Brian Fest honors hits, deep cuts from Brian Wilson's catalog

Brian Fest honors hits, deep cuts from Brian Wilson's catalog
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 31, 2015


Monday night, a bevy of talented musicians joined together to honor Brian Wilson at the Fonda Theatre in an effort to raise money for the charity Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. This has become a yearly tradition sponsored by Jameson Irish whiskey, having previously honored the likes of The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, and George Harrison.

Brian Fest showcased talent both on their way up to the top as well as long-established acts. As the show grew longer, the names got bigger. Some of the early performers were handed a more difficult task of covering some of the more obscure covers from Wilson’s illustrious career.

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First night of Ben Harper's reunion with the Innocent Criminals receives heavy praise at The Fillmore

First night of Ben Harper's reunion with the Innocent Criminals receives heavy praise at The Fillmore
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 26, 2015


Ben Harper had not performed with The Innocent Criminals since 2008. On Wednesday, they proved they hadn’t lost a step — nor had their fan base forgotten about them — at the first of four straight nights at The Fillmore in San Francisco.

Many would suggest that Harper’s best work came while working with the Innocent Criminals in the 90s and into the early part of the 2000s. Playing crowd favorites from their back catalog, the sold out crowd couldn’t contain their excitement in between songs, often erupting in loud ovations that had Harper and his band humbled by their appreciation.

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SXSW Saturday explodes with hip-hop: J. Cole, Too $hort, G-Eazy & more

SXSW Saturday explodes with hip-hop: J. Cole, Too $hort, G-Eazy & more
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 24, 2015

If Friday was the busiest day of SXSW for me, Saturday was the most intense. If you would have told me I’d end up seeing 39 performances and almost half of them would be hip hop or rap, I wouldn’t have believed it. But that’s what SXSW is partly about, broadening your horizons.

My day began with The Church at Waterloo Records. I remember hearing “Under the Milky Way” in Donnie Darko in middle school and loving that song. The rain began coming down again and they played an acoustic set, performing that hit and some newer stuff. Vocalist Steve Kilby sounded fantastic and there was a sizable crowd for it being just 2 PM.

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SXSW Friday: The ladies rule: Elle King, Natalie Prass, Charlotte OC & more

SXSW Friday: The ladies rule: Elle King, Natalie Prass, Charlotte OC & more
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 22, 2015

All week I knew that Friday promised to be the busiest day for me music-wise from beginning to end. From noon to 1:30 AM, I hit five different venues and got to see a dozen different acts, almost all of which I hadn’t gotten a chance to see the previous two days.

My day started at Mohawk for House of Vans. I caught the tail-end of British synth-pop act JUCE. They had great energy and I liked their sound. Lead vocalist Chalin was able to get the crowd really into it, which is a lot to ask at noon after most people have partied the previous three days and were hungover. “Austin, you just got JUCED!” she shouted at the end of her set to great applause.

SXSW Thursday: Rising stars Raury, Clairity, James Bay & more

SXSW Thursday: Rising stars Raury, Clairity, James Bay & more
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 20, 2015


I woke up Thursday to the sound of housekeeping knocking on the door of my cheap motel room that I found at 3:30 AM for $60. It was 11 AM and I had planned on being awake a few hours earlier but after being at SXSW all day Wednesday, I needed the few extra hours of sleep.

Thursday would be a day of much less music compared to the previous day, but it was an important day for other reasons.

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SXSW Wednesday: Courtney Barnett, Ryn Weaver, Action Bronson & more

SXSW Wednesday: Courtney Barnett, Ryn Weaver, Action Bronson & more
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 19, 2015


After taking a bus from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and flying into Austin from there (cheaper flight, y’all), I hit the ground running for South by Southwest (SXSW) on Wednesday.

After waiting in line at the House of Vans at Mohawk for about an hour, I finally got in and was able to see Denver-based Son Lux. Lead man Ryan Lott utilizes a lot of interesting sounds — both on his vocals and on his keyboards — bringing together a sound that can best be described as a more electronic-heavy version of The Killers. The set-closing song “Lost it to Trying (Mouths Only Lying)” was the strongest track of the set and had the small bar-filled crowd really feeling it.

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Foo Fighters deliver special performance at exclusive iHeartRadio Theater LA gig

Foo Fighters deliver special performance at exclusive iHeartRadio Theater LA gig
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 18, 2015

If there’s any American rock ‘n’ roll band that deserves the red carpet treatment, it is the Foo Fighters.

That is exactly the feel their St. Patrick’s Day show achieved on Tuesday night at the iHeartRadio Theater LA — or “just down the street” as Grohl put it midway through their rocking set.

