Category Archives: TVD Los Angeles

Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Too many people are there / It’s noisy and bright, no one cares / But I’m happy in my rose colored corner / No hurry to go anywhere

People they stop and they stare / Disgusted what really isn’t there / But I’m happy in my rose colored corner / No hurry to go anywhere

The people they keep all their secrets / Awaiting each new break of dawn / I’m daunted by days coming gone

For the first time since I’ve been putting together The Idelic Hour, I missed a Valentine’s Day. My routine for many years is to spend Thursday nights listening to records, surfing online, and compiling and building the show to post on Friday.

Being not the most computer savvy rocker, I’ve figured out how to create and send off the show to TVD in DC, but in all honesty the “bones” of The Idelic Hour have been hacked together weekly by a battle hardened 2010 MacBook.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Snow started falling, / I could hear the angel calling / We rolled on the ground, he stretched out his wings. / The boy flew away and he started to sing. / He sang, “Break it up, oh, I don’t understand. / Break it up, I can’t comprehend. / Break it up, oh, I want to feel you. / Break it up, don’t look at me.

The sky was raging, the boy disappeared, / I fell on my knee / Atmosphere broke up, the boy reappeared. / I cried, “Take me please!”

Good Friday—yep, that’s where we’re at. Being what I call a “Schmohawk” (a smart mix of Jewish and spiritual Native American Indian) what the fuck do I know?” So, today is good. OK…I will try and make that happen. Why not? It’s spring break for the kids in Canyon, so I’ll give myself a break too.

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LONG BEACH, CA | It’s no surprise that One Love Cali Reggae Fest has become one of the premier reggae festivals in the US. Since their early days at The Observatory OC in Santa Ana, this festival has gotten bigger and better every year since its inception back in 2015 with no signs of slowing down any time soon. Situated gracefully under the watchful eye of The Queen Mary in beautiful Long Beach, One Love continues to attract reggae’s best and brightest and this year’s event was no exception. Legendary bands such as Dirty Heads, Rebelution, and Slightly Stoopid headlined a three-day event for the ages that left die-hard fans wanting more.

Having been to countless festivals over the years, its important to know right out of the gate that One Love Cali Fest is different from most of the large-scale events one might attend. Upon entering the park, you are immediately immersed with a reggae vibe that feels different. Flanked by three stages, guests can leisurely wander back and forth to catch their favorite bands or better yet take in new ones they’ve never heard before.

The atmosphere at One Love is completely chill and absent of the pretentiousness that accompanies many of the cookie-cutter music festivals crisscrossing the US these days. I met more insanely cool people in one afternoon that I had at the last 10 concerts I had covered and I’m probably being generous.

In addition to beautiful weather and an out-of-this-world vibe, Friday’s line up was second to none and the one I circled on my calendar when the festival was first announced back in November. Unfortunately for me, there were 25 insane acts performing that day across three stages (SMKFLWR., Roots & Culture, and the Tiki Stage) and I’d have to choose which ones I’d be watching (as there was no real way to cover them all).

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Aim for the country fair, you read it in the paper / The worst happens any week a scandal on the front page / See the happy pair smiling close like they are monkeys / They wouldn’t think so but they’re holding themselves down / (Hold themselves down) / I found that essence rare, it’s what I looked for / I knew I’d get what I asked for

Keeping this week simple is likely the easiest way to keep my head straight. Flipping through the car radio channels, I stumble onto tune from Rubber Soul. Even the name of the album is brilliant comfort food.

So I’m saying “the word.” Well, for The Beatles it was “LOVE.” For this week’s Idelic playlist, it’s “NEW.” Because there really isn’t anything like hearing a great new song for the first time. Think about the process—your brain connects listening with thoughts and the magic of “taste.” Oh, new is yummy when it’s yummy.

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Howard Jones seems to be getting better with age. He’s anything but a one-hit wonder and continues to churn out amazing, new music along with reimagining his classics of yesteryear. If you get a chance to Howard Jones live in support of his 2020 “Transform Tour,” do so—you will not be disappointed.

