Joshua Pressman

Tonight there is way too much going on in LA. For starters, Latin/hip-hop outfit Ozomatli will be spending their second night at the House of Blues Sunset. The front men of Thrice, Saves the day, Sparta/Sleepercar and Switchfoot will all be playing to a sold-out crowd at the Troubadour for an Invisible Children Benefit. Local musician/producer extraordinaire Jon Brion (LAist Review) is poised to jam with friends at the Largo at the Coronet. LAist's favorite b-boys People Under the Stairs are headlining the El Rey Theatre. Hawthorne-bred rapper Pigeon John will be performing at the Knitting Factory with electronic mastermind Daedelus. And, lastly, Darker My Love and the Soft Pack (formerly known as the Muslims) are slated to headline the Echoplex. But, all things considered, we recommend making a trip out to Eagle Rock. Somehow, someway Fuck Yeah Fest organizer Sean Carlson has arranged for Metallica (LAist Review) to play an acoustic set on the tiny stage at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock.

Tonight Metallica (LAist Review) and the Sword (LAist Review) will be concluding every metal aficionado's wet dream, a two-night stint at the Forum. The LA-based Latin/hip-hop eight-piece known as Ozomatli are slated to headline the House of Blues Sunset. Hello Stranger front woman Juliette Commagere (LAist Review) will be gracing the stage at the Troubadour and will be accompanied by LAist's favorite singer-songwriter Obi Best (LAist Interview, Review, #2). But we strongly suggest that you make it over to Bordello to catch Brooklyn-based buzz band Amazing Baby. It will be the band's first performance in the area, so catch them while they're still fresh!

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. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

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. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

Tonight, in what will be regarded as every metal aficionado's wet dream, Metallica (LAist Review) and the Sword (LAist Review) are kicking off a two-night stint at the Forum. NY-based bohemian pop rockers the Virgins (LAist Review) will be strutting their stuff at the Troubadour. Brooklyn-based hard rock trio Earl Greyhound are slated to headline the Hotel Café. And, lastly, Marathon Live will be throwing its Second Annual Musical Christmas Extravaganza, which features the Chapin Sisters and Miranda Lee Richards, at 3 of Clubs. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Airliner in Downtown to catch electronic mastermind Flying Lotus. You can expect to dance alongside a blather of chunky, tribal beats from 2008's tour de force Los Angeles.

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. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

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!

Tonight Rockford-based rockers Cheap Trick will kick off a two-night stint at the House of Blues Sunset. Local fringe rock outfit the Movies (LAist Review, #2) are slated to continue their Monday Night Residency at Spaceland. And, lastly, Mike Stinson is headlining a country-centric bill at the Echoplex. But we recommend stopping by the Echo to catch the Manimal Vinyl Residency. Local experimental folk rockers Gangi (LAist Review) will be fusing beats, sound bites and a distinctive nasal tenor. Besides, you're probably all Movies-ed out by now—if that's even possible.

Tonight Chicago-based pop punk outfit Alkaline Trio will be coming through the Keyclub in Hollywood. The Hotel Café is hosting the final night of its "ho-ho-tel 2008" holiday extravaganza with singer-songwriter types like Brother Sal (LAist Review). The Eagle Rock Bowling & Drinking Club will be throwing a Holiday Party at All Star Lanes with a handful of great local acts, including Wait.Think.Fast. In a strained effort to make up for last night's botched bill, KROQ has booked an indie-centric line-up that would sate your average music lover. Night two of Almost Acoustic Christmas will be headlined by the Cure, Death Cab For Cutie (LAist Review), Franz Ferdinand and Vampire Weekend (LAist Review, #2, #3, #4). And, lastly, Lawrence-based experimental rockers Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk will be performing at Echo Curio. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Echoplex for the Midnight Mission Benefit. Earlimart front man Aaron Espinoza will be joined by Rilo Kiley's Pierre De Reeder (LAist Review) for a great cause.

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. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.