Kill Pixie art show opening reception with the sounds of Autolux
May 24, 2009
Merry Karnowsky Gallery is proud to present “I'll Hit You Up Tomorrow,” a solo exhibition by Australian artist Kill Pixie . The opening reception will be hosted by actor Tim Roth, and the exhibition features a collaborative installation by Kill Pixie and the band Autolux.
Kill Pixie (Mark Whalen) began as a graffiti artist on the streets of Sydney, Australia. His medium of choice nowadays is mostly ink and acrylic on paper mounted to wood, and coated in shiny resin. Inextricably embedded in their geometric, candy-colored environments, Kill Pixie's humanoid characters are like puppets compelled to enact roles prescribed by powers beyond their control. The machinery and structures are all made up of much smaller objects, giving the impression of a kaleidoscope opening up into ever more intricate worlds.
In Kill Pixie's meticulously crafted work, the viewer senses the indomitable spirits of creativity, humor and resistance, and the power of adaptation. His work questions the games people are forced to play, as it fractures and realigns old divides between street and studio, and reinterprets the universal human struggle between our antagonistic instincts for freedom and control in the contemporary era. For Kill Pixie's rapidly expanding audience around the world,the work points toward dynamic new understandings that will be necessary for survival in the future of our world.
Since 2006, Kill Pixie has shown in a constant stream of exhibitions in Los Angeles, London, Australia and Berlin. Izrock Pressings recently published his first book, Kill Communication. It includes 64 pages of fine art paintings and works on the street. Kill Pixie has also appeared in publications such as Juxtapoz, Modart Europe, Arkitip, and Monster Children.
In 2008, Kill Pixie was awarded the Sydney Music, Arts & Culture Award for Best Visual Artist. He currently lives and paints in Los Angeles, California.
For more info, contact: mkgallery@
IMPORTANT: Autolux is not playing live at this event. They have provided music/sounds for the installation. The opening is free to everyone, so please come.
Music play list for the week ending May 24, 2009
May 24, 2009
Top 25 - In no particular order -
Rancid - Last One To Die
English Beat - Mirror in the Bathroom
Chaotic Dischord - Sausage, Beans, And Dip
Greenday - Know Your Enemy
Janes Addiction - Mountain Song
The Replacements - Bastards Of Young
Social Task - This Is Me
G.B.H. - Sick Boy
The Queers - All Screwed Up
The Dead Milkmen - Serrated Edge
Pussy Cow - Me & Ice-T
Chron Gen - Breakdown
Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me
Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
Mastodon - The Wolf Is Loose
The Aggrolites - Tear That Falls
Good Riddance - Steps
Jimmy Buffet - Margaritaville
PiL - Public Image
Circle Jerks - Parade of the Horribles
The Dollyrots - My Best Friend's Hot
Riverboat Gamblers - Curse Of Ivory Coast
Gary Numan - Cars
Bad Brains - Right Brigade
Madness - Our House
The above list are some of the top played songs amongst our staff this week.
This weeks playlist brought to you by: Headline Records
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Shows and events calendar for Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura, San Diego, San Bernardino, California and states all over the United States and the world. Complete and extended listing covering Punk, Indie, Rock, Psychobilly and more.
Gathering of The Thousands – with Conflict – Subhumans – Happy Spastics – Fire Exit – Meinhof – at The Barrowlands 2 – Glasgow, Scotland
May 23, 2009
Report from Glasgow, Scotland
Arrived at the venue which was very small not what I had expected for an all day Punk event, it was pretty much just small pub.
The Happy Spastics
A Punk band from Edinburgh was on but it was their last song, managed a couple of photos.
www.myspace.com/happyspasticsdrunkpunx
There was only to be 15 minutes turn around between each band.
