Failure Close Tour WIth Hometown Show At The Fonda!

The seminal 90's band, Failure, is back and closed out their tour in support of their most recent album (really 4 ep's), In The Future Your Body Will Be The Furthest Thing From Your Mind, with a fantastic hometown show April 24th at the Fonda Theater in Hollywood. They were joined by another 90's band, Swervedriver, but this night was all about Failure for us.

Failure is my brother Paul's favorite, and he was down front to capture the show photographically, as well as lose his mind, being extra elated to be listening to his favorite music in person and so close, as we were covering the show for our friends at Juice Magazine. Neither band was ever really my own thing, but Failure showed why they are both so underrated, so fondly remembered, and still so celebrated - at least by this heavily Generation X audience that was positively thrilled.

Swervedriver didn't even break a sweat (unless it was due to the heavily lit stage), and their shoes were definitely being gazed at when we arrived near the end of their set. Someone on the floor yelled out, "Welcome back!" to the Oxford, England based band, and though almost exactly zero lyrics were decipherable through their super distorted guitar pedal fuzz, people other than me seemed to know what songs they were. A guy in a Jane's Addiction shirt was next to me, and that's who I was listening to instead of these guys. I found it to be a bit of a snooze, but the majorly stoned crowd (everyone seemed to have at least a vape pen, if not a real jay) nodded along happily, so good for them! The highlight for everyone (judging from the shrieks and the extendo jam nobody seemed to mind) was "Last Train To Satansville" from their Mezcal Head album, aptly titled, as I felt like I had mezcal head listening to it. Maybe that's when you listen to Swervedriver to really get them ... will give it a shot.

In between the sets, I sat up in the balcony waiting for Failure and observing the floor like Bran from Game Of Thrones this season. I wasn't really in the mood for mingling or partying, or even a rock show, really, but I knew how much this show meant to my brother, so I was there for it all. Old Failure heads from back in the day greeted each other by yelling across the floor with their rolled up collector posters as megaphones, and it was constant hugs and high fives down there. People were stoked. Then the house suddenly went dark, and there was Failure! Many in the house hadn't seen this band live in like 17 years, so to say they went wild when the haunting feedback intro led into "Solar Eyes" off the latest album was a major understatement. Thrilled!

The bass was so heavy I felt it in my throat all the way up in the balcony, and I could see my brother down front shooting, and knew how stoked he was. Ken Andrews was in fine voice ... he reminds me a bit of Beck - singing, not looks.

Andrews traded off guitar and bass duties with Greg Edwards, and Kellii Scott held it all down on the drums. "Distorted Fields" and "Heavy and Blind" (also off the new album, which was nice to see so many people loving and not yelling for oldies) were aptly titled, as there was hella distortion going down, the jams were heavy, and we were all nearly blind from the constant use of colored Klieg-type lights that almost never let you see the band fully (Kudos to the photographers that somehow found them in the chaos!).

"Fine citizens of Los Angeles, will you jump in a rocket ship with us for a trip to Fantastic Land?!" said Andrews, and the crowd answered in the affirmative, gaining them a bunch of songs from Fantastic Planet - their best loved and most well-known album. "Another Space Song" and "Smoking Umbrellas" were also titled pretty on the nose for these space rockers, and the smokers in the house that loved them. Andrews addressed the crowd here, saying, "What's happening, Los Angeles?! It's so good to be home!", with his arms up in victory formation.  He went on to say that it was great to be playing at home for family and friends, and that his two kids were here to see them play - and they were right in front of me in the balcony, head banging along and going crazy for their Dad. It was awesome. "Pillowhead" got the whole place going crazy, and featured a whole lot of air-drumming from the crowd trying to keep time with Scott.

The highlight from this segment was probably their biggest hit ever, "Stuck On You", and not just because a dude stage dove off of the stage at its start. It's a melodic anthem with great lyrics (I thought I'd drop you easily/but that was not to be/You burrowed like a summer tick/so you invade my sleep/and confuse my dreams/Turn my nights to sleepless itch) that also appeared to be every couple in the room's "song", as there was much swaying and kissing down there during this one. Fantastic Land is cool.

The Magnified album was featured next, and we got "Undone" and "Frogs". These were straight up ROCK, and reminded me a bit of Queens Of The Stone Age and maybe Tool, which is no surprise, considering these fellows opened for them on many a show. The Heart Is A Monster was the source material for the next jams: "A.M. Amnesia" and "Counterfeit Sky" which caused one guy (and there's always that guy) to yell out, "Fuck yeah, Failure!" - which is kind of funny to hear. Like "Hooray for failure!" would only come up if it was for this band.

