The luridly named Seismic Thrust are something straight out of the 90’s neo-psychedelia movement. Holding influences from The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (without the propensity for long-winded names) close to their chests, Seismic Thrust carries you back to the subcultural tradition of gritty, drug-fueled Americana. Their sound ranges from body to head high – think Take It From The Man to Methodrone – the former taking the shape of old, dusty, culturally ingrained garage and blues melodies, and breathing fresh smoke into their lungs. The result is scruffy-edged, paisley-through-dark-glasses music that knows it’s too cool for school. In other tunes, Seismic Thrust swaps their shuffling rhythm and grounded tones for a hazy drone that suspends the movement of the set and drops some Visine in your third eye. How bout that? Seismic Thrust will be playing Hong Kong Garden tonight accompanied by Emmett Drueding, who follows in the same vein of American grit. Also performing on the bill will be Dead, the token weirdo-rockers of the night, and Buffalo Tomoreaux. Hong Kong Garden, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, $5, All Ages – Bryce Woodcock
Benefit for Elizabeth Alvarado at The Smell on 1.10
This Sunday, January 10th, The Smell is hosting a benefit show to raise money for Elizabeth Alvarado, the wife of Sean Pineda, a beloved Los Angeles musician who passed away in a car accident on December 5th. Sean performed solo as S. Pineda and with his wife in a band called ALONE. More than twelve acts are performing to show their support, including Inner Ecstasy, Voice on Tape, and Nima Kazerouni of So Many Wizards. 100% of the proceeds are going to cover the medical bills of Elizabeth, who was also in the accident. The supportive spirit of LA’s close-knit musical community is something very special, and it’s telling that it weathers through the tragedies, just as much as the good times. Come out to celebrate the life of one of our own who will be dearly missed – it starts at 8 PM sharp, and may sell out. – Brittany Scheffler
Former Belle Capture a Space Deep Within at Mantua Yacht Club Jan. 9
Led by Bruno Catrambone (CRUISR), Former Belle creates a sonic setting that lingers, staying within a memorable manner. These songs capture a space deep within, as their uninhibited folk honesty hits the back of ones neck, sending a haunting shiver up the spine. However, while hitting emotion at its core, there remains a free sense of moment that brightens the creaky corners. Now, as they work on (and hopefully) reveal new material tonight, Former Belle enters Mantua Yacht Club. South Jersey’s Pine Barons develop experiment through a balance of folk simplicity, elevated with polished/customized harmonies that shift dynamics from a cruising movement to a controlled push that shakes the standard foundation. Local punk four-piece Stay at Home Dad and Heads On Sticks, which includes Darla’s Brendan Monahan, as well as Great Space complete the lineup. Mantua Yacht Club, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, $5, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Experimental folk singer Will Schaeffer releases debut album Hello, Its Will Schaeffer
Will Schaeffer seems to be a fount for the unexpected. Maintaining a barebones online presence, this artist from Baltimore has released an impressive new album called Hello, Its Will Schaeffer. Using conventional instruments, Schaeffer has created a work of unconventional sound, as the album is rooted a very DIY, lo-fi production scheme, but is gushing with quality musicality. His voice is raspy like the great blues men of the previous century and possesses a range similar to Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and The Arcs or Cage The Elephant’s Matt Shultz. Each song carries lyrical content that inspires reflective pondering and feature a strong percussive presence, replete with heavy drumbeats and crashing cymbals. The guitar work is also a treat as it eludes expectation and leads the listener on a merry hunt for rhyme and reason. Give this album a listen because it occupies its own space I’d like to call experimental folk.-Jonathan Goodwin
Weekend Warrior, January 8 – 10
Adesuwa’s new video for “Coach Class”
Adesuwa, the brainchild of Denitia Odigie, is releasing the EP "Air, Light" on January 19. "Coach Class" is the fourth song to be released in anticipation of the forthcoming EP. If you’re unfamiliar with the sounds, Denitia is one half of NYC elctronic soul duo denitia + sene. The music of Adesuwa, while remaining true to the essence of Denitia, flows right out of our collective ’80s soul dreams. The project is co-produced by Denitia and guitarist/producer, Brad Williams.
