Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Usually when I go to a show, I don't know anyone except for the person I go with–and often I go alone. But last night I was surrounded by a ton of friends who also wanted to see Obits and The Night Marchers. The bands share roots in San Diego that include Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Pitchfork… For a lot of people who listened to punk, indie, garage, etc. (especially in the '90s) all of those bands are a big deal. Above, John Reis's new band is the Night Marchers. He was part of all three of the aforementioned groups as well as Rocket From The Crypt–possibly the greatest rock 'n' roll machine of all time. Halloween will never be the same without RFTC's annual costume parties (which also doubled as a birthday party for my brother Greg and me, since we were born on Nov. 1) but at least I got to see him crank out some blues-based blasts last night. As hard-working, honest, and infectious as ever, John is a true rock god. The headliner was Obits, out of Brooklyn. Rick Fork (Froberg) is the main singer and guitarist. In Pitchfork, Jehu, and Hot Snakes, his more experimental guitar playing was a foil to the more rocking style of Reis. In Obits, there's more of a give-and-take between Fork the other guitarist, Sohrab Habibion (ex-Edsel, below). In contrast to The Night Marchers' nonstop barrage of guitar, Obits have a lot of space between the riffs, making a conversational and sometimes even surfy tone. Totally amazing to witness live–and the album totally rips, too. Nope, no Hot Snakes tunes, but a super rad show nonetheless with two of my favorite musicians a ton of great new songs.
Continue reading
Today I went to Knott's Berry Farm on a field trip with Eloise… She's just the right age to dig Camp Snoopy, which was cool. It's been a while since I've been the theme park–now marketed as America's first–and it's interesting how the new coasters are woven into each other since there isn't much space. Unlike Disneyland, they don't hide the construction so you can see tools, girders, and lumber all over the place around as you go on rides. With all the change, I was surprised to see some things linger–like the Chinese laundry in ghost town. Check out the old dude's eyes, and what's up with the sign? Buena Park is full of Korean restaurants now, but that's totally the sort of Oriental images I grew up with behind the Orange Curtain in the '70s and '80s.
Continue reading
On Saturday night, I took a break from Comic-Con to catch Boris at The Casbah. How could I miss one of the favorite bands in one of my favorite venues? It was the Japanese psychedelic-doom-sludge-noise-metal band's first gig of their summer tour but they were as tight as ever. Yes, the unofficial fourth member Kurihara was there to lend his guitar wizardry. You can see him hiding in the shadows, below… Left to right: vegan skins pounder Atsuo, effortless ripper Wata, double-neck bassist Takeshi. All three sing. The set was slightly more experimental than the previous tour, with a couple somber songs based on keyboard and effect mixed into the mostly heavy, heavy rockers. Wata sang not one but two songs. One of the best live bands you'll ever see. Sorry all these pics are from the same angle, but I was parked close and didn't want to move. This is a band that I saw play for four or five nights in a row when I sold shirts for them and Damon & Naomi, and I'll never get bored of their blend of musicianship, concept, and all-out rock. Even better, I got to take my brother Greg and cousin Jimmy to see them for the first time. Too bad it was so late and the band was hiding out in their room so I couldn't introduce them or say hi. I was thinking that after seeing them at such a small venue I'd pass on the larger and more expensive L.A. stop at the El Rey, but it will be hard to resist…
Continue reading
Yikes. Mike, my friend from second and third grade who has been going to Comic-Con with Greg and me since we first started buying comics at the local Stop and Go, informed us that we have been attending since 1979. That means this was his 32nd Con and our 31st (my brother and I went to Hawaii one year). While it's not quite as much time as Sergio Aragones or Scott Shaw!, I think it's enough to provide some perspective. So much has changed since it took place at the El Cortez and old San Diego Convention Center…
Continue reading
Sunday of Comic-Con is usually pretty tame, but today's was quite crowded. Maybe because so many members of the now limited number of guests sign up to go to the Hollywood-fueld programming, which is lighter on the final day? Just a few more pictures of people who walked by the other side of the booth from me at the annual nerd fest, and then it's almost back to the usual boring blog…
Continue reading