Category Archives: TVD Los Angeles

Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Rock and grills / Mountains and hills / They won’t last they won’t last / Your building’s tall very tall / Your people small very small / They won’t last they won’t last / They won’t last they won’t last

Stop rider coming baby / Cakifia is her name / Some call her California / She’ll break just the same / She’ll break just the same / She’ll break just the same

Over the many years I’ve written this “mini column” (aka intro) for the Idelic Hour, I’ve mentioned this and the hour of music is my weekly diary. This week was a big one in our home. Wednesday our son Jonah turned 14. As parents we understand a child’s birthday is a family celebration. We reflect on the day of and the day before. We pull baby photos and look and coo in awe of life and the constant ebb and flow of change—what I call my rock ‘n’ roll journey. As a second time around, an “older” parent, I also have become keenly aware that life only comes around once.

Wednesday was my one shot at celebrating Jonah’s Fourteenth, and my goal was to savor every minute of it. For me 14 was pure rock ‘n’ roll magic. In those days my old man had moved from NYC was living in San Fransisco. On the weekend dad would say, “go for a ride.” This meant we’d get in the car, pop in a cassette, smoke a joint, and explore the California coast.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

You got soul, and everybody knows / That it’s all right, whoa, it’s all right / When you wake up early in the morning / Feeling sad like so many of us do / Hum a little soul / Make life your goal / And surely something’s got to come to you

And say it’s all right / (It’s all right) / Say it’s all right / (It’s all right) / It’s all right, have a good time / ‘Cause it’s all right, whoa, it’s all right / Now everybody clap your hands / Give yourself a chance / You got soul, and everybody knows / That it’s all right, whoa, it’s all right

It’s the last weekend of July. It’s hot so I’m gonna keep it simple: listen to a bunch of old records and maybe hit a few new sides.

At some point this weekend I’ll ride my kid to the beach and watch him surf. I’ll BBQ some chicken and eat crunchy yellow cucumbers. I’ll try to do it all with a smile because “life’s a sweet ride.”

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I was so excited when I found out that the Red Hot Chili Peppers were going to be performing in San Diego at Petco Field. I have been a fan of their music for decades, and it was an amazing experience to see them perform live again after a number of unforeseen “Covid cancellations” the past few years. The sold-out show was absolutely incredible, and I would highly recommend grabbing tickets to this one if they come to your hometown. The energy RHCP released on stage was contagious, and they had the entire stadium dancing and singing along all night long. If you are a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers—or rock and roll for that matter—you need to go see this band live.

I’ve honestly been a huge RHCP fan my whole life. As a teen growing up in Southern California, they were my hometown heroes from day one and pioneered a whole new genre of music encompassing funk, rap, and alternative into a unique sound that has been their signature ever since. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have often been imitated, but no one has been able to duplicate their unmistakable sonics or swagger. That in a nutshell is a testament to the incredible musicianship of Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith, and John Frusciante.

Opening Wednesday’s show at Petco Field in San Diego were two Los Angeles based bands, HAIM and Thundercat. Both bands were uniquely different and provided those who arrived early an amazing opportunity to rock out as the stadium began to fill up. Thundercat took the stage first and electrified fans with his funky baselines and smooth as butter grooves. HAIM was up next and brought Thundercat’s surge of energy to a whole new level. Sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana ripped off a powerful 9-song set that captured the mind and invigorated the soul of the San Diego faithful. All in all, both openers performed brilliantly and set the stage for what was about to come.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

When you call Call my name / I need a shelter / I need a friend Someone to hold me To lend a hand / I fell on hard times / I lost the plot / No understandin’ The pain I got / My body’s broken / My body is bruised / Try to remember / What it’s like not to lose / I won’t go under / I won’t give in / Try to remember What it’s like to win / I need a shelter / I need a friend Someone to hold me To lend a hand / I fell on hard times / I lost the plot / No understandin’ The pain I got / My body’s broken / My body’s bruised / Try to remember / What it’s like not to lose / I won’t go under / I won’t give in / Try to remember What it’s like to win / When you call Call my name

Today’s thought? Is my mind broken?

Actually it’s my right middle toe. I broke it a few weeks ago and finally got around to a foot doc. The prognosis? “If your gonna break something it might as well be your right middle toe.”

Well, this said, there is a certain frustration with a small bone break. What a surprise as I found myself flipping through old records thinking of songs about broken bones and hearts. Luckily I don’t have a broken heart but I did pull a sad song, “Broken Finger Blues” from my departed pal Richard Swift, below.