 "Thanks for recognizing our new album. We love playing it on tour, thank you for supporting it!", said Andrews by way of introducing three more from ITFYBWBTFFYM, and next came "Dark Speed", "No One Left" and the magnum opus that is "The Pineal Electorate" (my brother's favorite of the night - among many). Those last two were switcheroos, as Andrews and Edwards traded vocals and instruments, and it was pretty metal. It ended with a cacophony of sound and feedback that showcased how good Failure's sound was in comparison to Swervedriver. Like, whoa. Failure is known for their sonic excellence, and they don't use any amps on the stage. They travel with their own sound guy, and play through the sound system - super technical and hard to pull off, but these guys do it with aplomb.

We went back to the Fantastic Planet for the last song of the main set, and Failure ripped through "Heliotropic" and its heavy rock punctuated by effective lighting cues. It was a jammer, and the guys in the crowd loved it, especially when Andrews was tossing out picks at its end, before leaving the stage for the obligatory encore pause. After a bunch of yelling and cheers, the band came back out for a bit of audience participation on "The Nurse Who Loved Me" - a much loved and covered tune also from Fantastic Planet (the one I'd get as a primer to Failure along with the latest). They took us back to their first album for the final two numbers, and we learned that Comfort was recorded in 1991 in Minnesota (our home state!) with producer, Steve Albini. Paul's favorite band was recording right in town and he didn't even know it! Now he likes them even more. "Macaque" and "Screen Man" made the entire room - including Andrews' kids - head bang even harder than before, both because they fully rocked, but also because it was the last show of this tour - and the way things go, you never know if there will be another live moment with your favorite band.

And if you've never seen an older band live before (like me with these guys), you gotta go see them when you can, because they might turn into your favorite band - even if you're late to the party. I'd like to thank Failure for greatly improving my mood, and reminding of the power of music to heal, uplift, and to unite. The crowd didn't want to let the band go (because they wanted more, but also because they kept throwing their stuff into the crowd!), and the lines for merch were long - again probably because you never know. But in this case, yes, it was a bit of time travel back to the 90's ... but it's most likely also a glimpse into the future, as these guys are at the very top of their game - and should now maybe consider a name change to Success.

*All photos by Paul Gronner Photography

KCRW's Summer Nights Backyard Party With Jim James!

I finally got to see the new KCRW Headquarters in Santa Monica on Saturday night when they held their Summer Nights Backyard Party in the courtyard of their super impressive new digs on Pennsylvania Avenue. The bonus to seeing the new space was that it was for a Jim James (My Morning Jacket) solo gig, and I'll go see that dude anywhere.

It was a perfectly gorgeous evening for an outdoor concert, and the line for the first come, first to get in line stretched around the block for this really fun - and free - event. The crowd was very KCRW Westside Liberal, with friends and families out for a lovely neighborhood jam under the stars. DJ Liza Richardson warmed up the proceedings, spinning popular tracks while people got their buzz on with delish lavender lemonade or spicy tequila drinks - or beer. Food trucks were there, per usual, and a whole lot of schmoozing going on. So much so that when Mr. James took the stage, it was kind of subtle, like he was just all of a sudden there singing "Rainbow Power". "America needs Rainbow Power" is sung truth, and James had the crowd in his hands from then on (aside from the very chatty scenester girls that always seem to be standing near me).

"All In Your Head", "I'm Amazed", and "Just A Fool" were thrown down back to back to back, as James wove his spells among a backdrop of projected art done by Future Lighting that served up a trippy atmosphere that went perfectly with his 70's rock vibe. Backlit with hair blowing in the summer breeze, slinging a red, glittery guitar, James could have been there from a Zeppelin-era time machine. And we were all loving it.

"Throwback" was therefore an apt track to be played, and "Changing World" was straight from now. James sang about living in the now, which was crazy, because I had just run into Rocky Dawuni (another KCRW favorite, the reggae singer from Ghana) earlier and we had talked about exactly that. Living in the moment, as it's all we really have. And these moments were good ones to be living in. Glancing around, everyone seemed happy, and all cares seemed to have been forgotten, at least for the moment.

It's kind of amazing when just one guy with a guitar and no backing band can hold such a big crowd's attention (by now the place was jam packed), but James sure did. "Here In Spirit". "No Secrets". "Too Good To Be True." All awesome. James didn't talk too much, but when he did, he urged everyone to go out and see Blackkklansman - "The most important film in our lifetime". Whoa. That's a pretty hefty claim ... but now I'm going tonight. James sings about things I agree with, so I'll take this as a solid film referral (and get back to you).

