Friday, May 10
Lil' B
The Observatory
Lil B, the heavily tattooed Berkeley, California rapper with a gleaming grill and oversized earrings, entered the hip-hop game in 2006 as part of Bay Area rap group The Pack.
Over the last three years he's garnered a tremendous Internet following, popularizing the words “swag” and “based,” the latter an amorphous, catchall term that essentially means being yourself, doing what you want, and being proud of it. Having recorded and released more than 40 projects and over 1,000 songs, he was the subject of all manner of NPR think piece and critical over-analyzation when he first gained popularity in 2011. It was, to say the least, vexing.Now that the dust has settled, most critics have moved on. However, it's become increasingly clear that Lil B is one of the most important rappers of the past few years. He's influenced just about everyone who's doing anything interesting in hip-hop right now. (Max Bell)
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Face to Face
House of Blues Anaheim
The original House of Blues was built in Cambridge's Harvard Square and financed by Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, River Phoenix, and Aerosmith, among others. That historic musical landmark may have closed, but its spirit led to more than a dozen venues carrying its name across the country. Our House of Blues, the one on Anaheim, situated in Downtown Disney, celebrates its 20th anniversary tonight. And though the House of Blues chain, purchased by Live Nation in 2006, became a little more corporation, a little less rock and roll over the years, they still know how to throw a good party. Headlining the birthday bash is SoCal favorite '90s punk band Face to Face, who also have something to celebrate: their eighth studio album, Three Chords and a Half Truth, released just last month. (Erin DeWitt)
Saturday, May 11
Cotillon
Detroit Bar
Orange County punk is in good shape, thanks in part to psych-punk five-piece The Shrills. In between raucous percussion and '60s garage-soaked guitar are the crazed, desperate vocals of Dan Simmons, which altogether make their band name credible on all counts. Mixing in elements of doo wop, '60s psych rock, The Shrills artfully craft a head-busting sound that will make you dance with frantic abandon, if not run out of the venue in complete terror. Their follow-up album to 2010's Pink Hotel, Meltdown, continues their psychotic punk fury; you'd be sorry to miss out on their show tonight at Detroit Bar with Cotillon, The Abigails and a DJ set by Matt McCluer of the Growlers. (Aimee Murillo)
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Karla Munoz Benefit Show
The Juke Joint
It's been almost a week since 27 year-old Karla Munoz died from her injuries after a motorcycle accident off the 55 Fwy and Dyer Rd. on April 28. A beloved local fixture in the OC underground music scene, she's inspired a swath of local bands to honor her memory this weekend at the Juke Joint in Anaheim. Assembled by longtime Santa Ana selector DJ Vertigo, the day-long benefit show includes rowdy punk and garage bands from all corners of OC including Vickie and the Vengents, Disguster, The Tequila Worms. Proceeds go to benefit the Munoz family. Considering the sheer volume of rowdiness compiled on this bill, it's a lineup Karla definitely would've been proud of. (Nate Jackson)
Sunday, May 12
The Field Trip
Continental Room
Catchy, weird and wonderful, The Field Trip can't exactly be pinned down to one genre, instead juxtaposing different sounds together for an eclectic joyride. Hailing from the land of magic kingdoms and Mickey Mouse ears, the five members of The Field Trip prove how fun they can be with their cover of The Jungle Book classic “Wanna Be U” while still maintaining their own original alternative pop sound; “Cowboy Tom” hooks you in for a slow second, surprising you with its blast of infectious pop melodies and rock chords. Ride along with The Field Trip tonight at The Continental Room with Death Hymn Number 9 and Feral Kizzy. (Aimee Murillo)
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