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Portland-based Quasi is made up of an ex-husband and wife duo Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss, and bass player Joanna Bolme. And the band has the credentials, believe us: Weiss was a former member of the now defunct riot grrrl band Sleater-Kinney and is a part of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. Coomes has recorded with Built to Spill and performed with Elliott Smith in ‘90s indie rock band Heatmiser. As a band, Quasi has even provided back-up for the now deceased, but much missed Smith.
So that’s a whole lot of “cool,” if you haven’t noticed. Quasi does sound a whole lot like the bands they’ve come to be associated with, particularly Built to Spill and Elliott Smith. They’re actually the kind of indie rock we’ve come to miss a whole lot, the kind that has been obliterated by contrived hipster sounds that no one will remember in a year.
Quasi also begs for the Mates of State comparison—another husband-and-wife rock duo that formed four years after Quasi got its start—the catchy, heavy beats, the somehow still adorable vocals.
Quasi: Detroit Bar, Sat., March 13, 9 p.m., $10. 843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, 949.642.0600. 21+.
Twin brothers Luke and Joe McGarry definitely look the part, if you know what we mean—not that that’s a bad thing or anything. Stocky, mile-long legs, skinny jeans, dark outfits. It’s good that the McGarrys also sound the part: Brit pop, dancey post-punk. Naturally. A little bit of New Order, a bit of the Stones, a bit of their own pop sensibilities.
The Manchester-born duo first formed when the two were just 16-year-old students at the Orange County High School of the Arts. Joined by drummer Nico Saavedra, the band has supported major acts like Doves, Sebastien Tellier and Robyn.
Luke and Joe are the sons of illustrator Steve McGarry, who has designed record sleeves for the likes of a certain other Manchester-originated band you might have heard of: Joy Division. The brothers inherited some of their father’s talents on paper as well, illustrating for the Long Beach District Weekly and others.
Pop Noir: Detroit Bar, Thurs., March 11, 9 p.m., $5. 843 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, 949.642.0600. 21+.
The Like sure are pretty—and sometimes it’s hard to look past the three pretty blonde gals with perfectly ethereal style. The Los Angeles quartet—Elizabeth “Z” Berg, Laena Geronimo, Tennessee Thomas and Annie Monroe–formed in 2001 when the original members (Berg, Thomas and Charlotte Froom) were just 15 and 16.
The three gals had the right mix going for them: Having been immersed in rock since childhood (Froom’s father being producer Mitchell Froom and Thomas’ father, Pete Thomas, is the drummer for Elvis Costello) and also taken music lessons from a young age.
Though the girls are often associated with the Angeleno hopelessly hip(ster) crowd, the Like share a sound akin to their look: Sweet, slightly sassy… flower indie pop rock.
Bonus: Chris Ziegler, editor of LA Record and former OC Weekly music editor, will be DJing!
DJ Frankie presents Black Apples, Blood Bath, The Like: Sun., Feb. 28, 9 p.m., $5. Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, 562.434.8292. 21+.
Months later, it’s finally here: The Orange County Music Awards.
Possibly responsible for finally reuniting the Orange County music scene, the much anticipated awards are finally upon us after a round of showcases all around the county at all of our favorite venues, including the Detroit Bar, the Gypsy Den, OCPAC and the Yost.
The OC Music Awards has its own academy, composed of music journalists, radio DJs, promoters, owner and other industry-types involved in the local music scene. This year’s academy includes Dennis Lluy (owner of Koo’s Inc.), Jon Reiser (Detroit Bar co-owner), Brett Walker (eVocal) and Chris Alfaro (owner of the Crosby/Free the Robots). These academy members nominate and vote on who they deem best in 24 categories, including Best Album, Best Song, Best New Artist, Best Alternative, Best Electronic, Best Hip Hop, Best Indie, Best Live Band and Best Surf.
The awards also involve two legacy awards, OC Impact Awards (this year going to Sugar Ray of Newport Beach) and Lifelong Achievement Awards (Jim Washburn).
We don’t like playing favorites (okay, we’re lying), but we’re really rooting for Dusty Rhodes & the River Band and Aushua this year!
Good luck to everyone involved and we’ll see you there.
OC Music Awards: Sat., March 6, 8 p.m., $25. Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2750. All ages.
Orange County hardcore punk band Ignite is one of a dying breed. While even their genre of choice is dying (or has been dead, depending on what music elitist you’re asking), Ignite’s politically and socially conscious attitude isn’t one you see too much of these days from bands.
Ignite, even as a band, is a vocal supporter of many environmental and humanitarian groups, including Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (as seen on Animal Planet’s “Whale Wars” reality series), Doctors Without Borders and Earth First.
The band, which consists of Zoltan “Zoli” Teglas, Craig Anderson, Brett Rasmussen, Brian Balchack and Nik Hill, first formed in 1993. Ignite doesn’t stray from the deep roots of punk culture, often addressing politics and society in their lyrics. However, be sure to catch the original Ignite while you still can: The future of Ignite is, unfortunately, up in the air currently. Lead vocalist Teglas has joined Hermosa Beach’s Pennywise, who lost their original lead singer (and original line-up) in 2009 after Jim Lindberg quit in 2009 after 20 years with Pennywise.
Ignite: 7 p.m., $14. The Glass House, Sat., Feb. 27, 200 W. Second St., Pomona, 909.865.3802. All ages.
