I was introduced to Deer Tick last year when I caught the band’s performance at the Echoplex. On stage, frontman John McCauley was raw and unapologetic, and I left that evening stunned, and not just because I stumbled out of the venue with broken eyeglasses. Seeing as it was Cinco de Mayo, a holiday now [...]

[Read more →]

There are very few genuine musicians like Ben Kweller.  Fresh off a Conan O’Brien appearance, Kweller and all his hair played tunes from his latest Go Fly A Kite at The El Rey.   Kweller wears his heart on his sleeve, whether he’s rocking out on the guitar or sitting at the piano belting out some tunes of love.  Photos by [...]

[Read more →]

Nearly a decade later, not sure what to expect, we wait in the El Rey. Suddenly a heart shape is cut out of the red cloth, a white robed chest appears through with another heart on it, the cloth is removed, and the polyphony sprees: trumpets, harp, cello, flute, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, a five girl super animated choir, and more, plus Tim Delaughter singing, in a distorted genuine psychedelic Texas high warble, about love, all at once…

[Read more →]

photography by Ward Robinson Everyone I know is hating on the new Autolux album. “It sounds like Radiohead… why can’t they stay a rock band… they are playing to click tracks… leave chillwave to the kids…” They are pretty much getting it from all sides. Well I urge y’all to withhold judgement until you see [...]

[Read more →]

photography by Ward Robinson If you play in bands, and ever get any good, you might have the wonderful experience of being in your favorite band in the world. Watching Tokyo Police Club play it is easy to see they feel that way about their own band. They are so genuinely excited to be playing [...]

[Read more →]

photography by Carlton Beener Singer songwriter Kaki King captivated the audience Saturday night, May 22 at the El Rey theater. Kaki doesn’t so much play the guitar as go to battle with it. She admits it is a battle she has yet to win but the crowd was content to watch in awe as she [...]

[Read more →]

photography by Ward Robinson Los Campesinos are Welsh, and they are excited and they are many. Nine of them played passionate, tight songs that moved the El Rey to jumping and shouting. By the time of the encore, played from within the crowd, those who hadn’t arrived convinced of Los Campesinos’ sincerity and importance had [...]

[Read more →]

photography by ward robinson

Autolux performing at The El Rey on September 25, 2009.

[Read more →]

photography by carlton beener

NASA performing at The El Rey on August 12, 2009 with FatLip opening the show.

[Read more →]

He played half of “When the Night Comes” solo, while his backing band Hacienda—along with Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket on maracas and bongos—closed their eyes and transported themselves to the softest room in Xanadu. These two songs back-to-back were the highlight of a night encompassing many guitar licks worthy of sing-along, which is the number one sign of a great guitarist. Think of every Jimmy Page solo you’ve memorized, and add Dan Auerbach to that level of awesome (plus Olivia’s soft touch) and you’ve got bliss.

[Read more →]