Just when you think summer’s over, a heat wave comes to L.A. and Waved Out 2 comes to the Echoplex, to hose us down with the reverb-soaked sounds of teenage noise pop, chill wave, surf punk and psych-folk. I didn’t know what to expect. The only bands listed on the bill whose names I recognized were the trippy headliners, the Entrance Band and Dungen, who were playing the first show of their US tour.  Sponsored in conjunction by the Aquarium Drunkard music blog, KXLU and L.A. RECORD, the all-day event featured an eclectic assortment of West Coast bands on two stages, a vegan tamale stand, DIY silkscreening station, and tarot card readings.

Kicking off the event, the Zig Zags played the loft at Origami Vinyl. Hailing from Oakland, California, the two piece won my heart with their lo-fi surf punk jams, reminiscent of the Wipers but with Beach Boys harmonies. The highlight of the Zig Zags set was what I think was a Big Star cover (“I was outta my mind…”) and an original tune they ended the set with “It’s What I’m Looking For,” a sludgy garage punk singalong. Zig Zags don’t seem to have any releases yet, but I hope they record some demos with their friend Greg Ashley soon, because I’m hooked!

Next up were Young Prisms at the Echoplex. The aptly-named San Francisco quintent plays loud, wall-of-sound shoegaze bathed in prisms of light. Stef’s haunting vocals blend perfectly with Matt and Jason’s layers of fuzzy, droned out guitar. Although I had them pegged them for 17, they are indeed very young (21-24) and sure enough, they met in high school. Now, why weren’t there any My Bloody Valentine fans at my highschool?

Summer Darling at The Echoplex; this taut, angular 4-piece plays angsty, post hardcore indie rock ala Hot Snakes, Clinic and Spoon. Not what I was in the mood for, but an energetic performance nonetheless.

In between beers, I hung out with Oliver, (the Young Prism’s bearded schnauzer), photographer extraordinaire Sarah Morrison snapped pics of the local kids we met, and I got an unbelievably spot-on tarot card reading by the lovely and talented Marcella. While the tarot cards clearly spelled out my destiny (romance and creative pursuits on track, whew!), she failed to tell me I was missing a great band. I ran up the stairs and back to the sweaty loft at Origami Vinyl just in time to catch the end of a short and sweet set by So Many Wizards!  Hailing from Long Beach and L.A., this 3-piece plays jangle pop heavy on the reverb. I definitely see more of So Many Wizards’ magic powers in your future!

Now Shannon & The Clams was the 1st performance of the evening that blew my mind.  Imagine the Ventures meets King Kahn & BBQ Show and you’re half way there. Fronted by a statuesque blonde who looks like she stepped out of a John Waters movie, the voluptuous female vocalist/bass player Shannon is the Anita Eckberg of cowpunk, commanding the stage with all the star presence of Dusty Springfield or Peggy Lee, but with the pipes of Wanda Jackson. Man can that girl sing! Sharp dressing and impish guitar player/male vocalist Cody is like a post modern Link Wray or John Doe, all elbows and knees, playing tawngy 60s seaside guitar riffs. Their set highlights include wild covers of Del Shannon’s “My Little Runaway” and Dion’s “The Wanderer” and catchy original garage punk numbers like “Hunk Hunt” that got the whole crowd rollicking.

I caught Hanni El Khatib, a two-piece consisting of guitar and drums of spirited post rockabilly garage in the tradition of Alan Vega and the Gun Club. Then, the very handsome John Carpenter took to the Origami stage, starting his set playing a solo set of folk ballads with hushed vocals reminiscent of Leonard Cohen, lulling his rapt audience with dreamy story songs. Carpenter dispensed with the acoustic vibe as his set went on, wailing on an electric guitar and screaming like The Yardbirds.

Hailing from Brooklyn by way of New Jersey, doe-eyed singer-songwriter Sharon Von Etten played pretty heartfelt songs with a breezy sincerity. Sharon has a beautiful, bird-like velvety voice and an easy rapport with her audience, consisting primarily of girls, many of whom sang along to her standout songs like “Sick of Trying,” an ode to her family, Sharon explained, “and dealing with my Pisces-ness. Is that a word?”  Uh oh, Lillith Fair, watch out! We have a contender!

