MCB's latest addition to the ranks is wonderfully talented Kelli Hayden KHP is an old school pal of MCB's Moneypenny and
she will be chiming in every so often from Los Angeles
with her killer photos and bad ass attitude
The band Sweethead, featuring Queens of the Stone Age's Troy van Leeuwen, has had a month long residency at Los Angeles' Spaceland for the month of May, playing free shows on Monday nights. Cool, huh? Well last Monday, their 3rd show in, I specifically attended for one of the opening acts, Earthlings?. Having always missed their desert shows at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown, I figured this would be an incredible opportunity to finally see their set. I love Dave Catching and anything musically he and the dream boys are involved with and this usually involves amazing "desert rock". This particular collaboration features musical talent such as Pete Stahl (Goatsnake, Scream, Desert Sessions) respectively on vocals, Darlin' Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal) on guitar, Brian O'Connor (Eagles of Death Metal) on bass and keys, Adam Maples on drums, Edmund Monsef (Goon Moon) on guitar, Clint Walsh (Dwarves) on guitar, and the honorable memory of the late Fred Drake. The tunes these guys produce might just be the type that makes you bob your head while holding a cool brew in one hand, and puffing and passing a smokey treat in the other, but I wouldn't be so quick to label it as "stoner rock". It's also been defined as "...secret voyages into inner being that lead to crowded parties stockpiled with psychedelics...". Whether psychedelics are your thing or not, there's actual musical talent, songwriting, and even theatrical mood lighting that offers great sophistication considering the extremely talented gentlemen who make up the group, as if their lineup and stage presence alone wouldn't be convincing enough. Having zero substances in my bloodstream during their set - other than a few semi-cold Stella's, I immediately felt in the "zone" with one of the songs they opened with; "Tea Glitter". It was quite a scenario with Stahl bouncing around the stage, Dave Catching doing what he does best, Brian "Big Hands" O'Connor rockin' the keys, and the rest of the group putting on a stellar performance. It was a completely intimate setting, also proving to be so when Stahl commanded the crowd to "Come closer!" to the stage as they began to perform. As friendly as it may have been on the eyes, heart, and ears, the lens on my camera unfortunately displayed otherwise. Fog and dark lighting are always a fucking awesome accessory to add to stage presence but can threaten the lives of perspective photographs of such a performance. Consider it the music's way of telling you to see it for yourself.
After the Earthings? set, Sweethead graced the stage with their romantic and exquisite elegance. They've recently welcomed a new member to the band on guitar, Eden Galindo. He fits right in perfectly, appearing as though he's been a member since day one. They opened up with "The Sting" and ripped right through their set but took it down a notch for "Amazing Vanishing Conquest" and then immediately brought the fury back to close with their hit, "The Great Distruptors". Named after a David Bowie B-side (a damn good one at that), this mix consists of a sultry Serrina Sims who rocks the vocals in lethal stilettos and a mini-dress and never misses a fucking beat alongside Troy van Leeuwen on guitar, backed by a rhythm section consisting of Norm Block on drums & Eddie Nappi on bass, both of who were members of the Mark Lanegan Band, and now introducing an amazing Eden Galindo on guitar. Their U.S. debut album was released May 11, 2010 on The End Records. Get some.
The lineup consisted of Zander Schloss & Sean Wheeler - which apparently featured Mark Lanegan himself that night, Earthlings?, Sweethead, and Red Fang.
It's been confirmed that the Eagles of Death Metal will be performing with Sweethead next Monday night at Spaceland for the close of their month long residency. Joshua Homme and Alain Johannes are said to be joining the stage as well. This will be an incredible show not to be missed.
xo,
KHP