It reminded me of the week I spent with him five summers ago. He was recording The Seasons, a brilliant French Canadian band I was trying to manage. In a quiet moment in the studio I asked Dickie about his next solo album. Swift played me the song. I remember turning to him, asking if he really broke his finger? He shook his head and said “Yeah Johnny.”

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Classic rock lovers rejoice! The “Unzoomed” show featuring REO Speedwagon, Styx, and Loverboy was one amazing evening under the stars in Irvine on Saturday night. Five Points Amphitheatre was the perfect venue for this classic rock extravaganza, and the concert did not disappoint. Amazing performances by all three bands had the crowd on their feet all night long. If you love classic rock, this is one show you don’t want to miss.  Let’s dive into the performances!

Opening the show on Saturday was none other than Canadian heartthrobs, Loverboy.  From the first notes of “Notorious,” these cats delivered a high-energy performance that had the audience on their feet from start to finish. Frontman Mike Reno was in top form, belting out “Working for the Weekend” and “Turn Me Loose” with ease. The rest of the band (including Paul Dean, Doug Johnson, Matt Frenette, and Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve) were equally impressive, delivering a tight and polished set that kept the crowd moving and grooving through their short but exhilarating set. Loverboy proved they’re still a force to be reckoned with and left everyone in the audience wanting more.

Next on the docket was Styx. These Chicago legends have been around since 1972 and are one of those rare bands that is just as good, if not better live than they are on record. Tommy Shaw and James “J.Y.” Young led the band through 15 classics that spanned their historic 50+ year career. Highlights of the show included “Lady,” “Too Much Time on My Hands,” and “Come Sail Away,” but honestly every song was great. The encore consisted of “Mr. Roboto” (one of my favorites) along with “Renegade” (which featured original bassist Chuck Panozzo). These were perfect songs to end their set and highlight in spades why Styx is definitely a band worth seeing live.

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Often referred to as the voice of a generation, Australian singer-songwriter/guitarist Courtney Barnett has developed a cult following for her self-deprecating lyrics and raspy guitars. Thrust into the spotlight as an unintentional spokesperson for depression, her music speaks to audiences who feel disconnected from the current culture of toxic positivity. More than just a documentary, Anonymous Club brings the viewer into the honest midst of her mental health struggles.

Shot on a 16mm camera by director and longtime Courtney Barnett music video collaborator Danny Cohen, the documentary traverses three years of live footage and snippets from an audio diary Cohen implored her to keep. At the heart of film is the portrayal of a solitary artist driven more by compulsion than a singular passion. “I sing angrily, and lost my voice because of my anger,” she says, as she paces around a room one night after a live show.

This angst, an ingrained part of her personality, is dissected when she shares she’s had depressive moods since she was ten with thoughts of being an emo kid before knowing what emo is. She talks about breaking down on stage and crying through a song because she’s so depressed, and the crowd is like “WTF.” It was a liberating experience for her she admits with a sense that she needs these songs as much as her audience relates to them. Songs are her form of communication and connection.

Barnett has been releasing her music on Milk! Records, a label she started back in 2012. Uncontrolled by executives, the film shows her grappling with the collective narrative she’s created. On one hand she understands that showing up in the world wholly as herself is helping people, but on the other, we see intense rumination that her art is futile, and she can’t be of service to anyone if she can’t even help herself.

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ANAHEIM, CA | If there’s one thing pop punk fans know how to do, it’s throw a killer summer festival. This year’s Sad Summer Fest presented by Journey’s was no exception, with incredible performances by headliners Waterparks and Neck Deep. From start to finish, the energy in Southern California was palpable and the vibes were unbeatable. Whether you were moshing in the pit or dancing in the sun, there was something for everyone at The City National Grove in Anaheim on Saturday (7/9)—let’s dig in!

When Vans Warped Tour sadly fell by the wayside for good at the end of 2019, Sad Summer Fest eagerly stepped up and filled the pop punk void that was left by its departure.  Now its 3rd year, this emo-infused extravaganza just keeps getting better and has positioned itself as one of the best up and coming music festivals in the US.  And it had everything on Saturday: dancing bears, emo chicks, pool floaties, spicy pizza, and of course amazing music.

