starr and his 10th All-Starr Band wrapped up a 31 date tour with a nostalgia-drenched set Saturday night at the Greek. The concept for the evening is simple: In between Beatles and Ringo solo tracks, most of the All-Starr band members - Billy Squier, Edgar Winter, Colin Hay, Stuart Hamish, and Gary Wright - get to take turns performing their own solo material. Gregg Bissonette, thankfully, seems content to just play drums. more ›

Ed Park is in town this week to read from and sign Personal Days, his funny, frightening & frighteningly spot-on novel about modern-day office life in this time of mergers, acquisitions, and business books full of empty platitudes that encourage workers to "do whatever it takes" and "put the customer first." Employees go missing without reason and a rogue element shakes things up, all while they troubleshoot Excel and navigate tedious office parties. Think Office Space + shades of The Good Shepherd with a dash of Invasion of the Body Snatchers tossed in. Ed will be reading from Personal Days tonight at Book Soup @ 7pm. more ›

is a tiny, unexpected gem. more ›

I've always been intrigued by other "best of" lists, but this year I decided to take it to a whole new level. I e-mailed a handful of bands that I've seen this past year in order to unearth what exactly captivated them in '07. As music listeners, it is our duty to take a keen interest in our favorite musician's influences. After all, they rocked our little world, might as well see what rocked their... more ›

So I will admit I've never seen Julien Temple's The Filth and The Fury. I've heard about it, but being more of a Clash fan than a Pistols fan, I've been waiting years for a film about The Clash, preferably portrayed by actors like The Beatles in Backbeat, (quick, who would you cast??), or hell, even just another documentary. Joe Strummer has been one of my heroes since I was a kid, due to his lyrics, intensity, clips from 2000'sThe Clash: Westway to the World, quotes in my dad's photo books on The Clash, that piano scene in Rude Boy... I could go on and on. more ›

When you have a huge music collection and you listen almost all the time, there tends to be a few artists that you come back to over and over. In our house, full of CD's, concert DVD's, and iPods a few artists reign supreme: The Beatles, Elvis Costello, and Loudon Wainwright III. Loudon's music can make you feel, make you smile, and make you think-- he is a master storyteller. Often listed with the... more ›

Destiny's Child vs The Cardigans - "My Favorite Name" About a year and a half ago we introduced you to Indie's mashup DJ Paul V. as he was celebrating the one-year anniversary of Bootie LA, the monthly dance party fueled by the current day's mashups. Since then Bootie LA has moved from the Echo to Safari Sam's but the party hasn't missed a step. Matter of fact, tonight Bootie LA is welcoming French mashup... more ›

We couldn't do a proper tribute to Late Night Eats in Los Angeles without a visit to the original Late Night Eats establishment, the one that started it all, the restaurant that embodies the very essence of car-hopping, car-worshiping SoCal burger culture: Bob's Big Boy. The Big Boy Burger was born in Glendale in 1936, the brainchild of Bob Wian (I know, the alliteration is getting a bit much for me too); the Burbank branch... more ›

I’m a pepper, you’re a pepper, he’s a pepper, she’s a pepper, wouldn’t you like to be a pepper too... Happy, Happy Birthday Dr. Sgt. Pepper, you psychedelic, rock and roll, definitive sonic buffet, you. Download: The Beatles - Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! [MP3]... more ›

How would they fill up two hours in the American Idol finale? That was the question on LAist's mind tonight. (And we were particularly bummed since we had to give up the first hour of Lost for this!) Since the show seemed just as long as the Oscars, it was only fitting that AI had filler like the "Golden Idols" -- awards for the freaks during the early part of the show. Remember the... more ›

It's been far too long since Angelenos have been able to enjoy a proper media circus, and thats why starting March 19th, the Phil Spector murder trial is set to begin, televised for our viewing pleasure. After months of postponements and more than four years after actress Lana Clarkson was found dead from a gunshot wound in his Alhambra mansion, Spector will finally have his day in court. The sixty-six year old Spector achieved success... more ›

Welcome to the LAist weekly tech news roundup. Each week I'll be bringing you the latest, and hopefully most interesting, technology news from around the city, the state, the country and maybe even the world. Also, if you have any news, tips or things of interest you want to point out, feel free to drop me a line at: themacist [at] gmail dot com. Now, let's get to the news: Mac OSX 10.5 (aka... more ›