The early eighties were a magical time for music. The New Wave revolution was just beginning to take off and bands like Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys were just beginning to make a name for themselves here in the States. Fast forward a few years, and a little-known English musician by the name of Howard Jones burst onto scene. His humble beginnings in 1983 quickly morphed into a very distinct style of music that blended his amazing talent as a pianist with true genius storytelling. On a crisp Saturday night in downtown Los Angeles, Howard Jones took the stage at the historic El Rey Theater for an intimate night of music and conversation that captivated a capacity crowd.

Opening the show for Howard Jones was New York singer and songwriter, Rachael Sage. Her brief 30-minute set was jam-packed with beautiful songs like “Spark,” “Trouble,” and my favorite “Haunted by Objects.” Rachael’s ability to connect with the crowd was noticeable, as many in the audience were smiling ear to ear while singing along to songs that were fresh, catchy, and relevant. In addition, Rachael’s voice was simply breathtaking and echoed joyfully throughout the El Rey.  It seemed the perfect place to showcase this amazing talent. I’d be remiss not to mention Rachael’s violinist, Kelly Halloran. She is an out-of-this-world talent and I thoroughly enjoyed her playing throughout the set.

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I’ve seen Queensrÿche upwards of 40 times and can’t seem to get enough of this ever-evolving band. Their seventeen-song set was chock full of new material, classic tracks, as well as a few from the vault that I haven’t seen performed live in years. Add guitar virtuoso John 5 to the bill and fans were treated to an unbelievable night of rock and roll music that left the capacity crowd screaming for more. It’s the perfect blueprint for what a live music show should be and delivered on all levels Thursday night.

I make no apologies for being a Queensrÿche fan and have been all my life. Watching a virtually unknown band from Seattle on WTBS’s Night Tracks was where it all started, and I have been a die-hard fan ever since.  Their brand of no-frills rock and roll (and lineup) has obviously changed over the years, but they continue to crank out amazingly relevant music that’s fresh, entertaining, and most importantly real.  Where most bands from their generation have fallen by the wayside, Queensrÿche has reinvented themselves and are still doing what they love on their terms. Their story is rare and their evolution even more extraordinary.

Opening Thursday’s show at the Anaheim House of Blues was Eve to Adam, and band hailing from the East coast and one I honestly have never heard of.  However, it was evident from the moment they took the stage that these guys were serious rockers and ones we shouldn’t take lightly. Eve to Adam’s set was short but highlighted the ability of these talented rockers and why Queensrÿche would have added them to this bill.  I gave their recent release Ithaca a spin and its solid and think you’ll feel the same way.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

If this world were mine, I’d place at your feet / All that I own; you’ve been so good to me / If this world were mine / I’d give you the flowers, the birds and the bees / For with your love inside me, that would be all I need / If this world were mine / I’d give you anything

24

It’s been a sad week in our “City of Angels.” The Kobe crash is weird and sad karma, and many are now asking why this is effecting us Los Angelenos so deeply. Of course I spent much of the early days of the week listening to sad songs. Today’s playlist muse, “Sadsong Street,” was penned by Richard Swift, another brilliant soul who met his end way too early. I used to tease Richard about his sad songs. Adored by many, somber tunes don’t often lead to fame and fortune in the record biz. Yet for my Idelic heart, I reach for these tunes in times of healing.

This week I couldn’t be help but think about basketball. I’ve long since stopped trying to explain the game’s significance to my upbringing in New York City. At a young age (ironically about the same age as my son Jonah) I wandered out to Central Park to play hoop. What I found was a world, community, a group of friends, heroes and villains, apart from my family and school.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Let’s drink to the hard working people / Let’s drink to the lowly of birth / Raise your glass to the good and the evil / Let’s drink to the salt of the earth

Say a prayer for the common foot soldier / Spare a thought for his back breaking work / Say a prayer for his wife and his children / Who burn the fires and who still till the earth

Anyone catch the first episode of the new Larry David?

It’s Grammy weekend in LA, Impeachment week in DC, and there are a shitload of koala bears and kangaroos who need our help.

