What was Indie thinking?

The buzz on Myspace this week has been around the firing of Dickie Barrett from Indie 103.1, here in L.A. Okay, it's been about the protests against the bill making illegal immigration a felony - I read the news. But the fact is that my bulletin board has seen nothing of the protests and a lot of noise over Dickie's departure.

Unfortunately - for my friends and for Dickie - the most vocal is a music-biz has-been with delusions of grandeur involving a glorified internship and an ex who insisted on staying that way... not that I have an opinion in the matter. The point that she needs to be reminded of is that the issue is not at all about her. Dickie is no longer on the radio, and that's a cryin' shame!

According to Indie reps - and I'm paraphrasing - it's due to their inability to improve the programming and take his show to the next level. My response: Why fix what ain't broke?

According to Dickie - again, I'm paraphrasing - it's because he didn't adhere to the politics of "soccer moms," as evidenced by a prolonged discussion on the topic of (and in favor of) pro-choice. I'm rarely up early enough to listen anymore, but when I worked a 9-5 I enjoyed his brand of playful irreverence. I was always under the impression that this is what people came to expect from Indie, and those who preferred more diplomatic, PC expressions of politics went to KCRW. I guess I thought wrong.

I'm curious what really went on over there, but I'm hardly in a position to claim to know - at least for now. All I know is that from an outsider's/listener's perspective, Indie made a huge mistake letting him go.

Here's to good friends...

...Tonight is kinda' special...

What beer commercial is that from?

Of course one of the bigger reasons to go to SXSW is to network. Many of us get our business cards reprinted just before we head out of town, ready to hand them out with the rapidity of a speed dater (or so I hear). That's why one of the most exciting things that happened for me out there was actually meeting someone I would consider a friend. Someone I would actually hang out with, were we living in the same city. In this year's case, that someone was a rad guy named Donnie DeBoer. Jaime met him through his lawyer, or that's how I remember it going, then introduced him to me. Since they were going to most shows together over the course of the week, I also found myself seeing a lot of him. He's the frontman of a Dallas band called Auto Escape. I hadn't even really given them a listen until I got back to L.A., and I was really hoping I'd like it. You know how it is when you meet a person who comes off as really cool, sincere, and creative, and you really want to like their work? Then you don't like it? It's a huge disappointment.

Good news! The Auto Escape EP blew me away. Rockin', poetic, melodic, driving rhythm section, sincere vocals... I felt a wave of relief sweep over me as I listened to the first track, White Roses. Then I got to the third - Falling Asleep in the Snow - and my CD player has been stuck in repeat mode ever since. So, naturally - and with Donnie's permission - I won't deprive you. Here are the two tracks I mentioned, from the EP Turn It Off. If you like it, check them out online/on myspace and hit them up for the full EP. You won't regret it. Oh, and did I mention they aren't signed yet?


Auto Escape, White Roses
Auto Escape, Falling Asleep in the Snow

[photo from Auto Escape website]

Nobody loves no one...

But I sure as hell dislike Giant Drag. Shame on them for sucking the life, passion, and mystery out of Chris Isaak's Wicked Game. That was the saddest ride home from a chocolate run I've ever experienced. And I got Creme Eggs!

On another note, I want to let everyone know that I - Andie - do most of the writing on this blog. This isn't a grab for credit, but rather a disclaimer. I have been known to be a little risqué and/or critical of government agencies at times, and I want to make sure that my partner Jaime is not held responsible for my opinions. Despite the fact that she works in the realm of punk rock, dissidence and sexual reference are not things with which she wishes to be affiliated. It's not my goal to offend, but rather to be honest, candid, and hopefully, interesting. Then again, you're reading and you haven't sent hate-mail yet, so I'm not too worried. Let's get back to the fun!

David Bowie goes Broadway

Not a bad idea in general, but I just heard that he's scoring a musical about Bruce Lee. Hmmm... the jury's out on that one.

As you might know, my "regular gig" is at a magazine. That's right - I'm living the glamorous life. Doesn't it totally figure that as soon as we get back from SXSW we're on deadline for the next issue? Add to that the fact that I'm fighting a cold and I'm hoping you'll excuse me for the poor SXSW updating. :)

My boys The Prix played at Silverlake Lounge the night before last with Say Hi to You Mom, and I had the pleasure of speaking to SHTYM's drummer after the show. They played at SXSW with Goblin Cock! I should have caught that showcase. Curses! I think I might steal that CD from the office. Or maybe just borrow it...

I also got to introduce myself to Mark from Music For Robots. Hopefully you're familiar - if not, it's a totally rad mp3 blog. I'm linking to it, so check it out there to the right.

Say Hi to Your Mom, The Forest Scares the Hell Out of Me

Goblin Cock, Stumped

If you fly...

SHOWER!!!! That same day. Late in the day if you're flying at night. We were seated next to way too many stinky people on all legs of this trip. Everybody knows... there's just no excuse.

South Bye

We’re sitting at the airport. Our flight was delayed for de-icing. That makes it sound like someone’s licking the frosting off of it. I hope our plane is chocolate flavored. We ran into Mr. Kevin Lyman – owner of Warped Tour, among many other things – who told us about his bass fishing experience the day before. Apparently he’s an avid fisher, and Jaime told me a rad story about a band that wanted to get his attention, so they sent him a fishing pole. HEY BANDS: do your homework!!! Don’t you wish you were those guys? Brilliant.

We also ran into my colleague Gregg Lagambina, Filter’s Editor-in-Chief. Poor guy is living the movie Terminal. Maybe he engineered it to avoid this issue’s deadline.

