Timothy Norris

Queens of the Stone Age
The Wiltern
5/23/13

Better than...moshing alone.

Queens of The Stone Age were becoming reliable, but as they were hitting their stride at the end of 2008, the band decided to take a break and work on solo projects, most notably Josh Homme with Them Crooked Vultures. The Queens (he he) returned for tours in 2010 and 2011 to support the deluxe reissues of Rated R and their self-titled album, but didn't record any new material until last summer.

See also: Photos of Queens of the Stone Age @ The Wiltern Theatre

Last night's show at the Wiltern served to showcase songs from their upcoming album, ...Like Clockwork. It's been six years since the Palm Desert-natives released new material, and since then Jon Theodore replaced Joey Castilla behind the drum kit. This was bassist Michael Shuman's first album since joining the band after the recording of Era Vulgaris. But the new additions proved to be quick studies and the band's drone-y, riff-heavy guitars and pulsating drums were as brooding as ever.

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Colin Young-Wolff

It's Memorial Day weekend! What better time to practice that ancient art of drinking while the sun is still up. Actually, here in Los Angeles, the world capital of atypical work schedules, we need reliable day bars all the time.

See also: The 10 Best Bars in Silver Lake

The impetus behind day drinking comes in two forms: 1) consuming liquid sunshine in the actual sunshine or 2) pretending sunshine doesn't exist. We're celebrating some of the former but mostly the latter. In fact, to be honest, we like dark indoor spots where no one we know is likely to find us. And hey, if they open early that's even better. So here are the 10 best L.A. bars that offer welcome respite from the cruel world (and are open by noon at the latest).

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Credit: Lina Lecaro

VIBIANA
214 S. Main St., dwntwn., Sat., May 25, 6 p.m.-2 a.m., 21 and older; tickets start at $45

There are dress-up parties, and then there's Myth Masque. Last year, the fantasy fashion extravaganza saw the city's most imaginative costume designers gather for an enchanted evening that brought Halloween-style hijinks and sophisticated costumes to a Wonderland-esque atmosphere.

See also: Our 2012 L.A. MYTH Masque Ball Slideshow

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Fleetwood Mac -- See Saturday

Don't forget to check our constantly-updated Los Angeles Concert Calendar

Friday, May 24

Boris
ECHOPLEX
Japanese experimental rockers Boris have spent their entire 15-year career making sure that their fans are unable to predict what will come next from the band. One album could consist of thrashing heavy rockers (2011's Heavy Rocks), the next could consist of dreamy, atmospheric, shoegaze-laden pop. (Check Attention Please, also released in 2011.) Psychedelics are pretty much the only constant in each incarnation of Boris' musical output. The group will be doing two nights in a row at the Echoplex. The first evening (Thursday, May 23) will be an "all-time classics" set. For us, though, the real draw on Boris' trip back to L.A. is the second night, during which the band will focus on the heavy doom and drone-metal that first brought them attention by performing their 70-minute 2000 slow-builder, Flood. It will be a patience-testing set at times, but we're in it for the long haul. --Jason Roche

See also: How Boris Fucks With Their Fans -- In A Good Way

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RADIO BROADCAST #217
05-26-13

See also: Henry Rollins: Remembering Ray Manzerek

Fanatics! Below, you will see what we have prepared for your hopeful enjoyment. I will be back from location, and we will go for our first live Sunday show.

As some of you know, I have been out on the east coast, working on some television stuff for the last several weeks. I must say, I look forward to being back on the air with you all live.

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Kate Nash
Sonos Studio
5/22/13

"Life is too short to be with dickheads," Kate Nash advised a roomful of several hundred fans last night at Sonos Studio, a gallery-cum-performance space on La Brea. The British singer was talking about the recent death of one of her close friends and former backup singers, and how that tragic event inspired her to focus on the things that really matter. She also could have been referring to the intense changes in her own music.

Just a few years ago, Nash was a young and precociously talented singer with a quick, sarcastic wit and an ear for poppy melodies, but she has since reinvented herself as a harder rocking and more socially provocative performer, culminating in her latest album, Girl Talk, where she's penned the kind of fiery and energetic riot grrl anthems that everyone wishes Kathleen Hanna and Courtney Love were still writing.

See also: Kate Nash: Whipping Girl

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Photo courtesy of KWL Management

Trey Songz

Many music fans won't even spend 99 cents on a download. So why do so many pay $3.99 to send Trey Songz a virtual bottle of champagne and some imaginary chocolates?

Santa Monica-based company Handmade Mobile Entertainment created an app called The Angel Network, an online fan club and social network for the R&B star. Since launching in December, the app (called TAN for short) is raking in over $50,000 a month from about 52,000 users. Songz's rabid fan base purchases credits to put towards virtual gifts, greater access to their idol, and pure bragging rights.

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​[Look for your weekly fix from the one and only Henry Rollins right here on West Coast Sound every Thursday, and come back tomorrow for the awesomely annotated playlist for his Sunday KCRW broadcast.]

After a month of living in Virginia and the D.C. area, we (myself, cameraman, producer and assistant producer) have made a company move to and are now living at the Pointe Plaza Hotel on Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn.

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Danielle Bacher

Left to right: Jimmy Kimmel, James King, Joseph Karnes, Noelle Scaggs, Michael Fitzpatrick , Jeremy Ruzumna John Wicks

[Editor's note: Soon-to-be-award-winning gonzo music journalist Danielle Bacher prowls the late late night scene for West Coast Sound. For this installment, she hits the town with LA-based soul-pop band Fitz and the Tantrums.]

I should probably have dropped quarts of acid into the disgusting coconut water in the dressing room at Jimmy Kimmel Live! It's the perfect drink to fuck with since it tastes like dirty socks. Then again, drugging Fitz and the Tantrums would not have been the right thing to do.

5:20 p.m.: It's chilly outside as the band rehearses "Out of My League" for Kimmel. It's from their second album More Than Just a Dream, out earlier this month on Elektra Records. Did you know this band is kind of a big deal? They're getting radio play, and were even on the LL Cool J record!

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Photo courtesy of Peter Beste

Editor's note: Rap pioneer and Geto Boys member Willie D dispenses sage advice, for free! Something on your mind? Ask Willie D!

Dear Willie D:

I'm in a long-distance relationship with a good man, but the miles are starting to wear on my patience -- not to mention my pocketbook. We met at a business seminar two years ago in Miami where he is an architect for a reputable firm. Since I live and work in L.A., we don't get to spend much time together.

I've been under a lot of stress lately with my job. When I come home it would be nice to actually see, touch and talk to the man I'm in love with about my issues and how my day went. I have wonderful friends, but it's depressing when I hang out with them and everybody is all snuggled up and smooching on their significant others. I don't want to break up with him and neither of us wants to move. Please advise?

Sincerely,
Fading

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