For those of you not following individual blogs from the band members, Finn Von Claret, the female vocalist of Abney Park has announced that she is leaving the band. As an accomplished dancer and choreographer, she has started what will most certainly be a successful dance company in Seattle.

Robert’s Announcement
http://robert-from-ap.livejournal.com/594232.html

Finn’s Announcement
http://vonclaret.net/2009/08/a-lady-always-knows-when-to-leave/#more-379

Nothing was announced on the Abney Park Community or the Abney Park website
http://community.livejournal.com/abneypark or the band's myspace as of last night.

Finn will be the third female singer/performer/dancer to leave the group. The original female voice was Traci Nemeth who was replaced by the amazing Magdalene Veen (http://magdaleneveen.livejournal.com). Now that Finn has left they have brought in an amazing belly dancer “Najla” (http://www.raqsnajla.com/), but can she sing? For that matter is it a requirement?

Given Finn’s announcement and the comments of Magdalene Veen, is there an undercurrent? I’ve noticed that AP has steadily moved away from having a female performer with strong vocal abilities. I so hope that whoever joins the band can compliment the musical skills and character of Abney Park versus being window dressing. In reading the Craigslist ad, I really don’t know what to think.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tlg/1317929177.html

Since several of the band members are on my friends list as real friends, I’m hoping to learn more.

Over the last few months, I’ve talked up a number of bands through comments, videos, and suggestions. I thought that perhaps it might be a good opportunity to post a listing of some of the bands I’m listening to regularly. This is by no means a complete list, but good cross section. Given this list, do any of you have suggestions (name and links)?


The musicians:

Red Light District (Los Angeles – Trip Hop/Lounge)
http://www.myspace.com/redlightdistrictx

Z.O.N.K. (San Francisco – Trip-Hop/Electronica)
www.zonkaholics.com

Radioactive Chicken Heads (Los Angeles – Punk)
http://radioactivechickenheads.com/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_Chickenheads

Gogol Bordello (NYC – Gypsy Punk)
http://www.gogolbordello.com/

Collide (Los Angeles – Goth/Industrial)
www.collide.net

Daikaiju (Huntsville – Surf Punk)
http://daikaiju.org/

Myriad Form (Seattle – Goth/Industrial)
http://www.themyriadform.com/

Ego Likeness (Baltimore – Goth/Industrial)
http://www.egolikeness.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_Likeness

Dr. Steel (Los Angeles – Electronca/Hip Hop/Steampunk)
http://www.doctorsteel.com/

Abney Park (Seattle – Goth/Steampunk)
www.abneypark.com

Lacuna Coil (Italy - Goth/Industrial)
http://www.lacunacoil.it/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacuna_Coil

OOMPH (Germany – Goth/Industrial)
http://oomph-supernova.com/
http://www.oomph.de

Blaqk Audio (Los Angeles – Electronica/Alternative)
http://www.blaqkaudio.com/

Jes (NYC/Los Angeles – Electronia/Dance)
http://www.planetjes.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jes_Brieden

Etro Anime (NYC - Electronia/Trip Hop)
http://www.myspace.com/etroanime
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etro_anime

Télépopmusik (France - Electronia/Trip Hop)
http://www.myspace.com/telepopmusiktm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A9l%C3%A9popmusik
http://www.telepopmusik.de/

Within Temptation (
http://www.within-temptation.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Within_Temptation

Yes - two show posts in less than a week and less than a week old!

Red Light District is an amazing duo that morphed into a full size, six memeber band. With original matterial, a down beat lounge sound and a smooth delivery, RLD is a joy to listen to. These were taken at the Elephant in Hollywood. Because of the short depth of field and the lighting, I had to play with ISO, flash defusion and focal length throughout the show. These are a few of the highlights and don't do these guys justice. They are planning a number of shows and releasing their debut (double) CD this summer. They're worth the experience.

Hello Boils and Ghouls,

I’d realized tonight that I finished a set of photos and hadn’t posted them. Due to the recent mayhem, I think it’s a bit understandable, but I want to show these off. Back in January, one of my family’s favorite local bands swung through LA on their on going national tour. Now they're back on tour, this time with OTEP! LAdies and Gents - Creature Feature!



( Read more... )

ZZ Top - Give Me All Your Lovin (Live)


Never mind that the weirdbeards did this 20 years ago, it still kicks arse.

I meant to get these photos posted yesterday, but various other priorities and issues kept me occupied all day and most of the evening.

That being said, this was a very fun show to experience. The music was well written and performed with energy and enthusiasm. Gagging Lolly is a duo which produces a techno, trip-hop, pop styled sound. DJ Rotten plays the keyboards and synth’s, while Charlie fronts the band. I don’t know if this is a trend in local music, but like the performers in Mystery Hangup, Fallopian and my good friend Juliette from Red Light District, Charlie packs a huge voice into a very petite frame with a tremendous presence on stage. Oh BTW, the name “Gagging Lolly” is a play on the fact that they aren’t lolly gagging in their desire to perform and make music!

Here are some images and a slide show from the show!



( Bounce! [xx behind the cut] )

I'm heading to North Hollywood to see my friends playing.


Our last show of 2007!

This Friday, Dec. 28th

THE RADIOACTIVE CHICKEN HEADS!


MYSTERY HANGUP!


FALLOPIAN!


at the CIA - California Institute of AbnormalArts
11334 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
$10, doors open 8pm

Lacuna Coil is an Italian Gothic/Ambient/Alternative metal band that's enjoyed moderate US and substantial European success. Their music has appeared in the movie Undeworld, and in the video games: "Guitar Hero 2" and "Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines." Several friends introduced me to their music over the last year and they have grown on me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacuna_Coil

This video is in support of their recent release Karmacode (2006) and is their remake of the Depche Mode song - "Enjoy The Silence"

Damn this is so freakin appropriate...

Good night

I found this European remixed version of the 1986 pop classic Rock Me Amadeus by Falco (Johann (Hans) Hölzel). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falco_(musician)