Mixing in songs from their latest release Sonic Highways along with some old classics, Grohl and his band first spoke to Chelsea Handler in a 10-minute interview. Handler kept responding to people shouting out from the crowd, perhaps a little too used to her standup work where that is common place.

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8 Los Angeles Bands to Watch at SXSW

8 Los Angeles Bands to Watch at SXSW
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 16, 2015


At South By Southwest (SXSW), thousands of musicians from all over the world travel to take part in the most expansive festival around. It only makes sense that the best up-and-coming talents from Los Angeles would take part — and here we’ve got the creme de la creme of southern California headed to Austin.

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Wolf Alice turns Bootleg crowd into headbanger's ball

Wolf Alice turns Bootleg crowd into headbanger's ball
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 15, 2015


UK four-piece Wolf Alice brought their throwback grunge vibes to The Bootleg on Saturday night, and it didn’t take any convincing to get the packed crowd to bang their heads throughout the set.

Guitarist Joff Oddie and vocalist/guitarist Ellie Rowsell utilize a number of effects through guitar pedals that give the band their 90s grunge sound reminiscent of Alice in Chains and Silverchair.

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SXSW Can't Miss Showcases That Don't Require a Badge

SXSW Can't Miss Showcases That Don't Require a Badge
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 13, 2015


Were you like me and decided way late in the game to pull the trigger on attending this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin? Fear not. We’ve got a list of some of the best showcases that are open to non-SXSW badgeholders (usually with an RSVP). But remember to get there early kids because most of these WILL reach capacity early in the day.

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The Dead Ships debut "Big Quiet" off upcoming EP produced by Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene

The Dead Ships debut "Big Quiet" off upcoming EP produced by Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 11, 2015


Fresh off playing a special Grimy Goods show this past weekend, Los Angeles rock trio The Dead Ships have shared a new song “Big Quiet” off their upcoming EP I, due out May 5.

Featuring the dual vocals of guitarist Devlin and bassist Alex, the new song has a distinct Pixies feel to it. There is a campy vibe thanks largely to a catchy guitar riff that serves as a highlight. With lyrics revealing a more personal and reflective tone, The Dead Ships have taken their hard-hitting guitar rock into an alternate direction, and it sounds beautiful.

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Recommended: Will Butler rises from Arcade Fire shadows with stellar solo debut "Policy"

Recommended: Will Butler rises from Arcade Fire shadows with stellar solo debut "Policy"
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 10, 2015


Though he plays a complementary role in the massive success of his band the Arcade Fire, the younger Butler sibling steps out of the shadow of his older brother Win, to great things on his debut solo album Policy.

While he plays keyboards and sometimes drummer for the world renowned band, he shows in his solo endeavor he’s more than just a jack of a few trades. The album features bit players that contribute anything from drums to even clarinet and saxophone, but this is very much a Will Butler solo project.

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Viet Cong gift fans with grab bag, garage rock at Echoplex

Viet Cong gift fans with grab bag, garage rock at Echoplex
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 9, 2015


You can mark the Canadian rockers Viet Cong down for doing something at a show I had previously never seen before.

This past Friday at the Echoplex, lead vocalist and bassist Matt Flegel hit the stage with what looked to be a black pillow case. “I’m just gonna start pulling things out of the bag and hand them to you guys in the crowd.”

Of the things in the bag, a couple tall cans of PBR, some bottles of water, a banana, an orange, and even some Red Vines were passed out to an anxious crowd that waited until 11:30 p.m. to see the LA debut of these guys.

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Broods excite fans (and famous friends) at sold-out Fonda Theatre performance

Broods excite fans (and famous friends) at sold-out Fonda Theatre performance
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 6, 2015


Just 13 months ago, New Zealand sibling synthpop duo BROODS were playing their first American show at Bardot’s It’s A School Night. On Thursday night, their career reached another plateau as they sold out the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood to an assortment of excited fans and famous pals that packed the place from the floor to the balconies.

Taking in the show on the evening was a group of of ladies in the balcony that included Taylor Swift, Ellie Goulding, Este Haim, and actress Chloe Grace Moretz. On the way into the venue, I also saw fellow New Zealander Alisa Xayalith of The Naked and Famous. You know you’re doing something right when you’ve got so many peers turning into fan girls.

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Kali Uchis brings fans and Tyler. the Creator on stage at packed Echo show

Kali Uchis brings fans and Tyler. the Creator on stage at packed Echo show
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
March 3, 2015


Monday night, there was a line like I’d never seen wrapped around The Echo to see Colombian-born and Virginia-bred singer Kali Uchis.

Playing to a mostly younger crowd — which undoubtedly played perfectly into the hands of her 9 p.m. start time — Kali Uchis proved to be quite a performer with a large following for someone who just released a new EP Por Vida last month.

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