July in Music Retrospect

The Toughcats at Echo Curio

This is an early retrospect. Yes, it's being written a week before the month officially ends but there already has been a ton of great shows.

July started with Woolen and Lou Barlow and the Missingmen at The Hobby Shop which came the day after Stef's solo performance at Echo Curio. The next day, Stef and I saw a friend's band, Marcus Very Ordinary at Hotel Cafe. Three days of great music back to back to back. A great way to start the month.

Bayyyyy Areeeeeeaaaaaaa!

The next night, Sarah and I went to Freak City and experienced an all night party with various DJs and hoped to see one of our favorite French electro DJs play the afterparty after hearing the rumor. DJ Mehdi was in town performing as Carte Blanche with Riton and his posse showed, but he never played. This place was more of a urban/hip hop scene, but filled with good vibes. I remember one tiny room being aurally dangerous because the decibel levels were off the charts.

howardAmb at Pehrspace

Bobb Bruno's last solo show?

A friend of mine curated a video game themed art show at Pehrspace called Tetricide where howardAmb and Bobb Bruno played. howardAmb was spectacular, as always, and it was a treat to have Bobb decide at the last minute (that day) he was going to play. Being sleepless the night before, I walked around with a Red Bull in my hand. Bobb handed me his Jägermeister in a flask to make a Jäger bomb in my mouth.

Amanda Jo Williams at Las Perlas (I know, dark picture.)

Our friends invited Stef and me to watch Amanda Jo Williams perform at Las Perlas on the first night of music there. A friend plays guitar in her band. The sound system could vastly be improved, and maybe the loud nature of the bar isn't the right setting to have music, but her performance was still entertaining. They'll need a PA if they're serious about hosting music acts there. Though I must say, the tequila selection is pleasantly daunting.

Missincinatti at Human Resources

Someone I know recently opened an art gallery in Chinatown called Human Resources where they occasionally have music performances. Missincinatti is one of my favorite bands and they played outside under the perfect summer night atmosphere. I wish they would have had bands set up at the far wall so it wasn't so awkward for the audience. The entrance is located where I was standing, and people kept having to distractingly walk in front of everyone to get to the other side. Missincinatti released their debut CD at the show and it is a must have in your collection.

The Toughcats in color

The Toughcats traveled across the country from a small island off the coast of Maine to embark on a West Coast tour for two weeks. Their first stop was at Echo Curio in Echo Park and I haven't seen that place that crowded in a very long time. It was a great start to their tour. Many friends made it out and those who never experienced one of their shows were enthralled by their performance.

Here's to a great August.