Notes from Vivace...

May 9th Preview.


For this write-up, I decided to do some myspace.com and google.com research on this week’s upcoming bands.

The Clash City Rockers.




Based on their myspace page, Clash City Rockers is a new band. According to their blog, their first show occurred in mid-April under the pen name, “Death or Glory.” The band members are Cash, Mark, Mike and Rob. And they’re, as by their band name, a tribute band to The Clash – and they dress like them, as well! Cash takes the role of Joe Strummer. Mike takes the part of Mick Jones. Mark is Paul Simonon and Rob bangs out the Topper Headon beat. Based on his myspace page, Cash considers his influences to be various British music; such as The Beatles, Clash, Costello. So what should you watch for: what else, but thirty minutes of Clash music.

Overnight Lows.



I believe this is the first time the Overnight Lows have played at Kiss or Kill since their residency back in the later half of 2006. This band includes Julesy, vocals; Jozzy on guitar; Mo Mo on bass; and Jeffrey on drums. This is a band that demands that you go out and rent the movie Pulse, which stars Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars fame. The movie features their song “Delay the Wait.” If you want a little background on the band, cdbaby.com has the following write-up, “Founded by singer Jules and guitarist/producer Joz, the duo seemed an unlikely pair at the start. Their backgrounds were as diverse as their musical influences; Joz growing up in Mexico and favoring the sounds of bands such as Blur, Queen, and Zeppelin, and Jules, and L.A. native, with a style as spirited as her love of early Motown. Add a rhythm section to the equation with Jeff on drums and Moses on bass, let the old blend with the new, and Overnight Lows is now poised to make their mark.” I personally favor their song “The Breaks,” which if you head over to youtube.com, you can watch the music video. Here’s the one thing I say to look for when watching their set: look for the megaphone.

here is that video:





The Rainman Suite.




This band includes Josh, Ethan and Jeff. Their top myspace friends include The Clash, Social Distortion, Green Day, The Living End and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. They’re a long-time Kiss or Kill band. According to their website, their first Kiss or Kill show was back in 2004. Perhaps further back since they don’t have all their shows listed. An interesting note can be found on their Internet site, “We’ve got shows dating back to Oct. 2001 when we went by the name ‘The Resistance’, but unfortunately ‘The Resistance’ is the name of a white power group so we had to change it. And as far as having no record of those shows, well, who really cares?” And if it seems that Jeff plays for multiple bands, you are correct. On occasion, he’s filled in as drummer for Bang Sugar Bang. What to watch for: as per a review on the myspace blog, the hair.

Here is a video for "Heavy Medication"



She’s Your Sister.




She’s Your Sister is another 2006 resident Kiss or Kill band making a return visit in 2007. The band includes Joel, Job, Theo and Jenn. They’re a rock band from Chicago that decided to move out to California. Their sophomore LP is called “onetwothreefour” and came out in March 2007. Music Connection Magazine gave the following write-up, “L.A. via Chicago outfit are award-winning rockers with Pixies and Sonic Youth influences whose CD sounds pro all the way. Singer Joe Whitley’s rich, appealing vocals are adeptly captured and the drums really pop. Most importantly, the band’s music is edgy yet thoroughly commercial. Major labels will want to check this act out.” If you do some research via google.com, you’ll come across an interesting article from the University of Chicago Law School. The article reveals the mystery of their band name, “And in case you were wondering, the band’s name is a quote from the Wes Anderson film, The Royal Tenenbaums, and refers to a seriously frustrated love.” What to watch for: focus in on the drummer once in awhile, because he can be incredible.

here is a live performance at an earlier Safari Sam's show


...Notes From Vivace



Special Note from Kiss or Kill News...





RockPaperScissors featuring huge Kiss or Kill supporter Kjell Helding based out of North Hollywood will be replacing the Press Fire in this weeks line-up closing out the night in the 12:30 slot!