Friday, October, 19
Crocodiles, The Soft Pack
The Glass House
Two new bands–“new” as in they post-date the Feelies and the Psychedelic Furs, respectively, even if they've both been around for a couple years–with two new albums on which they make some perfect new choices and deliver us some excellent new songs. LA's Soft Pack makes a left turn after two full-lengths of enthusiastically efficient rock 'n' roll and head for a bold new realm of keyboards, horns and considered pop sophistication on their just-out Strapped. And Crocodiles take the hooks and fangs both of early '80s alt-pop and the spikes and fur of Spacemen 3 and Jesus and Mary Chain for new album Endless Flowers, which is basically the ultimate in its own little genre. Rarely are we able to say “keep rockin'” with such admiration and sincerity. — By Chris Ziegler
See Also:
*Adam Ant Isn't a Goody Two Shoes Anymore
*Top 25 Greatest OC Bands of All Time: The Complete List
*Top Five Best Jazz Concerts in OC This Weekend
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The Growlers' Goth Beach Party
The Observatory
Sure, the back of a Santa Ana business park ain't exactly Trussels. Fortunately, wherever the Growlers go, beach vibes are sure to follow. So we're more than happy to watch the scraggly, costume-wearing Dana Point tribe pile into the Observatory with a bunch of their comrades in celebration of the release of their new album, Hung at Heart. Aside from being a perfect descriptor of what the band represents, the Growler's Gothic Beach Party (happening on Friday and Saturday) is jammed packed with every psychedelic, garage-y, beer-willing good time band this county could muster. Spread over two days, some of the highlights include The Abigails, Audacity, Feeding People and Tijuana Panthers.–Nate Jackson
Saturday, October 20
Adam Ant
City National Grove of Anaheim
New Wave rocker Adam Ant was so much more than a musician. He was a fashion icon, whose fondness for Napoleonic fashion and peculiar facial accessories (tape perhaps), was legendary. Hailing from UK, Ant is best remembered for his single “Goody Two Shoes.” But it should be mentioned his career featured a vast catalogue of 10 albums. –By Brandon Ferguson
Eddie Money
The Coach House
Between Adam Ant at the Grove and Eddie Money at the Coach House, OC is covered on 80's music from both sides of the pond. Money is best known for his single “Two Tickets to Paradise.” But what many may not know is that prior to his career in music, he was also a cop. You have the right…to rock. —By Brandon Ferguson
Sunday, October 21
Frightened Rabbit
The Observatory
So often when singers from across the pond do their thing, their native accent is buried in the music. But Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchinson (of Scotland), doesn't lose that wonderful slang. With songs about swimming until you can't see land and other inspirational hipster platitudes, this band rocks an uplifting, lush and layered sound. — By Brandon Ferguson
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