Brandon Ferguson

​Cults
Lamb & Flag, Brea Mall
March 25, 2012

New York hipster band Cults has been super busy these past several months. I first checked them out when they played FYF last September. Last week they toured through Los Angeles playing shows at the Glasshouse and the Music Box at the Fonda. And though they're booked larger-size venues such as the Observatory in April, they're still not too cool to stop by sleepy Brea town's mall to do an intimate in-store performance at Lamb & Flag for a small group of fans. The last time I wrote about the band, I was railing against their decision to use the 1978 Jonestown mass suicide as a springboard for increasing their indie credibility. For those not in the know, the band used video wizardry to "Forrest Gump" themselves into archival footage of the People's Temple accompanied by music from their song "Go Outside."More >>

​Long Beach Symphony POPS! Orchestra
Long Beach Arena
Feb. 26, 2012

You know you're in trouble when one of your best friends sits next to you and asks your date, "So, you don't mind him flirting with Susan Egan?" But that's exactly what happened to me last night at the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra's POPS! concert, an event I previewed a few days ago by interviewing singer Broadway singer/Orange County native Susan Egan.

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John Gilhooley/ OC Weekly

​TSOL
Grand Romance Riverboat
May 1, 2011

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Old-school punk rock as a genre has a tendency to sound the same song after song--especially to those unfamiliar with the genre. Luckily for T.S.O.L., they rely on a unique combination of sonic wizardry (think keyboards and chorus-y guitars), as well as the benefit of a front man with a larger-than-life stage presence. More >>

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The Hype: After bypassing Orange County the last time they toured through Southern California, New York noise pop sensation Vivian Girls came to UC Irvine to play an all-ages acoustic gig Friday afternoon before their show at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa later in the evening. Having enjoyed considerable attention from critics since their self-titled 2008 debut album--and playing Coachella last year--Vivian Girls were one of the bigger acts to perform at the campus of late.

Gray Beltran

Cassie Ramone Kicking Ass at UCI

The Show: A few minutes before 4 p.m., the all-female trio of Vivian Girls sat down for an intimate show inside the UC Irvine Cross Cultural Center. Guitarist and lead singer Cassie Ramone had turned down the volume on her Danelectro, opting for a cleaner, softer sound than what usually drenches the band's albums. Drummer Ali Koehler's kit had been reduced to a floor tom, snare and tambourine. Bassist Kickball Katy seemed to make the smallest adjustment for the acoustic show, keeping her Paul McCartney-esque Hofner violin bass near its usual level.

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The Hype: Ten shows in one day? Yes, San Diego indie rockers the Soft Pack were crazy enough to jump in a bus and travel across Southern California playing free shows to promote their self-titled debut album on NYC-based Kemado Records. Their fourth stop of the 10 included a visit to Fingerprints record shop Saturday to bash out a quick performance augmented by a stripped-down set by recent Sub Pop signees and Long Beach locals, Avi Buffalo. More >>

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The Hype: Despite Orange County's out-dated reputation as a no-fly zone for hip-hop, this local showcase of MCs and DJs at the House of Blues, Anaheim grabbed some serious attention thanks to the eclectic, four-piece tribe Return of the Dream Team. The supergroup of sorts is Huntington Beach duo LD and Ariano paired with LA rapper/vocalist Medusa and DJ Flict. Saturday night was their highly anticipated concert debut in front of a hometown crowd. Besides pushing their new single "Cali Quake" (featuring R&B songstress Karolina), Dream Team also brought along a stacked deck of respected groups in the OC hip-hop scene including I&I, Enfamus, rapper/lothario Apoetnomadali as well as LA rap duo Soul Elevation. More >>

The Hype: Local screamo act An Abyss Called Home's debut performance could have boosted--or crushed--their confidence. Friday night's roster at Chain Reaction featured four other relatively unknown acts who brought their own crowds. An Abyss Called Home had a chance to win over fresh fans, be ignored, booed or worse.

Annum Khan

The Show: An Abyss Called Home were the second act up. The room appeared nearly full. The four musicians walked onto the stage self-assured. Lead screamer Brennan Cota's head banging seemed to surprise some of the crowd after the first act's mellow reggae. But as the audience warmed to Cota's tortured yelps and histrionics, in sync with the punishing electric wailing of Ryan Cecil and Wes Nelson, a mosh pit formed during the third song. 

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The Hype: With The Sockets, Des Roar, and Cat Party all making an appearance Saturday at the Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest, how could you not been giddy?? Not to rub it in, but the place was seriously packed! I'm talking sardines people!

Ali Lerman

Cat Party

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