All good things come from the Valley first. Lucky for those who stay "over the hill," Executive Chef David Anderson at LA's fanciest and tastiest vegan affair in the Tarzana Safari Walk (yes, that's an official Los Angeles Neighborhood, city blue sign and all), there is plans to open up a new vegan eatery with full bar on the Westside according to VegNews, who gave his West Valley restaurant a 2007 Veggie Award (Note: VegNews is the real magazine for Vegetarians, not that other mag). But first thing's first; and that's starting your weekend brunch at his restaurant on Ventura Boulevard -- Madeleine Bistro. more ›

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If there's one show that I'm super jealous that I don't have tickets for, it's the Yeahs at the Mayan - tonight. Who is cooler than Karen O? Seriously? I was lucky enough to see her a few years back at the Greek opening for the White Stripes and they were the epitome of punk rock. Everything they did was about emotion, not details, not math rock, not market penetration. Earlier this summer I... more ›

I called my friend today to tell him that I attended The Format's show last night at the Avalon and he promptly responded with, "Wow, so you went to a real pop-punk show last night?" Yes, I did and I survived. Although I wouldn't place The Format and Limbeck in the pop-punk genre, their fan base and roots are set firmly in those pre-pubescent yesteryears. Both of these bands have been sitting on a pile... more ›

The Format "Dog Problems" If you're not going to be at Dodger Stadium booing Barry you really should be at the Avalon enjoying two super great up n coming bands, The Format and Limbeck. The Format, Limbeck @ The Avalon Godsmack @ Long Beach Terrace Theater The Swell Season @ El Rey Rockchild, Pudinvaag @ The Derby Krimzen, No Mas, Dinosaur Dance, The Young Sixties @ Cobalt Cafe Elemenopy, Didley Squat, The Active Set,... more ›

The Format is one of the most underrated, great new bands out there. They do everything right - great lyrics, really good singing, creative songs. They put out their own record last year, Dog Problems, and last month they came to LA last month to shoot the live dvd for it (which the band paid for out of their own pocket too), and now we hear that all you have to do is give... more ›

Last week I went to five concerts in five nights. It was a strange and unusual experience. I will review each of the shows in a second. But first I would like to dedicate the reviews to two people. The first would be the to the guy who put those dollar bills into the urinal at the Troubadour during the Menomena show. Dear guy, I appreciate you challenging my values in regards to wealth.... more ›

The Format, She Doesn't Get It First Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival - James Brown's band joined by special guests and fronted by stars like Dave Navarro, Jerry Cantrell, Mellow Man Ace, B-Real & Sen Dog, Vayden, Kings of Spain, Queen V, Kingbaby, others @ The Whiskey They pretty much had our favorite album of last year, they're great live, and they pretty much rule the galaxy, and they're playing at a beautiful theater... more ›

We know that this came out a few months ago, but what can we say - you should have told us! If you ever see a good video, please let us. There are so few a month we could count them on one hand. Anyways The Format's video for "Dog Problems" is pretty brilliant, and it was nice to see a glimpse of Santa Monica in there.... 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 ›

The final score of the Super Bowl was: Indianapolis 29, Chicago 17. Devin Hester got 92 yards. Many entered, but we had three people in our Super Bowl contest with the letter S who were pretty damn close: sam: colts 24-21 hester 123 stacey: colts:29 bears:21 hester:97 Stephen Westrich: Colts 27 Bears 23 Hester 111 Find out who won the cd-six pack (thanks to our pals at Filter) of tunes from Silversun Pickups, Eleni... more ›

Wanna' know what's hot and fresh on our playlists? Look no further. Here's the 411 on what your favorite LA-centric blog is listening to. Whether it's sick and twisted or straight up embarrassing to mention -- it's all here: more ›

Bree McGuire, one of Buzznet's Content Editors, is surrounded by new music all day long. Buzznet was at dozens of music fests and events last year and is super tight with the emo superstars Fall Out Boy, which is why we were stoked that she agreed to tune us in to what she was tuned in to last year... more ›

The Format put out one of the best records of the year. They also gave one of the best shows in Hollywood this summer. For some reason though we haven't seen them on very many Best Of 2006 lists which makes us a little sad inside. Dog Problems was funny, uplifting, dance alongy, and sometimes deep. Bro can sing, and the songs are multilayered and unique. Maybe it's not cool to like the Format just... more ›

One of my favorite technocratic pastimes is cruising the iTunes store and finding new bands by the "Listeners Also Bought" feature. Joining forces with LAist last year brought me new avenues to discovering music and I am always excited to share my zeal for something. And in no specific order... 1. Nearer Than Heaven by The Delays I discovered these guys on one of the best shows on INHD called London Live. 2. Plan... more ›

If anyone complains about new music today they're not buying the right cds. Arizona's The Format came out with one of the best new discs of any year and is in LAist's Top 5 of 2006, which is quite a feat since there were so many great ones that came out this year. Fun, happy, hopeful, easy to get into, "Dog Problems" was there for us as we fell asleep, there for us as... more ›

Just because Thanksgiving is over doesn't mean we can't be thankful for some excellent people. Now, this might blow your minds, but LAist doesn't just innately everything, some of our information is handed to us either via email or snail mail or singing telegram. more ›

A few months ago, we visited with The Format at the Avalon. We were also visiting an opening band that night called Anathallo in anticipation of this weekend where they will hit the LA area with three concerts. The large band of percussionists, keyboardists, hand clappers, velcro rippers, floor stompers and vocalists just blows us away. Organic, playful and just a pure joy to listen to, we can listen to their artful music, which... more ›

Interested in a shiny new High Def DVD player but don’t know what format to get? Confused about the quality of HD DVD versus Blu Ray DVD? Afraid to go into your local Best Buy and see what all the fuss is about and ask the twelve-year-old kid that works there a question? We don’t blame you at all. To get the scoop on at least one of the competing formats, HD DVD, you... more ›

One of the happiest, positive, up-beat bands you'll ever hear. Phoenix's The Format are sweet and loveable and their fans send that love right back. Last night LAist was lucky enough to catch their gig at The Avalon with Rainer Maria opening. The kids sang, the kids danced, the kids hugged their friends and took pictures with their phones. The band looks like they were just pulled out of the high school marching band,... 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 ›

Meet Daniel Hernandez, one of this LAist Interviewer's most elusive targets. He's only 25, but he's already an important voice in the Los Angeles media. Always on the go, we've been chasing him for an interview for the past year. We're glad our persistence paid off because Daniel has a keen sense about what's really interesting about this city. We first noticed Daniel's writing when he wrote a piece about the endangered graffiti art... more ›

Last Thursday morning started out great. I jumped in my car listening to mix of morning shows, but left off listening to Kenny Chesney’s “You Save Me” on KZLA. When I returned to my car around noon to venture off downtown, KZLA had a grand surprise – it vanished, leaving the LA and OC counties country-less. LA has now joined the side of New York City and other metropolitan areas in life without a country music radio station. more ›

Everyone knows the format of LA's local newscasts: Lead with a killing, throw in a car chase, then the weather, sports and end on some puff piece about a kid or a cat. That's pretty much why we don't watch. But channel surfing late on Sunday night, something caught our attention on NBC4. And we watched because it was slightly disturbing, yet mesmerizing: Furnell Chatman's hair. more ›