Donald Glaude
Yost Theater
Thank Glaude it's Friday. Tonight, the House music legend brings rocks the decks in Santa Ana for House music marathon at the Yost. The Washington-bred selector might be a frequent visitor to OC, but few venues offer as much room to stretch out his signature DJ chops. Holding down the West Coast House scene since the early 90s, his furious, eclectic DJ sets have earned him a place DJ Mags list of Top 100 DJs. He's in town to headline the venues massive Fuck Cancer Benefit Event, alongside Stellar, Andy D'arrigo and Danny Love. What better time than Thanksgiving weekend to partake in some EDM debauchery with a little good will attached to it. –Nate Jackson
]
The Blasters
The Coach House
Some local cities are proud of their place in musical history. Hawthorne housed the Beach Boys. Balboa prizes Dick Dale. But the road forks in Downey, with the lovable Carpenters going one way and the Blasters (featuring the occasionally tempestuous collaborative efforts of Dave and Phil Alvin) heading down a more ravaged blacktop. Although the city is in no rush to lionize the Alvin brothers' childhood home, the Blasters were a major part of the '80s roots-revival, introducing a second generation of greasers faster and louder than the first. Their chugging rock, led the past 20 years by Phil, is steeped in the sounds of more humid climates and ranges from pompadoured hip-shakers to Longhairs' second line. Wrap your cigarettes in your sleeve and bring the old lady. –Sean J. O'Connell
Saturday, November 24
DJ Quik and Suga Free
City National Grove of Anaheim
This weekend, DJ Quik and Suga Free–two of the genre's permed-out G-funk forefathers–decided to mosey down south this weekend for a gig at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Preparing to inhale chronic-smoking classics from as far back as 1991's Quik is the Name all the way up to last year's hip-hop revelation The Book of David
is only half of the excitement when you consider that Pomona's
legendary pimp-turned rapper Suga Free will be there to deliver his own
stable of lyrical street tales. Anyone interested in following up their
holiday madness with some low-riding summertime vibes is advised to get
their asses to the Grove. –Nate Jackson
[
Cali Reggae Fest
The Observatory
The members of Seedless all remember their motivation to play reggae back in 2006: Sublime songs were easy to cover. Six years later, their shallow reggae roots have grown into a sprawling forest of eclectic, echo-filled island sound. Blending one-drop drum beats with soul, stoned eighth notes and shards of punk aggression, Seedless are light years ahead of a Sublime cover band. Opening for acts such as the Wailers, Fishbone and Tribal Seeds, the group–made up of Casey Sullivan (vocals/lead guitar), Grant Rivera (bass), Joe Bakhos (rhythm guitar), Shay Pino (drums), Matt Liufau (vocals) and Juan Rios (keyboards)–have formed a zigzagging reggae sound that has sparked up a noticeable buzz. They'll be taking the stage at the Observatory this weekend along with Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, Fortunate Youth and others for the Give Thanks Cali Reggae Fest. Just in time for Thanksgiving weekend– though we're betting all the chronic smoke will end up making it smell a lot like Christmas inside the venue.–Nate Jackson
Sunday, November 25
Counting Crows
City National Grove of Anaheim
Few bands of the '90s experience much–if any–success in this millennium, but Counting Crows held their ground. 2004 saw their single “Accidentally in Love” make it into a Shrek movie (paydirt!) and the group's 2008 conceptual album Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings had music critics typing their praises all over the blogosphere, even though it evaded mainstream exposure. Last year, they released the required live album of best hits, and this year they released a collection of cover songs (yes, we sense a trend here). But with the group now touring the States, could Adam Duritz and his magical mini-dreads be ready to release some new material? Count on it.–Erin DeWitt
Follow us on Twitter @OCWeeklyMusic and like us on Facebook at Heard Mentality.
