JULIETTE LEWIS BECOMES A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL TORNADO AT FONDA THEATRE
Juliette Lewis came out and rocked the Fonda Theatre last Thursday night. Clad in skin tight black leggings, white stiletto boots, and a funky white top with shoulder pads made of feathers — Lewis made her flavorful presence known. No longer touring with The Licks, Lewis was now rolling solo as “Juliette Lewis” (and a backing band).
Juliette Lewis came out and rocked the Fonda Theatre last Thursday night. Clad in skin tight black leggings, white stiletto boots, and a funky white top with shoulder pads made of feathers — Lewis made her flavorful presence known. No longer touring with The Licks, Lewis was now rolling solo as “Juliette Lewis” (and a backing band).
Lewis kicked off her performance with “Hot Kiss.” By the second song, I was standing right in front of her; she looked deep into my lens and then she decided to use my camera lens as a foot rest. Normally I would call this a jerk move, but it was actually pretty damn rock ‘n’ roll. It’s not the first time my camera has been toyed with by an artist. Marilyn Manson once grabbed my camera, and Mike “Gabby” Gaborno (Cadilac Tramps) actually took my camera out of my hand one night when they were playing with Reverend Horton Heat. It happens…
As the night grew hot and sweaty with Lewis’ explosive performance, the fiery rock woman went on to do a rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.” Lewis started off nice and slow with Tina’s bit, then finished the iconic number nice and hard. She did a spectacular cover that really got the crowd moving. Also to note, Lewis rocked the hell out of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
Ending the night with “You’re Speaking My Language, ” Lewis took a swift dive into the crowd for an exciting crowd surf. At one point she was completely inverted! Thank goodness the crowd did not drop her on her head (it got a little gnarly).
Overall it was a thrilling show. Juliette Lewis is an artist that really brings the energy to the stage and also gets the crowd moving. It’s impossible to see her live and not feel the thick energy and excitement in the room.
Opening up for Juliette Lewis was San Diego’s The New Regime. These guys were put on the bill kinda last minute and flew over directly from another show in Colorado to be there Thursday night. Check out photos of them, along with Juliette Lewis below.
Words and Photography: Wes Marsala
Written for Grimy Goods, August 1, 2016
X ROCK THE ROXY AT NIGHT ONE OF 4-DAY BANGER, FANS OF ALL WALKS CUT LOOSE
X rocked the Roxy on Thursday with their first of four X-mas shows at the Hollywood venue. Mike Watt and the Secondmen opened with a set list fit more for a co-headliner than an opening act. After over an hour of Watt’s driving bass and high energy songs, the crowd was warmed up and ready for X.
X rocked the Roxy on Thursday with their first of four X-mas shows at the Hollywood venue. Mike Watt and the Secondmen opened with a set list fit more for a co-headliner than an opening act. After over an hour of Watt’s driving bass and high energy songs, the crowd was warmed up and ready for X.
‘Tis the season for X to mount a west coast tour. As John Doe explained, “This is our 44th annual X-mas tour.” Exene Cervenka quickly squashed this notion with a laugh, “No it isn’t.” (X was formed in 1977.) The banter continued as Doe offered with a grin, “Well, we’re not doing any Christmas songs.” “Well, now I kinda want to,” Cervenka replied.
While they didn’t end up playing any Christmas tunes, the tone for the show was set by the two singers’ exchange. The audience was treated to a spirited performance of X classics, and the band was clearly having a good time playing them. Before, during, and between songs, the band members could be seen sharing a quick laugh or smile.
Speaking of smiling, guitarist Billy Zoom returned to the band after a several month hiatus due to his cancer treatment. The band’s official website dubbed his return an “Xmas miracle,” and the audience was clearly delighted to see him onstage again. Zoom was a bit thinner and understandably appeared a little fatigued, but he played flawlessly and rarely could be seen without the grin on his face that X fans have come to know so well.
