I was immediately drawn to this local pop-punk EP for three reasons: 1. The band is named after the red-mulleted prankster from the classic kids’ TV series, Salute Your Shorts, 2. Closing track “Who Wrote Holden McNeil?” is a reference to both Screeching Weasel and Chasing Amy, 3. The cover art by notable punk artist Cristy Road is pretty rad. … read more
Victims To Be: PEARS’ Zac Quinn
The band PEARS as seemingly became an “overnight sensation.” I hate using phrases like that, but they have been a band for a year and a half and already played the main stage at Punk Rock Bowling and been signed to Fat Wreck Chords … read more
Richard Thompson @ State Room 08.13 with Morgan Snow
From his folk rock work in the 1960s with the Fairport Convention to his dozens of acoustic and electric solo records in the years since, Richard Thompson has been a driving force in guitar-based rock for his entire career. … read more
Fuck Yeah Grrl Idols: Must-See Acts of FYF Fest 2015
As soon as the FYF Fest lineup was announced back in May, I began eagerly planning my trip to the heart of downtown LA for the two-day-long festival (formerly known as Fuck Yeah Fest). … read more
Local Reviews: Burnell Washburn
Underground local star Burnell Washburn has graced the 801 with his new EP, An Apple a Day, a soul-medicating compilation of indie production, urban storytelling and poetic positivity. Burnell has hit a passionate stride with the predecessor to his upcoming August LP. … read more
Review: You Don’t Say
With You Don’t Say, Powell tells 17 different stories that mostly involve being a young, carless adolescent. … read more
Review: Game of Thrones Episode 5: A Nest of Vipers
I imagine I’ll be playing A Nest of Vipers again on a different save file, just to see how things could have ended up differently. … read more
The Unapologetically Goofy Shayne Smith
Shayne Smith is by far the nicest, most tattooed guy you’ll ever meet, and he’ll leave you debilitated with laughter after every conversation. … read more
Local Reviews: Secret Abilities
The feminine sound of Tink Safeer’s backing vocals gives the already danceable “You’re Alive” a dash of ’60s pop. Decapitated slows to an end with a narrative sung from the perspective of a deceased lover accompanied only by acoustic guitar: “I Stopped Loving You Tonight” could be Deadbolt on open mic night. … read more
Review: Strike Back: The Complete Third Season
Strike Back is at its strongest when it revels in the fact that it’s a cocksure action flick that liberally combines body count with boobies. … read more
Local Reviews: Burning Olympus
Words Taken From Books caught me off guard in a good way. These five songs are lustrous and captivating, with a spacey, dream-rock vibe and just enough grunginess. Vocalist Devin Powell is successfully emotive and visceral, while the band handles the rest with lo-fi texture and intriguing rock patterns. … read more
Review: Legend of Kay Anniversary
Legend of Kay Anniversary Edition is a remaster of an old Playstation 2 game. While I enjoyed playing Kay in the end, I’m not sure why this game was re-made. … read more
