Echo & The Bunnymen performing at Nokia Live on October 24, 2009.

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A Place to Bury Strangers performing at The Echoplex on October 16, 2009.

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Monday night was the last night of Last American Buffalo’s residency at the Silverlake Lounge. Residency night is pretty much the easiest night to go out. It’s already the end of July, so if a band holds four shows in a month… I should really try and catch one of them. The bar makes for a pretty small venue, but it also makes for better crowds, so I had to artfully crowd-weave my way around to the front. Last American Buffalo was pop-rock, but I liked it more than most pop-rock bands. They’ve got a modern oldies vibe—if that makes any sense. I thought the music would sound a lot more rock n’ roll without the keys, but at the same time those keys added a pretty pleasant sunny undertone. Most of their songs came off as pretty optimistic—I don’t know the title but the bassist has a moment where he makes his instrument toot like a horn. Kevin Tyler (their singer) had a pretty impressive mustache. But my favorite character had to be the drummer who was dressed in a stylish fro (pick included) with bright white blazer and matching kicks. With the exception of one enthused fan who repeatedly jumped onstage slamming his tambourine, the crowd was modest—but I’d say these fellas are a worthwhile act.

—Brian Swanson

This city rarely disappoints.  I was broke this weekend so I looked up free things to do in Los Angeles & ended up at the Getty Center.  The place was packed; I had to park about a mile out & hiked my way to the top.  I actually didn’t mind the trek though; it made me feel like I had to want to be there.

Cut Chemist (Lucas Macfadden) played a big set in the courtyard at sundown.  It was a very diverse but energetic audience.  Which really comes as no surprise; the Chemist mixes many genres into groovy wholesomeness.  The music would best be described as “quality.”  This beat maker has made a reputation for bridging genres.  I’m more of an Ozomotli guy than a Jurassic 5 guy, but hearing him break it down live takes the prize.

The whole scene was well-thought out & actually pretty novel; I knew what to expect the whole journey up, but I was still a little astonished when I walked in. There were bright lights & big screens shining down on hundreds upon hundreds dancing all about glowing fountains & dramatic architectural structures.  In the background, families were picnicking with one another & inside many more were exploring the free exhibits.  All this was beautifully composed with the fading sun setting across the Santa Monica Mountains.

Art, music, mountains, (and beer)…could you ask for anything more?  The one downfall is that the Getty offers no encore.  At 9:00 sharp the party ended and the masses flooded back down the mountain.

All in all, it was a pretty swell Saturday.  It’s always nice to see this city giving something back.

—Brian Swanson