As the band played into the night, the audience that watched, sang, and danced along featured an interesting group of people. There was a one-woman-dance-party sporting a Courtney Love style black baby doll dress with white collar that weaved through the crowd, passing a young guy wearing a 1980’s era jean jacket with buttons of bands pinned all over the front of it. Behind him was a businessman that had come from the office, stripped off his tie and blazer, and was singing all the words to every song the band played. A lady standing next to me had flown in from Colorado with tickets for all four nights. The fifty year old guy next to her was enjoying the show and had admitted earlier that his wife wouldn’t be happy that he was going to be out two nights in a row (he was going to the Together Pangea show at the Echoplex the following evening).
This crowd, unified in their love for X, danced as DJ Bonebreak pounded the drums through “Motel Room in my Bed.” They bobbed as Zoom’s guitar riffs drove “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not.” And they sang loudly as Cervenka and Doe belted out “Los Angeles.” Eventually, all good things must end, and as the show drew to a close, I overheard several people say that they were going to buy tickets to see another night of X at the Roxy. It appears that maybe some people figured out a way to make the good times last a little longer.
Words: Jon Bostick
Photography: Wes Marsala
Written for GrimyGoods.com, December 5, 2015
BODIES FLY THROUGH THE AIR AT LOS CRUDOS’ UKRAINIAN CULTURE CENTER SHOW; ALICE BAG MAKES GUEST APPEARANCE
I went into last night’s Los Crudos show at the Ukrainian Culture Center knowing what to expect. I knew that if I placed myself at the front of the pit that I would most likely get kicked in the head numerous times; however, I didn’t fucking care. I knew that there would be some pretty bad ass moments to capture and indeed there were. I would say that this article is more for the fans of Los Crudos, Blazing Eye, Ausencia and Strangers.
I went into last night’s Los Crudos show at the Ukrainian Culture Center knowing what to expect. I knew that if I placed myself at the front of the pit that I would most likely get kicked in the head numerous times; however, I didn’t fucking care. I knew that there would be some pretty bad ass moments to capture and indeed there were. I would say that this article is more for the fans of Los Crudos, Blazing Eye, Ausencia and Strangers. Man these people never let up once Blazing Eyebegan their performance. The pit was circling large and bodies were flying overhead. It was incredible.
Needless to say, the action really started when the headlining act came on: Los Crudos. Not only was the pit going off with bodies surfing the crowd, but fans rushed the stage and superman-ed over the crowd creating a constant motion of stage dives. It was a truly remarkable site. It was total anarchy, but at the same time, as weird as it may sound, it was respectful. Not one fight broke out. And the awesome thing was, I don’t even think there was security present. Everyone seemed to managed themselves fine, lifting their brothers up if they fell. If only this could be the metaphor for how life and society should be.
Los Crudos put on a very positive show. Frontman Martin Sorrondeguy came out before the show started wanting to calm people down a bit and start the show off with a positive message. He introduced Los Angeles Chicana-Punk Icon Alice Bag who then read a poem from her book “Violence Girl”. The iconic woman kicked off there reading with a scream. After she finished the poem Sorrondeguy came back out and the rage was let loose.
Between songs he had some positive words and messages to say, the one that stuck out to me most was his discussion about women’s rights and defending the woman instead of abusing the woman. I think his message worked at least for this show. There were plenty of women there and very small women who were probably some of the toughest girls I have ever seen. They got just as crazy as most of the guys and not a single one got hurt, at least not to my knowledge.
Blazing Eye got the party started. Lead singer, Austin Delgadillo was a maniac on stage. For an opening act they held back no punches. He knew what it was to put on a punk show and get the crowd moving and involved. I’ve never seen or heard of them before, but I will definitely be down to check them out again for sure.
Opening the show was Strangers and Ausencia. Ausencia half way through their set wanted to send a message, especially to Donald Trump and I figure that I may as well help them spread their message since I do have access to a publication that does have a healthy viewership and that message was: “Fuck You! Fuck you Donald Trump for saying that the Mexican people are nothing but drug dealers and rapist and that there are just a few good ones.” I’ll second the words of Ausencia (and so does our editor).
Words & Photography: Wes Marsala
Written for GrimyGoods.com, June 25, 2015
