9 minute read
George Thorogood, Bonnie Brae, Despain Dizzylilacs, Luna 13, If I Fall
DESPAIN at CHAIN REACTION
Anaheim, CA., November 4, 2021
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Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Jack Lue
Matt Skajem is best known for his time spent in Out With The Old and Best Kept Secret, having performed on several dates of the iconic Vans Warped Tour. Despain is Matt’s latest creation, an imaginative amalgamation of pop punk, emo and hip hop. And on the night of November 4th behind the notorious Orange Curtain, Skajem would play his first show in four years! Featuring like-minded artists such as Lil Used and Apex The Star Killer, the real auditory Wonderland was not be at found a world-famous amusement park two miles away but within the hallowed walls of the legendary Chain Reaction. And those venturing out to catch the live debut of Despain were in for a night to remember.
On the stage with Despain was a D.J. as well as other assorted friends rocking out and having a good time. Despain definitely brought the Chain to ultra-vivid life at once, opening with the raging refrains of Got Me Down. Cigarette Burns is a recent single gaining a good amount of momentum, and it was infinitely scorching when performed within a live setting – slam pit and all. The dark and supremely infectious Chemicals was performed from Despain’s vastly underrated EP WØNDERLVND, featuring many in audience singing along to its insanely catchy chorus.
Blood Bath was unleashed, presenting Despain flirting with a New Wave aesthetic that absolutely tantalized the senses. Another highlight was the somber yet breathtaking sounds of Death Bed, with its “there’s a monster in the closet and he’s going to break out” inflections. Despain closed out his set was the stunning Wake Me Up, featuring a spiraling chorus that would jam on in your head long after the artist left the stage.
Matt Skajem has a sunny personality on and off the stage, and the juxtaposition with the often somber and introspective lyrics are compelling to behold. With a ton of charisma and inspiring material to back it all up, Matt Skajem’s Despain is sure to enrapture all types of music fans above and beyond these lingering pandemic days. Be sure to catch Despain the next time he plays in your town because his sonic and lyrical visions are not to be missed.
https://www.instagram.com/xdespainx/
Bonnie Brae at Universal Bar & Grill
Universal City, CA., November 6, 2021
Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Dorothea T.
The Universal Bar & Grill is a tiny, yet very inviting venue located in the shadow of a famous movie-themed amusement park. As of late, they’ve been bringing some really compelling local acts to perform. Recently bar patrons witnessed a rare live performance from Greg Leon Invasion whose founder was once within the ranks of Quiet Riot and Dokken. And in the beginning of November, Bonnie Brae brought their own auditory megawatt adventure onto the Universal Bar & Grill stage – and what an absolutely raging, mind blowing performance this one was! Bonnie Brae is certainly one of L.A.’s best kept secrets, featuring a cadre of massively talented musicians unleashing an explosive rock and roll experience.
Opening the show with charismatic vocalist Gwendolyn Casella beating the hell out of a drum placed at the front of the stage, Bonnie Brae burst into their set with a mesmerizing sense of conviction. UTA was a sparkling opener that shook the listener to the very core. One of the best and most provocative songs in the show was Slut, with its slinky lyrics and over the top sonic interludes sending this one into the stratosphere. definitely possesses a tight and wild rhythm section, featuring the talents of Darryn Sutton on bass and Scottie Carneghi on drums.
Ms. Casella exudes a wicked passion throughout the entire performance, at times channeling greats such as Janis Joplin and Grace Slick while exuding her own sense of creative identity with her tremendous vocals and fiery stage presence. David Coltrane Levin is truly the master of the axe, delivering guitar interludes that are vibrant and intensive. And Bonnie Brae And the sonic assault continued on with selections such as their title anthem Bonnie Brae, World On Fire, and Like A Drug slamming us all deeper into the throes of a Universal City hard rock Saturday night. Closing out their set with the hot and heavy refrains of Lattiomi, Bonnie Brae left a final lasting impression on all friends and fans in attendance.
Party with Bonnie Brae on New Years Eve as they open for the one and only L.A. Guns at the world-famous Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip!
https://www.instagram.com/bonnie_brae_band_/
https://www.facebook.com/BonnieBraeBand/
Luna 13 and If I Fall
The Whisky, West Hollywood, CA. November 19, 2021
Review by Tony F. Corpse - Photo by Jack Lue
Opening tonight’s festivities were an intriguing trio called If I Fall. They performed a familiar yet distinctively unique brand of groove laden hard rock. Guitarist/Vocalist Kenny Freeman ushered vocal enunciations with powerful clarity. His riff oriented axe work was amply melodic and memorable, complimented graciously by the metronomic backbeat of drummer Mike Rasmussen and the nimble fingered pacing of bassist Christopher Conway. Numbers like the ingeniously titled freneticism of Breathe and Bleed and the NWOBHM trappings of Earthquakin’ were featured.
DIZZYLILACS
These gentlemen are of vintage ilk. Years of determination essentially gestated into a well seasoned convergence of wills. Ample testimony that rock ‘n roll is truly the elixir of youth.