I hear there are people who actually wear those red “Donald” baseball caps, but they’re as rare as “roos” around this canyon. I say let’s make planet Earth great—call it “Earth justice.”

On a LA Grammy week note, we do have pop music here. It’s kind of a “corruption” in the universe of music. Many call them artists? I guess there is an art to claiming your star on Hollywood Boulevard. In my old neighborhood in NYC, you would just get your ass kicked for listening to Peter Lemongello.

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ANAHEIM, CA | With so many musicians in town for NAMM, there seems to be an over-abundance of jam shows that fans can take part in on any given evening throughout convention week. Although many are solid in their own right, one stands out each year as the quintessential “must-attend” show. This year’s Metal Allegiance performance at the Anaheim House of Blues was nothing short of spectacular and once again demonstrated why it deserves to stand atop the mountain of all-things metal.

NAMM week can be overwhelming.  On any given day, tens of thousands of people flock to the Anaheim Convention Center for what is arguably the largest musical convention of its kind in the world today. Whether you are a musician, vendor or fan, there is something for everyone over the traditional 4-day event, and entertainment options become even greater when the event closes its doors for the evening. On Thursday, the buzz around the convention hall was Metal Allegiance’s sold-out show at the House of Blues that evening, and it was definitely a show I had circled on my calendar earlier in the year as a “must-see” during NAMM week.

Kicking off the evening were three bands that in their own unique way, lit the fuse on the Metal Allegiance powder keg on Thursday night.  First up was Trauma, a legendary bay area thrash metal band hailing from San Francisco.  One might think that an opener is simply filler for the main event, but these guys were legit. The concert erupted into bedlam from note one, and there was no turning back at that point. Next up was Weapons of Anew. I’d never heard of this band prior, but I’m definitely a fan after taking in their ridiculously entertaining set from the pit. Their energy was off the charts and were definitely a sign of things to come later that evening.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

We found a new kind of dance in a magazine / Tried it out, it’s like nothing you ever seen / You sweet talk like a cop and you know it / You bought a new bag of pot, said, “let’s make a new start” / And that’s the way to my heart / The way to my heart / That’s the way we get by / The way we get by

Not sure what to lead off the new year /new decade with. “Howdy y’all,” or “What the fuck am I gonna do?” So of course I’ve taken the question to the godz of rock ‘n’ roll and song and came up with an Idelic muse. Oh yeah, it’s this week’s Idelic Hour playlist muse: “Anything I can get, I’ll fucking take it!”

Over this past month of “holiday hibernation” two things came to mind while listening to music. First one, of course, my obsession with new bands, artists and songs. What sound will be next and who and where are the next rock stars?

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I’ve seen well over a thousand concerts in my lifetime but had never seen Styx live. For me, Tuesday’s show at City National Grove was a performance I won’t soon forget. You’d never know that this band is approaching the big 5-0 by the way they slayed a nearly 3 hour, 21-song set. It was as if all in attendance were magically transported back to the late ’70s during Styx’s Pieces of Eight Tour. If I could give this performance an 11, I would. It was that good.

What more can be said about Styx that has not already been said over an illustrious career that started back in the south-side of Chicago in 1972. Sure, the band has gone through some changes over the years, however the spirit of Styx remains and continues to pump out new music and phenomenal live performances like no other. Tuesday’s show in Anaheim was simply incredible and highlighted why this band remains atop the altar of classic rock and roll.

Styx kicked off their set with “Gone, Gone, Gone” off 2017’s critically acclaimed release, The Mission. It was Styx’s first single off the album and the first featuring Lawrence Gowan on lead vocals. Gowan’s vocals were crisp and combined with an incredible stage presence launched their performance into hyperdrive deep in the heart of Orange County. This show was going to be fun.

Over the next 2+ hours, Styx captivated the near-capacity crowd with classics that spanned their entire catalog and then some. Tommy Shaw took the controls on hits like “Too Much Time on My Hands” and “Blue Collar Man” and even teased an acoustic version of Damn Yankees’ “Come Again” prior to launching into 1976 classic “Crystal Ball.” Shaw was on point throughout the entire set with crisp guitar licks and amazing vocals that are second to none.

