The Scenestar

Funeral Party Plays Benefit Show Tonight

For those of you who lucked out of seeing The Raconteurs tonight, there's no need to give up on your Sunday night itch for good music. Funeral Party is headlining a benefit show tonight for The Boys & Girl's Club. Not only do you get to help a local cause, but have some fun and win some cool prizes too from donors Amoeba Music, Alex+Chloe, Custom Keeps, Keep Co., & Sprinkles Cupcakes.

$15 gets you in the door with 100% of the proceeds going our local Los Angeles Boys & Girl's Club art & music programs. The place is small and intimate with a capacity of 300 so first come, first served people!

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yelsin @ Echo

ARTICLE BY CHARLOTTE MOSS
PHOTOS BY DARREN KIM

MAY 13 | ECHO PARK—At times, such superficialities as the name of a band is enough to arouse interest, which is why I found myself at the Tangier in 2006 watching a band called Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. The band’s self-released debut album, Broom, had promise, offering nice enough, catchy pop tunes. And though slightly awkward, the band live also was nice enough. Sincere, small-town men from Springfield, Miss., one member mentioned it was the band’s first visit to Los Angeles. They wasn’t dressed particularly fashionable nor did they have much polish or sheen, but they were enthusiastic and appreciative. The most memorable aspect of this 2006 show was how young and new SSLYBY appeared on stage. They were obvious beginners to the whole music scene.

Get Ready! Hot Chip @ Wiltern Presale

After the rescheduled show last month, Hot Chip is returning once again to Los Angeles. Following the end of this last, nearly entirely sold-out U.S. tour, the band knows when it’s in demand. Get ready for the floor when Hot Chip performs here at the Wiltern on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22. The general public onsale is May 23 at 10 a.m., and tickets are $29-$27.

But Hot Chip is offering a presale, starting May 20 at 10 a.m. to May 22 at 10 p.m. for their fans. Password: READYFORTHEFLOOR.

Stars @ John Anson Ford Onsale

If you want yet another chance to see Stars, currently touring in support of latest album In Our Bedroom After the War, the Canadians will be in Los Angeles once again.

This time, Stars will perform at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre on August 25. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, May 17, at 10 a.m. and cost $25.

Stars @ John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, August 25

Earlimart Releases Hymn and Her and Tours

UPDATE: Prolific musicians that they are, Earlimart has announced they have just completed a new album, entitled Hymn and Her, which is set for release July 1. Do you feel like Mentor Tormentor was just released? Yeah, so do we! Well, prepare for more great tunes from one of The Scenestar’s favorite Los Angeles bands. To celebrate, Earlimart will perform a show tomorrow night, May 17, at the Echoplex. Tickets are available now and cost $12.

Earlimart @ Echoplex, May 17

The Kooks Perform Sidewalk Sets

PHOTO BY CHRIS MOLINA

As you already know, The Kooks are performing May 19 at the Wiltern. But this kooky band also is doing something different. They will be participating in an event entitled “Sidewalk Sets,” which has musicians performing at unannounced locations around major cities. Yep, it’s busking, except this time, they’re musicians you recognize.

All of these unannounced performances will culminate in an acoustic performance at the Kibitz Room at Canter’s Deli on May 20. The first 50 people to arrive at Canter’s Deli will be admitted to the performance. For more details on these unannounced performances, visit The Kooks’ MySpace.

Walter Meego: Voyager

BY TIFFANY LI

Walter Meego
Voyager
Almost Gold/Sony

When scoping out sources for new music trends, ABC sitcoms don’t usually come to mind. But whoever chooses music for the network’s shows has really been on the ball recently, with the latest episode of How I Met Your Mother featuring I’m From Barcelona and Ugly Betty introducing millions to Calvin Harris. Another Ugly Betty winner was Walter Meego’s “In My Dreams,” the perfect floaty, hopeful song for Betty on her birthday.

In the five years since Chicagoans Justin Sconza and Colin Yarck first began recording as Walter Meego, along with Andrew Bernhardt, the duo has gone from self-produced cassette tapes to an Almost Gold/Sony album, Voyager, due May 27.

Babasonicos Release New Album Mucho

One of our favorite Spanish rock bands is back! Babasonicos has released their highly anticipated album Mucho. We are already singing to their single “Pijamas,” whose video you can see on Babasonicos’ website. Babasonicos is known for their playful dance beats, sensual lyrics and a style of their own. Anoche (2005), Infame (2003) and Jessico (2001) not only established Babasonicos as one of Spanish rock’s best of the best bands, but those albums also transformed this genre. And in case you didn’t know, Babasonicos will be presenting their new material at the El Rey Theatre on May 27. Tickets are available now.

Babasonicos @ El Rey Theatre, May 27

The Raconteurs This Sunday @ Music Box!

Hey everyone! The Raconteurs will be playing a show this Sunday, May 18, at the Music Box @ Fonda. Want to go? Well, you can get your tickets via Ticketmaster tomorrow at 12 p.m. There is a two ticket limit, and you will have to pick up your tickets after showing your legal ID at the will call office. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. Locals Imaad Wasif with Two Part Beast will open the show.

The Raconteurs @ Music Box, May 18

Cold War Kids, Black Keys @ Sunset Junction

Yep, the summer is fast approaching, and besides the warm weather, Los Angeles can also look forward to the annual Sunset Junction Street Fair. So who’s scheduled to perform this year? Well, so far the lineup is pretty impressive.

On Saturday, August 23, locals Cold War Kids and Canadians Broken Social Scene will perform at the Bates Stage. And headlining the Bates Stage on Sunday, August 24, will be the ultra-cool duo The Black Keys and the eccentric !!!. The performance schedule thus far can be viewed on the Sunset Junction Street Fair Web site.

My Morning Jacket @ Greek Presale

UPDATE: My Morning Jacket is coming to town! In support of the band’s new album Evil Urges, MMJ will embark on a fairly extensive tour and will visit Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre on Sept. 21. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. and cost $39.50-$35. But there will be a special presale starting Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m. and ending May 16 at 10 p.m. Password: EVIL.

My Morning Jacket @ Greek Theatre, Sept. 21

Goldstar Offers FREE Robyn @ Wiltern Tix

So you’ve heard about that blonde named Robyn, but you aren’t sure what she’s all about?

Well, you can check her out this Saturday, May 17, at the Wiltern for FREE.

Goldstar is giving away free tickets for this show right now. Well, almost free. There is a $5 service fee.

But with DJ Jason Bentley and Mellowdrone also scheduled to perform, that’s a pretty good deal. The offer expires Saturday at 4 p.m. or when the ticket allocation is gone.

FREE Robyn @ Wiltern, May 20 Tickets

Live: Clinic @ Empty Bottle

ARTICLE BY MYCHELLE PETERSON
PHOTOS BY BOB MCCABE

MAY 12 | CHICAGO—There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who get Clinic, and those who don’t. Early on in the band’s career, I fell into the latter group. I snidely remarked about their surgical masks and figured the gimmick was to “mask” the fact that they had no talent. But then something crystallized for me a few years ago, and I realized their sound was an acquired taste. But an excellent one!

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. at Book Soup

On May 28, Hollywood bookseller Book Soup will be hosting an event with R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe!

Currently on tour with his band, Stipe will stop by Book Soup with friend and photographer David Belisle to promote R.E.M. Hello: Photographs, a photo compilation book of the band on- and off-stage.

Belisle has traveled with R.E.M. for the past seven years, and his book features handwritten captions by the band as well as an introduction by Stipe.

The book is priced $29.95, and you can get it signed by Belisle and Stipe at Book Soup on May 28 at 7 p.m. Lineup early though!