We saw Sean “Har Mar Superstar”, in town with his other project “Sean Na Na” (or Sean Na Na Na to Jaime), who’s apparently headed to London to promote Axe body spray. How hilarious must that ad campaign be? I can’t imagine what the stuff must smell like, but if he were in the U.S. ads I’d definitely be motivated to buy some for my boyfriend. Or at least my dog.

As we approached the gate I was excited to see a girl I know from L.A. I won’t name her as I’m about to talk shit. Anyhow, we met through a common friend and she’s always been exceptionally friendly. I thought nothing of approaching her and saying hi, despite that she was hanging with a hot young band from the U.K. (no, not Arctic Monkeys). Wouldn’t you know, I got the cold shoulder. Go figure. I guess she was feeling a bit protective of her gang. The more interesting fact, however, was that I had met and photographed the guys at SXSW 2005 – and even more importantly, one of the members remembered me and came over to chat. So see, chicky? I don’t need you to talk to cool guys. I can do it all on my own. And besides, I really just wanted to say hi to a cool girl a friend had introduced me to.

Jaime’s working on getting us in to see Dir En Grey this week. Thursday night. If you’re in L.A. and can get your hands on tickets, I highly recommend it. Not because I’ve ever seen them. Or heard them. Or heard of them more than 3 days ago. Just because the buzz is out of control, and sometimes that’s a good enough reason to go. Oh – and they sold out the Wiltern in less than 15 minutes.

Time to board. I suck at writing conclusions. See ya next year, Austin.

Dir En Grey, The Final

See Art sing. See Art dance. SEE ART BRUT!

I'm laying in bed in the Omni, belly stuffed from the soggy rueben I just wolfed down. I couldn't seem to get enough salt on my fries. The hotel has now presented us with not one, but TWO boxes of chocolates, one of which is sitting open on the nightstand calling my name. I've already finished the maple creams and I'm contemplating the chocolate truffles. If only that rueben would make some room. I need a bigger belly. Bet you'll never hear that from an Angeleno again!

SXSW is officially over. What a week! I'll be posting bits and pieces over the next several days - photos, tidbits from panels, info I picked up along the way about websites and services for bands, maybe even some video... who knows? - but let me just start by listing some of the highlights: the Kemado and Astralwerks showcases (LOVE those labels. Must meet their A&R folk), Sia, Eagles of Death Metal, Nine Black Alps, Arctic Monkeys, ART BRUT!, and to close it off: The Pretenders, baby!!! Seriously. They didn't play Brass in Pocket or Middle of the Road (my fave) - in fact I didn't recognize at least half of their 50 minute set plus two encores - but they were rockin' and Chrissie is so fuckin' bad-ass that I enjoyed every second!

Naturally I missed a few I'd have liked to see. Among them a Japanese metal band called Dir En Grey that had people actually paying $100 for tickets. I didn't even know tickets were an option. Next year I'll clone myself. And my wallet.

YEEEEEEEEEEE-HAW!

We Shameless ladies are about to head off to SXSW! If you're going, look for us there. If you're staying, here are a few songs that we're super excited to see performed live this week:


Editors, Munich

The Noisettes, Don't Give Up

The Prix, Shoot Out the Lights

Check back next week for our SXSW wrapup and drunken photos!

World Wide Suicide

You may have heard that Pearl Jam is finally releasing a new studio album this spring. For those of us who purchased Ten on their 16th birthday and sat in the back of a limo bawling to Black - wait, was it just me? - this is a long time coming.

But you don't have to wait 2 months to ehar the goods, cuz we've got the first single for you right here. They're allowing fans to download the track for free from theisr site (these guys totally "get it"), but the server's so backed up and slow that we thought we'd put it for you right here, too. Hope you love it!

Pearl Jam, World Wide Suicide

We love bondage, but NOT RED TAPE!

If you're our friend on Myspace, this is not news to you. If you only read the blog, WHY WON'T YOU BE OUR FRIEND? Just kidding. Please, read on:

Safari Sam's should be a dream of a club/venue/"cultural events center" in Hollywood. Instead it may be no more than a nightmare and financial drain for visionary Sam Lanni. He and his wife, Cathie, have ventured to open a Hollywood version of his legendary Huntington Beach club which brags performances by 10,000 Maniacs, Social Distortion, Henry Rollins doing spoken word, and Beckett plays. The Hollywood incarnation aims to continue the Safari Sam's tradition of fostering creativity, challenging thought and perception, and just plain entertaining in as eclectic a way as possible.

Some of the highlights include a full restaurant, a parking lot with 150 FREE spaces, a huge stage, a mezzanine, a spacious patio, and a shower. (Yep! Check out the L.A. Alternative article for more on that detail...) It will be a place that not only audiences will enjoy, but bands will love to perform in. IF IT OPENS.

Sadly, the city has bound the club - and poor Sam - in red tape so tight that's it's virtually squeezed his wallet dry. After nearly two years and $900,000, not to mention numerous attempts at compliance, the venue is still awaiting completion of the permiting process. If it's not one thing, it's another. And not just from the Fire Marshall - Sam's had visits from the Dept. of Fish and Game! Did we mention the club is located in a former strip joint on a bustling block of SUNSET BOULEVARD! Please raise your hand if you've seen live fish swimming through rush hour traffic on Sunset... nobody?... that's what we thought.

The bottom line is Safari Sam's needs your help. It needs capital to help it get through this teeth-pulling process so that it can open its doors, and it needs the city council members (namely, one Eric Garcetti) to pitch in and lend a hand for the sake of small business and culture. You can help with both of these:

please visit Safari Sam's website to donate money, purchase one of several available packages, and sign the petition asking the city to get on the ball. And please spread the word - especially to your rich friends, uncles, and sugar-daddies. ;)