Peter Beste is a very talented music photographer. His greatness lies in his ability to really immerse himself in the world of the subject, whether it be London grime, Houston hip hop, Southern strip joints or Norwegian metal. The result is vivid, arresting photos that juxtapose the subject with a surprising surrounding. Metal star in … More Peter Beste, Black Metal, & Spinal Crap
It’s been 14 years, seven months and twenty two days since Kurt Cobain died. Not that I’m counting. I always loved Nirvana but I wasn’t a crazed fan. I just knew that they blasted open a special place in music for millions of people and are one of the few bands of our era, the … More Smells Like Unclean Spirit
As a best selling British novelist once said, It’s been the best of times and the worst of times. I’ve been kicking ass up and down each coast of this big country…but it’s the country that has me worried. It seems like we’ve just done lost our collective minds. Sarah Palin? Really? Fuck. Los Angeles, … More The Rules Of Britannia – An American in London
It’s a bit difficult for someone with a hearing problem, such as myself, to try and explain my love of prog rock to others. Especially when the math rock co-title gets bandied about. Several high school tutors and a SAT prep teacher can attest to the fact that I sucked at math. My brain doesn’t … More Honest To Prog – The Secret Machines Go Dark.
I suppose I should preface all of this by admitting – I am emo for The Walkmen. By now, I’ve seen them play in every possible scenario: Large Los Angeles concert hall, cramped Austin 6th street bar, alongside the Queen Mary at the All Tomorrows Parties festival, at an all night warehouse rave somewhere in … More The Walkmen and Me, or How ‘You And Me’ turns me into an emo scribe
I don’t eat red meat. But I sure do love me some Cheeseburger. So when I got word that the boys from Brooklyn were coming to town on the Tales of Colt 45 tour, I decided I’d definitely brave the tidal wave of douchebaggery to see some great cock rock. Now, it’s hard to get … More Cheeseburger, well done.
When it comes to politics, many people complain that musicians should shut up and play. I for one am glad that we have outspoken troubadours today, running the gamut from Billie Joe to Bruce. Tom Morello is one of the best. I have tremendous respect for him and his collaborators. If you happen to be … More Tom Morello, Rage, plan show/rally opposite Republican Convention
Rock journalism isn’t for the faint of heart. Though my suburban relatives may think that my professional life is a playground filled with hedonistic delights, they’re only partly right. There is a part of The Rock Life that is seedy, dark and filled with tragic stories of squandered brilliance and the leeching and blood letting … More Caught Between Rock And A Hard Place – the pitfalls of an embedded rock journalist
One of the perks of living in a high priced, high stress, high-octane city like LA or New York is The Warm Up Show. Often limited to friends and uber fans, or kept a secret until the last minute, the warm up show allows a bigger act to play in a small intimate setting and … More A Tale of Two Warm Up Shows: She Wants Revenge & Hot Hot Heat
Hey Mr. DJ, put a record on…no really. I mean a fucking record. you know, those vinyl thingies that old timey people used to play? While having dinner with Ian last night, the topic of dj culture came up. The electro, hose, nu-rave scene has burst like a serato pinata here in LA, and in … More DJs and Turntablism – are hipsters and laptops killing the art form?
ALI MacLEAN 