Dance Dance With Your Pants Off: Anavan, The Shark That Ate My Friend, and Bloody Robots @ the Scene, June 6, 2007

Firstly, a big thanks goes out to la-underground for putting on this show (except for the scary clown poster, jesus I hate clowns). I don't think I've shaken that involuntarily since I was stuck on a bus in below zero weather with no heat. But this was the good shaking, the boogie kind.

Tonight was a weird blend of noise, keyboards, helmets, lizard people and testosterone. The girls tonight were very underrepresented, which I don't get cause I had quite an enjoyable time. Also, it's funny that the more I've gotten out to these things, the more people I start to recognize; I'm pretty sure the drummer for the Monolators was here tonight. Anyways- the show:

Started off SO FUCKING LOUD with the Bloody Robots. It sounded like three people, but upon closer inspection it was only two. We couldn't figure out how the guy was getting his bass to sound like a guitar but thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, they played some very aggressive, brash, heavy sounding music that left my ears almost close to bleeding. With earplugs. And standing outside. Damn.

After my head finally calmed down, The Shark That Ate My Friend were up second. Coming out of Orange County somewhere these youngsters were introduced to me, on a musical level, not very long ago and I was pretty excited by what I heard. First of all, there are two keyboards and drums, nothing else. They make this incredible happy dance music that just sounds really cool, kinda reminiscent of the Unicorns. And then occasionally interjected with bizarre video game noises. OH, and the drummer played so fast I thought he was going to break the kit. They were overall really entertaining to watch. Too bad they're all the way inland.

So, the poster had Anavan headlining however they were third instead. Not to sound biased, but this band is one of my favorite LA acts so already I was beaming to see them. And man do they put on a fun show. Donning hockey helmets with microphones, this three piece makes some sick elctro-dance-noise music that you can't help shaking too. One guy in the audience looked like he was convulsing, but he was smiling so there was no need to call an ambulance. They use their own spot lights, have a smoke machine, and at one point a man wearing a red lizard/dragon suit came crawling off the stage. Fun folks, fun. And they like to get personal with the audience too, pants did come off at some point. I'm not entirely sure as to which songs they played, although I'm pretty sure they did belt out "Mingle". It was just so frenetic that I was lost in the beats, and not due to more poor memory of such things.

I was exhausted in all respects after their set so I did not stick around to see the Mormons, but I hear they're a fun band. Supposedly they wear helmets when they play too. Which is also entertaining.

They'll Show You a Good Time: The Demolition Doll Rods @ the Scene, October 27, 2006

A true garage band can rock without a lot of flash. The Demolition Doll Rods prove you can do it without a lot of clothes too.

The Demolition Doll Rods played the Scene in Glendale on October 27^th, 2006 (and yes, I realize these posts are starting to get a little out of order, but really, who cares.) The Scene usually plays host to the punk, garage, hardcore kids, so this really was a fitting place to witness them…. Okay, fine, it’s a bit of a dive.

On vocals, Margaret Doll Rod screams and moans with that throaty, scratchy voice that seems necessary to hold up against the constant thumping of drums and rhythmic squeals on the dual guitars. They’re not shy about it. The music is sexy; they want you to feel sexy.. or maybe at least dirty. It’s hard to miss the point with songs like Booty Call and Baby Say Unh. Margaret calls out to the audience, inviting them to get down and dirty, proclaiming like an Evangelical Preacher. And, they get you dancing. In fact, Danny Doll Rod actually took the 8” step down from stage to floor and, with guitar in hand, rocked out with me before squirming and strumming through the rest of the audience. I needed a cigarette soon after.

Either the set flew by, or it wasn’t that long, I’m not sure. I am sure though that it was well worth a watch, and that I’m not going to witness a band like that for awhile, probably not until they come back. I wish that I had extensive knowledge of their back catalogue though, then I could at least name more of the songs. However, I know they covered at least what’s on their myspace page and from their album released this year, There is a Difference, on Swami Records.

One last exciting facet to this band is Dan Kroha, originally from the Gories, a prerequisite band for anyone interested in the Detroit garage scene. Replicating the dual guitar and stripped down drumming, the Demolition Doll Rods rock hard, do it well, and make it there own.

For a good time, leave the number on the bathroom wall and go see the Demolition Doll Rods instead.