Showgazing: KeysNKrates at Commonwealth Lounge

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There's two ways you can describe a vibrant, ground-breaking band. You can try piecing together the components of their sound, or you just talk about the way they make you feel. The first option is complicated and often involves a pile of stumbling adjectives, niche comparisons and a lot of suffixes like "-y" and "-esque." The second option, the one that comes from your gut and leads to phrases like "totally fucking awesome," works best for KeysNKrates.  This Canadian three-piece trades in a raw, rough and rhythmic style of "live remixing." What the hell does that mean? Well, here's a simple math problem for you: DJ+keyboard player+drummer+other people's songs+improvisation+insane talent=KNK. Basically, they rip through the fabric of classics from any genre they want, and as the DJ cuts it up, the keys and drums lay on top, adding their own flair with precision.

Gettin' Made: DesignerCon Vinyl Toy Show This Weekend

Are you into Munnys, Dunnys, Bunnys, Qees, Bees, Gwins, Skullys, and Bullys? (Ok, I made a few of those up) If you love vinyl toys, then you need to drive up to DesignerCon this Saturday in Pasadena!

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The show brings together vinyl toys, art, design, clothes, and more, with appearances by artists like Tim Biskup, Buff Monster, and Mr. Toast to name a few.

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DesignerCon takes place from 10am - 5pm on Saturday, November 21 at the Pasedena Convention Center. Admission is $5, kids 12 and under are free. Are you a smart shopper? Admission is free for everyone after 3pm! For more information on the show, visit the website.

On Sale Saturday: Slayer and Megadeth

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Get out those heavy coats cuz it'll definitely be reigning blood when Slayer, Megadeth and Testament hit the Long Beach Arena Jan. 22 as part of the American Carnage Tour.

In my 30 years on this planet, I've been to my fair share of concerts, but never have I seen anything like what I saw the one Slayer show I attended. It was about four years ago -- ironically, at the Long Beach Arena -- and the group had an upside cross made of guitar amps hanging from each side of the stage. It was the most metal thing I've ever seen and totally worth the price of admission. For those planning on attending in January, I hope they do this again because it was pretty fucking awesome.

Oh yeah, tickets go on sale tomorrow.

Last Night: A Fine Frenzy at the House of Blues

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Last Night: A Fine Frenzy, Landon Pigg, Among the Oak & Ash at the House of Blues Anaheim; Nov. 18, 2009

Better Than: Watching any one of a bevvy of vacuous female piano torch singers in today's wasteland of a music market. Way Better.


It was one of those nights. In what potentially was a portent for the rest of the evening, the burly bouncer at the House of Blues' entrance told us our photo pass was denied and that we would have to either check our camera downstairs or hoof it back through the mammoth Disney parking lot and stow it in our car (we checked it).

Inside, the sound system predictably piped in Death Cab for Cutie as clusters of 20 somethings sat around small tables sipping overpriced drinks.

The venue floor was a bustle with hipsters too cultured for the throngs of tourists pushing strollers around downtown Disney, and too well-groomed for the Silverlake set. It was one of those nights indeed.

Yet when the stage curtains parted, revealing crimson-haired stunner Alison Sudol and her band, A Fine Frenzy, things seemed to take a turn for the better.

Delivering songs in the tradition of such fem-fronted ensembles as Rilo Kiley, or Regina Spektor, A Fine Frenzy presented a set that was at all times dazzling, occasionally sentimental and dare we say, manic.

Road Sores: A Bump in the Road for Thrice

Welcome to Road Sores, Heard Mentality's latest feature, where bands on tour will guest blog about life on the road, photos, videos, what that smell is coming from the corner of the van, what they're listening to, or whatever the hell it is they feel like talking about that day. Ed Breckenridge from the Orange-based Thrice just sent in a few more photos from his iPhone, even addressing why lead guitarist Teppei Teranishi had to drop out of tour for a while.


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Ed Breckenridge
"Normal preshow hangout in Philly."