Meinhof
Were up next, this 3 piece diy Punk band hails from Germany but now live in London. Singer Rosy is very aggressive and so was there music and this is the message they wanted to put out.
www.myspace.com/dhcmeinhof
Fire Exit
Formed in December 1977 in Glasgow and still playing whenever and wherever they can. Good old fashioned Punk music. They played Wheel chair, out of control, and Time wall of their 1st single. They also did covers of the vibrators whips and furs and the boys first time. Gerry likes to walk amongst the crowd whilst singing getting them to join in too. Speaking with Gerry the singer after the gig he was telling me that they look like they will get the support slot for the upcoming New York Dolls tour.
www.myspace.com/fireexituk
Conflict
Took to the stage and the full intensity of their show is hard to put in to words, Col is a front man of great stage presence walking and jumping round with venom. Hoddy on guitar is a man possessed playing it like I've never seen before, thumping it with his fist (till his fingers bleed) , hitting it with his head, screaming and walking up close an personal to the crowd. The crowd are going mental and the barriers to keep the crowd away from the stage are in adequate and come crashing to the ground with the pressure of the pushing crowd. It landed on me and I decide to go to the side to take photos, I was amazed nobody got hurt. Eve sang “There's no power without control” and “Just defy” then got off the stage as it hotted up. The full intensity of their show is hard to put in to words, Col is a front man of great stage presence walking and jumping round with venom. Hoddy on guitar is a man possessed playing it like I've never seen before, thumping it with his fist (till his fingers bleed) , hitting it with his head, screaming and walking up close an personal to the crowd. The crowd are going mental and the barriers to keep the crowd away from the stage are in adequate and come crashing to the ground with the pressure of the pushing crowd. It landed on me and I decide to go to the side to take photos, I was amazed nobody got hurt.
Set list: Carlo - There's no power without control - Just defy - Farce - Piss - Foot - Pressure - Option - Protest - Mickey - Punk innit - Someday soon - Climbing - Mighty - Battle - Barricades - Force - Liberate - Positive - System - Blind attack - Serenade
www.myspace.com/conflictofficial
Subhumans
Took to the stage next and Dick Lucas is also a great front man with the veins in his neck bulging as he screams songs “all gone dead” “Mickey mouse is dead” but it was “Subvert city” that has the barrier crashing (you would have thought they would have moved it further back and got more staff in to hold it) down for the 1st time during the set.
Set list: All gone dead - I don't wanna die - Waste of breath - Peroxide - Nothing I can do - Apathy - Fade - T.v. wars - Til the pigs come round - Riot - Not me - Killing - B–men - Someone is lying - Minority - Mickey mouse is dead - Subvert city - No
Finally both Conflict and Subhumans put on shows are really in your face, powerful and brilliant and totally punk at its best.
www.myspace.com/subhumansuk
-Dod M.-
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent
More photos of the show can be seen HERE
Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews
Jesse Michaels interview
May 23, 2009
Interview by: Dod M
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent
Having recently seen Classics of Love perform in Aberdeen, I managed to get an interview with front man and (former member of Operation Ivy) Jesse Michaels.
Can You tell me what you have been doing since Operation Ivy and Common Rider?
Jesse Michaels –To give a brief synopsis: studied Buddhism, tried to go to school but it didn’t take, got drunk and fucked up, moved to Florida, tried to go to school again, got in trouble with the IRS, started Common Rider, got drunk and fucked up again, got several working class jobs and then started the new band.
How much do you think punk and ska scene has changed in the last 30 years?
JM- Substantially. Both are much larger. Bands aren't quite the same, though there are good bands. It’s different thought. That’s because it was new back then and the spark of creation was in the air. There’s nothing you can do about that. However kids nowadays are much hipper, much smarter in some ways than in the past. Actually kids from England have always been very sharp but these days they take fewer drugs and play their instruments better.
What originally attracted you to the music scene?
JM- I was walking down the street with my Father and I saw book in a shop window. The book was called “The Punk Rock book” or maybe just “Punk Rock.” As soon as I saw it I experienced a kind of fascination that utterly took over my soul. I got the book and read it over and over again. The book covered The Jam, The Pistols, Subway Sect, Eater, all those old English groups. Because it had a lot of lyrics in it I knew a lot of punk lyrics before I ever heard a song. Once I heard the music it took a little while to get used to it but there was no question that this was my destiny.
Your Current band is Classics of Love, where did the name come from and how did the band come about?
JM- The name came from a song by Common Rider which is about music. The song is in a kind of dance-hall style and mentions bands like The Clash, Blondie, Desmond Decker, Tribe Called Quest, and so on. We were struggling to get a name for the band and that came up and we finally agreed on it. It’s utterly unlike other band names- it’s soft, has no attitude and might even be considered corny, but for some reason, it’s the right name.
The band came about because Mike Park who is our manager, record label guy and good friend was working with both me and the Hard Girls, a trio from San Jose. I told him I wanted people to play with and he gave me their contact info. We jammed and it was all the way on.
