Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Buddyhead Christmas Party @ Hotel Cafe, 12/21/08
Earlier this month, Buddyhead held its Christmas Party at the Hotel Cafe (MySpace) in Hollywood, with a lineup that included poet Ryan Ritchie, Brandon Intelligator and The Sheriffs (MySpace), Tsk Tsk (MySpace), Sid Brown (MySpace), Todd Congelliere ("MySpace), Dios Malos (MySpace), Claire Cronin (MySpace), Zander Schloss (MySpace), Nick Jago, Alain Johannes, Jason Simon, Sweethead (MySpace), and Aaron North.
Two of the biggest names scheduled for the celebration, Josh Homme and The Duke Spirit (MySpace), cancelled and several artists did not perform as advertised, including The Entrance Band (MySpace), Jeordie "Twiggy" White, Dean Fertita, Alessandro Cortini, Xu Xu Fang (MySpace), Wires On Fire (MySpace), HT Heartache (MySpace), and Birthday Twin (MySpace).
Adding insult to injury was the rampant disorganization on the part of the organizers -- on par with the chaos associated with first day of this year's Sunset Junction Street Festival -- exemplified by the extremely late start time for doors (which are usually 6:30 PM but in this case was about 8:00 PM) and opening act, as well as the time in-between sets (sometimes as long as 30 minutes).
Kevin "Skwerl" Cogill at Antiquiet critiqued that the evening "...came off like a vanity show -- where most of the acts cared more about being onstage than the masses would care to hear them. Buddyhead seems to be known for not pulling punches, so I’m let down by the sore lack of discrimination. But in the end, I suppose it wasn’t any better or worse than the usual family or office holiday gathering..." Meanwhile, other reviewers were about as blunt, summarizing that "The bands ranged from awful to awesome," and that the night "...pretty much sucked since it had so much potential. Thank god for Alain and Sweethead otherwise it was a total waste."
Special thanks to Buddyhead and the Hotel Cafe.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
