If you have been scouring Craig’s List for a working time machine set for the 60s, halt your search.  The Growlers will remedy your need for 60s surf rock, with just a twinge of folk rock charm.  Together since 2006, Brooks Nielson, Scott Montoya, Matt Taylor and Brian Stewart strive to make music that rivals LSD in its mind altering capabilities.  Their latest album "Are You In Or Out" is chock full of songs so beachy they practically reek of Coppertone.  If this sounds appealing to you, go see them play with Dirt Dress at Madame Wong’s on April 23rd. 

Ja Prawn was born from the murky depths of the LA River in the early millennium, and has been relentlessly rocking Los Angeles’ diveyest dance clubs and underground caverns ever since.  Ja Prawn is a demigod sculpted of synth sludge, apocalyptic sci-fi soundtracks, and pawn shop lo-fi glory.  After honing their sound at Don Bolles’ nightclub "Ding-a-Ling" in Silverlake, CA, Ja Prawn has finally unleashed its spawn into the world. Their first album, "Everybody" is being released by vosotros.  It’s instantly danceable. Have them play your mum’s birthday.

If you want a really Good Friday, then head down to the Natural History Museum tomorrow night to see local funk, soul, hip-hop legends Breakestra perform as part of the museums First Friday’s Series. It’s a six-month long series themed as “There’s No Place Like Home: The Science of Southern California.” The brilliant Fitz and the Tantrums will open for Breakestra, and the evening includes a curated tour, science discussion, and a DJ lounge to boot. Check out Breakestra’s new video here.

Indie hip-hop wordsmith Kenan Bell has just dropped a new album of political innuendo, love songs and musings on life and whatnot– now available on iTunes. The release party is at Spaceland Saturday April 3rd, and he’ll be opening for our Angelino hip-hop faves The People Under the Stairs on their national tour for their April dates. Photo by Angelica Bonomo.

Angus Khan describes their sound as "Angus Young and Genghis Khan in a back alley bar fight."  If that description isn’t enough to convince you to watch their new video, I’m not sure you’re worthy of convincing. 

The Deadly Syndrome‘s sophomore album, Nolens Volens is now available for your ears to appreciate.  You can purchase it via itunes, emusic, Lala, Amazon, or the band’s online store.  With these myriad options, there really should be no reason you aren’t listening to Nolens Volens by Wednesday. 

Fun haters beware, Rafter wants you to have a good time.  The fun quotient is undeniable when you release an album entitled Sex Death Cassette.  The man behind the music, Rafter Roberts’ has turned indie music on its head by instilling a sense of humor into his songs.  Inspired by everything from funk, pop to Caribbean, Rafter’s songs are fast and tend to inspire legions of people to dance with reckless abandon.

A week from tonight you can get your Thriller step on with a killer lineup of L.A. bands at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Dead Meadow, dios and Lantvrn will each haunt you with their dirge. This spooky lineup was born to wake the undead. The show (in the Masonic Temple within the graveyard) is free and starts at 8pm on the 25th.

A band equipped with ineffable talent is usually enough to get people to listen.   Happy Hollows has talent, that much is true.  However, this group of three has more to offer.  These people are funny.  Really funny!  Their blog is littered with videos, many of which chronicle dynamic front woman Sarah Negahdari’s many alter egos.  If this band were a high school student, they would be the really, really good looking girl who you would like to hate, but can’t.  Ya, she might be really hot, but she can also crack a mean joke (and who hates jokes?).  Do yourself a favor and become a fan.  You’ll be glad you did. 

A fresh issue of The Deli LA is hitting the streets as you read this. We delve inside the stories of L.A. rockers The Henry Clay People, sweet Holmes, and folksters of The Beachwood Rockers’ Society. Gain insight into the creative processes of Emily Wells, The Happy Hollows, and Homesick Elephant. Educate yourself with Learning Music. This Wednesday at Crane’s Tavern in Hollywood a handful of Beachwood Rockers will entertain the masses:

D Henry Fenton

Cydney Robinson

Lowlight

Mitchells Folly

Andy Clockwise

Foster Timms

No cover, free CDs, and free Deli issues hot off the press! It all starts around 9pm Wedensday and goes way past your bedtime.

In my experience, those who are foreign born are unabashedly appealing.  The mystique that surrounds a visitor from a far away land is enough to whip just about anyone into a wild frenzy.  The same reaction will undoubtedly occur after listening to this band of Los Angeles natives masquerading as expatriates.  Foreign Born will transport you musically, rendering a passport completely unnecessary. 

Fans of The Meeting Places have been waiting with bated breath for a follow up to their 2006 release, Numbered Days.  Thankfully, he lads are currently working on some new songs and are touring throughout LA in April and May.  Let this video for "On Our Own" reignite your stagnant love for the fantastic foursome.