Slideshow: Snoop Dogg and DJ Quik at the Grove of Anaheim

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Chad Sengstock
Just a few miles from his hometown of Long Beach, Snoop Dogg and DJ Quik made a stop at the Grove of Anaheim last night--believe us, we're still coughing from all the pot smoke we were enveloped in. Not that we're complaining.

Check out all the photos by Chad Sengstock right here.

Atreyu: Not Going Hungry

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Yorba Linda metalcore band Atreyu is one of a handful of bands selected as part of Taco Bell's Feed the Beat marketing campaign. I perused the website and basically 100 bands from across the nation (including San Diego's Earthless, Cross Candaian Ragweed, Less than Jake, Municipal Waste and the Bouncing Souls) are given $500 in credit to spend at Taco Bells across the country. The catch is, the money can be spent for the company's Fourthmeal, which I think has something to do with food between dinner and breakfast. This should work out well because if you're in a band on tour, that's what time you're traveling.

Selected bands also receive marketing help from Taco Bell and all that jazz.

Congrats also goes out to Runner Runner from Huntington Beach, who will also be seen late night at Taco Bells across the country.

Gettin' Made: No Need to Argue, Cranberries are Delicious!

So last week we took a look at some delicious turkey crafts on Etsy--in keeping with the Thanksgiving feast theme, let's take a look at some mouthwatering cranberries.

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Winterberry Halo Earrings by Emily Gray Jewels

These delicate cranberries are sure to class up any of you turkeys. I really love the different shades of berry all mixed together. After the jump, more cranberry finds from talented Etsy crafters.

Late Slip: LMNO named "Artist of The Week" on Hip Hop Official

It's always good to see artists get credit where credit is due. And in the case of LMNO, it's definitely past due. Luckily, with the release of his latest album Devilish Dandruff with Holy Shampoo this week, this heavy-hitting Long Beach emcee is getting some well deserved attention. You may remember his conversation with the Weekly a couple issues ago wherein he talked about everything from his collaboration with French producer Yann Kesz (who he still hasn't met by the way) to the message behind his alphabetically sound stage name. 

On Monday LMNO, born James Kelly, was featured as the "Artist of the Week" on Hip Hop Official's website. Sporting a one-of-a-kind neck beard and his usual glowing charisma, LMNO chats about some of the things you may have already know, had you read our article a few weeks ago (seriously, go check it out!). And in case you didn't notice, his long time buddy and ace producer LD (of Huntington Beach rap duo LD and Ariano) is behind him on the decks.

And, of course, there's some things you didn't know about him in this video; like the fact that he almost started calling himself "Juvenile." Thank God his grandma talked him out of it. Even though this was announced four days ago, (shame on us!) he still has a few more days to enjoy his title, and we're happy to spread the word.

 

Flier of the Week: Respect II-MMA Fights at Fox Theater Pomona


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​When you walk through the foyer of the Fox Theater Pomona, with all it's sprawling murals, high columns and 1930s ballroom grandeur, you know there's only one thing that comes to mind: triangle chokes, leg locks and bloody noses. For that very reason, the Fox chose to tap into Pomona's lively MMA crowd for the marginally anticipated event "Respect II" , featuring a bunch of glistening, buff guys you've never heard of. The fights kick off this Friday, Nov. 20. It's obviously the first event of it's kind for a theater better known for hosting The Flaming Lips and Gogol Bordello. 

Look at this flier. Do you see anyone you would be really excited to watch in the Octagon? How about the killer, fourth from the right, with the white bandanna? It makes you wonder if there even should have been a "Respect I."

 But if you're looking for big names at this event, look no further than the hosts: Tommy "Tiny" Lister (Hollywood's go-to behemoth in movies like Friday, and uh..Next Friday) and Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas. Wow, that seems random. Taboo? Who knew that behind the glossy Top 40 fame lurked the soul of a fighter. Maybe Tiny and Taboo should go at it... now that would be worth the $55 bucks (by the way, judging by the fact that $35 dollar seats in the second level are already sold out, maybe MMA does have a bloodthirsty audience in Pomona after all, albeit a cheap one). And hey, once you've had enough bloodshed,bruises and broken bones you can come back the next day and check out Fox's big Saturday event....weebleworld?

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