Nightbeat: 'Gigantour'
Dave Mustaine started this annual event, now in its third go-round, as an attempt to reinvent an ossifying Ozzfest for his own purposes, but credit him with choosing metal bands that have always given his own Megadeth a run for their money as headliners. This year, In Flames, Children of Bodom, Job for a Cowboy, and High on Fire are all on the bill, and should provide a formidable challenge. It’s also a fine mix of high-decibel sounds, with HoF bringing huge, Motörhead/stoner-rock volume, and CoB providing the always crowd-pleasing lead-guitar wizardry.
–Joshua Sindell
“Gigantour,” Wed. at Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, (562)436-3661.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, May 15
Brant Bjork & The Bros: Brant Bjork (formerly of Kyuss and Fu Manchu) leads his jamming, cool-cat combo, which just released an album called Punk Rock Guilt. Viper Room. Also Sat. at Alex’s Bar, Long Beach.
Black Tide: Free, early show at the Whisky from young, Miami-based Metallica types. Whisky.
Camp Freddy: The all-rock-star jam session continues … . The Roxy.
Celtic Woman: Ethereal, faux-Gaelic fantasy music/dance showcase. Big with PBS watchers and Enya fans. Terrace Theatre, Long Beach. Also Sat. at the Greek Theatre.
Eisley: Those wholesome Tyler, Texas youths return for a night of cheery indie rock. El Rey Theatre.
The Little Ones, Ra Ra Riot: L.A.’s answer to the south’s pure-pop-lovin’ Elephant 6 collective; plus Syracuse-based Flaming Lips-alikes Ra Ra Riot. The Troubadour.
Friday, May 16
American Music Club, Gordon Gano & The Ryan Brothers: A daze of whine and neuroses … AMC’s Mark Eitzel brings the pain; Violent Femmes frontman Gano – playing with ex-Bogmen – supplies nervous tics. The Echo.
Crowded House: The beloved pop group from down under re-formed last year to widespread acclaim … and they’re back again. Orpheum Theatre. Also Sat.
Year Long Disaster, Totimoshi: Daniel Davies’s lightning-hot power-trio celebrates its promo-video release with some Very Special Guests. Plus Melvins/Helmet-inspired Bay Area-based Totimoshi. Viper Room.
Saturday, May 17
The Dirtbombs: The raw rock ’n’ soul gang from the Motor City just released We Have You Surrounded. The Troubadour.
Earlimart: Gentle, West Coast sounds from gentle, West Coast-based indie darlings. With Vauxhall Broadcast. The Echo.
Robyn: The Swedish pop tart is making a big noise with the release of her new, self-titled disc. But is she really nothing less than the new Andrew W.K.? The Wiltern.
The Smithereens: These guys and Crowded House in the same week? You guitar-pop fans must be in heaven! Crash Mansion.
Sunday, May 18
George Carlin: The comic great performs two shows tonight, at 5 and 7:30 p.m. The Grove, Anaheim.
Depswa, The Unheard Of: See! Nü-metal still exists! You owe me five bucks. Whisky.
Murder by Death: Cello-augmented roots-punk band; recommended for fans of Nick Cave, Johnny Cash, and maybe even Tom Waits. The Troubadour.
Tally Hall, De Nova Dahl, Low vs. Diamond: Headliner Tally Hall ingeniously blends Beastie Boys-style hip-hop with classic rock and classical music. De Novo Dahl brings more colorful psyche-rock to the table; openers Low vs. Diamond mostly remind one of the Strokes. El Rey Theatre.
Monday, May 19
The Adicts, The Dickies: Get kicked in the head by the punk, old-school-stylee! House of Blues, Sunset Strip.
Destroyer: Dan Bejar’s long-running indie-rock group showcases his gift for off-kilter lyrics and intricate melodies. The Troubadour.
The Kooks: You liked them when they were called the Kaiser Chiefs and the Arctic Monkeys … yet another Brit rock gang attempts to scale the Hollywood hills … . The Wiltern.
Leatherface, Paint it Black: Leatherface is a great Northern English punk rock group that’s hard as nails, melodic, and loud. Opener Paint it Black is a much younger hardcore band from Philly. Knitting Factory.
New Found Glory: You’ve heard their pop-punk on the Warped Tour, now see ’em in Hollywood. Safari Sam’s.
Tuesday, May 20
Clinic, Shearwater: Liverpudlian eclectic crew Clinic returns with its quirky keyboard rock; Texans Shearwater plays mellow indie-rock with a sharp bite. The Troubadour.
M83: Main man Anthony Gonzalez blends electronica and shoegazer ambience into a pleasing whole on latest disc, Saturdays = Youth. The Echoplex.
The Presets: Industrial/dance group from Australia brings funk to you good people. El Rey Theatre.
Wednesday, May 21
The Cave Singers: Blues and folk, done very 19th century. The Echo.
The Dresden Dolls, Lavender Diamond, Smoosh: Life is a cabaret, my friend! The Dresden Dolls simply smell Weill; Lavender is full of starlight and love; and Smoosh are two Seattle girls who weren’t old enough to drive, last I checked. The Wiltern.
The Fall of Troy, Foxy Shazam: Zany prog metal (Troy) meets the “Evel Knievels of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Wear protective headgear. Knitting Factory.
Adam Green: Green tours while the Juno iron is still warm, and the former Moldy Peach has just released a solo album, Sixes & Sevens. The Troubadour.
The Kills: Deep, dark rock from the acclaimed, somber duo. Openers Childballads mine Lou Reed’s past for their musical fix. El Rey Theatre.Published: 05/14/2008
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