Taking on an artistic challenge, ChinaShopMag was there rockumenting with the aid of the Instagram app.

Friends of Mariachi El Bronx came out to celebrate including members of Old Man Markley, Social Distortion, Trash Talk, Civet, Every Time I Die, as well as Zander Schloss and Sean Wheeler.

Between two headline shows and an in-store performance at Amoeba Records, Mariachi El Bronx made their network debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Since you probably weren’t there, check out their performance below.

The band is also giving away a free download of their track “48 Roses” through their facebook page. Check it here.

If you missed them at La Cita, catch Mariachi El Bronx on tour this Fall supporting Foo Fighters.

Words and Photos by Lisa Johnson

On Thursday, 200 lucky comic enthusiasts were treated to a very special event at Meltdown Comics: an evening with renegade author and culture analyst, Grant Morrison.

Hosted by Gerard Way [frontman of My Chemical Romance and Eisner-winning writer of “The Umbrella Academy” comics], the event was part of the promotional push for Morrison’s latest work – Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human.

At its most basic, the book is a 464-page Jung and Campbell-influenced analysis of both superhero and comics history. Morrison embarks on an unrelenting search for the parallels between these histories and the evolutionary road humanity has taken since the 1930′s. Supergods takes on everything from Silver Age Flash to scrutinizing contemporary comics creators to our cultural cycles in relation to solar activity. It’s a lot to chew on, and so the multifarious nature of the Evening With… made a perfect kind of sense.

Way took his position as moderator seriously and came prepared with a notebook full of potential topics of discussion, touching on Grant Morrison’s childhood, parents and other first influences, delving into the pendulum-like nature of pop culture and the way it swings from “hippie” to “punk” every eleven years, and examining the birth of hope, evolution and superheroes from times of extreme darkness and despair… You get the idea, right?

After the floor was opened to Q&A, the evening was made complete by a surprise musical performance by Morrison, who played a guitar given to him by Way for the occasion and sang a tune allegedly given to him by John Lennon during a séance. He described the ceremony, detailing casting a circle with Beatles records and summoning the spirit of Lennon as if he were a deity.

The night closed with a signing, sending fans home happy and hopefully more than a little enlightened.

Words and photos by Zoetica Ebb.

Every now and then, a band will roll through town, however, that makes us throw all inhibitions out the window and rock out; that makes us show off our best dance moves, throw out energetic fist pumps, and convinces us that we will lose face if we go home without participating in the mosh pit or attempting to crowd surf. For many, this band is Alkaline Trio.

Alkaline Trio packed the Troubadour twice last week, playing to energetic sold out crowds on both evenings. The shows were an intimate treat for audiences used to seeing the guys perform in much bigger venues. After diving into the set, singer/guitarist Matt Skiba dedicated “Private Eye” to “The City of Los Angeles.” Following the tune, bassist Dan Andriano asked the crowd if there were any repeat offenders at the Thursday show that also attended Tuesday night’s concert. Fans cheered in acknowledgment and dove into a fist pumping frenzy. Halfway through the set, a mosh pit began to organize which seemed to involve even the scrawniest of audience member at some point.

When attempting to start “Another Innocent Girl,” Andriano stopped and summoned his guitar tech to fix his out of tune bass before starting the song again. He addressed the crowd and said, “I care a lot about this song and if we’re gonna play it, it’s gotta be fucking good!”  Before the band played “Mercy Me,” Skiba explained that he wrote the song right when he moved to Los Angeles and that it is about walking far distances.

As the show progressed, so did the intensity of fist pumping, audience energy, and amount of crowd surfers. Bouncers stood helplessly on the side of the stage starring at a rebellious audience and debating whether or not to make a move. The final score appeared to be: Audience – 1, Team of burly bouncers – 0, as the crowd was left alone and free to mosh as they pleased.

