Joshua Pressman

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 pop star/actress Mandy Moore will be performing at the Troubadour with K.D. Lang. Tom Morello and the Nightwatchman are slated to rock out at the El Rey Theatre. And, lastly, One Trick Pony will be playing Spaceland with a slew of other great local indie acts. But we suggest heading over to the Gibson Amphitheatre for Power 106's Cali Christmas Bash. We may have hated on Kanye West's latest, but that won't stop us from experiencing the theatrics.

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 Australian hard rockers AC/DC will be coming through the Forum. Chicago-based pop punk outfit Fall Out Boy are slated to perform at the Troubadour. And speaking of Chi-town, the Plain White T's will be rocking out at the Roxy. But we strongly suggest that you head over to Spaceland tonight for the Free Monday Night Residency. LA locals the Movies are so good we might just pick them every Monday night.

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 English pop rock sensation Keane will be stopping through the Largo at the Coronet. Topanga Canyon folk rockers the Weepies are slated to headline the Hotel Café. And, lastly, St. Albans' own electro pop outfit Friendly Fires will be rocking out at Spaceland. But we suggest heading over to the Troubadour to catch Little Joy. Fab Moretti of the Strokes? Immaculately crafted pop rock gems? Count us in.

Tonight Australian hard rock band AC/DC will be performing at the Forum. Legendary punk rockers Bad Brains are slated to play the newly renovated Hollywood Palladium. Brooklyn-based noise rock outfit Japanther is headlining a pretty thorough bill at Enjoy Human. And, lastly, ambient maestros the Antarcticans will be tearing up the Smell in Downtown. But we strongly suggest heading over to the hole-and-corner Pehrspace to experience the glory of LA locals the Monolators.

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 English pop rock sensation Keane (LAist Review) will be stopping through the Roxy. Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Bryan Adams (LAist Review) is headlining the Wiltern. Local producer/musician extraordinaire Jon Brion (LAist Review) is performing one set only at the Largo at the Coronet, of course. LA-based hard rock outfit the Bronx are slated to perform at the Echo with LBC's Crystal Antlers (LAist Review). LAist favorites the Submarines (LAist Interview) will headline the Echoplex. And, lastly, the hilarious dudes in Trainwreck—featuring Kyle Gass of Tenacious D (LAist Interview)—will be rocking out on the tiny stage at El Cid. But we strongly suggest heading over to Spaceland to catch local singer-songwriter Robert Francis (LAist Interview), who will be doling out folk-infused ditties all night long.

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.