Kicking off their tour with Dungen, The Entrance Band was in top form at the Echo, playing new material including “Masquerade” and “Spider.” Between Guy’s wild gesturing and Paz’s free-spirited hopping and barefoot strutting, The Entrance Band are one of the most highly original psych bands to come from L.A., evoking a whirling dervish take on 1960s rock, informed in equal measure by Eastern influences and Nuggets flashbacks.  Through heavy touring, The Entrance Band has definitely evolved and become a more sophisticated and tight unit. Paz has to be one of the most exciting bass players today—her body is her instrument—all legs, swaying brown hair, and hypnotic rhythms. Their set highlights included an inspired cover of Arthur Lee & Love’s  “A House is not a Motel” and “Temptation” on which Guy channeled Jason Pierce of Spaceman 3.

The Entrance Band Sarah Morrison

by Gather fanboys now for Dungen! Starting off their set with an oldie but a goodie, their breakout U.S. single “Festival”, the Swedish psych-folk/acid jazz pioneers whipped their bespectled fans into a frenzy.  Some of us even tried to sing along. Good luck! In broken English, frontman Gustav announced: “We will now play some new stuff—in Swedish!” You gotta love them Swedes! One can’t help but remark how perfect it would have been for Dungen to score a remake of The Wickerman. Dungen continues to release epic, sprawling records that deserve subtle contemplation, but I’m not sure if American audiences are ready yet to stand watching a 15 minute set of extended flute playing in a rock club. Unless you are really, really stoned. That said, Gustav’s virtuosity is remarkable, and his vocals in Swedish are unreal. Switching from flute to piano, with unusual song structures closest to free jazz, Dungen is the kind of band that would make Ornette Coleman proud.  Me on the other hand, I was all waved out.

—Zoë Bower

Wounded Lion will be playing at Origami on July 27 with Fungi Girls. The “Friendly” video is the result of Wounded Lion playing with Powerpoint. If these two things are related, then this band is not only better than Weezer, they are good at computer.
The “Friendly” single is for sale at In The Red Records.

—Daiana Feuer

Download: Milk ‘n’ Cookies “Buy This Record”

(from the self-titled 2XLP available from Radio Heart Beat)

This year’s Record Store Day might be the biggest yet. Last year, our writers would call for info and whoever answered would have no idea what we were asking about—“Uh, yes, this is a record store?” But this year, retailers are ready to push rare, exclusive, classic and just-plain-strange vinyl—last year gave the world the Monks’ unbelievable “Pretty Suzanne”—and lots of musicians and writers and musician-writers are signed up to help pull extra people inside. (Full roster of special releases here!) This list was compiled by Lainna Fader and Steven Martinez and includes as many participating Southern California stores as we could talk to—if you need to be added to this list, email us at fortherecord@larecord.com!

AMOEBA
12 NOON: Gary Calamar and Phil Gallo—authors of Record Store Days: From Vinyl To Digital And Back Again—will DJ and sign their book.
2 PM: Slash record signing! The first 300 people to purchase his self-titled CD will get it signed. (It can be the new CD or one item of your choice.) [SOLD OUT]
5 PM: Spinderella DJ set.
The first 250 people to pre-order the upcoming Smashing Pumpkins Teargarden Kaleidescope Vol. 1 box set will receive a wristband to see an intimate show on Sat., April 17, at Space 1520 and a limited-edition blacklight poster created for record story day. And starting at noon will be t-shirt silk-screening from Dangerbird Records and Family Industries—an exclusive Record Store Day Amoeba Design for a paltry 5-10 dollar donation to the Pablove Foundation! Plus exclusive vinyl from Helen Stellar, the Beastie Boys, Neko Case, Bruce Springsteen, Fela Kuti, Daedelus, Devo, Joan Baez, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Queens of the Stone Age, Yeasayer, Rodriguez, Mississippi John Hurt and more!
6400 W. SUNSET BLVD., HOLLYWOOD. (323) 245-6400. AMOEBA.COM.

ATOMIC RECORDS
Everything will be at least 10% off and check direct for details on exclusive vinyl!
3812 W MAGNOLIA BLVD, BURBANK. (818) 848-7090. ATOMICRECORDSLA.COM.

BACKSIDE
15 % off of everything from now through the weekend. Free giveaway records! DJ sets every day—details pending. As they told us when we called, “Every day is a Record Store Day.”
139 N. SAN FERNANDO BLVD, BURBANK. (818) 559-7573. BACKSIDERECORDS.SMOOLA.COM.

BURGER RECORDS
2 PM: The Fevers live! And of course “our usual low prices!”
645 A. S. STATE COLLEGE BLVD., FULLERTON. (714) 336-0561. BURGERRECORDS.COM.

