Check out Sublime (now known as “Sublime with Rome”), at the Hollywood Palladium on April 20th and 21st.

Hole is playing on the 22nd and 23rd of April at The Music Box at Fonda; we hope you have tickets since both shows are sold out.

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Joining Smith as part of a double bill will be avant-garde cellist Zoë Keating, who’s featured on his latest single “All Is Love.” In addition to her own material, Keating – the former Rasputina member who’s opened for Imogen Heap and Amanda Palmer, and is in L.A. following a triumphant turn at SXSW – is planning to accompany Smith solo on the legendary Tears single “Mad World.”

As of press time, tickets are still available for the show ($25, general admission). They’re not available online, but you can call Largo at (310) 855-0350 to charge by phone, visit in person Monday afternoon between 2 and 6, or take your chances and buy at the door. Showtime is 8pm, doors open at 6pm. More info on the Largo website (www.largo-la.com) or at Smith’s website (www.curtsmithofficial.com).

If you want to be featured on “Facebook Fan Friday” and share some things about yourself:

1. Become a fan of L.A. Concert Calendar on Facebook
2. Answer the questions below
3. Send your answers through our contact page, and we’ll select a new fan each week to feature!

1. What’s your name?

Evan Ames

2. What do you do?

I paint on things.

3. Favorite places to eat in LA?

Wurstkueche (arts district)
Nippon Ramen (reseda)
Tacos Mexico (canoga park)

4. Last show you went to?

Tall Tales @ Billy O’s

5. Describe a perfect day for you?

carne asada bbq, coronas, tacos, good hip hop or jungle beats.

6. What band are you really into now?

Weasels Exist. Flip Cassidy is amazing.

7. Shout-Outs?

Hydra, Meaghan, Mags, Jamie @ Rude & Reckless, Beningo, Evie Apple, Adee, David Retenia, Brook and 86, Tall Tales, Ninja Academy, and everyone who keeps me up!

Personally, what I was listening to was a bastardized version of rock and roll, glam, and punk rock all blended together to create some sort of hideous, mangled deformity. What made me so critical of these guys was not anything personal I assure you, it was the lack of dexterity with which they played their instruments that got me so frustrated. Motorcycle Boys in their essence embodied, emboldened, and perpetuated the pay to play, quid-pro-quo mentality so antithetical and antagonistic to what consciously minded show-seekers have come to be so weary of from soulless Hollywood showcases. “If these guys spent more time on their music as they did their appearance”, my friend leaned over and whispered into my ear ironically to cut in through the music, “they wouldn’t be half bad.” A smile slithered across my bloated face at the pithy observation. Yet, I could not hate this band or write them off completely. Never mind that the songs lacked any kind of depth, substance, or possessed anything near to what would constitute a solid, redeeming quality- but they went out there and for “15 minutes” they thought they rocked the house down. Self-delusion at its finest. Bravo, gentlemen.

The headliner Prima Donna was much more of a relief to the senses. Their music and appearance had much of the same qualities as the other bands playing that night, and their attempt to innovate old-school glam and punk rock sadly fell short of it’s aspiration. However, I have to say: they did their thing with enthusiasm and craftsmanship, the crowd was supportive and I enjoyed what their music had to offer. Show performance, stage presence and confidence go a long way when at a live event. But it’s what happened in between these two bands where the redeeming quality of the night lies…

After Motorcycle Boys ended, I was filled with piss and alcohol. I settled on yet another expensive beverage; the bartendress was all smiles that night and offered provocative gestures but I knew she was there to make her money, no point in even trying, I thought. As I turned to take the first sip of my domestic swill, Sean Wheeler a.k.a Captain Sean Doe, front man of the well-known L.A. rock band Throwrag, and Zander Schloss, eclectic musician extraordinaire, were about to surprise the audience with an impromptu acoustic set performed by just the two of them. From the start of the set I became completely enamored by what was on display- two men, separated by at least a generation, working as one to entertain an unexpecting audience with soul, rhythm and what was so obviously missing from that night: heart. Just words and a solitary instrument utilized to convey something that could only be said in chorus and verse. I could not make out clearly what the words meant in the way he meant them, however, his body language, tenor of voice, and the music harboring it- it was clear to me that he was being personal up there, and sometimes you don’t need lyrics to know what someone is talking about.

The night ended with me at the Viper Room getting piss-silly intoxicated with my friend and one of the promoters of the Key Club we met that night. All in all, it was great- I got drunk, heard a cool band, made a new friend, I couldn’t complain.

Source: Jon Pebsworth

You can check out more of our upcoming concert picks here!

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