"I'm excited to be here to break in this wonderful new space, what a cool place to gather, I'm honored to be here with you tonight," James addressed the surroundings, and I think we all felt the same way. James brought it home with "A New Life", "Rome", "Over And Over", and finished the set with Brian Wilson's "Love And Mercy" with its great line, and great show-ender, "Love and mercy, that's what you need tonight, Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight." How lovely - and we'll take it.

There was no encore, and after the applause died down, DJ Chris Douridas took over the turntables to spin until the party ended ... though no one wanted it to. What a delightful first visit to the new KCRW Campus! If you haven't yet checked it out, there's another Summer Nights Backyard Party next Saturday - this time with Henry Rollins! Yessss!

Bu-huuuut, Oh! Those Su-hum-mer Niiiii-iiiiiights! See you there.

*Photos courtesy Everett Fitzpatrick for KCRW.

KRS-One Live At LA Live - Boogie Down!

Oh, man. Last night we got to see KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) play the Novo Theater at L.A. Live in Downtown L.A. ... and it was awesome. Old school Hip Hop heads packed the place, but the crowd was really all ages. Youngsters are appreciating the rap pioneers, and it's good to see. Heavily male, my friend, Christina, in her blond ponytail and I were clearly the sore thumbs in the room, but we didn't care, and yelled our approval from right down front. It was even cooler that this hero even made the tickets only $5 USD! Anyone could go. Music for the People!

There were several openers, none of whom made much of their time aside from having people all over the stage filming them. The exception was Mike Xavier, who finally got the crowd into it, most all of whom refused to "Make some noise" until it was time for KRS-One. For good reason. The skill level was so starkly superior when the South Bronx legend took the stage, it was almost embarrassing, but hey - you gotta start somewhere. Backed up by B-Boys and B-Girls (!), KRS-One tore the place up, and the happy crowd's enthusiastic reactions confirmed that REAL Hip Hop and Rap is alive and very well, thank you. I mean, just look! BDP!

We had a blast, with strangers passing j's and shouting along to all the classic lyrics. KRS-One did a fun Hip Hop test, where he rapped O.G. lyrics from all the pioneers of the genre, and would stop and let the audience finish the phrase ... and nearly everyone passed. The music is extra great, of course, but you could also just sit and listen to KRS-One give his super-smart speeches, truly exemplifying the term "Spitting Knowledge". This cat (aka "The Teacha" - for good reason) is so wise, and ultra hip to all the hypocrisy in the world. He spoke to how Racism is in illusion, because Race is an illusion. That we are all one (like I also keep saying). That phones are government tracking devices, and he reminded everyone that when they type "LOL", to be sure to REALLY laugh out loud. To remember the humanity in us all. That "Hip" is your mind, and its knowledge, and "Hop" is the movement. Honestly, we could have just soaked up the wisdom all night, but we both had to work early, and get back to Venice before the big Lyft crowd made its exodus.

When we walked outside, we were bummed to see a dude being held on the ground by like four guards, as we'd just talked inside about how great it was that everyone was together in such harmony at a Rap show. It felt gross, and people were hurt, because stretchers were being called for. We got the hell out of there. Just as our Lyft driver pulled up next to the EMT's that had arrived, we spotted the street dog carts, and remembered that we still hadn't eaten. We bribed the driver to wait with the offer of his own dog, and placed our orders (*FYI - the hotdog carts now take credit cards!). All of a sudden, multiple LAPD cars and officers descended on the scene, and the hot dog cart ladies took off running, in a panicked cart race that might have been amusing, had it not been so serious to them. Yeah, they could get a ticket for being there and vending, but it was really more about these times and ICE. We were left not knowing what to do, as our driver already had his dog, we were waiting for ours, and hadn't yet paid the ladies. So we ran after them, and that's how we got the lowdown. Ugh.

It was a kind of surreal end to the night, and also illustrated things that KRS-One had just talked about. That this land we were enjoying a fresh hip hop show on was really Mexico, and we just took it from them. "There can't be a New Mexico, without Mexico. This IS Mexico!" And we watched terrified ladies take off running because they were scared they were going to be kicked out of their ancestors' former home. And be walled off away from here. As I said in yesterday's Blogtown post, echoing the poster at Venice & Abbot Kinney ... "Together we are stronger than any wall."

KRS-One knows this, and urged us all to get on board with that vibe, if we weren't already. The events that unfolded while the man was still performing only put exclamation points on the whole thing. Listen to this dude any chance you get. Stand together. Look out for each other, at all costs. And Boogie DOWN while you're at it. Like Emma Goldman said, "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your Revolution." Good thing we can do both.

