72 Hours: Wild Nothing, Broken Records, Diamond Rings among the weekend’s top gigs
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A weekly Pop & Hiss look at some of the weekend’s top shows. Many are already sold out, such as the Baths gig at the Troubadour, as well some of the gigs in this post. But good stuff can still be found.
Friday
Wild Nothing, Abe Vigoda @ the Natural History Museum. The solo project of East Coaster Jack Tatum, Wild Nothing is all fuzz-laden familiarity -- a retro, ‘80s-focused synthy-guitar sound that’s been just a little too in vogue of late. But that’s not Tatum’s fault, and his wearily distressed vocals are neatly buried under keyboard atmospheres, new-wave bass lines and dainty hooks. Backed with a live band, hopefully the pretty bedroom melodies of Wild Nothing get a little scratched up. With local garage rockers Abe Vigoda. Natural History Museum, 800 Exposition Blvd. The event is sold out online, but the museum reserves a limited number of tickets for door sales. Tickets range from $2 to $70. Doors open at 4 p.m. -- Todd Martens
Trey Anastasio @ the Music Box. However you may feel about all the baggage that comes with the average Phish concert (patchouli oil, parking lot-forged veggie wraps, endless soloing), there’s no denying the group are virtuoso musicians. Performing at least partially removed from the trappings of his band’s marathon outdoor shows, guitarist Trey Anastasio will flex his upbeat songwriting and mind-scrambling musicianship both on his own and with his brassy side project TAB, touching on a mix of acoustic and electric blues, funk and world music. Jerry would be proud. Music Box, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, Fri. 8 p.m. The show is sold out, and tickets on the secondary market are topping $200. -- Chris Barton
The Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour @ The Satellite. A much-cherished label throughout the ‘90s, the Elephant 6 brand briefly became synonymous with indie-pop. Be it the sugar-rush perfection of the Apples in Stereo or the odd, ‘Pet Sounds’-inspired world of Neutral Milk Hotel, the best of the Elephant 6 acts had as much love for melody as they did songcraft and experimentation. There’s plenty more bands to discuss, and if advance tickets weren’t sold out, this write-up would be longer. Those willing to line up and hope for the best probably already know that a dozen Elephant 6 vets have about 50 songs from the label’s history at the ready, as well a game that involves a 12-foot snowman. Satellite, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd. Advance tickets are sold out. Tickets at the door will cost $14. -- TM
Saturday
Diamond Rings and P.S. I Love You @ The Satellite. Fresh from touring with Sweden’s steel-tough pop-star Robyn, Diamond Rings (real name: John O’Regan) makes a West Coast stop before a host of dates in Austin, Texas, for the South by Southwest festival and conference. This is club music, sure, but the term ‘club’ is a bit too defining for what Diamond Rings does. Whether toying with guitars, drum sets, loops or synths, Diamond Rings is an one-man show of pure humor and energy, whipping up a frenzy of David Bowie-inspired rock ‘n’ disco. Also a must see: Arrive early for the two-man power-pop stomp of P.S. I Love You. Satellite. 1717 Silver Lake Blvd. Tickets are $10. --TM
Local Folk Fest with Voxhaul Broadcast, Nico Stai and more @ the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts. With the KCRW army raising its support, good things are no doubt ahead for headliners Voxhaul Broadcast, whose early work captures a West Coast take on the power pop formula. It’s slick, but tightly constructed and full of of hooks. Yet much of the lineup should be a fine time, and at only $10 it would be hard to complain. Nico Stai veers closer to the folk the evening promises, whereas the Sea of Cortez explores roots structures through electronics. Eagle Rock Center for the Arts. 2225 Colorado Blvd. Tickets are $10. More information here. -- TM
Sunday
Broken Records @ the Satellite. Scottish five-piece the Broken Records have an array of anthems seemingly designed for fighting off last call. These are hectic barroom brawlers, complete with accordions and violins. Some songs begin with more baroque stylings, but they tend to rev up before too long. ‘I think everyone in the band wants to go off and have a beer,’ lead singer Jamie Sutherland said before introducing the band’s final song during a set at last year at South by Southwest, and then proceeded to howl through the cut at a hurried pace. -- TM