Sloppy Jane – Fallujah 71 – at The Fort LA – Los Angeles, CA

After our staff was given a look inside this place a couple weeks back we could see the enormous potential that The Fort LA had and the asset it will become to the Los Angeles music scene. The Fort's official opening is not until January and in the meantime while the construction is still going on they have been hosting some invite only type events.Tonight's show featured the bands that are part of the crew that have been spending all of their free time volunteering in the construction.



The show featured 4 acts that really spanned the gambit of music. Opening the show was supposed to be a band called Nightmare Enterprises which are more of a horror type Punk band, this was going to be their first show, but they did not feel they were ready yet and dropped off the bill. However the singer from the band showed up and was determined to still make a showing. His performance consisted of music he had recorded on his own that was played through an iPod Nano, a wooden flute and a mic. For as stripped down as this performance was, it was great and really represented The Fort well in the types of eclectic music that can be expected at this venue.

      The Fort at night

Big time Fort supporters, M31 took the stage for a solid set of psychedelic garage rock. During their set they had the lights turned off except for a few dim stage lights and a spinning light ball (sorry, it was too dark for our photog to get any decent photos).
M31 Facebook: www.facebook.com/mthirtyone


After a brief switch over, Fallujah 71 was up. This band continues to progress and mature over the past 5 years and tonight's performance had them busting out some new material along with many of their staple tracks off their "Waiting on World War III" album.
Band Facebook: www.facebook.com/fallujah71

   Enjoy the video overview of Sloppy Jane - Fallujah 71 as well as the opening act


Closing out the night was a band called Sloppy Jane. This 3 piece is a band that the staff had heard their name here and there, yet no one had actually seen them play. As vocalist Haley Dahl came to the stage with a beaten up bear on a chain attached to her wrist, we had a feeling that this could be interesting. Half way through the first song we were blown away, the simplicity and uncomplicated nature of the music was a breath of fresh air. An element to young bands that can get tedious is that all their songs sound virtually the same with some small nuances to make them think that they are different, yet they are not. Thankfully the set that Sloppy Jane performed never felt that they had crossed the same ground twice and each song was unique and quirky.

Their music to the staff that was there to witness it likened it to if The Bangles, The Go-Go's got ran over by L7. It is that L7 element in the mix that made this band so infectious. Vocalist Haley Dahl's stage presence is just as entraining as the music with a mix of vulnerability, aggression and attitude that is not seen too often by young performers. It was the opinion of the staff that we were gonna be able to say that we saw Sloppy Jane in their early days, because this band could very well get very huge… and when that day comes you can say you read about it at Big Wheel Magazine.
Band Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sloppyjanemusic

After tonight's show we are very excited about the wide variety of music that will be performing at The Fort in the coming year and this for sure will be the place to experience new bands and music.

                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

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Black Fag – Girl-illa Biscuits – The Buzzcuts – and Smart Patrol – at Alex’s Bar – Long Beach, CA

What if the members of Black Flag performed with fabulous flamboyance and Gorilla Biscuits’ hardcore sound was conveyed by fast and furious women? If this imaginative scenario kindles wonder and intrigue, prepare for an eccentric show full of identity deconstruction and man-thongs, as Punk tribute bands Smart Patrol, Black Fag, Girl-illa Biscuits, and The Buzzcuts are hitting the Los Angeles show circuit this weekend and showing off more than gender inversion.

Last night’s show at Alex’s Bar started with openers The Buzzcuts. The audience demographic mostly consisted of an older crowd amalgamated with young hipsters in high hair buns.

By the time Girl-illa Biscuits took the stage, the ambience completely changed. Girl-illa Biscuits’ set was a prominent moment during the night as they blew away the crowd with their momentum and energy. The band announced they traveled all the way from San Francisco, and strongly encouraged fans to come up on stage and sing into the extra microphones they had set up.

The most notable performance of the night was Black Fag, whose set incorporated pink balloons, sexy male go-go dancers, flamboyant costumes, and a guest appearance by the notorious “Lindsay Lohan.” The band’s take on “T.V. Party” became “Lindsay Party,” and during the song’s performance, Lindsay behaved belligerently on stage and was arrested by the band’s sexy cop/go-go dancer.

The performative nature of each band member was a comical and pleasurable experience, especially go-go dancer, "Bugger", who flaunted his package in a g-string.

