Like a Johnny Cash-infused version of the Stray Cats’ “Rock This Town,” the song walks a line between rock ‘n’ roll and down-home folk. The vocals echo brazenly and really drive the track forward, frenzied and shouted.

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With upbeat ’60s-influenced pop straight from the school dance at the end of To Sir, With Love, the album goes down like a sugar rush. There’s hardly a moment’s reflection or time to catch your breath, no odd slow song closer or overwrought ballad: the Like do their best to keep the backbeat going until the end.

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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.

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The lead singer would occasionally set down his instrument and grasp the mic while he convulsed his body and spat vocals that sometimes seemed like incoherent, self-muttering. He was not afraid to involve the crowd or antagonize them. Shoving his microphone into faces, running into a girl by the doorway, holding onto another’s head while he yelled maniacally at them—he put everyone standing up front on edge, all we could do was smile and try not to make eye contact. There they were, 60 Watt Kid, a trio made up of two older guys with guitars and a young guy on drums, and we were afraid to look at them. How great is that?

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As Tall As Lions were opening the show and I suspected most of the people in attendance were not there to see them as I looked around at the sea of Rx Bandits and Dredg T-shirts. The lights dimmed and there was movement behind the stage curtains. Cue the reveal and As Tall As Lions launched into their first song, one that slowly simmered with a strong drum and bass core while the other instruments and vocals were added in layers.

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Maybe it was L’Keg finally turning on the air conditioning, but for me the best part of night was the last band XYX. Hailing from Mexico, the furious bass and drum duo absolutely killed—or they would have killed had it not just been me and maybe 15 people who were watching them. The diminutive drummer Mou worked his set like a pro, playing dynamic beats with incredible fills while singer/bassist Anhelo looped her rapid-fire vocals through a pedal. Her distorted bass lines gave the limited band a surprisingly full sound, which at times was as jazzy as it was punk. “He’s a machine,” a guy from the audience cheered. Even Anhelo’s garb—an oversized “Death to the Pixies” t-shirt and a pair of Everlast boxing boots—suggested XYX were equal parts pedigree and punch.

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Finally, the husband-and-wife team of the Handsome Family took to the stage with their band and launched into a rocking country tune, complete with train-track drums and a fiddle. Their lyrics touched on many subjects—love ballads by insects and trees with deep longings. I looked around the room at all the affluent Silver Lake denizens who had descended on the tiny club. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. The grey-hairs rocked along with the beat and mouthed the words silently in a way that clearly showed they’d found something very personal in the lyrics. Harmony filled the air and their down-home music had a calming effect on everyone in attendance. “We can’t hear the fiddle!” yelled a man from the back corner of the venue. “Shut the fuck up!” retorted another voice in the darkness.

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Juliette Commagere is the former lead singer of the now-defunct Hello Stranger and is currently leading her eponymous solo project. With a penchant for introspective lyrics, a collaboration with Avenged Sevenfold and a Monday night residency at the Echo she is poised to gain ground in the local music scene and possibly on Craigslist. This interview by Steven Martinez.

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Gangi is the eclectic musical duo of Matt Gangi and Lyle Nesse. Originally from Brooklyn, where Matt wrote and recorded the first album A, they moved to L.A. to get some sun and space and accidentially encounter Mandy Moore. They will be playing a Monday night residency at Spaceland for the month of May. This interview by Steven Martinez.

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photo courtesy poo bah We weren’t able to get a hold of everyone in Southern California who is observing Record Store Day tomorrow, but we did ask a few of our favorite local stores what sort of special things they’ll be doing. If you aren’t at Coachella—or if you want to sneak away—be sure to [...]

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