Alkaline Trio ran through their catalog of hits and threw in some new tunes off of their latest album, Damnesia. The full set included:

Armageddon

In Vein

Private Eye

Nose Over Tail

Another Innocent Girl

Goodbye Forever

I’m Dying Tomorrow

Old Skool Reasons

Mr. Chainsaw

Maybe I’ll Catch Fire

Trouble Breathing

Mercy Me

San Francisco

This Could Be Love

If You Had a Bad Time

Clavicle

You’ve Got So Far To Go

Blue In The Face

Olde English 800

I Held Her In My Eyes

————————–

Encore:

Bleeder

Crawl

97

Click here for tour dates and more on Alkaline Trio.

Words by Nicole Pajer. Photos by Sidney Bensimon.

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After a stint of helping his friends out with a BBQ restaurant/record shop in Silver Lake, Marshall decided to open a record store of his own and alas Wombleton Records was born.” I remained convinced that a small record shop that traveled around to different countries every few months to find unusual, desirable used LPs, could be sustainable and create an audience and a buzz. So I carried that notion around for six months or so and Jade and I talked it over and decided to give it a try,” explains Marshall.

Marshall, who admits that his personal album collection consists of over ten thousand LPs and probably fifteen thousand 45s, explains that his love for vinyl started at a very early age. “I got hooked as a little kid, when KISS were the big thing in the late 70s. Something about their records, with the colorful, elaborate packaging and the accessible pop power of the music; it was the perfect catalyst and it warped me into a record fetishist. I’ve been stalking around record stores since I was five, literally.”

The shelves of Wombleton are stocked with collection worthy vinyl gems from as far away as Brazil, Holland, and Jamaica. Among the treasures found on the shelves are personal favorites of Marshall like, Hot Gossip’s “Geisha Boys and Temple Girls” and The Blue Orchids “Greatest Hit/Money Mountain.” The shop’s latest collection is a mix of post-punk/UK indie original pressings purchased from Marshall’s last trip to England, obscure SF synth bands, and an array of 80’s and early 90’s albums, which Marshall says are the most in demand at the moment. The store is also packed with 60s pop, bubblegum, girl group, folk-rock, soul as well as seventies glam, prog, krautrock, punk, disco, pub rock, power pop, new wave and British charity shop, crate-digger classics. Wombleton claims to have the biggest selection of original 60s / 70s Jamaican pressings of ska / rock steady / dub / roots reggae 45s in town.

In addition to records, a small assortment of cassettes and art books are also sold at Wombleton. In terms of expansion, Marshall says the current plan is to expand the number of 45s by several thousand. “We’d also like to focus the selection in the store to become even more specialized, so that means less trying to please everybody, less standard catalog titles, less vinyl originating from the USA and a more organized, cohesive and interesting selection of genres/styles/artists from around the world. We want people to walk in the place and see a lot of attractive records they’ve never seen or heard of before.”

Wombleton’s interior is outfitted in a Victorian era décor with fancy vintage wallpaper and curvy wooden furniture. The record shelves are custom built and meant to resemble harpsichords. Plants and Persian rugs accent the old glass shop counter space, which houses rare albums. The walls are bare with the exception of an old mirror which Marshall thinks resembles something you’d see out of the Haunted Mansion and a shelf of pickle jars which he jokes are haunted. Marshall explains that the idea was to make Wombleton a harmonious, pleasant environment, unlike most record stores. “We looked at what other record stores were doing design-wise and consciously tried to do the opposite. We wanted to convey the notion that one was stepping back in time but in a subtle, comfortable “lived-in” manner- because shopping back in time – well, that’s a fantasy shared by lots of people who are into vintage gear.”

Every Thursday night, Wombleton hosts live music nights, featuring a variety of rotating DJs. In addition to up and coming local disc jockeys, celebrity DJs like those from Yo La Tengo have been known to pop by. “Its billed as a ‘listening party’ and we try to sign up an eclectic roster so we, our customers, and friends, can check out someone else’s record collection/musical vision. It’s not any great shakes, just a reliable time and place to socialize and survey/enjoy some music (on vinyl) you may not be acquainted with,” says Marshall.

