A mystery meat, a President, an architect, a dude who plays with puppets… I do not know him personally (save for the delicious snack of unknown origin), and yet, I love him. He piques my interest, indulges my senses, and entertains my intellect. This is the life of one man- Frank. He’s a diverse fellow, and I’d like to share a few of my favorite versions of Frank.
1) Frank Miller
Eccentric, passionate, and a little bit crazy. The man was a collector and an obsessive, and he built my favorite place …

In The Red
Volume 2
Suburban Home Records
4/10
“Alone is the sound of you not coming home/Falling down on my own/The silence of laughter is deafening/That’s the hardest part of being alone”
That’s the refrain of “Something Shocking” on In The Red’s second release Volume 2. This cheesy, horribly written chorus is typical of the release and pretty much sums up what you can expect from every track on the album. These guys cite all kinds of historically relevant influences like Avail, Jawbreaker and Hot Water Music, yet somehow they still manage to come …

I can not think of a single greater way to spend your Cinco De Mayo than at anything that the crew of Lucha Va Voom is involved with. Mixing sex and violence with tequila and costumes has got to be one of the best ideas anyone has ever had. Lucha Va Voom’s newest foray into the bizarre and fantastic is bound to be a wonder that LA has only hoped for (besides, you know, Lucha Va Voom.)
Once again, The Mayan Theatre is hosting the insanity that Lucha Va Voom …

Cut Off Your Hands
You and I
Frenchkiss Records
8/10
In a vast ocean filled with countless overseas rock bands like Franz Ferdinand and Kaiser Chiefs, New Zealand’s Cut Off Your Hands releases the album You and I and are set to compete with the lot of them. The Auckland trio takes their music in different directions with this record, and working along side English producer and former guitarist of Suede Bernard Butler did not hurt either.
The energy of the song “Happy as Can Be” fits the title. It sounds like happy-go-lucky surfer …

I had the immense pleasure to chat with Trevor “Trouble” Andrew at Bamboozle Left. After walking around for thirty minutes, only to be disappointed by the “non-VIP” décor of the press tent, Trouble decided it was not the ambience or the foldable chairs that mattered. Our interview went a little something like this:
RacketAnn: So Trouble, if I can call you that… Tell me a little about your name, it’s an interesting choice, what’s the origin?
Trevor Trouble Andrew: Uhhh…haha uhmm…
RA: Wow, I got you stumped on the first question already? I’m …

Among the sweltering heat and summer camp surroundings, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre trembled with massive sound. Kiddies lined the pathways, awaiting a glimpse of anyone who had earlier graced a stage with their sweltering presence. The elders drowned themselves in over-priced beer while Jeffrey Star floated around with his eccentric entourage, trampling over little girls who where ready to run a marathon to catch Pete Wentz riding his tricked out golf cart.
Amid both days, I was lucky enough to catch the sets of Parkway Drive, Sing it Loud, Bloodhound Gang …

The Dude abides. And you can too at the 8th Annual Lebowski Fest. That’s right, the Lebowski Fest. Full of throwing rocks, carpet pissers and abiding, and if you are anything like us, you want to be there. This year’s festivities include an all ages movie party at the Wiltern and a bowling party at Cal Bowl for those old enough to booze it up properly. With an introduction by Jeff Bridges, an appearance by Dude-inspiration Jeff Dowd and even the Carpet Pissers themselves, The Lebowski Fest is as much …

Crocodiles
Summer of Hate
Fat Possum Records
9/10
This album is pretty spectacular. It starts out strong, and, at its best, reminds me of Boards of Canada and Air who, if you’re familiar with them, fucking rule. The record is being released by Fat Possum Records, best known for its blues and punk blues albums by the likes of the late RL Burnside and The Black Keys; however, the label is currently branching out and Crocodiles factor in nicely to that equation. The album is more instrumental than not, with what vocals there are …

