SPACEMEN 3

So, once again, I was JUST introduced to a band that's been around as long as I've been alive. Spacemen 3 is an English psychedelic rock band that originally formed in 1982 (the year I was born...you do the math :-P) & who many of my favorite modern-day artists have credited as an influence...including The Flaming Lips, Animal Collective, Hot Chip, MGMT & Pavement. 

My friend Nico turned me onto Spacemen 3 a few days ago &, after listening to a few tracks, I was hooked. Since Nico is already such a big fan, I decided to ask him to give me 4 or 5 of the best Spacemen 3 songs to feature here & his response was simply too perfect & descriptive not to copy word for word (with respective audio) below:

So here is what I think: Only from "RECURRING" (I figured you might feature this album):

1. Just To See You Smile - This track could be an intro in to modern (albeit not-so-modern) psychedelica, hypnotic Indian rhythms and all.


2. Billy Whizz Blue 1 - Makes me think, The Cowboy Junkies and Lou Reed having a jam session in Philly in the 90's, on heroin of course....great song to turn up loud, by oneself, on a cold winters day in Southwestern Australia - after a big heavy surf of course. And obviously, cooking a a white bean and tuna casoulet...


3. Drive/Feel So Sad - Although this is not one of my favorite songs, if you listen to Billy Whizz Blue 1, you really cannot listen to this song next, a continuation of the former. I always wonder if Brightblack Morning Light was listening to this tune on the drive to Bishop to record their debut album...Love the echo/pinging guitar work.


MY ACTUAL FAVORITE CUTS:::::::these speak for themselves:

1) Walk With Jesus (Demo Version) - One of my all time favorites, across all music. Period.


2) I Believe It (Off Wooden Ships EP)


3) I Want You Right Now

RACES @ The Bootleg Theater - 7/18/11

The next band I'm determined to get to play Vibe Fest 2011 (the mini music fest I'm throwing with 2 other music-obsessed girlfriends on Saturday 10/8/11 at The Vibe Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard -> PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!) is RACES! After being given several recommendations, I saw RACES for my 1st time last night at The Bootleg Theater & was seriously impressed.

This group of 4 guys & 3 girls have an Ed Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros kind of feel. They've got tons of energy on stage & you can tell they genuinely have fun making music together. I'll be SO stoked if I can talk them into playing Vibe Fest. And I can guarantee they'll pull a big crowd because they're gonna be blowing up real quick. Mark my words ;-)

New Beastie Boys Action Figure Music Video (Directed by Spike Jonze)

My favorite track off the new Beastie Boys album Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 is Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (featuring Santigold) & it just got 100x cooler!

For the full-length, 11-minute, explicit short film, go to http://beastieboys.com/

The Beastie Boys Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win ft. Santigold from Beastie Boys

The White Stripes Cover Otis Redding & Love

2 previously unreleased covers by The White Stripes were just released last week &, even though The White Stripes are never coming back, at least we can indulge in a bit of nostalgia.

P.S. I will always love Jack White.

Love’s Signed D.C.

Otis Redding’s I've Been Loving You Too Long

The Bangles @ Santa Monica Pier - 7/14/11

My favorite SoCal summer event is back!!! Thursday nights at Santa Monica Pier are pretty much the best thing about living in LA in July & August. If you've never been, I must INSIST that you make a point to get your ass down to the sand on the south side of the pier on a Thursday night ASAP! You'll understand once you get there ;-)

PORTISHEAD IS COMING!!!

When I saw Portishead open for Prince at Coachella 2008 (THE best Coachella EVER), it was the 1^st time they had played a show in the US in over 10 years so I also assumed it would probably be the only chance I’d ever get to see them. Thank god I was wrong!

In glorious celebration of the presale tickets I just bought this morning for Portishead’s October 18^th show at The Shrine Expo in LA (after JUST finding out about the show & the presale less than 1 hour before the sale started), I thought it only appropriate for me to share a few (6) of my favorite Portishead tracks.

Only You

Wandering Star

We Carry On

Glory Box

Sour Times

The Rip

Yes I Know by Memory Tapes