Summer 2011 Live on the Westside Round-up

Paul Chesne Band at O

What an amazing Summer for live music here on the Westside. So many shows, I’m sure there are so many great ones that I didn’t get to go to. This post rounds-up some of my favorite ones that I had the privilege to experience and shoot:

Nate Hertweck of Razorface at Brennan

Lead guitarist of Ocelot Robot, Nate Hartweck’s side project Razorface busting out some obscure tunes from some classic artists like Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Warren Zevon and really too many other greats to mention them all. Just check out his tumblr site at razorface.tumblr.com to see a list of all the songs and artists he covers—with commentary! Also keep an eye out for some great original tunes coming from this prolific musician’s musician. Starting now you can catch Razorface performing at Brennan’s Pub on the first Wednesday of the month, right before this next band…

Jeff of Cowspace at Brennan

You may have driven by Brennan’s on Lincoln or perhaps you stopped by on a Thursday night to watch the turtle races there. If you saw the marquee outside you may have wondered what/who Cowspace is? Before I tell you what I think, here’s what their facebook page says about them,

Cowspace, a crew of top-notch castaway musicians on a mission to graze every terrain known to man, perform EVERY Wednesday at Brennan’s Pub in Marina Del Rey. Always FREE, plenty of parking.

I’d also add that these incredible musicians pour out their hearts and souls every week to cover some of the rocken-ist songs ever created. Each musician is like a little James Brown—the hardest-working man in show business. So, if you’re ever looking for a just a cool place to hang out, have a drink and some good food, and listen to some great live music then Brennan’s on Wednesday nights is certainly the place.

Robot from Tartar Control at Good Hurt. June 1, 2011

What do you get when you take 2 kids from SLC with a Mormon fashion sense, a robot/drum machine and a generous sense of humor and move them all to L.A.? You get a hardcore skate/thrash punk band called Tartar Control. In a sea of me too bands, these 3 are adrift in their own dingy without a compass doing whatever it is they want to do and probably setting fire to a few other passing ships along the way. Watching them was probably some of the most fun I’ve had watching a band in a long time. Tartar Control are currently doing a September residency at the Doll House in Anaheim—go check them out.

Pan America at O

On Pan America’s facebook page they list some of their influences as (the emphasis is my own)

The Beach Boys, Jawbreaker, Kings of Leon, The Police, Crimpshrine, The All-American Rejects, Copeland, Nofx, Leasing Nations, The Outfield,The Get Up Kids, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake, Jets to Brazil, and Journey.

If that isn’t enough to get you to go out and see these guys then just have a listen to this:

You can listen to all their music on their bandcamp page and you can find out more about Pan America here.

Allah-Las at Del Monte Speakeasy. June 16, 2011

From the time the Del Monte Speakeasy (downstairs from the Townhouse Pub) re-opened its doors in February with early-soul revivalist Nick Waterhouse and the Tarots (plus the Naturelles) and garage rocker Hanni el Khatib (Photos from the show here) they have been bringing some of the best, “ready-to-break”, acts out to enjoy the fresh ocean air (um perhaps, after they finish playing at the [wonderful] sweatbox that the Del Monte can turn into). This summer saw a return of Nick and his gang as well as surf/soul/garage sensations the Allah-las and one my all-time favorite live acts the Shrine.

Just last week Grammy-winning, indie-folk darlings Feist held a secret show at the Del Monte.

Paul Chesne Band at O

One of my other all-time favorite acts is the Paul Chesne Band. A little bit country and a little bit gangsta rap, PCB is the definition of instant party. I’ve never left a show without having danced my ass of surrounded by beautiful ladies. I wish I could take this band and keep them in my back pocket so I can whip them out whenever I see a crowd of people sitting around looking like they have nothing to do. PCB would have them two-stepping, crunking and slamming whiskey shots by the third song. Thankfully, when their not touring the countryside, they play pretty regularly here on the Westside and other parts of L.A.

They released their new album not ironically called PCB this summer as well. Have a listen.

Grapes & Nuts at the Venice Beach Music Festival 6. August 13, 2011

Of course there were tons of other shows like the Venice Beach Music Fest, but these were just some of my favorites from the Westside. Please check the gallery below for additional photos and check out VenicePaparazzi.com for full Venice Beach Music Fest photo coverage.

Please leave a comment about your favorite concerts from this Summer.