New Cayetana EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Yasss – Cayetana has a new two-song EP, Tired Eyes, available via Asian Man Records. You can stream "Freedom1313" and "Age of Consent" (one of our favorite New Order tunes) over at Noisey. They’ll also be having an EP release show on Saturday, January 23 at PhilaMOCA with Mannequin Pussy, Katie Ellen, and Bella Vista Social Club.
Lots of noisy/dreamy emerging NYC bands at Baby’s All Right tomorrow afternoon (01.09)
Our friends at OhMyRockness are organizing, together with and at Baby’s All Right, a solid afternoon of local bands on Saturday 01.09 (tomorrow). We blogged about most of them recently so we’ll let their music speak in this Minilogs compilation! In the picture, Dreamcrusher.
Don’t Belong w/Harsh Vibes at JB’s Jan. 6
Harsh Vibes conjure a sense of not belonging, while seeking and destroying all in its path. The blend of acid rock, noise and metal is not for the faint of heart with soundscapes enveloping you in a sea of guitar riffs, menacing low-end, and unrelenting drums. Harsh Vibes will be sharing their latest sacrifice to the world, the 12" You Left Me Far Behind, tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. Along to test the decibel levels of the room will be metal enthusiasts Ruby The Hatchet and Hound. This evening might be a good night to bring those earplugs that you hate so much. Johnny Brenda’s 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Alexis V.
Wedding Dress @ Empty Bottle
Wedding Dress has announced a new concert taking place at Empty Bottle on Feb. 11th with Options and Des Ark. The band continues to work on new music having released a beautiful new track, "Take Out Your Earrings", late in 2015.
New Videos: Red Room Series – Square Peg Round Hole
Below is a skillful set from post-rock trio Square Peg Round Hole. It was recorded at Sleepless Sound Studio in Germantown as part of their Red Room Series, which has also featured Mumblr and Former Belle. The performance consists of older tracks, "Skipping Stones" and "Tuesday," off 2013’s Corners and a new one called "Come and Gone." Look out for the band’s sophomore LP, Juniper, to come out on March 25 via Spartan Records.
Echo Park’s Feels plays first 2016 show at Echoplex, debut album to be released
Echo Park quartet Feels used to be six-piece Raw Geronimo, back when vocalist Laena Geronimo was mixing volatile amounts of jungle, punk, soul, goth, surf— whatever felt right. It was cool though; their cocktail of drone, discord, dirt and harmonized vocals had a strong DIY bite that wasted house parties, East LA venues, and even 2014’s Austin Psych Fest. Word caught on about Feels’ ferocious sets and everyone from Buzzbands to Lo-pie had to get a taste — at 2014’s Burger-a-Go-Go Fest, LA Times’ Contact Reporter Randall Roberts commented that the four-piece "pushed forth heavy, hard punk with more swagger than many of the acts on the main stage."
Name change hasn’t stopped their momentum, and Feels still play songs from Raw Geronimo’s "Dream Fever" LP while sprinkling in new works, like "Bitched" from their live recording at Gaucho’s Electronics. Last year, the band launched an Indiegogo campaign to help fund album production and a trusty tour van, slayed at Burger’s SXSW Caravan, came back for seconds at 2015’s Burger-a-Go-Go Fest, and toured with Tomorrows Tulips and L.A. WITCH, playing almost 80 shows total — 23 of which were here in Los Angeles, according to Oh My Rockness!
Feels performs their first show of the year at the Echoplex with WALTER, Adult Books, and GAL PALS. Get out of the rain and soak up the sound tomorrow night — watch for the release of their self-titled debut LP (produced by Ty Segall) on Castle Face Records. We’re calling it now: 2015 was the year of the meme, and 2016 will be the year of the Feels. – Ryan Mo