 

                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Stephanie M.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Die Posers Die III Art Show – at Exhibit A Gallery – Los Angeles, CA

Last week Tony Alva’s Exhibit A Gallery located on Fairfax in LA opened its doors for the third annual “Die Posers Die” art show / party, and what a party it was. We at Bigwheel were there to capture a bit of the chaos as we arrived just before the mad surge of fans and guests filled both the gallery and outside patio space to capacity.

As with every rad party the best in punk rock and heavy metal filled the air as a DJ spun classic tracks suitable for a gnarly skate session as well as a thrash bash. Much like every Alva event, there was nothing short of pure radical’ness every which way you looked. Whether it’s the rare 80’s skateboards on display or the low brow art hanging on the gallery walls, Exhibit A has something for the subculture enthusiast in everyone. 

Best of all, the artists responsible for the paintings on display were there mingling amongst art fans and skateboard legends also on hand. We caught glimpse of Tony Alva, Christian Hosoi, Steve Olson, Stacy Peralta, Steve Caballero and Lance Mountain amongst others in the patio where free tacos and soda were there for the guests free of charge (our kind of party!). There was even a customized  Die Posers Die cake for dessert, it was fucking delicious!

The party may be over, but If you happen to enjoy great art and find yourself in the Little Ethiopia neighborhood down on Fairfax, do yourself a favor and check out Tony Alva’s Exhibit A Gallery. You’ll like what you see and might even spot a skate legend or two while you’re there.

 

 

 

 

 

                      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Alice Cooper at the Orpheum Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

The king of shock rock has always been “ol black eyes” Alice Cooper, and for any critic who may have thought that perhaps his magic has worn off in recent years was in for quite a revelation as the Coops performance at the Orpheum last night was without a doubt; to die for! Yup, that’s right, Mr. Zombie and Marilyn Manson still have a lot to learnfrom the most original performer the rock world has ever known.

It has been a little more than a year since Alice has performed in Los Angeles (his last local show being a stripped down gig at the Whiskey in September 2011) but the wait was certainly worth the while as his new production that hit the Orpheum was a spectacle unlike any other show currently on the road. With a nifty stage setup that resembled a vaudeville spook show, Alice was able to fully utilize every dark theme his songs could conjure up. And with a set that drew heavy from his 70’s, 80’s and 90’s hits, fans were treated to more than just a concert, but an experience that still has this fan asking himself “How in the hell is he able to still work a stage and sing to well at almost 65 years old?!”

Well the answer may remain a mystery that only Alice knows, but the facts remains; older age isn’t slowing down the Alice and now more than ever, his songs continue to reach the broadest of audiences possible. The completely sold out concert was comprised of fans that were still in grade school to many who had graduated during an era when a gallon of gasoline cost less than a burger and a computer cost as much as a car.

With an arsenal of great songs and theatrics that are unmatched in the rock world it is easy to see how Alice and co. had fans in their grip right from the opening number Hello Hooray, the 1973 classic off the Billion Dollar Babies lp. Rock staple No More Mr. Nice Guy was also placed early in the set to all of the crowds delight and continued to amp up the energy in the theatre. New track I’ll Bite Your Face Off (which was performed the previous night on the Conan O’Brien show) was welcomed by fans in the same respect like any gem from his massive back catalog of must play songs. Just like a storm of favorites, various hits from every decade of his recording career kept audiences on their feet and shouting for more as the concert kept a rollin. Fans were treated to Billion Dollar Babies, Hey Stoopid, the haunting Welcome To My Nightmare, and the biggest surprise of the night; He’s Back! (Man Behind the Mask) off the Friday the 13th Pt VI soundtrack.

Early nineties hit Feed My Frankenstein saw the stage transform itself into a mad scientist laboratory where Alice was electrocuted in the same fashion as Dr. Frankenstein’s monster. It was then a gargantuan sized Alice Cooper appeared out of the smoke standing over 10 feet tall terrorizing his 3 guitarists and bassist for the remainder of the song. It’s instances like these where he is truly able to bring his songs to life in a way that is horrifying yet comical and truly something for every kind of fan in the audience. The next bit of the show featured a tribute to Alice’s dear and departed friends, those of which were his drinking buddies dubbed the Hollywood Vampires. They included John Lennon of the Beatles, Keith Moon of The Who, Jim Morrison of The Doors and guitar god Jimi Hendrix, and each of them would have been proud to have seen Alice joined by guitarist Johnny Depp pay tribute by covering 4 of the aforementioned artists’ swan songs back to back to the crowds manic delight.

