Tasty tidbits for the weekend

Stellastarr* was one of the early entries into this decade's derby of new wave hybridizers, and I thought their two albums for RCA ("Stellastarr*" in 2003 and "Harmonies for the Haunted" in 2005) put them closer to the upper echelon of Cure/Joy Division acolytes (Editors, Interpol) than the dross (the Bravery, She Wants Revenge). Even if I did find that darned asterisk cloying.

The marketplace did not exactly concur. The two albums sold 54,000 and 25,000 copies, respectively, and the label and the New York quartet parted ways. They continue to work on their third album and play two L.A. shows next week as part of the obligatory label dance.

Download a new song: "Warchild" (demo)

||| Stellastarr* performs Tuesday at Safari Sam's and Wednesday (sold out) at the Troubadour, with the up-and-coming local ensemble Monsters Are Waiting opening.

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Dim Mak has been busy. The label-child of Steve Aoki (is he going by DJ Kid Millionaire anymore?) will co-release the next album by his pal Blake Miller's band, Moving Units, And Dim Mak has signed a charming quartet of youthful thrash-poppers, the Deadly Syndrome. The latter band chewed up the stage Friday night at the Echo during its opening set for the Airborne Toxic Event [see next post]. The music? Catchy, dancy, bombastic and messy in a charming way. Deconstruct on, dudes.

||| Moving Units and the Deadly Syndrome perform tonight at the Troubadour.

Also on the way from the label: more dance-punk from the Rakes, an album by the Mystery Jets and an EP from Oh No! Oh My! And probably 167 Dim Mak parties I won't be on the list for.

The scorching guys from the Icarus Line have an album on the way in June -- it's called "Black Lives at the Golden Coast." Some flavor:

Download: "Gets Paid."

Also interesting will be the label's March release of "Chautauqua," the third album by young Orange Countians the Willowz. [Full review to come.] Here's a taste:

Download: The Willowz' "Evil Son"

And here's the new video for "Jubilee":

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The early show Sunday at the Echo features Portland, Ore., duo the Blow  (Jona Bechtolt and Khaela Maricich). First impression: fun, very fun, fun that could last more than 5 minutes.

Download: "Hock It (Yacht Remix)."

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The Little Ones are currently in the U.K. to do some tour dates and record their debut full-length for Heavenly/Astralwerks. Can't wait to hear some. Here's a new take on an '06 favorite:

Download: "Lovers Who Uncover (Crystal Castles remix)".

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Geffen has signed English three-piece the Klaxons, whose dancy prog-pop could go over pretty well in the U.S. The band is scheduled to play the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. The creative types in the British press are called their music "nu-rave," and, well, it certainly ain't boring.

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And finally, there's no quicker way to a blogger's heart than name-checking him [the L.A. band named Bronson excepted]. On its Feb. 20 release "Strength in Numbers," the New York trio Calla has a song that's sure to make my mixtapes. The band is working on a Los Angeles date on its West Coast tour (current scheduling has them skipping from San Diego to San Francisco), but this will tide me over:

Download: "Bronson."

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Also this weekend: On Sunday, there's some kind of game, with some dude playing at halftime, but if you're up for anti-sporting event event, there's the first in the "Don't Cause a Scene Sunday" at the Scene Bar in Glendale. Kicks off (so to speak) at 3 p.m., with bands including Yes Me to Death and the Switch.

[Postscript: In my previous life I was a sportswriter and had the chance to cover a Super Bowl. Nothing like this ever happened. In fact, I can't even remember the halftime entertainment. The Washington Post had the coolest headline: "Best. Press. Conference. Ever."]