Now that the weather is warming up and festival season is here, there’s plenty of reasons to get out of the house and catch some local bands as well as touring acts. Here’s a smattering of shows worth your attention, starting with Thursday night’s indie rock show at Amurica.
Ryan Azada EP release at Amurica Studio, Thursday, May 5th.
Frequent Julien Baker collaborator Ryan Azada releases his debut EP Weird, But Cool this Thursday night, alongside locals Pezz, Choir Vandals, and Forrister. Weird, But Cool is a three-song EP recorded at the Pezz studio last winter with OAM Network founder Gil Worth manning the controls. Julien Baker, Matthew Gilliam, and Rebecca Flax play on “Madison and Cleveland” and “What Can I Say,” while Scott Scharinger of DADS (6131 Records) plays on the single “Return to Nothing.”
Azada’s debut EP features some of the same style of esoteric guitar work that catapulted Julien Baker into the limelight, and his lyrics are also incredibly personal, much like Baker’s. Amurica doesn’t host shows very often, and with veteran-punks Pezz on the bill, this gig should deliver. Doors are at 8 p.m., admission is $10, and the show is all ages.
Dirty Fences and Faux Ferocious at Bar DKDC, Thursday, May 5th.
After you’ve checked out what the bands at Amurica have to offer, cruise on over to DKDC to catch Nashville garage rockers Faux Ferocious and New York’s Dirty Fences. Dirty Fences played Murphy’s a year or two ago, and their mix of classic rock and ’70s metal instantly won over the crowd. The band tours often and has tight connections with L.A. rockers the Shrine, who absolutely destroyed Scion Rock Fest three years ago. Dirty Fences wrap their month-long tour up at DKDC on Thursday, so the band should be road-tested and ready to shred.
Switchblade Kid at Murphy’s, Friday, May 6th.
Switchblade Kid founder and front man Harry Koniditsiotis must just get tired of playing normal shows. His past few concerts have all been themed, and this gig is no different, as it’s being billed as “a night of comics and music.” The show will feature a pop-up shop from 901 Comics — the new comic shop currently under construction in the Cooper-Young neighborhood. Friday will also serve as a launch party for the documentary Who the Hell Is Alfred Medley?
Filmed in New Orleans and Memphis, the documentary focuses on musicians who are avid comic book readers and the urban legend of Alfred Medley. If comics, music, or stiff drinks are your thing, bring $5 to Murphy’s by 10 p.m., but leave the kids at home for this one.
Colleen Green
Colleen Green at 140 Cumberland Street Saturday, May 7th (House Show).
Sometimes a great band comes through town, and, for whatever reason, the show falls through the cracks, like that time a few years ago Black Dice came to Memphis and played downtown to almost no one, or like a week or so ago when Dwight Twilley played Amurica and no one knew about it. Luckily for you, this is not one of those times, but unlucky for the homeowner, because I may have just invited way too many people over.
Colleen Green has been making waves with her witty pop-punk since 2011, and LA Weekly readers love the hometown songwriter, voting her the Best Solo Artist of 2015. A known supporter of the legalization/decriminalization of marijuana (or, in other words, a Californian), Green crafts hazy pop-punk hooks that fit alongside other California girl-led rock groups like Bleached, Kim and the Created, and Peach Kelli Pop.
Also on Saturday’s bill is locals China Gate, the band that’s perfect for the support role on these type of shows. China Gate has opened for Diarrhea Planet multiple times, who used to feature drummer Casey Weissbuch, who coincidentally played drums with Colleen Green on her latest album I Want to Grow Up. Everything is connected; time is a flat circle and all that. Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser, All People, and Melinda are also on the show.
If seeing one of L.A.’s best songwriters in the comfort of someone else’s home sounds like fun to you, head to 140 Cumberland Street 38112 by 7 p.m. with $5 in your hand. Just don’t tell them I sent you.
