Don't forget to check out our constantly updated OC Concert Calendar
Monday, January 6
Mystic Braves
The Constellation Room
The exciting, sun-kissed guitar and lo-fi vocals of Echo Park's own Mystic Braves is undoubtedly reminiscent of mid-'60s fuzz predecessors The Seeds, but also bursting with youthful confidence like fellow garage rock contemporaries The Allah-Lahs. Formerly Blackfeet Braves, the quartet channel the look and feel of a '60s rock group, from the shaky Super 8 footage tricks in their music videos to the shaggy hair and patterned wardrobe. It's no wonder they'd be a hit here in SoCal, where we're absolutely spoiled with music groups reclaiming classic psychedelic-garage rock these days, most notably from the Lolipop or Burger records ilk. Tonight is the first in a three-week romance between Mystic Braves and the Constellation room where all are invited to twist and shout the night away like its 1969. (Aimee Murillo)
]
Tuesday, January 7
Brixton Agenda Afterparty
Alex's Bar
Southern California apparel line Brixton returns to Long Beach for another Agenda tradeshow afterparty at Alex's Bar–this time a free set with two bands you probably won't see for free much more. Bleached are the Clavin sisters (of Mika Miko) with a sound somewhere between the Leave Home Ramones and Stevie Nicks solo, which really means harmony and heartbreak delivered at high velocity. (Plus some Shop Assistants wall-of-guitar too.) And (Together) Pangea are newly signed to the storied UK label Harvest and prepping an album full of freaked-out teenage Descendents-meets-Troggs rock–how's their song about being too drunk to cum go again? Oh yeah: “Tooooo drunk to cum!” This is a great chunk of LA punk as 2013 contained it–see it here now free, or from way at the back of some fest in the future. (Chris Ziegler)
OC Music Awards Showcase, Night 1
Yost Theater
It's officially that time again–your cream of the crop OC bands are about to start their annual head-to-head contest for supremacy, courtesy of the OC Music Awards, which kicks off this year in upscale fashion at the Yost Theater. This week's lineup features plenty of FM rock and indie sounds from Breach the Summit, Ceasefire, the Devious Means, Jeramiah Red and The Field Trip. Come early, doors open at 7:30 p.m. (Nate Jackson)
[
Thursday, January 9
The Garden
Constellation Room
Rarely do you hear a soft, beach-friendly indie tune such as the Garden's “Everything Is Perfect” and expect an unprovoked fistfight to break out onstage. But that's how Wyatt and Fletcher Shears roll. Between gigs, they are often flown to Paris by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent to headline the company's new campaign. The band regularly dress head to toe in women's clothes, often defying basic punk laws of fashion. Though we may occasionally refer to them as the “Weird Brothers,” the music is always fiery enough to keep up coming back. (Lucas Chemotti)
Friday, January 10
Snoop Dogg (Snoop Lion)
The Observatory
No one in the history of hip-hop has so successfully transformed himself from a feared gangsta to a family-friendly pitchman. Sure, Snoop Dogg probably couldn't scare a grandmother these days but his distinctive, melodic flow still sounds fresh while classics like “Gin and Juice,” “What's My Name?” and his version of “Lodi Dodi” continue to rock parties 15-plus years since their release. Appearing as his good 'ol rasta alter ego “Snoop Lion” this Friday, we're sure island vibes and g-funk will both be on the menu, along with a satisfying contact high. (Wade Tatangelo)
