No, this isn’t a flyer for a must-see event coming up on Valentine’s Day, but rather a not-so-subtle reminder of a show I was unfortunately unable to attend. Swami John Reis & The Blind Shake released Modern Surf Classics in February of ’15, to great acclaim, and it ended up being their only collaboration to date. Shameful, these facts as I type them. I was, however, fortunate enough to catch this surf-punk-luau team’s Santa Ana show a few months later, which, obviously, like with all things John Reis-related, turned out to be an absolute riot. If you can stomach parting with the Hamilton in your pocket, and you aren’t one of the fortunate ones to already own this album, do yourself a favor and seek it out. High-energy surf, with lighting guitars, and classic Swami snarl. This album is damn near perfect.
Category Archives: Flyer
U.S.S.A
I saw this short-lived supergroup at the Knitting Factory (RIP) in Hollywood back in “the day.” Surprisingly, I was one of only a handful of people in attendance (including a leather jacket-yielding Bill Rieflin). Seeing a post-Ministry Paul Barker play with Tomahawk and The Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison in what appeared to be little more than a gig practice was mind-blowing. An intimate experience such as this was 1) not expected, and 2) one that I’ll never have the pleasure of witnessing again. Unfortunately, the band only released the one studio album (in compact disc form only, no less) with 2007’s The Spoils on Fuzz Records. It’s worth seeking out, if you’re into the whole aggressive, industrial-alt-rock thing, which if you aren’t, it stands to reason that you should be questioning everything you ever thought you knew.
Frequent Flyers
Hoarders are second cousins to collectors, and I jump rope on either side of this definitive and dividing line. Case-in-point, this disheveled, and thought-discarded flyer for The Observatory in Santa Ana from a few years ago (assuming we’re now calling 2015 a few years ago). I attended exactly none of these shows, though Smut Peddlers would have been a good time, and if my memory serves me right (doubt it), I acquired this flier from a Rocket from the Crypt / Mariachi El Bronx episode. Not entirely sure why I kept it, but let me tell you, upon its inevitable rediscovery, I haven’t, and will not throw it away…
On Top at The Bottom
We (rather by accident) unearthed this Bottom of the Hill event calendar from March of 2006 today. A trio of us (while vacationing up in SF) ducked in on the 4th to see Minneapolis native, and lyrical monster P.O.S. perform a righteous show with his fellow Doom Tree alums DJ Turbo Nemesis and SIMS. If you aren’t already on this indie hip hop legend’s band wagon, strongly consider it. Smart music for smart people, kids.
London Broil
Wish I could make this hoppin’ holiday installment of the Liquid Kitty / Harvelle’s Punk Rock BBQ, but with family and friends pulling out all the stops, we’ll need to sit this one out. I hope those of you in the Los Angeles / Santa Monica vicinity enjoy this free, cheap-ass show! (Photo courtesy of Liquid Kitty’s Facebook page.)
Banned
Though they’re currently banned from playing any major venue in the United States, NOFX was (and still pretty much is) a big event, especially at the (now defunct) Hollywood House of Blues. Can’t remember which date I attended, but I had to go solo for this one (2007). Bonus points for the inclusion of Pennywise on the same flyer.
Warped
Ok, so yesterday was showcasing an event from 2000, so let’s wiggle ourselves up just a year for the 2001 Vans Warped Tour. Featured (in Milwaukee) at this event were The Ataris, Pinhead, Guttermouth, The Vandals, The Misfits, Kool Keith (yes, THAT Kool Keith), Hank Williams III, Bouncing Souls, Rancid, Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies, AFI, 311, and of course, no early 2000’s riot event is complete without Less Than Jake. It was a-hell-of-a-lot-of-fun, as you can imagine, and I’m happy to have held on to this little piece of personal, entertainment history.
Peace
When the Blue Meanies are headlining over Alkaline Trio, you know you’re in the early 2000’s. Thanks to Mike Park (owner and creator of Asian Man records, and saxophone player for Skankin’ Pickle) for organizing this awareness show “promoting positive youth development through engagement in the arts and social change.” The foundation appears to be still going strong, and you can check out more about them here.
Two, Four, Two
Front 242… a (long-lived) obsession back in my late 20’s. This particular show at the Avalon in Hollywood featured a sick visual accompaniment to this legendary Belgium band’s aggressive EBM soundtrack. I actually spoke with the videographer after the show and expressed my esteemed gratitude for his / their work. This, the Catch the Men tour would be to promote the band’s last studio album. They’ve since released several other live albums, but this show was definitely one for the ages. I’ve been meaning to see them ever since…
Green Bay
This flyer was obtained at Propagandhi / Avail show in Green Bay, Wisconsin back in the day. This was a nutty show, full of stinky Midwestern punks throwing themselves around to some damn-good Canadian pop-punk. Yes, I was one of those sweaty idiots. I’d forgotten all about this show until stumbling across this flyer. Good times.
