Show Preview: Dub Club Featuring Chris Murray and his Blue Beat Lounge and Steady Rock Easy Groove Family – at The Echoplex- Los Angeles, Ca – April 30, 2014

April 30th will mark a pair of significant events in Dub Club History and the Los Angeles reggae community. First the full-force showcase of the Steady Rock Easy Groove band stable, consisting of the scenes highest touted acts and hottest tickets in recent memory. 

An accumulation of the ska/reggae scenes finest young bands all of whom who record and have grown with one another together under one banner: The Steady Rock Easy Groove Family. The Delirians, The Steady 45’s, Pachamama, Joe Q & The Revue and Scarlet And The Fever round out the camps artists, all of who have seen sharp quick-ascending success respectively.

The Groove Factory has churned out some of the finest young musicians to play in the Los Angeles revival scene in the last ten years.

Some of which, so skilled, they have been asked to perform and record in numerous other projects, even un-credited at times. That’s the musical might in which these artist wield, unrelenting and always progressing. Like a bustling Factory who’s gears are always in motion, The Groove Factory produces far more than your ordinary Ska bands. With a Soul, retro R&B, Rocksteady, Traditional Ska, and socially Conscious Reggae billowing from its chimney around the clock. Those seeking musical styles that act as bridges to sounds of the past, should definitely circle this day on their calendar, and see what folks from here to Jamaica, Mexico, Canada and everywhere in between already know. LA, and in particular the Steady Rock Easy Groove are the soundtracks of today’s youth and culture.

As the Steady Rock Easy Groove Family makes its first full roster appearance, the return of one of Los Angeles’s most cherished clubs will be highlighting the night. Chris Murray and his Blue Beat Lounge makes its triumphant return to LA in an always dance filled event. The globe trotting Acoustic Legend Chris Murray, fresh off another jet setting tour in which he mesmerized fans from Morocco to the U.K. will bring his beloved catalog back to the Dub Club, on display for LA to jump and sway too. Big Wheel Magazine has had the outright privilege of watching Chris Murray over the years, from Punk Rock Bowling to countless LA appearances including opening for Madness, Chris Murray never disappoints and always manages to bring something new to the dance floor.

Setting the tone, as always, will be Dub Club Dj’s Tom Chasteen and Boss Harmony as regulars prepare themselves for a night of amazing live music as well as the usual hypnotizing styles of Jah Faith, Ras benji and a roulette of special guests.

Remember, it’s free before ten and only 7 clams after so be sure to get there early, this one will be a floor shaker.

 

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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The Toy Dolls with The Adolescents – at The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

April 17th 2014 marked yet another significant night in L.A. Punk history, the triumphant return of one of the genres most passionately adored acts, Toy Dolls. After more than a fifteen-year absence from their L.A. fan base, the Toy Dolls brought more than just a catalog of classic tunes and trademark sunglasses, they invited a collection of familiar faces to join them in a fun filled evening of debauchery.

Local Punks and Skins converged on the iconic Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, the anticipation and energy loomed in the air like the thick layer of pollution we’ve grown accustomed to. Patrons streamed out of cabs and subway stations taking up residence in the surrounding area, pre-gaming, bar hopping and shooting the breeze as nobody dared stray too far from the nights main attraction. With eyes and beers focused squarely on the Toy Dolls, it was forgivable for some to lose sight of the nights opening act, but still entirely foolish to do so. Southern Californian Punk icons, The Adolescents, were first to stir shit up on the legendary Hollywood stage.

As the Henry Fonda brimmed with boots, studs, and leathers. Fans of all sizes and ages dotted the classic interior of the timeless theatre, from the painted walls and Victorian-chandeliers that hover overhead near the balcony seating to the maximum capacity, scratched, beer stained, dance floor below. The Adolescents, after 35 years, remain as one of Hardcore Punks most notable and widely influential bands. The 1981 album release of ‘Adolescents’ still finds itself as the soundtrack for young disenfranchised Punks and will for generations to follow.

As the now jam packed dance floor was soon to find out, Tony, Steve and The Adolescents still move a pit like no other. Some Punks were reluctant to join in the pit at first, but all it took was a song they recognized. Playing several tunes from their later releases Punks raised fists and sang along but not until ‘Word Attack’ was unleashed, as well was the inner Punks built up aggression and angst. As the pit whirled and slammed sending those unsuspecting by standers scurrying for cover. The tone was set, beers flew and timeless classics blared from the speakers in all its magnificent and distortion rich glory ‘Creatures’ and ‘O.C. Confidential’ turned things inside out and Punks propelled themselves into the air, some crowed surfed and some tossed beers singing along throughout the entirety of the bands set. Tunes like ‘Amoeba’ rendered the capacity audience in a balled fist sing along. Big Wheel Magazine has had the pleasure of catching tons of Adolescents performances over the decades, and one thing remains a constant: ‘Kids Of The Black Hole’ will forever rip open any pit. And Thursday night was no different.

 
With one last opportunity to hit up the Blue Palms Brew House for well-priced stiff drinks, Punks were well lubricated and ready for the evening’s main attraction, the Toy Dolls. As the lights cut out, giving way to darkness, a loud roar washed over the Henry Fonda as Olga, “The Amazing Mr. Duncan’ and “Tommy Goober” took center stage.

Wasting no time the pair of Olga and Goober launched into synchronized rhythmic strumming as they performed “Cloughy Is A boot Boy” to the delight of everyone, Sporting their trademark sunglasses and coordinated cardigans and ties. The energy was infectious, as multiple pits sprung up out of sheer excitement. 

