Birds of Satan with a side of Chevy Metal

When: Friday, April 18, 2014

Where: Rock & Roll Pizza, Moorpark
Accompanied by: Too many to list. Y'all know who you are!!
(Thank you, Cynthia for getting my tix)
Genre: Melt Your Face Rock & Roll

Set List:

Photo by Debbie Flaska

Oh bloody hell, I have no words. I will say that it was a night to remember. And if only I'd just said no to that "special" cookie, I'd remember more... but I do know I had a damn good time. However, for this blog post, I'll just let the photos speak for themselves. 

Pat Smear

Various Shades of Taylor

Mick Murphy

Sound Check

Birds of Satan with a side of Chevy Metal, 4/18/14

To read a full review of this amazing show, check out:  TourBus Live Review CLICK HERE

For photos of the evening portion which includes Nate Mendel, Dave Grohl, and more Pat Smear, check out: TourBus Live Photos CLICK HERE

Shifty & His Dead Peasants

When: Friday, April 4, 2014
Where: Rock & Roll Pizza, Moorpark (Awesome owner David Veggie Vieira)
Accompanied by: Sarah, Cheryl, Cosmo, Debbie...the usual suspects
Genre: Country, Honky Tonk

Set List: no clue ...lots of honky tonk fun to be had this night. I'm sure that it consisted of some, if not all of the following - Good Time Charlies, King of Fools, Wham Bam, I'm Gonna Break Every Heart, I'm Tired, Walk Through This World With Me, Live Fast, Bull By The Horns, Bottle Let Me Down, Guitar Pickin' Man, Skid Row,....etc

Made the long ass drive out to Moorpark on a Friday.  Why? Because I support all all that is Foo - regardless if it's not my cup o' tea music wise. Besides, as I've written in previous posts, Chris has found a way to infiltrate country music into my heart (but dammit, Chris, you can't have my soul). We'll see how long it lasts, but for the moment, I don't hate it.  I'm fairly certain there are a handful of other CS&DP shows in the near future. Chances are I'll be there. It's what I do. 

Neil Young, Solo and Acoustic

When: Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Photo by Sweet Joni

Where: Dolby Theater, Los Angeles

Accompanied by: Kathryn Knox

Genre: Folk Rock, Acoustic

Set List One: From Hank to Hendrix, On the Way Home, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Love in Mind, Philadelphia, Mellow My Mind, Reason to Believe, Someday, Changes, Harvest, Old Man, Goin' Back

Set List Two: A Man Needs a Maid, Ohio, Southern Man, Mr. Soul, If You Could Read My Mind, Harvest Moon, After the Gold Rush, Heart of Gold

Encore: Thrasher

Talk about a win-win situation. Actually ALL sorts of win:

• Tickets won courtesy of KLOS
• Neil Young SOLO
• Neil Young ACOUSTIC
• Dolby Theater - home to the Academy Awards
• Did I mention, free tickets?

The evening was a bit voyeuristic. The audience was allowed to sit back and watch Neil in what felt like what would be his music studio/living room transported from home onto the Dolby Theater stage. As big as the theater was, the intimacy was undeniable. I honestly sat at the edge of my seat the entire show, completely mesmerized and enchanted. Neil wandered around the stage, telling stories, singing songs...like an old man puttering around. But with way more talent.

Photo by Jeff Allen
http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org/2014/04/photo-neil-young-dolby-theatre-los.html

Between his story telling and every song telling a story, the time flew by much too quickly. I cried during Philadelphia. I cried during Harvest Moon.  I am sure I cried during a few others, but those are the two that I remember the most. It's not that I've never seen Neil Young perform before. Thanks to Bridge School and a few other CSN&Y shows in years past, I've had the opportunity. But none of those shows compares to this. 

The best part was being able to spend this evening with a friend who shares and understands what it means to love music so much that at times it hurts. 

I love you, Kathryn.

NO. @ Fingerprints Records

When: Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Where: Fingerprints Music, Long Beach
Accompanied by: Solo venture
Genre: Indie Rock/Alternative


Set List:  Another Life, What's Your Name, Monday, So Scared, Last Chance, The Long Haul, Leave the Door Wide Open, Stay With Me, North Star, Hold On


NO. is a band that my friend, Colleen told me about a few years back. They were performing at a little hole in the wall art show in Long Beach one night so we made it a date and ventured out into a strangely isolated industrial area of North LBC. That was my one and only time being introduced to their sound.  Fast forward 2 years later and NO. was booked to debut their new full length CD "El Prado" at Fingerprints Music - which being just five minutes down the hill from home made it a must attend event.  And I'm so glad that I did.  

I'm not one to write reviews. That's not my thing. I go to shows to absorb the sound. Embrace the mood. Transition my soul. Last night was no exception.  Even more so since my phone died about 5 minutes into the show, so I spent the entire time soaking up every moment of the music. A ten song set list. Can't say for sure how long it lasted, but I would have been happy with more. There isn't one particular other band that NO. reminds me of. Maybe kinda sorta Black Keys, but with six members versus just two, that's not really accurate. Kings of Leon. Maybe, but not really. They are definitely rock. With a mix of folk. The lead singer, Bradley, has a voice that is hauntingly beautiful.

Found this posted on Youtube from LAToyBoy:


Afterwards, the guys stuck around to meet, greet, and sign CDs, posters, and what not. They could not be any nicer. Extremely gracious and seemed genuinely happy to be in the moment.  After a little bit of chit chat, each of the guys signed my CD, poster, and the set list that I snagged from the stage.  All in all, a damn good night in the LBC.  

Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants

When: Thursday, February 27, 2014
Where: El Cid, Los Angeles 
Accompanied by: Kathryn Knox
Genre: Honky Tonk, Country

Set List: Good Time Charlies, King of Fools, Wham Bam, I'm Gonna Break Every Heart, I'm Tired, Walk Through This World With Me, Live Fast..., Bull By The Horns, Bottle Let Me Down, Grand Tour, Happy Part of Town, Guitar Pickin' Man, Skid Row, Swingin' Door, A Woman Like You, Are You Sure Hank...?, Playboy

I am pretty sure the last time we saw Chris and his Dead Peasants, it was last year in Long Beach for the show at Alex's Bar and the CD Release party at Fingerprints. Both shows were good...but what was missing at that time was the undeniably talented Marty Rifkin. 

Fortunately, tonight's show, Marty was in the house and there is just something about him that adds to the authenticity of the band. Not that I know a thing about country music, because I don't. But I know what sounds good. At least what sounds good to me.

El Cid is an amazing venue. It was my first time there and it was like being transported back in time. What first started off as a cafe in 1925, later converted into a theater playhouse in 1932, it became a supper club and bar in 1963, as a replica of a 16th Century tavern.













And while we were there for the music, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the menu at El Cid boasts the BEST crispy brussels sprouts in the the world!!  Fried brussels spouts dressed in a lemon vinaigrette and topped with sliced Spanish almonds. Unfreakin' believable. And I don't even like brussels sprouts.

As I've stated in all the past posts after seeing Chris, I'm not a fan of the country music. But we go because we support Chris is his outside Foo Fighters endeavors. And to be honest, this sound has grown on me over time. I'm not rushing out to follow other country acts, but I can appreciate the genre that Chris is keeping alive. All in all, a damn tootin' good night. And given the opportunity to see other acts at El Cid, I'd definitely be down...if just for the brussels sprouts alone.

Photo by Debbie Flaska (c) 2014

Photo by Knoxy (c) 2014

Brody Dalle @ Alex's Bar

When: Sunday, February 16, 2014
Where: Alex's Bar, Long Beach
Accompanied by: Lara, Juls, Tiffany, Lisa & Anthony
Genre: Punk, Rock

Setlist: Rat Race, Don't Mess with Me, Meet the Foetus, Die on a Rope (Distillers), Dismantle Me (Distillers), Dressed in Dreams, Blood in Gutters, Ghetto Love (Spinerette), Sick of It All (Distillers), Sing Sing Death House (Distillers), Bullet & Bullseye, Coral Fang (Distillers), Underworld


Living in Long Beach has its perks.  Alex's Bar is definitely one of them. Just a mere five minutes down the hill from home, we were honored with the presence of Brody Dalle (from The Distillers and Spinerette) for a sold out night.

QOTSA, Sin City & ShenaniLaraJuligans 2014

When: Thursday, February 13, 2014
Where: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas
Accompanied by: Lara, Juls, Jane, Gabrielle, Will, & Anthony
Genre: ♥ Rock n Roll ♥

Set List: all but 3's &7's ----->


I love Vegas. I love Queens of the Stone Age. So, back in December when it was announced that the boys would be performing at The Joint in February 2014, there was never any doubt that I would be there as well. Better yet, the dream I had of me and Lara meeting up with our 6'5" ginger ninja in Sin City was the beginning of what eventually became ShenaniLaraJuligans 2014. 

Nearly 2 months to the day (2/8/14), Lara arrived on my doorstep and the very next day we picked ourselves up our very own Welsh chickie, Juls from LAX and proceeded to dive right into the BEST EIGHT DAYS EVER!!

Granted, QOTSA in Vegas was the catalyst for this entire escapade...and trust when I say, Queens were fuckin' amazing (although from the rail, the sound wasn't entirely up to par. yet, if that's the price for being at rail, so be it.)...but this was so much more than a Vegas gig. This was love. Pure love and friendship. And it was perfect.

Aside from both Juls & Anthony each scoring a set list...One of the best moments in Vegas happened a few hours after the show ended. Lara, Juls and I were grabbing a bite at Mr. Lucky's when we saw Dean Fertita stroll by. Liquid courage prompted me to politely stop him to let him know how much we enjoyed the show. I explained that Lara had traveled from Australia, Juls from the UK and me from Long Beach. He seemed genuinely pleased as he extended his hand out and said, "hi, I'm Dean..." that just tickled us. Seriously, such a nice guy.

Vegas Memories...

Beyond the drunken shenanigans in Vegas...we enjoyed time at Crystal Cove, Bolsa Chica State Beach for an impromptu Saturday night bonfire, lots of amazing food, kept the economy flowing with way too much shopping, and were able to enjoy an evening close to home to see Brody Dalle perform at Alex's Bar in Long Beach, where Juls had her moment with Josh, and Brody kicked ass.

After 8 days, we sadly dropped Juls off at LAX. The saving grace was another 6 days with Lara which we filled with more shopping, catching Book of Mormon at Pantages, hitting up the Kogi Food Truck, and many many many cocktails and homemade cookies. 

I don't know what I did right in life to deserve such happiness...but I try not to question it too much. All I know is that moments like these make for the very best memories and while I'm truly sad for them to end, I know that more are right along the horizon, just waiting to begin. ♥

Now if I can just get Jane to commit to QOTSA/San Francisco in April.  The wild ride can continue....