You are touring with Mike Park at the moment can you tell me how this collaboration came about?
JM- I got a chance to meet Mike many years ago in Florida and have been acquaintances ever since. Later I did the Plea for Peace tour with Common Rider and got to know him better. Once this band started he told me we could do his usual U.K. run together and we were like “Oh fuck yeah.”
What is your thoughts on the Uk, is this your 1st time over here?
JM- This is my first time as an adult. I was over as a very small child. I love it. I love the people, I love the food, and I love the socialized aspect of the government. I love the countryside and I love the music. I already miss it and I haven’t even left yet. Above all, I really love the people. Living here you probably know a lot of pricks but being on tour you meet mainly the good ones and we have met some good ones without a doubt.
What is the future of the band after your Uk tour, do you plan to tour America?
JM- We have two major goals on the horizon: to write and record a record and to tour the states. Both of these will take time. The record is going to be good so there is no hurry. I would rather take three years (which we won’t) than put out anything less than a near perfect record. I’m too old to make weak material; it’s just not worth it. So were going to make a good record and we’re going to blast the states and then we are going to come back to the U.K. and see our friends there.
You said at the start of the show this is not the Jesse Michaels show, do you think people might see it as this?
JM- I think that is possible. I am the front man and the face of the band and I accept that role and in fact I totally enjoy it. I have a vision and a message, this is my calling, and I’m not shy about it. However, anybody with their eyes and ears open will see that the rest of the band is no joke. We are a team and one part doesn’t function without the other.
You Have an EP out at the moment can you tell us about it?
JM- The EP has six songs. It should be out on Asian Man on CD and vinyl by the time this interview is published. It represents the first six songs written by this band. The music is mid-tempo punk with a relatively political message.
Who writes the material for the songs?
JM- I bring in the songs and then we all work on them together. I write them at home in the lab but they don’t come to life until the whole band plays them. All three of the guys I play with are creative, intelligent people with good ideas so it’s not like me and three studio guys. Of the three I am the least musically talented in the band in many ways.
What is your outlook on the music industry today?
JM- I don’t really trust the music industry. The history of businessmen ripping off artists goes back to exactly the first time a businessman and an artist worked together. The difficult thing is that true artists often need businessmen because they are not built for commerce, they are built for art. And yet they have to make a living. If you think I’m just talking about the majors, forget it, there are just as many sharks among the independents and they don’t even buy you lunch. So that’s what we as artists have to navigate. You have to be careful and smart and have some tough friends and see what you can accomplish. There is no pure situation. You do the best you can. People who are very heroic and only work with pure labels and do pure things are wonderful but they are often so poor that they end up working crap jobs. So even that situation of being a punk rock saint is impure. You move in the world and do the next right thing after considering all factors. That’s my outlook on the industry at this moment, it could change.
I noticed that you had some artwork for sale at the gigs is this a hobby of yours or a serious project?
JM- I have done visual art since I was about three years old so it is both really. I mean I take it very seriously and am now getting into trying to sell it but at the same time if it isn’t fun, I freeze and I can’t do it. So it is a hobby, yes but I am now looking into ways to market it, to pass it on and make a few bucks at the same time.
Finally any last thoughts?
JM- Yes. If anybody out there is addicted to drugs or alcohol, get help because you can have a much better life with very little effort.
Chapel of Thieves – Haunted Hearts
May 22, 2009
Chapel of Thieves is a band with a pretty distinct sound that reminds you of somber days and gloomy moods. Not that it's a bad thing, in fact, it's an interesting and creative spin on music clearly influenced by Punk. Chapel of Thieves isn't exactly Punk Rock, but at times you'll catch the hints and inspiration of it in their music. The band's album "Haunted Hearts" which is released independently, is an eerie yet intriguing album that brings some innovation to music.
The band is fronted by female vocalist Elysia Moon, whose lovely vocals at times sound like those of Agent M of Tsunami Bomb. Elysia Moon's vocal range in the album are amazing and impressive to hear, you'll probably fall in love with her voice. The album begins with a song titled "Buried Wings" which has a grim introduction on keyboard that sounds like an organ. The song continues to showcase the somber and unique sound of the band, and at times reminds you of some of the songs T.S.O.L did on "Dance With Me". Halfway through the album, the Punk influences start to kick in, though the band maintains their melodic and dark sound. The last song of the album is a Bad Religion cover of the song, "Yesterday", which actually sounds really great and gives the album a different spin.
