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White Men Could Jump…Now Just Dubsteps. Once upon a time in jolly ol’ England, Gary McCann was a promising basketball star. Like all stars though, it eventually ran its course and sadly burned out. But, in its place, a ghost named “Caspa” was manifest and now bounces a different beat intent on dribbling your eardrums. While listening to this poltergeist murder the crowd at HARDfest this past weekend in Los Angeles, I could see that there was definitely no one reaching for a phone to call you know who.

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5.00 (1 votes)

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This event has been CANCELLED! See official website for information.

Originally acknowledged for her fierce fashion sense and quirky stage presence (pre-Gaga, mind you. …Just sayin’.) M.I.A. now juggles a career as a Rockstar, dotting Mother, and political influencer; constantly bringing her ideas for positive global change to the forefront. Included within Time Magazine’s 2009 list of “World’s Most Influential People,” M.I.A. returns to the stage to do what she does best, Rock out! …While conveniently popping the cherry of the first HARD FEST LA. How inappropriate was that sentence? I liked it. M.I.A.’s 2010 national stage debut will be this Saturday, July 17^th at the Los Angeles State Historic Park located in Downtown LA. The event is from 4pm-12am and tickets range between $50-$70 available online and at certain retail outlets (Complete list of dates and ticket outlets at HARDFEST.com). If you’re not close to The City of Angeles or are still using that whole “recession” thing as an excuse, A.) This is why you’re still a virgin. B.) You’re in luck as HARD FEST is streaming select artists from the LA and NYC event exclusively at redbullmusicacademyradio.com.

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5.00 (2 votes)

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Haven’t heard of Automatic Static? The trio hails from “muthaf*%in’ Sacramento California” (proclaimed more out of anger than affection) and, on this particular night, has traveled 530 miles or so just to punish the Viper Room and all the unsuspecting hipsters that showed up — and the quota this evening seems unusually high. The band churned out a particularly groove-laden set that had everyone in the crowd shakin their respective booties. Patrons found it difficult to resist their catchy hooks of “Keys to Heaven” or the pummeling riffage of “Kill ‘Em All.” A myriad of influences spring to mind, though of the good kind: Singer/songwriter Z Rokk sounds a bit like The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson; their brand of raucous rock is somewhere between the stoner sludge of Black Sabbath (how many bands wouldn’t exist without Tony Iommi?:)); there’s even a bit of the Zeppelin-esque in there, at least in slivers and bits. And if you’re into Them Crooked Vultures, I’ve little doubt you will love them : Like TCV, the emphasis is on rock and ink. Lots of tattoos, yellin,and pretty much just straightforward rock n’ roll. I caught up with A.S. singer/wongwriter Z Rokk recently after their show and talked about the band’s influences, nefarious history, and exactly how miserable life in Sacramento is.

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4.50 (4 votes)

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