Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

By Andrew Bansal

February 28th 2015, The Roxy, West Hollywood CA: Tribute bands, the all-female variety of them in particular, are typically a turnoff for many in the hard rock and heavy metal community. The fact that they devote their energy playing other bands’ songs does not warrant the respect of such people, and when it comes to females playing rock ‘n roll, naysayers often dismiss them before giving them a chance. This group largely consists of dudes not willing to view women purely based on their musicianship, and chicks for whom every girl on stage means one less potentially hot guy to gawk at. Anyhow, there still remains a section of rock/metal lovers that give this type of band the time of day, and last Saturday the Roxy hosted a two-pronged all-female tribute event. This was not your generic weekend-warrior local tribute night, but rather an exhibition of two great touring acts Zepparella and Hell’s Belles, respectively paying tribute to bands that should be obvious from their names. Continue reading “Touring Tribute Acts Zepparella & Hell’s Belles Perform At The Roxy”

By Andrew Bansal

February 28th 2015, The Viper Room, West Hollywood CA: Contrary to popular belief that every LA local band wears eyeliner and spandex and sounds exactly like Guns ‘N Roses, the city is actually still an endlessly deep reservoir  of genuine musical talent. If you ignore the repetitive negative tirades of the typical burnt out 70s/80s rocker and go out to explore the city’s modern-day musical environment for yourself, you will certainly agree. As I finished up an interview with one such great hometown band somewhere on Sunset Blvd last Thursday (coming soon on the website), they recommended me to check out stoner rock band Yeghikian at the Viper Room on the following Saturday. Trusting their musical taste, I ventured to see this band. Besides, no concert month would be complete without at least one visit to the Viper Room, and even on an unusually rainy Saturday Los Angeles night, I had every reason to attend this show. Continue reading “LA Stoner Boogie Rockers Yeghikian Pack The Viper Room”

By Andrew Bansal

February 27th 2015, Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Los Angeles-based glam metal band Great White have been a prominent name in the sub-genre for almost four decades, and are still soldiering on, albeit in two different incarnations. Singer Jack Russell’s version of Great White has been acknowledged by fans as the more legit of the two ever since members of the group went separate ways into two different bands and started doing shows under the same name in 2011, purely because of Jack Russell’s perennial rock ‘n roll voice. His LA fans and family turned up in good numbers to attend a headline show at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in West Hollywood last Friday February 27 2015, some making the same old “don’t burn it down” jokes we’ve been hearing for the past ten years. After bearing witness to the band’s very likable performance at the same venue in 2013, it remained to be seen whether they would deliver the goods to an equal extent two years down the line. Continue reading “Jack Russell’s Great White Performs At The Whisky”

Review & photos by Andrew Bansal

February 24th 2015, Five Star Bar, Los Angeles CA: Hailing from the town of Port Orchard near Seattle WA, stoner rock trio Mos Generator have been in existence for a number of years but haven’t ventured to play in the Los Angeles area too often. They rectified that last Tuesday February 24 with a free headline show at the very aptly chosen Five Star Bar in downtown LA, along with support from San Diego heavy rockers The Great Electric Quest and local bands Suns Of Jimi, Asstronauts and The Mercury Wheel. The prospect of a stoner rock night at the Five Star, with no cover charge, was just too inticing and the decision to attend this show was an absolute no-brainer. This low-key event turned out to be a pleasantly interesting experience, not only showcasing new talent but also bringing forth a characteristic of this venue most regular attendees perhaps aren’t aware of. Continue reading “Mos Generator & The Great Electric Quest Bring Righteous Jams To Five Star Bar”

Review by Andrew Bansal, photos by Brad Worsham

February 22nd 2015, Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills CA: Los Angeles hard rock giants Mr. Big, arguably the world’s most talented group of musicians, have been on an unstoppable journey ever since the original members reuinted in 2009, releasing two excellent studio albums and touring the world several times over in the subsequent five-year period. Their latest full-length effort ‘The Stories We Could Tell’ was released in 2014, and as expected, the band embarked on a tour to present it on stages worldwide. Despite them still calling Los Angeles their hometown for all intents and purposes, a Mr. Big show in this city is somewhat of a rarity. But, the band announced an eagerly awaited homecoming show in Beverly Hills, to bring an end to their current touring run. For Mr. Big fans and hard rock/heavy metal enthusiasts, the Saban Theatre was where the stars had descended upon, this was the stage on which all fireworks would be lit and acknowledgement speeches would be made, on Oscar night in rainy Los Angeles. Continue reading “Mr. Big Rocks Los Angeles, Pat Torpey Returns To Stage”

Review by Avinash Mittur, photos by Raymond Ahner

February 20th 2015, Oakland Metro Operahouse, Oakland CA: Nothing in this review will come as a surprise. Absolutely nothing. After releasing yet another superb new record just a month ago, Napalm Death have decided to support it with a nation-wide trek with a bill that simply cannot be fucked with. This particular date at the Oakland Metro Operahouse, sold-out clean by the time the show began, was an exceptional display of the power of this tour, dubbed Through Space And Grind. Though no locals were featured on the bill, the show felt drenched in Bay Area culture. Members of Impaled, Autopsy, Lecherous Gaze, Death Angel and scores of other local acts could be spotted in the crowd, enjoying the festivities alongside fans and friends alike. That communal feeling paired with an energy-packed lineup made for a show was simply unforgettable. Continue reading “Napalm Death, Voivod, Exhumed & Iron Reagan Play Sold-Out Show In Oakland”