DR. FREECLOUD’S RECORD SHOPPE
National Record Store Day BBQ running from 12 noon til 8 PM—free entry plus BBQ, drinks and giveaways. Hosted by Remo and Disturbentz and featuring Ron D Core, O-Minus, Ricky Def, Remo, Q.45, Slyten, Disturbentz, Supercardioid, DJ Strider, and Ghetto. $1 Used Vinyl Sale—all used records $1 during the event!
18960 BROOKHURST ST, FOUNTAIN VALLEY. (714) 962-9787. DRFREECLOUDS.COM.

DR. STRANGE RECORDS
15 % off all items in store!
7136 AMETHYST AVE, ALTA LOMA. (909) 941-1778. DRSTRANGE.COM.

FAT BEATS
1 PM: Chikaramanga
2 PM: DJ Jedi
3 PM: Inka One
4 PM: C-Minus
5 PM: Mr. Choc
6 PM: Rhettmatic with Rakaa Iriscience and Chali-2na.
Plus 10% off all inventory and free beer for 21 and older!
7600 MELROSE AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA. (323) 655-8997. FATBEATS.COM.

FINGERPRINTS
6 PM: dios—call store to get on list for the show!
And book signing with Gary Calamar and Phil Gallo (Record Store Days) plus tons of exclusive releases and a handful of giveaways.
4612-B E. 2ND ST, LONG BEACH. (562) 433-4996. FINGERPRINTSMUSIC.COM.

FREAK BEAT RECORDS
Tons of limited edition Record Store Day exclusives! 7”s, LPs and colored vinyl!
13616 VENTURA BLVD, SHERMAN OAKS. (818) 995-7603. FREAKBEATRECORDS.COM.

HEADLINE RECORDS
20% off all vinyl with a club card, 10% off without a club card and free single giveaway with any purchase of at least 10 dollars. (Excluding special vinyl for Record Store Day.)
7706 MELROSE AVE, LOS ANGELES. (323) 655-2125. HEADLINERECORDS.COM.

LOVELL’S RECORDS
New releases for Record Store Day plus DJ playing music and they will put out a bunch of used vinyl!
6719 GREENLEAF AVE, WHITTIER. (562) 696-7616. MYSPACE.COM/LOVELLSRECORDS.

MAD PLATTER
2-3 PM: Shamaya of Otep will be reading poetry from her latest book Caught Screaming followed by a signing.
Plus limited edition releases by the Rolling Stones, Gorillaz, Phoenix, MGMT, the Doors, Tegan and Sara, Jimi Hendrix, Muse, the Mountain Goats and over a hundred more will be available in small pressings strictly for Mad Platter and Rhino Records! And 10% off everything as well as a thank-you gift with each purchase.
1223 UNIVERSITY AVE, RIVERSIDE. (909) 626-0355. RHINORECORDS.CC.

ORIGAMI VINYL
2 PM: Dum Dum Girls
3 PM: Male Bonding
4 PM: The One Am Radio
5 PM: Adam Harding
6 PM: Lou Barlow and the Missingmen
And ongoing all day … FREE Origami Vinyl/Altamont Canvas tote bag with purchase! Spend $50 and receive a 20% off discount card for Etnies.com. Enter to win 500 printed 7″ standard jackets. FREE Shapes and Sizes/The Weird Weeds split 7” with purchase! FREE Hooper Heroes comic book with purchase! Cool Haus Ice Cream Truck from 7 PM to 8:30 PM plus FREE Colt 45 (21+) and FREE Function: drinks (all ages) and Function: margaritas (21+). And other rad giveaways and free shit!
1816 W SUNSET BLVD., ECHO PARK. (213) 413-3030. ORIGAMIORIGAMI.COM.

POOBAH
Surprise live performances from bands and DJs all afternoon!
2636 E. COLORADO BLVD., PASADENA. (626) 449-3359. POOBAH.COM.

RECORD SURPLUS
11 AM – 2 PM: Canter’s Deli Truck in front!
11 AM – 7PM: Meet Captain Vinyl!
And ongoing all day—20% off all merchandise plus LPs, cassettes and VHS for just 45¢ each. And all 90¢ CDs will be 45¢ each!
11609 W. PICO BLVD., WEST LA. (310) 478-4217. RECORDSURPLUSLA.COM.

