Metal Assault: Gig Reviews

Review by Andrew Bansal, photos by Brad Worsham

February 21st 2015, The Roxy, West Hollywood CA: Los Angeles-based Tartar Control is a hardcore punk band like no other. Comprising the duo of Robert Selander on vocals, Sean Hart on guitar, and a robot playing bass and drums, Tartar Control have gained a reputation for off-the-chain live performances in the past few years, playing prolifically in Los Angeles and Orange County, winning new fans one gig at a time. In the meanwhile, they’ve also released excellent studio material with catchy music and hilarious lyrics such as that on the 2011 effort ‘Holy Crap!’, but on stage is where they liberate themselves and truly bring these songs to life, as they present them through a unique live act. Having heard a lot of great things about Tartar Control from local friends that had witnessed them live, I decided to check them out at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood last Saturday February 21 2015, as they opened for The Dickies and The Muffs, and completely owned the stage.    Continue reading “Tartar Control Conquers The Roxy”

Writeup by Andrew Bansal, photos by Brad Worsham

February 20th 2015, Dyzzy On Vinyl, Long Beach CA: In the midst of Long Beach’s vibrant rock and metal scene lies local rock ‘n roll trio Caveman Voicebox, in existence since 2011 with three EPs and a string of live performances under their belt. Following the 2012 five-song effort ‘Strippers, Mullets & Beer’ and its 2014 three-song successor ‘Facial Hair & Harmonies’, Caveman Voicebox released a two-song EP called ‘No Template’ in December 2014, featuring new drummer Sofi Montez along with the core duo of Graham Wilson (bass, vocals) and Karl Caleb (guitars). Working on a select few songs and releasing EPs as opposed to full-length albums clearly works for this band as they’re able to deliver quality material that does justice to Caveman Voicebox the live band. But even then, the sheer flow of guitar riffs and solos, the clean, prominent bass tone, the part Lemmy, part Danzig-esque vocals, and the groovy drumming is all the more appreciable upon seeing the band on stage, as was evident last night at a very intimate record store called Dyzzy On Vinyl on a chilled-out Friday evening in Long Beach. Our photographer Brad Worsham and I were in attendance, and the turnout was great, proving the relevance of the genre in this town. The size and sound quality of the room turned out to be perfectly suitable for Caveman Voicebox. They played a ten-song set comprising material old, new and unheard, and left no doubt that for fans of hard rock and heavy metal, they’re an extremely easy band to like. Check out Brad’s sweet photos of them below. Continue reading “Photo Gallery: Caveman Voicebox At Dyzzy On Vinyl”

Writeup by Andrew Bansal, photos by Brad Worsham

February 19th 2015. La Cuevita, Los Angeles CA: Los Angeles-based quintet The Vigils are perhaps the hardest band to describe to someone who’s never heard or seen them, such is the diversity captured within their musicianship. The best, most accurate term one would associate with them is quite simply rock ‘n roll, as the energy and spirit of their live performances is synonymous with the very essence of the genre. Singer Daniel Cieplinski is a huge NWOBHM fanatic, so much so that he successfully stumps me with obscure bands I’ve never heard of every time I engage in conversation with him, and it’s perhaps no coincidence that his appearance and on-stage mannerisms strongly resemble that of a Brave New World-era Bruce Dickinson. While Cieplinski serves as The Vigils’ link between punk rock and straight-up heavy metal, each of his four band-mates express themselves freely and showcase their individual talents in plenty. Guitarist David St. Davids and bassist Sol Del Sur  match the singer with their energy levels and wild moves of their own, as drummer Skeeter Joplin and saxophone player Jessy Bender hold fort with flawless grip on their respective instruments. Although The Vigils aren’t metal in the strict sense, they’re very much the metalhead’s rock band. They keep themselves active with gigs in the LA area on a regular basis, and last Thursday February 19, they played at the very aptly named La Cuevita (the little cave) in the Highland Park region of the great city. Our photographer Brad Worsham and I were in attendance to witness yet another insanely energetic performance from The Vigils, and even in this dark room, Brad managed to get a few photos that capture the show. Check them out below: Continue reading “Photo Gallery: The Vigils At La Cuevita”

By Andrew Bansal

February 18th 2015, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, West Hollywood CA: Scottish pirate metal mainstays Alestorm embarked on the ‘Piratefest 2015’ North American headline tour in late January 2015, with support acts Swashbuckle, The Dread Crew Of Oddwood and Rainbowdragoneyes. Swashbuckle’s involvement on the tour was only up till February 15, but the remaining three bands arrived in West Hollywood for a gig at the Whisky-A-Go-Go last Wednesday February 18, with local band Devil’s Alley slated to open the show. Folk/pirate metal shows are invariably successful in Los Angeles, and the hype and anticipation surrounding this event indicated that the case would be no different this time either. Continue reading “Alestorm’s Piratefest Hijacks The Whisky”

By Andrew Bansal

February 18th 2015, Amoeba Music, Hollywood CA: Fullerton, California punk veterans The Adolescents have been highly influential to rock and metal over the past three decades,specially in the Orange County region, and since their second reunion in 2001, have been going strong with live performances and three new albums of original studio material as well as an EP and a split album. They released their seventh studio album ‘La Vendetta’ in the summer of 2014, and celebrated it with a free in-store performance and signing at Amoeba Music in Hollywood yesterday. Performing in front of a completely packed house in an atmosphere unusual for a punk rock concert, The Adolsecents put forth a solid representation of their musical career, playing tunes old and new, and giving fans plenty to enjoy. Continue reading “The Adolescents Play Free In-Store At Amoeba Hollywood”

Review & photo by Andrew Bansal

February 17th 2015, Five Star Bar, Los Angeles CA: Ohio metal/hardcore crossover trio Enabler embarked on a North American co-headline tour with Denver hardcore punk/sludge outfit Call Of The Void in early February 2015, and arrived in downtown Los Angeles for a gig at the aptly chosen Five Star Bar, put together by The Elegy Ensemble, Church Of The 8th Day and Thee Static Age, and also featuring local acts Panties, BruceXCampbell and Aputasos. The turnout was great for a Tuesday night and those in attendance certainly did not regret it as the two touring bands gave them a performance to remember. The hardcore/metal crossover style has existed for at least two decades, has gone through various transitions, and it was up to this new breed of bands to showcase their interpretations of the sub-genre. Continue reading “Enabler & Call Of The Void Devastate Los Angeles”