Next time you’re in the market for a rare vinyl, pop into Wombleton Records:

2123 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Words by Nicole Pajer. Photos by Sidney Bensimon.

The band’s sound lives somewhere in the intersection between Ambient, Garage, and Punk, but with a melancholy hue and evoking the memory of some far off nostalgic daydream. Formed by Bradford and drummer Moses Archuleta in 2001, Deerhunter has weathered multiple lineup changes as well as the death of bassist Justin Bosworth who died as the result of a head injury sustained while skateboarding. Despite these hurdles, the band has continued to grow and evolve over the years releasing four full lengths and three EPs, not to mention the fact that they have graced the stages of some of the biggest festivals of 2011, Bonnaroo included.  We had the privilege of capturing Bradford Cox and Deerhunter on stage in Manchester Tennessee and below are the images captured.

Click here for Deerhunter tour dates.

Words by Mike Bucher. Photos by Joe Gall.

Shonen Knife have been the most internationally recognized name in Japanese Rock music since their entrance onto the alternative rock scene in the early 90s seeing them become the indie darlings of hipsters and rock stars alike. 2011 celebrates thirty years since Naoko and the band began releasing albums of their joyous mixture of pop, punk, food and fantasy for the world to enjoy. Since their inception in Osaka in 1981 (featuring Naoko’s sister Atsuko and their friend, bassist/vocalist Michie) to their current lineup featuring members Ritsuko (bass,vocals) and Emi (drums,vocals), Shonen Knife have maintained their rightful place in the ever changing indie rock scene.

In celebration of this milestone Shonen Knife is paying tribute to one of their biggest musical inspirations since the infancy of their still vibrant career 3 decades ago… NYC’s legendary Ramones.

“Osaka Ramones” is not only the name of this tribute album, but is also the name of the side project which has made its way in and out of Shonen Knife’s performing history for decades. This East meets West punk rock combination is now captured in an album recorded and mixed between Osaka, Japan and New York over the last year and was co-produced by Robby Takac of the American rock band Goo Goo Dolls.

“Ramones were my all-time idols since I first heard their music from a radio and rushed to a record shop. This year is the 30th anniversary of Shonen Knife. For celebration, we decided to record a cover album of our favorite band the Ramones. The title is “Osaka Ramones” with our respect. I’m very happy to release an Osaka Ramones project and to recognize their contri bution to the evolution of Shonen Knife“-Naoko, Shonen Knife

The album, set for release July 19 on Takac’s label Good Charamel Records, will be supported by a North American tour. Dates will be announced shortly.

Click here to stream snippets of Shonen Knife’s Osaka Ramones

TRACK LISTING
1. Blitzkrieg Bop
2. Rock and Roll High School
3. We Want The Airwaves
4. She’s The One
5. Rockaway Beach
6. Sheenah Is A Punk Rocker
7. Scattergun
8. Psychotherapy
9. The KKK Took My Baby Away
10. We’re A Happy Family
11. Chinese Rock
12. Beat on the Brat
13. Pinhead

Photos by Lisa Johnson.

“Now this is what Detroit’s all about! People coming together to help each other, not luxury cars and Eminem,” shouted Jason Navarro, as The Suicide Machines took the stage.

Saturday night resurrected the ska-core legends as they headlined a sold out benefit show for 29 year old Drew Podgorski. Everyone knows Drew as a staple of the Detroit punk community and an all around solid dude. Last December, a rare stroke left him partially paralyzed and buried beneath medical bills.

The Majestic Theatre buzzed as friends and fans swarmed the floor for a great cause.

Openers and long time buds, Fordirelifesake even covered a song from Drew’s fronted metal ska band, Bottomed Out. The energy in the venue was straight out of 1999 with non-stop crowd surfing and circle pit-time portals that could make old salty scenesters feel like a punk kids again.