Metro
Stumbled across a slew of gig flyers, randomly sprinkled throughout various storage boxes the other day. I attended the Rocket from the Crypt / Sahara Hotnights show at Chicago’s Metro back in 2001, I think? We made the trek from Milwaukee and the show was not a disappointment. Interesting to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and … Trail of Dead on this same flyer, both bands I would come to admire AFTER acquiring this little memento. Anyway, more flyers to come!
Harvelle’s Presents…
Another successful Punk Rock BBQ over this past weekend. Special thanks to Harvelle’s for the great show, cheap drinks, and snappy hot dogs. See you text round!
Spring into Punk Rock BBQ
If you’re free this Sunday, and you know, happen to find yourself in the Santa Monica area, get yer ass over to Harvelle’s for Liquid Kitty’s Punk Rock BBQ (Spring edition). Free! Free! Free!
Time to Forget
It’s rather interesting, and a bit scary, how well time can erase memories. This flier is to the Metro in Chicago, circa: 2001, and it was preserved because our music-hoarding clan jotted down to the windy city to attend the August 23rd Please for Peace tour featuring Hot Water Music and Alkaline Trio, among others. Chicago was only a hop, skip, and a jump away from our humble dwellings off Lake Michigan in brew city, Milwaukee. I can’t say as that I remember much (anything) from this show, but it must have been good enough to keep the flyer. Other notable additions to the Metro in the summer of 2001 include Jimmy Eat World, Pedro the Lion, Good Riddance w/ Death by Stereo, and Rilo Kiley. Sometimes, and they’re not often, I miss the Midwest.
Punk Rock Bottom Prices
$6 for a PBR tall boy and a shot of whiskey… in Santa Monica?! Oh, wait, you say there are six bands playing? How much is the cover? Free?! And what’s that I hear about hot dogs? Also, free?! The bloody hell?! Lawndale is always a big draw, but Atomic Sherpas killed it yesterday! That MAY have been the three Low Lifes talking, but I doubt it.
Tonight, Handsome Boy Modeling School and Dr. Octagon. How’s that for a damned one-two punch?!
Also, if you ask nicely, Damien will make you a Liquid Kitty, sans the Lucky Strike, of course.
Fresh from 2001
Fresh from October, 2001 is this flyer for Champaign Illinois’ Highdive. A buddy and I drove from Milwaukee to Champaign to see these guys (Rocket from the Crypt)… some 226 miles with a CD boombox and a fresh package of batteries. I had the next day off, but my buddy had to work. We didn’t get home until 6:30am the next day. Gotta love Chicago rush hour. Anyway, the show was (obviously) well worth it, and I even got the chance to shake Speedo’s hand… something I’ve held in high regard for the past 16+ years. I just happened to stumble across this flyer while digging through the Jenga closet. Happy I hand the foresight to tuck it away.
The BBQ Lives!
Found out about this one a bit late, but we were still able to catch the majority of Mike Watt and Secondmen at Liquid Kitty Punk Rock BBQ’s new location in Cypress, Cafe Nela. A random appearance by Keith Morris (and what looked to be his family) was a treat. Bummed we missed Lawndale. RIP Liquid Kitty.
Turntable Accessories
I’m not in the habit of displaying someone else’s work, but this Amoeba flyer hit all the criteria. Does it showcase a turntable? Yup. Does it include a record? Yes. Ok, how about a cat? Yes, sir. Done and done.
RIP Liquid Kitty
With Liquid Kitty closing its doors decades before its due time (by far LA’s finest cocktail lounge), they will be hosting one last Punk Rock BBQ extravaganza. One final, drunken sendoff, which is scheduled for Sunday, August 7th. As the flyer reads, there will be six bands, cheap booze, and free hot dogs. RIP, Punk Rock BBQ, and RIP Los Angeles’ most colorful lounge.
Best of the West
After 15+ minutes of careful consideration, I finally voted Record Surplus as the “Best Record Store” for Westside Los Angeles. Shameless self promoting hipped me to the link w/ survey while purchasing Mr. Belafonte’s debut album (for $1, remember), but none-the-less! She’s a good shop. The listening stations are a huge plus. The selection often feels picked over, but it’s always worth the time to stop and peruse. 31 years is certainly worth taking note of, and if you find yourself on LA’s Westside, do yourself a favor and pop in. PLEASE tell them they need more Tim Hardin, Rocket from the Crypt, and The Kinks. Best Record Store on the Westside? You got my vote!
The Prudent Groove 