There's something mysterious about Datarock. Maybe it has to do with the fact that they're from Norway and that they go by the names Rock Steady Freddie and Ket-ill or perhaps it's their consistent and constant wardrobe of red sweat suits with dark glasses. Regardless of their mysterious identities, one thing is for sure, Datarock knows how to make an audience move. They recently swang through LA and dropped into The Echo where they lit a fire under the feet of an east side crowd who happily danced along to songs such as "Computer Camp Love", "Bulldozer", "I Used to Dance with My Daddy" and their radio hit "Fa Fa Fa". ManiaTV and Spaceland Recordings were there to capture the live performances as well as some behind the scenes action on the tour bus where a radio contest winner hung out with the band on their way to the show. Brendan however was not around as he wanders around LA looking for the bands tour bus, his adventure taking him from the bus stop outside his house to the subway station at Hollywood and Highland.
We're very excited to help celebrate the one year anniversary of RCRDLBL (November 15th!) by offering an exclusive live download of Datarock's "Computer Camp Love."
Swedish post punksters Divsion Of Laura Lee recently played their first show in Los Angeles in nearly 4 years. Touring behind their new album Violence is Timeless the group wowed an audience at Spaceland with their uncompromising rock that recalls Fugazi challenged through fellow natives Refused. Brendan hangs with the guys as they "brown bag" it with some Steel Reserve on the streets of Silver Lake. The band talks about their European view of the US and advises that Americans "stop buying guns" and "vote for Obama" all the while tempting Brendan into moving to Swedan, "we've got socialism!"
Spirited performances include the songs "Violence is Timeless", "Black City" and "Central Park" can be seen in the 4 parts that make up Episode 11 at ManiaTV
We're also pleased to offer "Violence is Timeless" as an exclusive free download here on RCRDLBL.
Last month, Nicole Morier of Electrocute had a party at Spaceland. All her friends were there; The Bird and The Bee, Willoughby, The Polyamorous Affair, The Lady Tigra, Le C (King Crab), Wolfkin, Hard Place and DJ Lance Rock. But this wasn't a birthday party, nor was it a record release party. This was a party for one man that has united the artistic community behind him. The man is Barrack Obama and the party was Obamarama. A party that raised $4,000 for the Obama campaign.
Brandon, ManiaTV and Spaceland Recordings were there to bring you into the special night as Brandon talks with The Bird and The Bee, Electrocute and gets Cliffnotes on what propositions to vote "yes" and "no" on. Performances include bits from The Bird and The Bee, Willoughby, Electrocute's "Uh Oh", The Poyamorous Affair's "Whoever Controls the Groove" and Lady Tigra's ode to Michelle Obama "First Black, First Lady" which we are making available for exclusive download here on RCRDLBL. So donwload it, throw it on your iPod and rock it straight to the polls!
Showing the true amount of diverse acts that come through the Spaceland venues, this week we bring you Bob Log III, the one man band whose identity is at all times masked by a spaceman like helmet complete with a mic inside. It's the fifth episode of the ongoing "At the Show" series on ManiaTV.
The experimental slide guitarist from Tuscon who can count Tom Waits among his fans wows a packed audience at The Echo as he takes on the duties of drums, vocals and guitar. Bob Log III stirs up the crowd with shouts of "f*&% yeah" between songs such as "Damn That Sounds Good" and "Make You Say Wow". Brendan is present once again and backstage talks with Bob ,who through the muffled haze of his helmet mic describes himself as "a mother lifting a bus off a baby".A southern mad man who can crowd surf mid song and then just as easily play with two girls from the audience on his knees, Bob Log III is a truly unique artist who made for a truly unique night at the echo.
Pop Levi is now a Los Angeles resident after re-locating from England. He was born in London, started his musical career in Liverpool and toured for 3 years as Ladytron's bass player before he fell in love with Los Angeles and promptly moved his band out here. Steering away from the electro side of Ladytron, Pop's solo stuff recalls more T-Rex and Ziggy Stardust era glam rock. He released the EP "Blue Honey" and the full length "Return to Form Black Magick Party" over the past couple years on Ninja Tune Records to some critical acclaim. Recently, he has come out with his latest full length offering "Never Never Love".
A couple weeks ago, Pop Levi performed at The Echo's regular Friday night event "Club Underground" alongside Spaceland Recordings alumn The Parson Red Heads. Brendan and ManiaTV were there again to take you inside the club for some live performances of the songs "Call the Operator", "Semi-Babe" and "Sugar Assault Me Now". Brendan also chats with the man about the age of Itunes, being English in LA and an improptu re-enactment of the Last Supper at neighboring French restaurant Taix. Watch Episode 4 of "At the Show"
We're also pleased to make an exclusive live download of "Sugar Assault Me Now" available here on RCRDLBL.
As one who has spent many nights at The Echo (living 3 blocks away helps) I can say that some of the best nights are the crowded sweaty ones where dancing is a requirement not an option. This is the case every Friday night for Club Underground nights, Sunday's for Part Time Punks and then there's the touring bands of the likes of Girl Talk, Cut Copy and others who come through regularly. British electro-rockers Does It Offend You, Yeah? carried the dance torch recently and Spaceland Recordings was able to catch some of that live and is inviting you in to share the experience with their latest episode of "At the Show" on ManiaTV.
Watch some live footage of the band performing to an appreciative audience as they play their hit "Let's Make Out" and a few others. Brendan from ManiaTV also sits down and talks with the guys. So come on in and enjoy another intimate show at The Echo by a band that is known for their often raucous and energetic live shows.
For the second episode of our series "At the Show" on ManiaTV.com we are pleased to present Portland, OR's The Thermals. The Sub Pop band has put out 3 albums and here share some insight into touring, making video's and more...as well as perform fan-favorites "How We Know", "St. Rosa and the Swallows", "A Pillar of Salt" and "Overgrown, Overblown" at the Echo's big brother in the basement, The Echoplex. View all 4 parts of the episode here.
I personally first met the band back in 2005 at WOW Hall in Eugene, OR when I was living there. The group was nice enough to sit down and do an interview with me before the show and that same humor and level-headedness that I encountered that day is on full display here during the interview segments. Also on display, is their incredible live set that leaves an entire audience dehydrated but in high spirits.
Also, we're offering up a FREE download of the track "St. Rosa and the Swallows" from their live CD on Spaceland Recordings which is available here