Whispertown 2000 is an LA based band that sounds the way a soft velour blanket being dragged across the backs of your knees feels. The band is sweet, silly, and serious about bringing you traditional rock song writing styles, with a female edge. Whispertown 2000 play a lot of LA shows, and aren't afraid to make friends with their crowd. Having been to one of their shows, I wandered in feeling like a stranger... more ›

Beyonce continues to bully the charts. And far too many people think that buying Kenny G CDs is an appropriate use of money. I know we can do better than this. Here to make miserable your otherwise sunny day is a list of this week’s Billboard No.1s. Below is the short list. More good news after the jump... Billboard Charts Issue Date: January 27, 2007 The Billboard 200 - Dreamgirls:Soundtrack The Billboard Hot 100... more ›

When you write and sing songs as good as Whisper Town 2000, you can make any list you want. Here are Morgan Nagler's Best CDs of 2006 1. The Beatles The White Album 2. The Rolling Stones Exile On Main St. 3. Neva Dinova The Hate Yourself Change 4. Elliot Smith Elliot Smith 5. Notorious BIG Ready To Die 6. The Jackson 5 Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 7. Tom Petty Wildflowers 8.... more ›

John Kricfalusi's last name is hard to spell. You may have heard of John K. because he created two cartoon characters that revolutionized the american idea of what a cartoon can be. Ren and Stimpy were raunchy, shocking, sadistic, and hilarious as hell.

SInce then, John K. has started Spumco, made more fabulous cartoons, and sat down with LAist to answer a few silly questions:

Does being a cartoonist help your luck with the ladies? Does it hurt your luck? ect...

It helps with cartoonist girls sometimes.
What kind of music do you like? Who is in your CD player right now? Do you have a favorite rapper?

Jim Reeves is in my car CD player. The Beatles are on my record player. I like lots and lots of real music. My favorite rappers are the dead ones.

Do you have any tattoos? What are they, and from where did you get them? or would you consider tattooing as a hobbie?

No, I am unmarred except for some acne scars.

Have you ever considered Lasik eye surgery? (i had it done, it was mellow)

I've thought about it but heard that while they fix your distance vision, they ruin your close up vision.

Your blog is cool. It seems like you relish in helping aspiring cartoonists, with tips, contests, ect. Why would you say you blog?

Thanks. Read my post today. I'm wondering why I do it, myself.

How would you describe Los Angeles to someone who's never been there?

Mostly nice weather. Great flea markets. A great place if you like to collect rare shit like old toys, music, movies, TV shows etc. Ugly architecture. Dirty and stinky.

Do you smoke pot, drink booze, or pop pills? what do you do to party?

I drink beer and party and dance sort of.

Have you ever dated any celebrities?

April March.

What final words do you want to say to LAist.com's readers?


I don't know enough about what LAist is...so hi.

more ›

Recently, Philadelphia’s masters of low-fi pop rock, Dr. Dog, released a limited edition EP called Takers & Leavers. The CD is a bit hard to come by in stores, being that there were only one thousand copies produced, each with varying and unique cover art. However, the CD is available to order through their website www.drdogmusic.com. Now if this is the first time you have heard of Dr. Dog I suggest you go out... more ›

I've been seriously writing music since about 22 years old. I messed around with electric guitars since I was 12. But it wasn't until I was 19 and I really heard The Beatles White Album that I wanted to write my own songs. I wanted to know where that music came from which led me to Chuck Berry, 50s rock and roll, and then eventually Bob Dylan, Blues, and Traditional Folk. Then it became this american roots music thing that I was and currently am obsessed with.

Why did you leave Los Angeles for New York? Where else (if anywhere)
would you consider relocating to?

I left Los Angeles mostly cause I grew up there and was sick of the person everyone thought I was and expected me to be. Also LA doesn't really have a scene at all for roots music. I was reading some Bob Dylan biographies when I decided to move, so there was never a choice other than NYC. Sometimes I think of the Northwest, like Berkeley or Portland, maybe Seattle. I'd like to spend some time up there.

If someone in the subway tried to mug you, would you use your guitar
like a weapon, and bludgeon them with it?
more ›

The Beatles The Capitol Albums Vol. 2 (Capitol) – Four disc collection of the American versions of the early albums (The Early Beatles, Beatles VI, Help and Rubber Soul) in both stereo and mono. A tempting purchase, but unless you’re a completist it’s tough to justify. more ›

All the hype, glitz, media, and talk that led up to the National Championship game finally came to a head this past Wednesday night, and unless you've been living under a rock since then, you know how it came down. more ›