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

Set Forth

Artist: Tijuana Panthers

Album: Poster

Song: Set Forth

Video: Anny Yi

Label: Innovative Leisure

Release: 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

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

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!

http://www.amazon.com/What-Is-Punk-Eric-Morse/dp/1617753920

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-is-punk-eric-morse/1121490040?ean=9781617753923

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.

What makes you think you're the one

I don't do a lot of watercolor illustrations because they are time consuming but I do enjoy it.  It's already February.  I'm excited that Spring is near.

Song of the day:  Fleetwood Mac - What Makes You Think You're The One

There's no one like you under the sun

I did so much this weekend and not all of it was captured on camera, but here are some nice photos from some of the things we did on Saturday.  Spent the day with one of my best friends, started with brunch at Poppy and Rose next to the flower mart.  It's a charming place, and the food was delicious.  Later, in between other adventures, we also squeezed in checking out the L.A. Art Book Fair at the Geffen MOCA.  Such a great turnout, it was crazy trying to walk the entire show, but I was able to do it with moral support from my friend.  I was getting a little claustrophobic and getting tired.  But, phobias aside, it was an inspiring and fun experience.  There was a lot of awesome punk art books.  It was great to see so many creative spirits.  Also, it was a treat to see Thurston Moore hanging out at his table.

Do you understand

So I drew this today!  Last year was so crazy that I didn't have time or inspiration to sit down and draw.  There would be times when I really missed the feeling of blasting music in my ears while just sketching away.  I don't remember the last time I did an illustration but it must be over 7 months at least.  Well, it's been freezing cold (literally) in L.A., so I didn't go out at all today.  And I was pretty bored so I made myself sit down and do this.  Anyways, by the looks of things, this winter is going to be pretty cold.  So there's nothing wrong with staying at home, sitting around, and listening to good music.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  Thanks for hanging out at YoungestIndie.com!  Hope you all have a fun and safe celebration!

Here are my top 5 tunes of 2014:

Irene - Twin Peaks

Millions - Gerard Way

Go Away - Weezer

Who Needs You - The Orwells

Do You - Spoon

(Totally random and in no particular order, but at work, the number one most played song in my iTunes is "Irene" by Twin Peaks.  Next will probably be "Mirror of Time".)

And the most popular post of 2014 was my coverage of Day 2 of Coachella!

And the second most popular post of 2014 was The Orwells/ Twin Peaks/ Criminal Hygiene at Troubadour.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

- from Youngest Indie