The Postelles Rock The Left Coast at The Roxy

Thanks to an invitation from Plus One Records, I had the privilege of rocking out with Manhattan natives The Postelles at the esteemed venue The Roxy last night, where they played support to Free Energy.

Performing tracks from their "White Night" EP, Elvis covers ("Hound Dog") and their forthcoming self titled debut full length album - The Postelles infected Sunset Blvd. with their bred since high school chemistry (they've played together for many years) and indie rock sheik. With catchy songs like "Can't Stand Still" that had me drawing comparisons to Arctic Monkeys, I'm wishing the album was officially out so I could tell friends to buy that 'ish. Here is a video of them performing that song at SXSW 2010 just in case you're unfamiliar.



Their live show was pretty entertaining - especially closing things out with the Elvis cover and the aforementioned CSS. Certainly one worthy of catching at least once and one that I am already eager to see again (preferably for more time).

The Postelles are as advertised - a cohesive unit of talented musicians that have developed a 50's, 60's and 70's rock influenced NYC indie-pop rock sound. Vocalist Daniel Balk has a charming voice and creative hand and microphone gestures - although I do wish he danced more. Lead guitarist David Dargahi looks as comfortable as anyone - both strumming and doing vocals. John Speyer and Bill Cadden hold down the rhythm on bass and percussion respectively.

Daniel Balk (lead vocals, rhythm guitar)

David Dargahi (lead guitar, vocals)

Their self titled album, produced by Albert Hammond Jr., is set to drop sometime in April 2011 and includes Balk's sweet and tender vocals on signature songs like "123 Stop" (which was in the trailer for "How Do You Know"), "White Night" (which you can get for free through their website www.ThePostelles.com) and "Stella," as well as other magic recorded in Manhattan's Quad Studios. With a live performance that stole headliner Free Energy's thunder, past festival plays at Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza and press hits already from Rolling Stone to Teen Vogue and blog love on sites like My Old Kentucky Blog, The Audio Perv and Daytrotter - you should check this band out if you haven't already.



The Postelles press photos by Harper Smith, live photos by Brandon Dorsky

Tonight's Top Shows in LA - Thursday October 28th

A few choice shows in town tonight as Halloween weekend basically begins.

First on my list would have to be Orgone and Corinne Bailey Rae at Avalon. Why? Because it is always funky if Orgone is involved and why wouldn't you want a funky introduction to a festive weekend? With funk inspirations finally catching on in LA's ever important indie-rock culture (see success of Fitz and The Tantrums if you question my judgment), hopefully Orgone will finally make the leap from best funk band that not enough people have heard about to the an indie culture relevant name on par with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. For those of you who don't see the parallels already - Orgone's lead, Fanny Franklin, has done back up vocals for the esteemed Sharon Jones before. My advice - see the show.

Troy This breaks out his glam electro rock at the Green Door that will certainly have you doing double takes to question if it were the 80s even WITHOUT people in costume. I caught his show a few weeks back and it was a lot of fun.

Foxy Shazam and Free Energy (DFA) is definitely an indie head's dream line-up. Expect an adrenaline fueled high energy rock party at The Troubadour. The native Minnesota boys turned Philadelphia residents tore up The Viper Room in early September - and considering they share the stage with another formidable midwestern talent, Foxy Shazam - I expect them to provide an even more inspired performance. The 6 piece Cincinnatti outfit Foxy Shazam have been killing shows and turning heads since "Unstoppable" played during Super Bowl XLIV. Their last show at The Troubadour sold out and rocked proper - so take notice and arrive early if you want to get in!

And, obviously, I wouldn't really be being festive if I did not suggest seeing The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Wiltern.

Here are the rest of acts playing in town:

Black Cobra, Ancestors, Black Math Horseman, Lantvrn @ Spaceland

Bilal, J*Davey, Quadron (unplugged) @ Echoplex

Raw Power Rangers, Insect Surfers @ Echo

Breathe Owl Breathe, Little Wings, The Migrant, Give Me Motion @ Bootleg Theater

The Broken Column, Act As If, Hello Vegas @ Silverlake Lounge

Fun., Steel Train, Jarrod Gorbel @ The Music Box

Lucha Va Voom @ Mayan Theatre

Sarah Silverman & Friends @ Largo

Movimiento Alterado feat: El Komandeer, El R.M., Los Buchones de Culiacan and more @ House of Blues - Sunset Strip

Built To Spill, Revolt Revolt, Finn Riggins @ El Rey Theatre

Fear, Harmful If Swallowed, The Feisty Piranhas, D.R.A. @ Key Club

Petty Crux, Inglorious Girl Band, Roswick @ On The Rox

The Damned Things, Walk The Rio @ The Roxy

Foxy Shazam, Free Energy, Hollerado @ The Troubadour

KROQ Presents: Moving Picture Show, The Suicide Denial, Modern Time Machines, The Dares, The Nervous Wreckords @ The Viper Room

Bruce Beacom @ The Mint

Dave Schulz's Halloween All-Star Jam w/ Dave Schulz, Tommy Peacock and the Feathers, raDIOTEQUE(Radiohead Tribute) @ The Mint

Mike Pinto, Kat, Remedy for Kill @ Saint Rocke

The Lowrider Band, Delta Nove @ Brixton South Bay

Whiteboy Comedy Showcase @ Room 5

Warren Charles Band, Justin Kalk Orchestra, David Serby, Tennessee Squires @ Molly Malones

Starfucker @ Detroit Bar

Rocky Horror Picture Show w/ Danny Devito & Jack Nicholson @ The Wiltern