Duke Logan

Fri 5/26 - Elefant / Voxtrot / Silversun Pickups @ the Wiltern ($20) - Elefant's new album, The Black Magic Show, is out on Hollywood Records. They've got a stylish front man with lots of swagger and they should appeal to fans of the Killers and She Wants Revenge. Silversun Pickups are getting ready to release their debut full-length, Carnavas, on Dangerbird Records on July 11th. The people who've heard it say it's really...

Bedroom Walls All Good Dreamers Pass This Way (Baria Records) - The All Music Guide gives this local band a 4.5/5 and says: ""If Elliott Smith were still alive and decided to get together and jam with Neutral Milk Hotel, the results might sound a lot like this self-described 'romanticore' quintet." That's very high praise indeed. They're appearing live at the Troubadour on 5/30. Download a demo of "In Anticipation of Your Suicide" Johnny...

Mon 5/22 - Architecture in Helsinki / Tussle @ Troubadour (Sold Out) -Melbourne, Australia's Architecture in Helsinki are an eight piece indie band. Pitchfork gave their last album an 8.8 and compared them to Fiery Furnaces. They seem like really nice kids and their fanbase keeps growing everytime they play LA. San Francisco's Tussle makes instrumental dub-dance-indie-electronic music. Download Tussle's "DiscoD'oro - Munk Remix" Tues 5/23 - George Clinton and Parliament @ House of...

Fri 5/19 - Kelley Stoltz / Irving / The Little Ones @ the Echo ($10) - This is a very strong lineup for the indie pop fans. San Francisco's Kelley Stoltz put out an overlooked album earlier this year on Sub Pop. He sounded great at the Echo in February, but his set was cut short by a DJ night. Hopefully he won't be rushed tonight. He writes songs that are informed by all...

Cam'Ron Killa Season (Diplomatic Man) - He's straight-up gangsta. In the last two years he's hunted internet pedophiles, gotten shot and beefed with Jay-Z. Some critics complain that the beats on this album sound too much like the last one, but most agree that his lyrics make it an enjoyable listen. He's even got a song about his battle with irritable bowel syndrome. Dinosaur Jr. Green Mind and Where You Been (Rhino) - While...

Mon 5/15 - The Bronx / Wires on Fire / Sabertooth Tiger @ Spaceland (Free) - Mondays are still free at Spaceland. This week you can see three loud, punk-inspired bands. The Bronx portray Black Flag in the new movie about Germs' singer, Darby Crash. You can watch the trailer for that movie HERE. The Bronx and Wires on Fire will soon be on tour with Priestess and Riverboat Gamblers (they better have their...

While some of us were busy debating the value of Coachella, high school kids have reminded us not to underestimate their passion for blatantly commercial music. According to an article from the Daily News, area students submitted 10 million text messages for a chance to win a concert with the Black Eyed Peas. Controversy ensued, audits took place, a school was disqualified and San Fernando High ultimately emerged victorious. Not surprisingly, the contest was...

Fri 5/12 - The Bellrays @ Safari Sam's ($10) - This is a great opportunity to see Riverside's The Bellrays play a new venue with great sound. There are plans to modify the stage to give soulful singer Lisa Kekaula even more room to strut around. With her huge voice, stage presence and the tight rock band, it promises to be a high energy night. Congratulations to the winner of our ticket giveaway. If...

Beirut Gulag Orkestar (Bada Bing) - Beirut is a 19 year-old kid from Albuquerque who has the full attention of the blogosphere and other tastemakers. He worked with Jeremy Barnes from Neutral Milk Hotel so the comparisons to that band are prevalent but ultimately unfair. There aren't any guitars on the record but there are glockenspiels, ukuleles and clarinets. Download "from Italy" Danielson Ships (Secretly Canadian) - Daniel Smith shortened the name from Danielson...

Mon 5/8 - The Submarines / Goldspot @ Viper Room ($10) - The Submarines debut album doesn't come out until 6/20 but you can sample some tracks on their website or on Myspace. The album has call and response boy/girl lyrics about the two singers' relationship (both the breakup and reunion). The electronic blips call to mind the Stars and some Folk Implosion. Her voice is in the neighborhood of the woman from Mates...