A Los Angeles story of madness and awakening, in twelve parts
123Death at Los Globos, Silver Lake
Part VII: Boardner’s in Hollywood to Los Globos in Silver Lake… and back again.
It was now Day 6 in my bleary haze of broken sleep and beautiful sights and sounds. Tuesday night — must be time for my personally-curated “Julie’s Eastside L.A. Welcoming Party” (or so it seemed). Former members of Death To Anders, Rademacher, Radars To The Sky and The Henry Clay People, all in new projects at two different clubs at opposite ends of town. It was also the night when I wondered why, despite all our technological advances, transporters haven’t yet been invented.
George Glass
George Glass, at Boardner's
The outdoor patio of the legendary Boardner’s in Hollywood was an unlikely but ultimately perfect spot to witness George Glass as they opened up this astonishing night of music. Kitty Kitty Bang Bang sponsored this show, and yowsa, what a show it was. Apparently this used to be a regular venue years ago for an Eastside LA music series called “Let’s Independent,” which they co-hosted along with the wonderful Los Angeles blog, Radio Free Silver Lake. And during this lovely evening, I had the great pleasure of meeting Mr. Brad Roberts, who took over the guidance of the fine publication when the inimitable Joe Fielder defected to Boston (why, I’ll never know). So hello to Brad, and everyone should also check out his other fine publication, Feed Your Head, where he dances about architecture (and yes, writes about music).
But back to George Glass. Their new release is Welcome Home, it’s absolutely delightful, and they were accompanied on a few songs by fellow ex-Death To Anders band member Rob Danson, who is now performing with Fort King and Many Embers (which also features Nick Ceglio who’s in George Glass and was in Death to Anders and which also features ex-Death to Anders member (and I assume namesake) Anders Griffen, who isn’t in George Glass), and yes, it’s a challenge trying to keep all of this straight.
123Death
At Los Globos in Silver Lake, clear across town and back to the comfy east side, the vibe could not have been more different. The mood quickly changed from plush “Rat Pack” Hollywood to gritty Sunset Boulevard. Unfortunately, it looks like Rademacher split up before I had a chance to see them, but fortunately I was able to see Malcolm Sosa’s new band, 123Death, performing their third show (or something like that). Along with Malcolm, the band features Spencer Berger (Auditorium) and Jeff E. Lectric. Miraculously, I got there just in time. Even with just a few live shows under their belt, this was one tight sounding band, and though with obviously a different (and quite damn great) sound, lyrically their music contains a healthy dose of that trademark Rademacher wryness, so it proved to be a very satisfying “consolation prize” — actually, a good deal more than just that. It was more a feeling of immense gratitude and overflowing joy. Being as how they’re still in their gestation period, their official site consists of one page, where you sign up for their newsletter (forthcoming, I imagine), and while there you can also listen to their hilarious and quite delightful “Autobiography.”
Midnight Cities
After 123Death’s powerhouse set, a first meeting and a quick chat with two of my “Eastside L.A. heroes,” Mr. Malcolm Sosa and Ms. Kathryn Pinto (of Radio Free Silver Lake fame, and whose sweet and friendly in-person demeanor you wouldn’t in a million years connect with that snarky bitch on twitter — and I say that lovingly), and then a race back across to Dean Martin territory (I was actually looking around for his ghost at the plush bar in Boardner’s) just in time to catch (most of) Midnight Cities’ set. They were absolutely ferocious. Like everyone else that night, the band was incredibly tight and sounding like they’d been playing together for a dozen years, even though they too are relatively new. And some mind-blowing lead guitar from birthday-boy Seamus Simpson, by the way.
Pretty Flowers
It was then time for The Pretty Flowers’ debut performance. Once again, I was astonished to hear such a seemingly well-seasoned band. They blew everyone away, and were indeed a very pretty and melodic power pop trio… fantastic. The Pretty Flowers features Matt Cowan on guitar and vocals, with Eli Reyes (Rademacher, The Henry Clay People) on drums and Noah Green (The Henry Clay People) on bass. I’m now awaiting a first release and more shows.
In closing, everyone should check out these fine, fine bands, sign up for their mailing lists, “like them” on Facebook and whatever else, so you can follow their exploits.
Coming up next: A missed deadline, a fall from grace and a brush with celebrity at The Grove.
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