Admittedly, most of the bands performing on Saturday at Sad Summer Fest were outside my standard comfort zone. Metal is typically my “go-to,” but I must say that every performance I witnessed on Saturday (and I mean every performance) were as solid as they come. Fans of all ages literally had every word of every song of from Waterparks, Neck Deep, Mayday Parade, State Champs, Hot Mulligan, Hot Milk, The Summer Set, Magnolia Park, and Lip Candy memorized to a tee. Emotions were at an all time high as mosh pits and crowd surfers took center stage during some of the day’s most memorable sets of the day. I was immediately hooked.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

“That first summer of my recovery was one of the most beautiful I can remember, perhaps because I was healthy and clean, and I began to rent some trout-fishing days for myself, mostly on stretches of water in the neighborhood that had been specifically stocked for local fisherman… Fishing is an absorbing pastime and has a Zen quality to it. It’s an ideal pursuit for anyone who wants to think a lot and get things in perspective.

It was also a perfect way of getting physically fit again, involving as it does a great deal of walking. I would go out at the crack of dawn and often stay out till nighttime… For once I was actually becoming good at something that had nothing to do with guitar playing or music. For the first time in a long time, I was doing something very normal and fairly mundane, and it was really important to me…”

Ask anyone who knows me. During the summer months I am fairly obsessed with fishing. I agree with Eric Clapton, it’s an “ideal pursuit” with a “zen quality.” Yes it does have its barbaric qualities, but going out to sea, killing a few fish, and eating them…it makes me feel like an ancient warrior. Humble, strong, at peace. True the chick might be hotter at Sushi Roko on Sunset, but filling your belly with a big tuna you slayed…

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

She wants your image / She wants your kiss / She wants to get inside your head and tell it like it is / You want it badly / You want it so completele / I want to feel something more ’cause I can’t f***in’ breathe

I fell in love with the sweet sensation / I gave my heart to a simple chord / I gave my soul to a new religion / Whatever happened to you? / Whatever happened to our rock’n’roll? / Whatever happened to my rock’n’roll?

Fireworks, toasted marshmallows, barbecued corn, sandy steamers, and the feeling of cool sand at sunset. Whatever happened to those July 4ths?

Oh, and that feeling of summer. A break, a vacation from the adult rules. Rock ‘n’ roll. There has always been “rockin” on the 4th weekend.

Hopefully, on future “4ths,” we won’t be reminiscing about the simple freedoms we’ve taken for granted. Yep, we have to do something about it.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Inside every man / Lives the seed of a flower / If he looks within he finds beauty and power / Ring all the bells, sing and tell the people everywhere that the flower has come / Light up the sky with your prayers of gladness and rejoice for the darkness is gone / Throw off your fears let your heart beat freely at the sign that a new time is born

What’s the difference? If I was to guess it would be the little things in life? I don’t know, but I do like using a “question” as a muse for a playlist. Flipping through my crates, I came across my old Smiths albums. I remember hearing “What Difference Does It Make?” on Rodney on the ROQ. Thinking back it was a fascinating time in music.

The punk movement I adored as a teenager had essentially faded, replaced by new wave, which had it moments. California hardcore punk was still fun—and then there was this new music called rap. By this time I was a hip art student at UCLA. I found myself making blacklight graffiti paintings for the coolest underground nightclub in the Hollywood scene. The Rhythm Lounge played only rap and ’80s dance records (like Tyrone Bronson’s “Sticky Situation”).

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If you’re a fan of metal and hip-hop, then you didn’t want to miss the final leg of the Knotfest Roadshow featuring Slipknot with Cypress Hill and Ho99o9. It was a night of non-stop energy and power, with each band putting on an amazing performance. The crowd was amped from the start, and it only got louder and crazier as the night went on. If you missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got all the highlights for you right here. 

If you haven’t had a chance to catch Slipknot at one of their Roadshows, you’d be missing out on one of the best live bands on the planet today. And when they join forces with bands like the legendary Cypress Hill and up and comers Ho99o9, the show immediately jumps to a whole new level and typically sells out at every stop on the tour. Saturday’s show in Chula Vista was no exception and capped off the Knotfest Roadshow’s incredible Spring run across the US.  Let’s dig into the madness.