Sigur Rós Live Under The Stars With The International Space Orchestra

Sigur Rós blew minds Saturday with a celestial live performance at the Hollywood Bowl. Blew. Minds. I had never seen the Icelandic group in person, only ever having been deeply mesmerized by their recorded work. I wondered how it would translate to a live show, and the answer is awesomely.

We had to yet again endure awful getting to the Bowl traffic, thus missing (though we left early) almost all of the openers, The International Space Orchestra. Their name alone set the tone, and as I walked in and heard the total chaos of this group comprised of NASA scientists, I kind of did think I was another planet. There was a lot of banging and screaming and feedback and mayhem and now I need to see them again to get what it's all about. The neighboring box tenants told me it was great, if "Experimental" sounding. OK. Again, it did set the tone for anything goes.

The audience mixed and mingled as ominous chords rang out, until suddenly the lights went down and the sold out crowd roar went up. Sigur Rós took the very dark stage and immediately entranced the entire venue playing their opening number, "Á". Singer Jón "(Jónsi!) Thór Birgisson's otherworldly vocals spiraled up into the atmosphere, and we had achieved lift-off. Sigur Rós (there sure are a lot of accents in Icelandic typing!) are entirely original (much like their fellow countrywoman, Björk - what is in those frigid waters?!), as the lyrics are sung in their own language, so even though you truly have no idea what is being sung, you listen just as carefully somehow. This band is a prime example of how absolutely Universal music is. Even in other galaxies, I presume.

There was a video screen backdrop depicting trippy visuals and stark natural landscapes that beautifully illustrated what must have been being sung. As the band (bassist Georg Hólm and drummer Orri Páll Dyrason) soared into "Ekki Mukk", "Samskeyti", "E-bow", "Daudalagid", "Glósóli" and "Smaskifa" (I had the set list for help with that), the music was so atmospheric and surreal, you could look around and see that everyone was rapt, and deeply entranced. The guy behind me (who had a lot to say the whole time) said, "This is like my Xanax." I get it. It was so slow, so deeply beautiful, a real sense of calm came over you, like indeed a musical opiate. The bowed guitar also served to create a unique sound that was part rock/part orchestral/all cool.

Birgisson's voice is boys choir high at times, and as he sings with his eyes closed, I thought he kind of resembled Shepard Fairey a bit, but really, he didn't seem from this planet  ... or rather, maybe it's that he's totally OF this planet ... like, he might get it all better than we do. I don't know ... but I can tell you he led the entire Hollywood Bowl audience through what felt just like a massive group meditation. With wine and cheese.

There was a needed intermission then, which helped to process it all. This is a band credited with Iceland's "Best album of the Century", yet it's almost impossible to describe. It's just special, and one felt united with everyone there experiencing the same beautiful thing together. Wow. Just wow. All of the songs are extra cinematic, made for soundtracks, and have been used in them many times. Though there was so much to see with the visuals on stage, it was also great to just close your eyes and make up your own scenery in your mind in a fully public escape. It was greatness.

The trio came back to perform:

Ovedur
Staralfur
Saeglopur
Ny Batteri
Vaka
Festival (Hey! I know what that is!)
Kveikur
Fljotavik
Popplagid

... All of which were stunning. It was a super warm night in Hollywood, and as the California Republic flag fluttered in the occasional welcome breeze, and the cross was lit up behind it on the mountain ... it really did feel holy. The sounds created seemed produced and distorted at times, but it was all live. And trippy. And wonderful. Everything sounded so full and lush with just the three players that now I'm all hyper and intrigued to see them play next April at Disney Hall with the fantastic L.A. Philharmonic. Now THAT promises to be something else.

"Love you Jónsi, you Badass!" that guy behind me yelled, while his box mate yelled, "More light magic!" Though annoying, I agreed wholeheartedly with them both. It's kind of a modern miracle that music like this will sell out the Bowl and leave modern audiences so entranced. This is not remotely mainstream pop, yet there are some artists (often Icelandic) that can do whatever they want, and people will not only listen, but adore it. Birgisson's voice went up to a dog's level of hearing on his last held note, and the resulting screams from fans and feedback from instruments as the band left the stage made me think the International Space Orchestra had returned. They had not, it was just rapturous applause for a rapturous show. There was no encore, and none was needed. The video screen came up with the word "Takk" (Thanks in Scandinavian languages), and I think that's what we all felt. Simply thankful for being there, and sharing in that universal musical embrace. If you get the chance to see Sigur Rós near you ... take it.

Takk!


*All photos by Paul Gronner Photography