Thursday, November 23, 2006

Toobs


The time of year has come around again to give our thanks. I have a ritual to always get a good surf in on each holiday. It is only 5 hours into Thanksgiving and I am ready to hit the freeway West. Waves won't be as big as some Turkey days past but still there is a nice little swell rolling onto our beaches. Get up and get out there. Ride your bike or walk around the block or run a mile or climb a hill or hike thru a valley. Just get moving before you can't move later.

Hope you all enjoy giving Thanks in your own way. We all should be thankful for many things, even though you may not think it all the time.

Yellowman and Fathead "Give Jah Thanks"
The Cramps "Surfin' Bird"

Friday, November 17, 2006

Town Frogs


This will be where the next cool art explosion that happens around here. Little know hidden area between the LA River and I-5. Small old houses and apartments filled with people that have been here longer than you. Along the concrete river stretch of this area are many old dilapited businesses. But what is inside is another story. Amazing work is going on. Wood shops, architecture think tanks, metal works, and many, many artists.

Ventured over to Frogtown, after reading about a little enclave in our backyard. Just get on Riverside and follow the river. Felt like Downtown probably did several years ago. A little brother, or sister, to the Brewery. People restructuring old buildings, making artist lofts, artistic living, throwing parties, inviting people in. Tonight even had a couple DJ's and some heads cooking up some very good grub. Big part of the whole Los Angeles River revival. Even if it is concrete.

Support and respect art.


Taj Mahal "If the River Was Whiskey"
39 Clocks "Stupid Art"

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Peace


Hopefully with the new heads up in the government there will be some changes. Like my man Biggie Smalls said, "Things done changed!". Some strides towards slowing down our destruction of the Earth and doing our part for Peace in the World.

If you have ever driven up Montecito Heights, you might have seen a blue light across the way on Mount Washington. I finally took out my telescope and was surprised, and overjoyed, to see what exactly that blue light was. A huge Peace sign, presumably on the side of a Mt. Washington house or in their yard. One of these days I will go over and say hi to our peaceful neighbors on the hill.

Notorious B.I.G. "Things Done Changed"
Yonder Mountain String Band "Peace of Mind"

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Bullies


Modest Mouse ripped last night. Two drummers, two guitarists including Johnny Marr, a keyboardist, a bassist, some other guy on the decks. They all switched up instruments every song and added banjo, horns, piano, stand up bass, etc. Some of their new songs even sounded good. Isaac, the lead singer, really puts his all into his songs.

That said Ticketmaster, Clear Channel, and even the Wiltern FUCKING SUCK.

Let's count the ways:
1. $30 ticket and then you add another $9 and another $4.50 in charges.
2. Online, there is nothing to tell you that you might get an UP or LOWER ticket even though they are the same price. I got the UP ticket and had to sit, hate sitting, at the concert way up high. Pretty weak that Ticketmaster, or the Wiltern for that matter, don't tell you that beforehand when you are ordering them. Lady at Wiltern told me it is just random chance which one you get. Uh, okay.
3. Ask for tap water after my one beer, since I am driving, and they say "no, you gotta buy bottle water" and "we count cups so we can't just give you water". What? Then I finally convince the waitress to use my old beer cup for water since that would let you still "count your cups".
4. She comes back with a fucking HALF full cup of water. That "is all the bartender would give me". I just laughed and laughed, I mean, you can't really get mad because of the stupidity and absurdness of it all.

Amazing. Now I don't know if this is a Clear Channel policy, a Wiltern policy or what but I will NEVER go back to the Wiltern unless it is the only chance I have to see a certain band.

FUCK Ticketmaster
FUCK Clear Channel
FUCK Wiltern

Sorry for the rant but it was unreal last night.

Rage Aaginst the Machine "Taking the Power Back"
Nirvana "Territorial Pissings"