Kicking off the Roadshow festivities on Saturday were New Jersey Transplants Ho99o9 (pronounced Horror).  Featuring TheOGM, Eaddy, and touring drummer extraordinaire Billy Rymer, these cats brought their unique brand of punkrap to the stage and got the general admission pit fired up for what was about to come. I must say, I’d never heard Ho99o9 until then, but was thoroughly impressed with their energetic 11-song set including tracks like “Sub-Zer0” and “Battery Not Included.” It was a super intense performance left the crowd wanting more, and I have no doubt Ho99o9 will be going places in the not so distant future.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

Well, I don’t exactly know / What’s going on in the world today / Don’t know what there is to say / About the way the people are treating / Each other, not like brothers

Leaders take us far away from ecology / With mythology and astrology / Has got some words to say / About the way we live today / Why can’t we learn to love each other / It’s time to turn a new face / To the whole world wide human race

Every now and then I enjoy Father’s Day. Certainly being a dad has been life changing. Take my word for it, dealing with a “Sidel kid” is beyond your wildest dreamz. My life’s goal is to just stick around to see what Zoe and Jonah do.

It’s not always easy, but my journey as a dad has been filled with so many amazing moments. Hey, just this week Zoe won best actress at the Brooklyn Film Festival for a film she did called Signs Of Love. Today she sent me three songs from her new band. Both filled me with tears of joy.

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

You only live twice / Or so it seems / One life for yourself / And one for your dreams

You drift through the years / And life seems tame / ‘Til one dream appears / And Love is its name

And love is a stranger / Who’ll beckon you on / Don’t think of the danger / Or the stranger is gone

This dream is for you / So pay the price / Make one dream / You only live twice

Today’s thought? You only live once. Unless you’re Sean Connery of course. Life might be too short, then again it might be perfect. Songs are vehicles for my sentimentality as my Instagram flooded with photos from proud parents at graduations.

Surely Nancy Sinatra stuck a chord this week. My old man wasn’t much of a concert goer but he did enjoy a show and a dice game. Shortly after moving to LA for college, the old man had me meet him in Vegas for a weekend.

We drank, gambled, and sniffed our way to Caesars Palace where we stumbled into the showroom to see the Sinatras—Nancy opening for Frank! The impact of seeing Sinatra with Kenny was more profound than he would ever understand. In our final moments together I simply held him and sang “New York, New York.”

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Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

And I just had a dream the other night / I was married to the Queen / And Madonna lived next door / I think she took a shine to me / And the kids were all grown up / But I had to turn her down ’cause I was still in love with you

“God save the Queen” is an old and meaningful expression. More than just a rad single from The Sex Pistols, I believe it should be understood as “God keep the Queen.” If so, what does the old mum stand for? As an angry young John Lydon pointed out, “our figurehead is not what she seems.”

Or is she? All I can say is she’s sure as shit been reigning over some great rock ‘n’ roll songs. Yes, painfully stiff, she certainly has given way to a few generations of song lovers (as opposed to gun lovers). So for this Jubilee week, The Idelic Hour salutes Her Majesty, my British friends and co-workers.

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The New Kids on the Block Mixtape Tour 2022 was simply incredible. The energy and excitement in the air was palpable from the moment the boys hit the stage and they never looked back. They sang, danced, and interacted with fans in a way that left everyone feeling like they were part of something special. And if that wasn’t enough, NKOTB “mixed in sets from some of the greatest artists of our youth including Rick Astley, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue. If you get a chance to see this one live, don’t miss it.  

Saturday’s NKOTB Mixtape show in Anaheim was special. Their sold-out show at the Honda Center wasn’t just a nostalgia infused money grab as many might have believed. Instead, it was a carefully curated performance that appealed to the masses.  On top of the singing and dancing one might expect from a show like this, there was confetti cannons, fire, big screens, and a secondary stage right in the middle of the arena that offered a unique perspective to the thousands in attendance.  Whether you were a “Block Head” in the ’90s, or are now a child of one, there was something for everyone.

One of the things I liked most about this show was its unique “Mixtape” format. While traditional concerts typically move from opener to opener to headliner, this structure broke all of the norms and then some.  Right out of the gate, it was New Kids on the Block immediately taking the stage with 7 back-to-back songs that whipped the Anaheim crowd into an immediate frenzy. Then just when you needed to come up for some much-needed air, En Vogue quickly took the stage and dropped two fire tracks on the crowd. The 3-hour show was a nonstop ’80s and ’90s house party with rotating sets between NKOTB, Salt -N-Pepa, Rick Astley, and En Vogue all night long. It was truly a “Mixtape” for the masses.

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