Flickr User Kamilie

Tonight, S.M. Entertainment-- the premier publishers and masterminds behind Korean pop music--invade the Honda Center, bringing with them marquee acts Girls' Generation, Super Junior, SHINee and TVXQ. Likely to attract any local K-Pop fan worth their salt, the S.M. Town Live World Tour III is an evening-long celebration of candy-coated synth beats, coordinated dance moves and hot young Korean stars that usually only roll in packs of five or more.South Korean television and radio giant Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (better known as MBC) is co-hosting the show with S.M. in celebration of the network's 50th anniversary.

For those looking for an excuse to practice some shrill, adolescent screaming before the show starts, we've compiled five K-Pop jams from your favorite artists that are guaranteed to boost your excitement (and your hormones).

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Moostache

Huntington Beach four-piece Moostache have just released their anticipated album entitled, Anything, Alone. Featuring 11 tracks produced locally by Jon O'Brien (including 2 bonus tracks produced by Billy Mohler and Jimmy Messer), the album is nothing short of exuberant. Right out of the gate, the impressive range and vocal control of Patrick Wardell is thrust into the spotlight full force with "Guarded Place." Comparable to a tranquil version of The Mars Volta frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala, it might take some getting used to depending on your musical tastes. Either way, the controlled chaos that is Wardell's vocals is astounding and not over-bearing through out the remainder of the album.

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Andrew Youssef

Devo

Devo
The Observatory
May 13, 2012

What better way to tell your mother you love her by taking her to see Devo on Mother's Day? Old-school punks and energy dome-wearing fans packed into the Observatory in Santa Ana to catch an intimate performance from the pioneering art-damaged, synthpunk group.

Clad in their grey jumpsuits, Mark Mothersbaugh was collapsed on the floor and suddenly sprang to life for the opening salvo of "Don't Shoot (I'm A Man)" from their 2010 album Something for Everybody. It didn't take long for them to jump into their back catalog as the siren-sounding synthesizers of "Peek-A-Boo!" kicked up the energy level. The song still sounded fresh despite being over thirty years old.

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The Offspring

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Last year I introduced you to the wonderful delight that is Jawbreaker Day (if you forgot, click here). More >>

Meg Strouse/OC Weekly

We were all melting like popsicles from the heat on Sunday at Coachella last weekend, but that didn't stop festival goers from checking out bands performing under the beating sun. Before hitting the main stage, we talked to band Fitz and the Tantrums about their festival experiences, the sweaty walls from their last show at Detroit Bar and what they've been working on for the next record. The band's energy was high as you could tell they couldn't wait to get up and perform for the large amount of eager fans standing just a few yards away.

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Matt Oliver/OC Weekly

Jonathan Davis (left) Ray Luzier (right)

For over 20 years Korn has been at the forefront of Nu Metal. Winner of many awards for their distinct aggressive sound and innovative music videos (including two Grammys for "Freak on a Leash" and "Here to Stay"), the LA-based metal monsters are proving to the world that they are not done yet. Last Monday, Dim Mak Studios in Hollywood threw a listening party for Korn's latest record, Path of Totality. More >>

​¡Aparato! has made a name for itself by utilizing traditional Mexican instruments to help craft post-punk soundscapes netting two OCMA Best Latin nominations early on along the way. Now the band is hoping to take its rock music experiment into the studio and record a full-length debut album for all the fans. They're turning to IndieGoGo, which, like Kickstarter, allows people to pledge to creative projects in exchange for exclusive items like t-shirts and early downloads, but differs in a key way.

"IndieGoGo is more flexible. If we don't make our goal, we're able to keep what we raised," says vocalist Nancy 'Cat' Mendez contrasting it with Kickstarter's all or nothing approach. "They're more friendly." ¡Aparato!'s objective is set at $10,000 and they have less than 40 days to try and reach it.More >>

via Facebook

The Ultimate Bearhug

​OC Weekly and Music for a Cure team up this Thursday for Cocktails for a Cause, a monthly fundraiser/mixer that brings various people throughout Orange County together to support a local charity. Hosted by the gracious folks of The Observatory, this month's Cocktails is presumed to be quite the production featuring performances by The Make and sultry local duo, The Ultimate Bearhug. I caught up with Barrett Johnson and Doll Knight to get an update on their anticipated debut album, and their thoughts on the importance of music and giving back to the community. More >>

Matt Oliver

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The Grammy-winning Nu Metal legends, Korn co-headlined with Sublime with Rome for this past weekend's Smokeout Festival at the NOS Events Center. We caught up with Korn's guitarist, James "Munky" Shaffer, about the Smokeout Festival and the future of the band.
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