Nightbeat: The Duke Spirit
They’re sorta, kinda like the Raveonettes, these garage-dwelling fellows (and one lass) from London, but with more Velvet Under(their)ground and less slavish devotion to Jesus and Mary’s chain. The Duke Spirit have recently returned from the California desert, having made their current album with the Master of Reality himself, Chris Goss, producing, and Neptune finds the band formulating itself into a fine post-Bloody Valentine art rock ensemble that goes down just fine with several cocktails.
The Duke Spirit, with the Oohlahs. Sat. at The Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 276-6168. Troubadour.com.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, May 8
Camp Freddy: The all-star hard-rocking covers band becomes a weekly event this month. The Roxy.
Rush: Canuck progressive-rock vets return to showcase recent (and rather uninteresting) album, Snakes & Arrows. Nokia Theater/LA Live. Also Sun. at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
Tapes ’n Tapes, White Denim: Minneapolis indie rock with elements of Pixies/Spoon/Modest Mouse-type pop; support act White Denim making plenty o’ hipster noise too. The Troubadour. Also Fri.
Turisas, Ensiferum, Tyr: Man the battlements! Here be European folk-metal at its most medieval! House of Blues, Sunset Strip. Also Sat. at Vault 350, Long Beach.
Year Long Disaster: Daniel Davies (son of the Kinks’ Dave) leads one of L.A.’s best heavy-rock trios. Alex’s Bar, Long Beach.
Friday, May 9
The Donnas, Veins of Jenna: Those “bad” girls from Palo Alto hit the strip, get down ’n’ dirty with their hesher rock. Glam boys Veins of Jenna support. Viper Room.
Elbow: Brit art-rockers celebrate release of current album The Seldom Seen Kid. The Avalon.
The Kids in the Hall: Famed Canadian troupe of comic geniuses reunite to perform beloved characters in sketches old and new. Orpheum Theatre.
Necro: White-boy metal-rap crossover. With gross, horror-film lyrics, too. House of Blues, Sunset Strip.
Saturday, May 10
Northern State, The Trucks, The Dollyrots: Rappin’ New York femmes Northern State headline a night of girls with big guitars. Knitting Factory.
OTEP, Anew Revolution: L.A.’s own heavy-metal poet Otep Shamaya returns to blow eardrums with her ferocious crew. With Anew Revolution (former members of Slaves on Dope and Unloco). The Whisky.
Six: Bruising, Pantera-style metal from Orange County musclemen. And it’s sponsored by Jägermeister! The Dragonfly.
Sunday, May 11
Russell Brand: English television personality-cum-comic actor Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) attempts to outperform his hair at this first of several local appearances. The Roxy.
The Warlocks: Psychedelic freak-out sounds comin’ atcha from local garage rockers. Alex’s Bar, Long Beach.
Monday, May 12
Princeton: Young Eagle Rock-based trio with influences ranging from Serge Gainsbourg, John Cale and the Kinks. The Echo.
Tuesday, May 13
Gran Ronde: Angular guitar rock is the forte of this rising L.A. group, continuing its Tuesday residency in Silver Lake. Spaceland.
Joe Jackson: The classy crooner is out promoting Rain, his first studio album in five years. Orpheum Theatre.
Tokio Hotel: These German metal kidz, with a new album, Scream, might be their country’s biggest export since the Scorpions or Rammstein. The Avalon.
Wednesday, May 14
Kate Nash: The London thrush appeared to be melting in the Indio heat at Coachella. Being indoors might be a bit more comfy for the sprightly lass with the clever lyrics. Music Box @ Fonda.
Published: 05/07/2008
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