As Olga ran back and forth across the Henry Fonda stage with his unmistakable smile and guitar proficiency, fans pogoed and swung fists to all the classics including ‘She Goes To Finos” “Lambrusco Kid” “Alec's Gone” “Dougy Giro” “Nellie The Elephant” and “Fiery Jack”.

The Atmosphere was that of light-hearted high energy fun and laughs, similar to an Adicts show in the sense that the stage performance was just as good as the songs being performed. The act even included a giant oversized champagne bottle spewing confetti and tandem spinning guitars, choreographed like something out of a ZZ Top video.

The three-piece held court for over an hour, delighting all with everything from a Johann Sebastian Bach tune (Toccata) and “Spiders In The Dressing Room”, to "Fake Chest Hair, Punks waited years for the opportunity to revel in Olga’s timeless voice, made apparent by the deafening cheers for an encore after the band had exited.

To the fans delight, they followed up their brilliant performance with a couple more tunes including “Dig That Groove Baby’. Fans no doubt cheered and pleaded for one more encore but the night had to come to an end. And so it went, etched into the history books of unforgettable LA performances.

For those wanting more of the Toy Dolls, their “Tour After The Last One 2014” Continues as their next stop is Coachella. That would only run you $800 and a day worth of d-bags wearing the wrong type of sunglasses.

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

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Band Spot Light: Bad Cop / Bad Cop

Bad Cop / Bad Cop started in a small and very cold rehearsal space at Koos studio in San Pedro, Ca in 2011.  Stacey Dee had written some Punk Rock songs and with drummer Myra Gallarza and their original bassist.  At their 2nd practice Jennie Cotterill came along and everything changed and for the better The band became more vocally driven with harmonies and trade off lead vocal singing.

Jennie and Stacey started writing songs together, keeping this formula going as it just felt like the right thing to do.  They pulled from their different backgrounds to bring together a definite Punk Rock band, but one that offered the feel of all different genres that they loved.  Stacey and Jennie still use this formula for the band’s songwriting.   



After a year of playing up and down the west coast, Bad Cop / Bad Cop began to gain momentum. They recorded their first demo, “Get Rad”, 5 fun songs, suffering poor recording. Eventually, the band got the opportunity to record at Hurley studios, working with producer, Davey Warsop, who helped the band develop their sound. This became their well-received Self-released EP. Shortly after recording, the band changed bass-players, welcoming the high-energy and expertise of Linh Le.  She was the icing on the proverbial donut.  Not only was Linh a veteran bass-player, but she also brought great stage presence and a strong singing voice to the table.  This gave Bad Cop / Bad Cop something different – really good songs, a kick ass drummer, solid rhythm section and 3-part harmonies.  In Fall of 2013, the band recorded another 4 songs with Davey Warsop at Hurley Studios.



The girls have been allied with the Bears of San Francisco since Myra and Jennie’s Cunt Sparrer days.  A residual of this was Bad Cop / Bad Cop’s playing Lilith Bear, as part of SF Bear Pride Weekend. This proved to be a wild night, complete with bearded drag queens, a fire, shitty sound system, fake mustaches, and NOFX frontman and Fat Wreck Chords owner Fat Mike, himself.Mike dug the band, appreciating their sounding good despite the terrible PA system.   He said he liked all the songs and wanted to put out their 7” on Fat. Three days later, Stacey got a call from Fat Mike saying that Fat Wreck Chords had a meeting and unanimously decided they wanted to sign Bad Cop / Bad Cop. It seemed to be perfect timing as the band had just recorded an EP they had no money to release, and now one of the best Punk Rock labels in the world wanted to put it out!



 Bad Cop / Bad Cop will be playing several release show to support their new 7" that was released on April first. Most notably for Los Angeles locals, they will be at The Redwood in downtown LA on the 12th of April with supporting acts, Johnny Madcap and The Distractions, The Bombpops, Hands Like Bricks and Harry and The Henderson's. You can find more details for this show HERE


But it doesn’t end there…. Bad Cop / Bad Cop are now writing songs for their first full length record.  They will be working with Davey Warsop and Fat Mike on the pre-production and production of their record.  The ladies just played their biggest show to a sold out House of Blues, Hollywood with Me First and the Gimme Gimme’s. The girls were very well received with the Gimme’s posting the next day, “If you haven’t heard of Bad Cop / Bad Cop – You Will!”.  




Bad Cop / Bad Cop’s plans for the next few months include writing and recording their upcoming full-length for Fat, playing the Punk Rock Bowling Tournament’s main stage, and touring Europe in August / September of this year.  


These ladies know they couldn’t pull this off without each other.  They’re seasoned, and ready to hit this thing out of the park. They’re a band full of very creative, talented, and forward-thinking people; Jennie Cotterill is a muralist, sculptor and curator (she painted the BOSS LADY cover and designs the majority of Bad Cop merchandise and posters), Linh Le plays in another VERY active Southern California band called Vagrant Nation and can do an uncanny Bobby Hill Impression, Myra Gallarza is left handed but plays her drums right handed, (but air drums left handed) and can crush a can on any part of her body, while Stacey Dee sings on a lot of other people’s records, has been in too many bands to mention, is an actress, a voice over actress and an advocate for animal rights, rescuing every dog or cat she can in the city of Inglewood, where she now resides.


Keep your eyes and ears open for these girls to hit your town. They love new friends, encourage people to come and talk to them and always deliver one hell of a fucking show.

Follow Bad Cop / Bad Cop through the various social media sites listed

Instagram: #badcopbadcop
Twitter: @bcbcmusic
Facebook: facebook.com/badcopbadcopband
badcopbadcop.bandcamp.com

 

Big Wheel Magazine

 

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