It was on the cusp of midnight and it felt like a charnel house of hellish iniquity as the rumbling satanic thunder of Luna 13 cracked the foundations of earth. Vocalist Lilith Bathory slithered and sashayed her way around the perimeters of the stage like a reincarnated Erzebet. A sanguine nightmare of eroticism and terror cojoined in visual audial bliss. She hissed ominous lyrical hellfire in such demonic hymns as Upside Down and the perpetually mesmerising Leviathan.
Virgin’s blood was spilled unto her nubile frame from an ancient skull as well. Dr Luna, the guru of decibelic damnation, helmed his mechanically benevolent musical mechanism like a masked marauder at a black mass. It ushered forth a bestial storm of industrialized thunder. This isn’t necessarily a band. Moreso a religious experience. Be forewarned.
http://www.luna13official.com https://www.facebook.com/ififall
Review and Photo by Ken Morton
Dizzylilacs made their way back to the Sunset Strip after nearly two years, presenting their very own dark brand of alternative modern rock at the notorious Viper Room, . There is plenty to enjoy about our local Los Angeles music scene when you have the Dizzylilacs rocking out at the very same time Nita Strauss was delivering her very own explosive set across the street at The Whisky. The Dizzylilacs in the past has opened for the likes of ABC, Berlin, and Trapt - and now within the context of a local showcase, the band and their timeless songs really shined on through.
Kicking off with the one-two punch of EPH and Hazel, Dizzylilacs filled the iconic nightclub with their intriguiing auditory soundscapes. And how terrific it was to hear their brand new single Leather Coffin live for the very first time! Mark Van Fleet Hoagland presented the haunting vocals and dynamic bass lowend with a captivating amount of passion while his brother Paul Hoagland drove it all home with skilled precision on drums. Terrific gutar work from Mike Wendland throughout the entire set as well! Be sure to catch Dizzylilacs back at The Viper Room doing a special acoustic performance on January 28th!
https://www.facebook.com/dizzylilacs/
George Thorogood and the Destroyers
House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA., November 7, 2021
Review and Photos by Erica Vincent
The All-American unapologetic rock-and-roll revivalist George
Thorogood and the Destroyers
are on their ‘Good To Be Bad‘ tour to celebrate 45 years of rock! Known for songs like Bad to the Bone, Get a Haircut, and Born to Be Bad, George Thorogood and the Destroyers have sold more than 15 million records in their career. The group has also earned its status as an energetic live performance, regularly delivering highenergy performances all over the globe. I have seen them play every time there is a show in Southern California, and I still love seeing them and look forward to it. Does Thorogood still think it’s good to be bad? and starts laughing and says, “Sometimes I’m so full of shit, even I don’t believe it.“
I arrived at the venue to find a line of a few hundred fans, eager for an evening of fun. They all packed into the House of Blues; most had drinks in hand of one bourbon, one scotch, one beer, you get the idea, haha. The crowd was ready and screaming for the band. Many were recounting past shows with George Thorogood and the Destroyers. If you haven’t seen them yet, please change this.
The Destroyers hit the stage with original drummer Jeff Simon, and bassist Bill Blough, guitarist Jim Suhler, and saxophonist Buddy Leach. Thorogood follows with his classic shades and struts over to the edge of the stage to greet the crowd. Thorogood is a true showman and entertainer. He riles the crowd up and kicks right into Rock Party. The night continues with all the classics you’ll want to hear. I have never heard anyone leave the shows complaining about the setlist of songs Thorogood and the Destroyers select. The show is gorgeous with the lighting (the band brings their own), so you can expect arena-style lighting no matter the venue. The singing and dancing through the set are fantastic, but Thorogood’s crowd interactions make these shows stand out from all others. He is a goof and tells jokes through the set; the crowd has tears in their eyes from laughing at the words he says. The air is pungent with alcohol; George notes this and declares a public service announcement “Don’t drink and drive” and continues as he has a drink in hand. He looks at his drink The night continues with tasty blues-rock riffs from the band, several face-melting guitar solos from Thorogood on his Epiphone White Fang (I love this guitar), and more jokes and stories that range from an old coach who told Thorogood to get a haircut and get a real job, to touring stories, to more crowd PSAs that will leave you chuckling for days. So does George Thorogood and the Destroyers think it’s still good to be bad? Thorogood flashes the iconic grin of his and responds, “We’ll always be the baddest band in the land. Expect our best on every tour because that’s what you’re gonna get.” The band leaves the stage while a stage manager throws a blanket over Thorogood’s shoulder and is guided off the stage. If you know Thorogood, you know this is all just him being a goof again. Before leaving the stage, he throws the blanket off and escapes the clutches of the manager, running to the edge of the stage to say a final goodnight to the crowd.
I cannot stress enough how awesome this band is live. There are dates across the US, Canada, and Europe slated from now through 2022. The next show for SoCal is the Avila Beach Blues Festival in May 2022.
