MUSIC PREVIEW: Feel the Bern
Since his first release in 1997, Dan Bern has been working non-stop on his craft, putting out album after album (he’s got some two dozen now), doing work on film and television scores, and he’s even found time to be an influential painter, with works hanging in the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library. He also wrote a pair of full-length novels, Quitting Science and Cleaver the Gronk, under a pen name, Cunliffe Merriwether, and another – 10,000 Crappy Songs And Other Tales Of Detection – under his own.
Through it all, though, the Santa Monica artist keeps coming back to his music. Focusing on his extraordinary songwriting ability, every release Bern puts out and every show he puts on is rock solid from start to finish, filled with poignant lyrics, incredibly-crafted melodies, and showcasing his abilities on guitar and harmonica. Bern plays the Almanac on Sunday night (7 pm, $20, BUY) along with another Dan opening – Dan Smith.
Friday 11
Living With Lions – This pop punk project out of Vancouver released their first EP in 2007. They created some controversy in 2011 with their release Holy Shit, with packaging and liner notes that seemingly mocked the Bible and religion. They persevered, or perhaps flourished, and after their last release in 2013 are preparing to release their newest album, Island. St. Albert’s Calling All Captains, as well as Sidelined, Ben Sir, and In All Alone, support. Temple at Starlite Room, 8 pm, $10. BUY
Whyte Ave WompRats – This intriguing band’s sound is as political as it is fresh and experimental – while they prefer to label themselves folk-punk. They also add in a clarinet, saxophone, and trombone for good measure. Perhaps brass-punk-folk? Sound Bodacious, Ray Joseph, and The Spanish Flies also perform. Bohemia, 8 pm, $10.
Peddletones – The Peddletones are another local band that finds themselves in an interesting space, with a cross of country, punk, folk, and noise-folk giving way to a journey all their own. Heck, VUE Weekly once mentioned “dream pop” in a piece talking about them. So yeah, just about as diverse as you can get. Justine Vandergrift and Trixie Berkel are also on the bill. Empress Ale House, 8 pm, $10.
Shrine – This Los Angeles trio are hard core rockers, hearkening back to the days of Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin, with just a dash of punk thrown on top. It’ll be loud. But it’ll be memorable. Starlite Room, 9 pm, $15. BUY
Saturday 12
Lindsey Walker – Ms. Walker and The Tsunami Brothers are hosting a beach party this weekend at the Aviary. Prizes will be awarded for best outfits, and of course, who wouldn’t want to hear Ms. Walker’s captivating vocal and songwriting prowess? Often mentioned and nominated as one of the local scene’s best solo artists, her music is soul-searching and endearing. Aviary, 8 pm, $12.
Galacticas – This local pop-punk-post-punk band released their newest album, Diagnostics, in November. You can probably guess what the band’s named after. With Travulta and No Such Thing as a Ghost. Sewing Machine Factory, 8 pm, $10.