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What was already a pretty nifty small club gig—with New York rocker Jesse Malin and his band headlining a show also featuring Chuck Prophet at Hollywood’s Hotel Cafe turned into something more notable when the guest stars started coming in during Malin’s encore.

First there was Richard Bacchus of his old band D Generation—together they did “Capital Offender,” the only song from that outfit Malin played all night. But then a puffy, wild-haired, bespectacled rocker in flannel came out. It was Ryan Adams, on stage for the first time in nearly a year, when a New York Times story alleging sexual misconduct made him drop out of sight—the first major #MeToo reckoning in the rock world. Plans to release the first of three albums he announced he’d put out last year were dashed by his record company. Three equipment companies withdrew endorsements.

But Malin stayed a friend to Adams, inviting him on to play what turned out to be five songs from The Fine Art of Self Destruction, the 2003 solo debut from Malin that Adams had produced and played on. It was also the first album Adams ever produced. As Adams careened around the stage, playing mostly rhythm and adding the occasional harmony vocal, they played “Queen of the Underworld,” “Wendy,” “Downliner,” “Solitaire” and the suddenly ironic title song—a big boost to Adams fans who cheered the return online the next day.

The appearance seemed a bit different tonally from the rest of the set, with otherwise concentrated on the album he recorded out in Los Angeles with Lucinda Williams and released last year, Sunset Kids. Malin, at 51, carries the mantle of New York rock traditions dating back to Dion, with a tough guy demeanor and a heart of gold. With his newsboy cap and thin frame, he can churn up the rock with his band, but also slow it down for an acoustic confessional. As a performer, he’ll jump on the drum stand, abandon the stage, wander through the crowd and end up standing on the bar in the rear of the room — all while still connected with a wire; no wireless microphone for this guy.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

And if you turn up the dream to cure yourself free from searching for a new afterlife / The purpose of life, you know there’s still time to tune into the right side / Well I assumed that we were lovers yesterday / The turning tide that that love us to pray / You know what I would do if I were you

As The Idelic Hour says hello to 2019, I’m blasting into the year like a rocket to Russia. ’18 is gone and I haven’t met a soul who’s missed those recent days.—although it’s fairly pathetic how much Mr. Donald is trying ruin everyone’s new year.

Fuck it, fuck him, and anyone with a sour word or note. If it’s cold, let’s turn the heat up, swing and shake it up until the punch is sweet.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

What can I say on this Friday the 13th?

It’s the final Idelic Hour of the decade and my birthday! I’m so old—my number looks too weird to write. Another bookmark in my rock ‘n’ roll journey. It’s been weird and truly wonderful. Let’s carry on into this second decade of the this new millennium. What a trip it will be.

Thank god for all the musicians and songs that made “the teens” sometimes cool and sometimes bearable. Also thank to all who have checked in and listened. And of course Jon Meyers, props my friend rockkkk!

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On a cold and dreary Tuesday night in Orange County, King Diamond conjured up the spirit of Abigail in front of a packed house in Anaheim, CA. Fans from all walks of life were in attendance to witness his ghastly sermon and nobody left the venue disappointed. It was a masterful show from one of the all-time legends of black metal and one of the best shows I’ve seen this year. All hail King Diamond!

I can remember hearing “Melissa” for the first time as a teenager and was immediately hooked on Mercyful Fate and their lead singer, King Diamond. Their music was like no other at the time and pushed all conceivable boundaries, mixing dark themes of Satanism and the occult with raw, unadulterated metal. King Diamond’s unmistakable falsetto was one of a kind and still lives on in infamy some 45 years later. Tuesday’s show would definitely be one I would cherish as a lifelong fan.

Opening for King Diamond were two bands that I highly anticipated seeing live, Portland’s own Idle Hands as well as legendary English rockers, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats. Each band was unique in their own right and killed their respective sets. I’d definitely be down for seeing them both again the road as their brand of no-frills rock and roll resonated with me as well as others at the City National Grove on Tuesday evening. Definitely a breath of fresh air for sure and one I won’t soon forget.

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