"Haunted Hearts" is so innovative to our scene, that it is highly recommended you give Chapel of Thieves a bit of your time. If you enjoy the talented vocals of a female in a band, then this band will do your fascination justice. If you're simply into good music and new leads, then this band will also provide to your liking. Whatever you're into, you'll probably find it in Chapel of Thieves, so check them out immediately and stop wasting time!
Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/chapelofthieves
-Stephanie M.-
Senior staff reporter
Big Wheel Online Magazine
New York Dolls – The Clicks – at The Fonda Theater – Hollywood, CA
May 21, 2009
There are self-proclaimed Punk rock purists who insist that unless a band is 100% original members, they're not worth seeing. These people insist if you weren't there in the 70's, you don't deserve the reunion tour. They would tell you the New York Dolls died forever with Johnny Thunders. Hundreds of other people know a good show when they see one, and were out in force this past Thursday night at the Fonda to see the New York Dolls who are currently on tour to promote their new album, along with Toronto-based rock band the Cliks.
The Fonda isn't your usual SoCal Punk venue. For one thing, it's really nice. Not that the Knitting Factory and the Relax bar aren't great venues, but the Fonda has carpeting, restroom attendants, and a luxuriously appointed smoking patio. They play host to a wide variety of shows though, from Siouxsie and the Banshees, to NOFX, to underground hip hop legends Atmosphere, one of the great things about the Fonda is the diversity of the crowds it attracts. Looking around at the clumps of people scattering the floor before The Cliks opened the show, there were people from all walks of life. From mohawks to business casual, it was a testament to the profound influence of the New York Dolls.
Thursday's show was short, a simple one-two punch, but that's all they needed. The Cliks stormed on stage just after 9 PM, catching the attention of the audience in seconds. A relatively new band, the Cliks have played with such varied artists as Ian Astbury (The Cult) and Cyndi Lauper, and have done appearances everywhere from the Late Late Show, to TRL (yes, really). It's easy to see why in such a short time they've gained such monumental popularity. Singer/ guitarist Lucas has a raw, emotional wistfulness to his vocal style that refuses to be ignored. Drummer Morgan and bassist Jen provide a heavy, driving rhythm section, that lends an unremitting edge to the band's tortured and introspective lyrics. The crowd responded enthusiastically to this young band, dancing and cheering through their entire set, which thanks to the foreshortened lineup was able to go on for a good hour or so. If you're a fan of grungy alternative garage rock, I would definitely head over to www.myspace.com/thecliks, or check out their new album "Dirty King" due to be released June 23.
The New York Dolls took the stage just after 10:30, just long enough to switch out gear. The Dolls didn't waste any time grandstanding, or leaving the audience slavering at an empty stage. They don't need to. The New York Dolls are no strangers to controversy, they were once voted both the best and worst new band of 1973 in a Creem reader's poll, but with the release of their second new studio album ("Cause I Sez So") since re-forming they've put themselves in a different category than many other "reunion" acts. Though singer David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain are the only surviving original members (Arthur Kane having passed just after the band first re-formed in 2004, and Johnny Thunders fans seeing the 18 year anniversary of his death this year), and the wardrobe and makeup has been toned down considerably in the last 35 years, the Dolls are still a mighty force of rock and roll. Johansen manages a Jagger-like swagger without succumbing to off-putting arrogance, as he growls and croons into the mic. The crowd at the Fonda was right there with him, as the set started explosively with several classic Dolls songs, including "Lookin' for a Kiss". The bar was all but emptied as everyone pressed close to the stage.
The band's energy stayed high for the entire set, and the crowd clearly wasn't worried about humdrum issues like work on Friday morning. The Dolls played a good mix of their well-loved hits, and some songs off their new album, which has lost none of the aggression of the early Dolls releases (Todd Rundgren produced both the first LP and this new album). When they came to the end of their set, they were quickly called back by an ecstatic audience, and they played a decent encore including "Jet Boy", and ended the night high on energy. It's certainly fair to say the New York Dolls have lost nothing over the years, and age has not mellowed these rock icons. If you get a chance, certainly catch them on this tour. Your only complaint will be that it had to end.
-Jo Problems-
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter
More photos of the show can be seen HERE
Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews
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