Smashing Pumpkins wax nostalgic at Fonda Theatre

Smashing Pumpkins wax nostalgic at Fonda Theatre
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
December 17, 2014


Even in the prime of his band 20 years ago, The Smashing Pumpkins‘ Billy Corgan didn’t really seem like other rock stars. During the height of alternative and grunge in the ’90s, the Pumpkins got grouped in with the rest of the bands when really, they were quite different. Even then, Corgan seemed like a reluctant rocker.

Now a few decades later, Corgan comes across as a bit resistant to that handle, albeit he seems much more comfortable. Tuesday night at the Fonda Theatre, Corgan and his most recent shuffled lineup (which includes guitarist Jeff Schroeder, Mark Stoermer of The Killers on bass and Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine on drums.) played through 17 songs, including five from their latest release Monuments to an Elegy, which came out a few weeks ago.

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La Roux transforms The Fonda Theatre into an upbeat "Sexotheque"

La Roux transforms The Fonda Theatre into an upbeat "Sexotheque"
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
September 25, 2014

Tuesday night, English synthpop export La Roux rocked The Fonda Theatre like gangbusters. Where Kylie Minogue left things with European dance pop, La Roux picked it up and has taken it to another level.

What you get with La Roux on album is surprisingly close to what you get on stage. Singer Elly Jackson’s vocal range is impressive and her falsetto never once cracked throughout an impressively high energy set at The Fonda.

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CHVRCHES puts on a PDA-inducing performance at the Palladium

CHVRCHES puts on a PDA-inducing performance at the Palladium
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
September 21, 2014


Depending on who is playing, a concert can be a difficult place to bring your struggling relationship.

Friday night at the Hollywood Palladium, I saw first-hand the ramifications of this as a couple next to me went through a wide range of emotions during CHRVCHES‘ fantastic 13-song set. This show served one of the last two shows on their tour in support of their debut album, The Bones of What You Believe.

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Nico Vega the perfect remedy for case of the Mondays at The Roxy

Nico Vega the perfect remedy for case of the Mondays at The Roxy
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
July 22, 2014


If you had a “case of the Mondays” before showing up at The Roxy in Hollywood, Nico Vega washed them away with an enthusiastic and crowd-pleasing set featuring lots of material from new release, Lead to Light.

The show served as an album release party as the EP officially dropped the very next day, July 22.

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The Preatures turn the heat up at sold out Echo gig

The Preatures turn the heat up at sold out Echo gig
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
June 4, 2014

Sydney rockers, The Preatures exceeded expectations at their sold out gig at The Echo last night as they breezed through an 11-song set of jams.

Having seen them the night before at a free gig at Bardot’s It’s A School Night in Hollywood, the band didn’t look like one overcoming a serious jetlag of having arrived just a few days earlier.

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The beautiful Meg Myers and Jess Williamson captivate fans at Bardot Hollywood

The beautiful Meg Myers and Jess Williamson captivate fans at Bardot Hollywood
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
February 19, 2014

Being from Vegas, it was my first time turning up to School Night at Bardot, which apparently takes place every Monday. It definitely will not be my last.

After reviewing Jess Williamson’s debut album here at Grimy Goods a few weeks ago (click here for the album review), I had to check her out in person. Though I only got a brief taste of her due to playing a shortened set, I left that night with my live music fix fully satisfied.

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