With so many positive good vibes throughout the night I don’t think anyone wanted the show to end. The Suicide Machines dished out a huge set of battle hymns tying it all together with a well deserved encore that included the punk anthem Wild In The Streets by Circle Jerks.

Navarro announced this would officially be the last show for The Suicide Machines. Let‘s hope not!

Words and photos by Joe Gall

There’s Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Woody and Arlo Guthries, and now… Cece Sherman? Stranger things have happened.

Since debuting last fall, Cece, as she is called by friends, has already opened for such acts as Chuck Ragan, The Aggrolites, Exene Cervenka and The White Buffalo. And she made her first official tour to Austin to play alongside bands Cheap Girls, Continental, Joey Briggs, The Sparring and Death Punch at the Slidebar/Old Shoe Records/Iron Fist Clothing day party during SXSW 2011.

Between sets, Cece busked along 6th Street and that’s where we made this video of Eat The Meek.

Where did you come up with the idea to re-interpret NOFX songs as folk songs?

About a year ago I heard an amazing band called Punk is Dead, who play punk rock versions of Grateful Dead songs. So I thought there should be someone playing folky, acoustic versions of punk rock songs in response. I chose to cover NOFX because not only do I love their music and their message, but also because no one hates hippies more than NOFX.

What has been the response?

Most people tell me that the show wasn’t what they expected, but they loved it, which is kind of exciting. I sort of feel like on one side, these songs are open to interpretation but at the same time I don’t want to completely alienate people from the original song, so it’s tricky. But it’s a lot of fun. I haven’t had any complaints yet!

What inspires you in life?

A well-written, intelligent and sincere song is definitely inspiring. I have a lot of support and encouragement from a few key loved ones, and they definitely inspire me to keep going.

Are you determined to become the modern folk voice of a new generation?

Oh man, I hadn’t thought about it that way! I just work hard and keep going. I’ve definitely been influenced by Bob Dylan and many other folk greats. I write a lot of original songs so I’m always cooking up something. Where it takes me, who knows. I just like to sing and play and make people feel good.

How many hours did you spend in the van getting to your Austin gig?

The trip was 50 hours altogether. I shared the van with two really great SoCal punk bands: The Sparring and Death Punch. They are a bunch of funny, young dudes. It was a good trip! Although, the trailer hauling all our gear broke a bearing. We got stranded in Blythe, CA for quite a few hours on the way out there. That was “nawsome”, as Fat Mike likes to say.

Give me four words to describe your Austin adventure.

Overwhelming, inspiring, chaotic, wonderful. It was a trip man, with the crowds milling the streets and the architecture of Austin. It reminded me of Mardi Gras, with amazing music in every corner. The coolest person I met in Austin was most definitely David Fricke, the senior editor of Rolling Stone Magazine.

Where are people go to find out more about you and your music?

I have a website and fans can also find me on facebook by searching “Christine Cece Sherman Sings NOFX” and Liking that page. I keep those really up-to-date. I have a show on March 30 at the 4th Street Vine Wine Bar in Long Beach. And there will be a few shows in April and May that I can’t announce just yet!

Has Fat Mike seen you perform?

He hasn’t seen me perform yet, but I just recently found out that Chicken from Dead To Me played the demo for Fat Mike, and he liked it very much. Such a rad feeling!

How many songs are there in the NOFX catalogue?

A bazillion and counting.

How many do you intend on learning?

As many as I can. And I’m taking requests, too. Roughly 15-20 songs are on the setlist so far.

How long do you think that will take?

As long as it takes! Doesn’t matter to me how long it takes. I’m havin’ a good time.

See NOFX as Told By Christine “Cece” Sherman at The Slidebar on April 22. The show is 21+ and completely FREE. Also on the bill is Matt Grundy and Hovering Halos and Russ Rankin of Good Riddance (acoustic).

The Slidebar Rock N Roll Cafe is located at 122 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA

Words and photos by Lisa Johnson