RHINO
11 AM: Patrick Campbell-Lyons (Of ‘60s UK psychedelic band Nirvana) will be reading excerpts from his novel Psychedelic Days as well as signing the book.
3 PM: Yo La Tengo live acoustic set! Wristbands for the show handed out at 10 AM. Free lithograph of poster for this performance with purchase of any Yo La Tengo music while supplies last.
3 PM: Shamaya of Otep will be reading poetry from her latest book Caught Screaming followed by a signing.
Plus tons of exclusive releases—limited edition releases by the Rolling Stones, Gorillaz, Phoenix, MGMT, the Doors, Tegan & Sara, Jimi Hendrix, Muse, the Mountain Goats and over a hundred more will be available in small pressings. 10% off all merchandise with a thank-you gift with each purchase.
235 YALE AVE., CLAREMONT. (909) 626-7774. RHINORECORDS.CC.

ROCKAWAY
Store-wide sale (as much as 50% off!) plus raffle for Bob Marley model guitar, exclusive Record Store Day vinyl and special surprise giveaways.
2395 GLENDALE AVE., SILVER LAKE. (323) 664-3232. ROCKAWAY.COM.

SOUND SPECTRUM
Giveaways, special Record Store Day 7” vinyl and CDs and promo samplers.
1264 S. COAST HWY., LAGUNA BEACH. (949) 494-5959. SOUNDSPECTRUMLAGUNA.COM.

TKO RECORDS
FREE 7″ on the TKO Records label with any purchase! PLUS save 15% off everything in the store!
18948 BROOKHURST ST., FOUNTAIN VALLEY. (714) 962-0500. TKORECORDS.COM.

VACATION VINYL
Guest DJ schedule:
12 – 1:30 PM: Larry Herweg (Pelican)
1:30 – 3 PM: Jeff Caxide (ISIS)
3 – 4:30 PM: Tom Neely (Henry + Glen Forever)
4:30 – 6 PM: Keith Morris (Black Flag / Circle Jerks)
6 – 7:30 PM: Sarah Toon (Killing Spree)
7:30 – 9 PM: SECRET DJ set!
Plus giveaways from Kill Shaman Records, exclusive releases—like the rare Surfer Blood 7” limited to 300 copies!—and free Colt 45 if 21+!
4679 HOLLYWOOD BLVD., LOS FELIZ. (323) 666-2111. VACATIONVINYL.COM.

VIP MUSIC
Special Record Store Day giveaways—details TBA.
1606 W. ROSECRANS AVE., COMPTON. (310) 537-0678. VIPMUSIC24.COM.

OrigamiVinyl

The Phenomenal Handclap band will be filming a special performance tonight @ Origami Vinyl @ 8pm. Come down and check it out its free!

And after that head over to the Echo to catch Phenomal… again with the Holloys, Jogger, and White Arrows.

—Zachary Jensen

shop: the cigarette bums

Below you will find a list of record stores in Los Angeles and surrounding communities. If we have overlooked a store please leave it in the comments field and we will add it to our list.

L.A. Record – Online Store
shop.larecord.com

Amoeba Music
6400 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 245-6400
www.amoeba.com

Origami Vinyl
1816 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 413-3030

Rockaway Records
2395 Glendale Blvd # B
Los Angeles, CA 90039-3325
(323) 664-3232
www.rockaway.com

Vacation Vinyl
4679 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 666-2111
www.VacationVinyl.com

Territory Records
534 N Hoover St
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 662-4100
www.territorybbq.com

Freak Beat Records
13616 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 995-7603
www.freakbeatrecords.com

Record Surplus
11609 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 478-4217
www.recordsurplusla.com

Poo-Bah Records
2636 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107-3726
(626) 449-3359
www.poobah.com

Fingerprints
4612-B E 2nd St
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 433-4996
www.indierecordshop.com

Mad Platter
1223 University Ave
Riverside, CA 92507
(909) 328-1600

Rhino Records
235 Yale Ave
Claremont, CA 91711-4725
(909) 626-7774
www.rhinorecords.cc

Burger Records
645 S State College Blvd
Unit A
Fullerton, CA 92831
(741) 336-0561
www.burgerrecords.com

Fat Beats
7600 Melrose Ave # J
Los Angeles, CA 90046-7451
(323) 655-8997

Headline Records
7706 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 655-2125
www.headlinerecords.com

Turntable Lab
424 1/2 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036-1717
(323) 782-0173

Vinyl Solution
18822 Beach Blvd #104
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 963-1819