Thursday, November 05, 2015

My blog turned nine


Oh, hey!  Totally forgot my blog just turned 9 years old a few days ago!  I was planning to wish it a happy birthday since weeks ago but then things came up and I totally missed it.  Anyways, Youngest Indie is a blog of the indie hey days where I mostly posted gig pics and stuff, which officially started in November 2006.  To celebrate, here is a photo from before I started this blog.  This is a photo I took at a New Year's party in a DTLA warehouse ringing in 2006, with Robert from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club getting ready to spin some records.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

On the shelf


Hello!  So, you all probably know by now that the book I illustrated, was released on October 6.  It's been available for preorder online.  And I know Amazon and online shopping is pretty convenient, but I really still love going to bookstores.  We grew up going into bookstores regularly when we were kids (remember Crown Books?).  Now, one of my favorite bookstores is called Vroman's in Pasadena.  I started going there in the early 2000s.  I would pick up California Apparel News, and various music and fashion magazines.  They have everything.  It's definitely one of those stores that you go into and spend way too much time in there, and discover so many wonderful books and things that you instantly just need to have.  That's the true shopping experience.  Not only that, you should read about this store and how it all began and who Mr. Vroman is.  I love the story and I love how this store still exists.  And it can only exist if we continue to stop in and support by purchasing books, magazines, gifts, etc.  Not only that, they have major guests for in-store events, and have a nice coffee shop.  Also, What Is Punk? is on the the shelves here!  

If you're in the LA area, I am honored to say that our book is also available on the shelves of Skylight Books, Book Soup on Sunset, Diesel at Brentwood Country Mart, and Vroman's Pasadena.  Also, please call your local bookstore and ask if they have it!  That way you're not disappointed if you go looking for our book.  Thanks to everyone for the interest and support



What Is Punk? at Vroman's Bookstore!


Also, we were in AP!  It was super surreal.  I still have my old copies of AP.
And one of the best reviews on Dangerous Minds.

Friday, October 02, 2015

Read our interview with NYMag's Bedford and Bowery


Hey, everyone!  So, the book is almost out and it's been really exciting to see some of the sweet reviews coming in.  We just did an interview about the book, and you can also see some exclusive photos of behind the scenes, making of, and outtakes.  Head on over to Bedford and Bowery to read all about it!  Thank you to Bradley Spinelli!

B E D F O R D   A N D   B O W E R Y - Interview & Exclusive Photos

Also, a reminder for this Sunday in Brooklyn, New York, is the book event with the author!  Check out this link for more info and time.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Fun! Fun!


Hello!  I'm so excited about the book I worked on, What Is Punk? by Eric Morse and Illustrations by me!  It's finally almost here!  (Some of you even have your copies already!)  Please check about above dates for storytime bookstore events with the fabulous author Eric Morse!  There will be fun activities.  All ages welcome!  Bring your kids!  For punk fans of all ages!  Times may vary, so best to check with the bookstore listed above!  Thank you everyone for the interest and support!!


Monday, September 21, 2015

Some call it strange, it's just a frame of mind


I went to see Twin Peaks at one of my favorite L.A. venues, the Troubadour.  When this tour was announced, I was excited because Wavves and Swmrs were also on the bill.  The last time I saw Twin Peaks, Cadien's leg was in a cast, but he still rocked it sitting on a chair.  Among all the new and new-ish bands out there, I've been really enjoying Twin Peaks' albums.  Sunken and Wild Onion are both solid albums.  I still can't get enough of their song "Irene".  Although, they did not sing that at this show.  They didn't sing "Mind Frame" either.  That's fine, I understood their set list choices and because they really rocked their set.

SWMRS was the opening band.  Famous for making the soundtrack for the Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent runway show.  They were pretty good.  I like a good high-energy punk sounding band.  I know they hate L.A., but that's my hometown, man.

September 12, 2015 - Troubadour


SWMRS





TWIN PEAKS







WAVVES





Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Set Forth



Artist: Tijuana Panthers

Album: Poster

Song: Set Forth

Video: Anny Yi

Label: Innovative Leisure

Release: 2015

Sunday, September 06, 2015

Look at you, you're so important



Tijuana Panthers played their record release show on September 4 at the Regent Theater in Downtown LA.  It was my first time at this venue after the big renovation.  I've been there before the makeover, back in 2008, so it was great to be able to see the before and after comparison.  I got to the venue just in time for The Garden.  I wasn't really familiar with their music, I just knew them for being Saint Laurent models.  So I really didn't know what to expect.  Honestly, I haven't been listening to a lot of new bands lately.  But I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by their performance.  Really enjoyed it: their energy, performance, and sound.  I know some people don't like bands who perform with tracks playing from lap tops, but I honestly don't mind it too much if you really can make it work.  The Garden made it work, I think.  Thought they were pretty refreshing.