Most solo artists probably would have ended their set on that high note, but Alice can go one step farther and come out for an encore that manages to top all previous expectations. The four song encore (with Johnny Depp still on guest guitar duties) saw some of his biggest hits go off like a firecracker with every one in audience singing their hearts out to I’m Eighteen, Poison, Under My Wheels and the grand finale, Schools Out. The historical Orpheum theatre resembled a mad carnival as the production called for explosive confetti canons, streamers galore and combustive balloons going off in every direction around Alice’s stage. The carefully executed chaos reached every corner of the venue and left debris everywhere, including all over lucky fans up front who were left covered from head to toe in glitter, beads and whatever else spewed from the stages canons.

Alice proved last night that he is still getting better as years go by and that his throne is far from being taken over by younger bands who try to replicate the king but  always fall short, and in many cases way short. After last nights show fans will also clearly never look at live concerts the same way and the Orpheum will surely never host anything that matches the amazing level of energy, theatre and sound that was the triumphant return of Alice Cooper.

As a diehard fan of the Alice Cooper’s work, last night was one concert I’ll never forget, and for all the right reasons. Big thanks to Alice for never letting his fans down after years and years of excellence.


-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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Show Preview: The Murder City Devils – at The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA – December 22, 2012

If your looking for a way to bring your year to an end with a bang, look no more. The Murder City Devils have announced 3 All Ages, California dates (one of which sold out immediately). On December 20th and 21st they will be blowing minds at Slim's in San Francisco and the following day on the 22nd, they will be playing for a packed house at The Observatory in Santa Ana.

In 2010 MCD played a sold out show at The Fonda. Standing in line we met people that had traveled from all over to California and surrounding states to see them play. After a 5 year hiatus, I'm assuming fans thought it may be their last chance to catch them live, well there's that....and they are definitely road trip worthy.

   Enjoy this video overview of the show they put on at The Fonda back in 2010

Then in 2011 people were surprised to see them on the bill for the Hootenanny. Along with MCD's performance at this festival, came new fans and "hope" (as they included new songs in their set) that we would be seeing more of MCD in the years to come. 

Earlier this year The Murder City Devils released "Every Day I Rise b/w Ball Busters in the Peanut Gallery" on 7" vinyl and also in digital format available for download. Songs on this album include pre-MCD versions of Broken Glass, Officer, Tell You Brother, as well as other new songs. This is definitely something you want in you collection and for only 5 dollars you can pre-order your copy for HERE

This will prove to be one of the most anticipated tours to hit Cali this year. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet they are still available for both shows at Slim's in San Francisco, however, if you don't make a move your be left in the cold as these shows will absolutely sell out.

Click HERE to secure your tickets

-J.Moncrief-
Big Wheel Staff Journalist

 

 

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No Doubt – Grouplove – Nico Vega – at Gibson Amphitheatre – Universal City, CA

In late September, No Doubt spontaneously announced they were headlining six nights at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles. While the news was exciting, the sale was scheduled to take place within a few days, and this made fans anxious and frantic. Nevertheless, fans expressed joy and ardor via social media platforms,and on September 28, limited quantities of tickets were released to members of the ND2012 tour club. Eventually, more tickets were released and an additional date was added as well.

The first night consisted of supporting acts Nico Vega and Grouplove. Both acts were enigmatic and mercurial choices, with Nico Vega showcasing a profoundly talented set that felt very hipster, and Grouplove providing an eclectic mix of people and sounds.

No Doubt’s arrival on stage was met with a passionate cacophony of cheers and applause. The band opened up with “Push and Shove,” and led into a series of radio favorites like “Hella Good,” “Hey Baby,” “It’s My Life,” and “Ex-Girlfriend” among many others. Halfway through the performance, the band played an acoustic set consisting of songs “Hey You,” “One More Summer,” “Simple Kind of Life,” and “Sparkle.”

The band ended their set with “Just A Girl” and came back for a three-song encore that included the return of old school anthem “Total Hate ’95,” which vocalist Gwen Stefani introduced by saying, “I never ever thought we’d play this song again.” A few weeks earlier, the band asked fans via Twitter and Facebook to vote for pre-TK songs they wanted to hear, and according to Stefani, “Total Hate ‘95” was the winner.

Setlist:
Push And Shove - It’s My Life - Hella Good - Underneath It All - Ex-Girlfriend - Hey Baby - New - Hey You  - Sparkle - Simple Kind of Life - One More Summer - Sunday Morning - Happy Now? - Settle Down - Don’t Speak - Just a Girl

Encore:
Looking Hot - Total Hate '95 - Spiderwebs

 

                             More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Stephanie M.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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