White Rabbits
It’s Frightening
TBD Records
8/10
Six pieces to a puzzle: Alexander Even, Adam Russell, Matthew Clark, Jamie Levinson, Gregory Roberts and Stephen Patterson all comprise the band, White Rabbits. They appeared on the David Lettermen Show and are about to release their second album entitled It’s Frightening on May 19.
The record opens with “Percussion Gun,” an upbeat song that is heavy on, you guessed it- percussion. The pounding of the piano keys add to the drama and the vocals are versatile. This song would be great to hear live in all …

Chris Garneau
El Radio
Absolute Kosher
9/10
Piano and pop don’t mix- at least that’s the conventional wisdom with regard to “popular” music. Yet Chris Garneau defies expectations. Since releasing his debut album Music for Tourists in 2006, he has consistently proven that in the hands of a capable musician, 88 keys can indeed, be cool to listen to. Two years later, he’s back with a sophomore album El Radio and far from slumping. The record is a orchestra of sounds capturing emotional highs and lows- more lows than highs.
Aside from the aforementioned orchestra, …

Chimaira exploded onto the metal scene and through the tumultuous times stood strong. Hunter explains, “We’re the kids that aren’t allowed to play on the playground. We’ve always set out to do our own thing. The fact that we push ourselves and make different kinds of records all the time and still stay true to who we were when we started, I think that’s why our fans are so loyal.”
And so it is that Resurrection (released in 2007) was born with their hardest hitting masterpieces, shattering glass ceilings.”I just want …

Austin Lucas
Somebody Loves You
Suburban Home Records
10/10

Should I have kids, THIS is the country music they will be forced to listen to. Not the Clint Fuck Black or Garth Puke Brooks my aunt tried to get me to listen to in high school after she got me hooked on Dead Kennedys and Subhumans in middle school. More Johnny Cash than white trash, Austin Lucas weaves tales of forgiveness, love and being a man. None of this revel-in-my-trashiness-no-shoes-no-shirt-no-problems horse shit. Nor is there any of that machismo in glitter garbage than passes …

World of Dance Review
Quest Crew and Beat Freaks Live
April 4th Pomona Fairplex, Pomona, CA

“World of Dance is like Comic Con for hip hop dancers” -this quote was taken from a random person and transmitted on Twitter days after the event. But it is so much more. In fact, the official website states that the tour itself is the largest urban dance competition on the west coast and continues to be the biggest touring event that embraces urban dance youth lifestyle. World of Dance unifies the spirit of hip hop …

Cursive
Mama, I’m Swollen
Saddle Creek
8/10

From the chaotic “In the Now” to the minimalistic “Donkey,” Tim Kasher’s more popular project continues in a very familiar template. Crescendos, pounding on pianos, a variety of stringed instruments, and Kasher’s signature heartbroken delivery create an image that, while the lyrics seem to have matured, the band has not evolved, keeping everyone who has their previous works in the flock. Some bands change their sound to “grow as musicians,” while others do it to capitalize on a new trend in their genre. Cursive is still doing …

Seamonster
The Ascension of Archibald Balloonhead
Gold Robot/Elephant 6
8/10

Artist Todd Webb’s newest release under his musical moniker Seamonster continues his ability to manipulate sound into emotions. From the opener “Oh, Am I Dreaming?” to the closing “In the Morning Light,” Seamonster lives up to his aquatic pseudonym and creates reverb-heavy songs that are as much a story as they are a song. The artist, whose work has been in both Nickelodeon Magazine and on the cover of Apples In Stereo side project Robbert Bobbert and The Bubble Machine, extends his artistic reach, …

Eli “Paperboy” Reed and The True Loves
Ace Of Spades EP/7”
Q Division/Virgin Records
9/10

In my time parading around as a “journalist,” I have become spoiled, snotty and sometimes a little bitch. I find myself rarely buying music anymore. Not because I pirate it, but because I really don’t come across that many bands that I want to support financially anymore. Well, I forked over $10 to Eli “Paperboy” Reed and The True Loves for the combo deal of a five song EP and two-song 7” featuring their soul-rendition of Motorhead’s “Ace …