Tijuana Panthers new album Poster just came out last week!  If you haven't heard yet, please go check it out (available on CD, vinyl, digital).  Well, Tijuana Panthers sounded great!  The crowd was crazy as usual and really loving it.  It was a great show.  The set list was a mix of old and new.  I really enjoyed the visuals in the background screen.  The footage from Pee Wee's Playhouse went so perfectly with the music of Tijuana Panthers, I really got a kick out of that.  Also, if you don't know by now, I had the honor of making the music video for the second single "Set Forth".  The video was also used as the background visual.  It was a thrill to see.

Random side note:  The Regent has small signs posted on the wall that say crowd surfing is not allowed.  There was a security dude in the front, and in my history of going to concerts, I have never seen a security guy who was such a pro at scooping out the crowd surfers.  I was really impressed by his talent.  Regardless of the sign, fans had fun crowd surfing to the tunes of their favorite band.

Poster, out on Innovative Leisure Records, is quite different from past Tijuana Panthers albums.  It still sounds like them but it's definitely a new take on their sound.  Great new album.  Go listen!


T H E    G A R D E N




T I J U A N A    P A N T H E R S






Friday, August 28, 2015

Set Forth



As a long time fan of Tijuana Panthers, and an even longer time fan of Pee Wee Herman, today is a very special day. This summer I worked on my very first official music video for “Set Forth” the second single off of Tijuana Panther’s brand new album Poster. The record is out today on Innovative Leisure Records.  Congrats to Tijuana Panthers!  And Pee Wee Herman premiered the new music video today! Click the link above!!  Big thanks to Tijuana Panthers and Innovative Leisure!!

Get the new album P O S T E R

Saturday, August 01, 2015

Big News!


Big news! I illustrated my first children’s book! I’m so excited to finally share this with you. It’s called What is Punk? By Eric Morse and Illustrated by me. Published by Akashic Books. It’s out in October but presales have begun! Order your copy now on Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com!

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Are you living this way because you think you have to


Hey, everyone!  I haven't done a gig blog post in forever that I kind of forgot how to write one.  I don't know if I should take some time to explain why this blog has been so abandoned lately.  Or if I should talk about the 2000s and my indie days, or if I should gush about how ridiculously dreamy The Cribs are.  This post can go so many ways!  Maybe I will just focus on the gig itself and let you know about the new Cribs album.

The Cribs played Coachella this year and lucky for me (and all the crazy fans) that they booked a local-chella show at The Roxy.  This show did not disappoint.  In fact, it was so good, I kept saying "this show was so special" on my way home.  Opening the night was a band from San Diego called The Frights.  They were adorable and sounded great.  Definitely a sound I love.  If you are into the oldies, doo wop, surf, garage, cute, and loud, you should check them out.

The Cribs started the set with "Mirror Kissers".  Way back in 2006, I went to a downtown warehouse party and I got a free iheartcomix compilation CD and this track was on there.  I immediately loved them and that music video is one of my all time favorites.  This was an awesome show because they played the perfect mix of old and new and in-between.  Fans were going wild and so happy.  So much fun.  Their new album, For All My Sisters, just came out last month.  I got the CD.  Yes, a CD.  It was produced by Ric Ocasek.  I immediately loved "Burning for No One" when they released that.  Listening to the whole album, at first, I thought it sounded a little different than the sound I was more familiar with to associate The Cribs with, but the more I listened to it, it did sound like The Cribs.  It is really just an upgraded, new material, great album.  My favorite tracks from the new album is "Different Angle", "Summer of Chances", and "Diamond Girl".  Get the new album now!

The Cribs are a special band to me.  Probably because they remind me of my hey days.  Having been a concert-goer for many years now, I witnessed that period where the Sunset Strip was no longer cool, and better music venues started popping up.  Still, I have my share of great memories of the Sunset Strip.  I'm glad The Roxy are booking cool shows again.  Walking back to my car, I looked at 1 Oak and how it's turned into a club, and I missed the days of the Key Club.  Driving down Sunset, seeing so many old buildings demolished, making way for new structures, things looked familiar yet strange.  But I'm glad that I was able to see The Cribs and the fact that they are still around.  Thanks for the new album!  I had forgotten who I was, then this show helped me remember.

















P.S.  Ryan wearing a Venison Strokes tee and looking like a Ramone.  Happy.