The Scenestar

A Benefit for The Pablove Foundation

As reported earlier, Los Angeles band Eulogies planned a homecoming show on Wednesday, July 1 at the Echo along with fellow Dangerbird Records labelmates Bad Veins.

The concert is continuing as scheduled, however, it will now benefit The Pablove Foundation in honor of Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz, who passed away on Saturday, June 27 at only six years of age. Pablo was the son of Jeff Castelaz, founder and owner of Dangerbird Records. Jeff and wife JoAnn started The Pablove Foundation when their son was first diagnosed with cancer.

The Pablove Foundation will continue to support cancer research for the pediatric community.  All door proceeds for the evening, and a portion of the bar proceeds, will go directly to the foundation.

Tickets are still available for $10 through TicketWeb.

A Benefit for The Pablove Foundation w/Eulogies and Bad Veins @ Echo, July 1

Photo Gallery: The Tallest Man on Earth @ Troubadour

Photo by Leslie Kalohi

Kristian Matsson's choice to record under the moniker The Tallest Man on Earth no doubt prompts a bit of head scratching at first.  The Swedish singer-songwriter is of slender build and average height.  It's not until one hears Matsson's powerfully intense, gravelly voice that the name fits in a wholly different way.

The Troubadour saw the return of The Tallest Man on Earth on Monday night, who turned in a tight set that covered songs off last year's Shallow Grave, as well as crowd favorite "King of Spain."  Matsson managed to charm the appreciative audience, commenting that the weather in Los Angeles was much more favorable compared to the 114 degree heat of Phoenix felt the day before. The Tallest Man on Earth also proved to be the most polite, asking permission of the audience to play one last song before making way for headliner John Vanderslice.

Photos from the evening can be viewed in the gallery below:

Photo Gallery: The Tallest Man on Earth @ Troubadour, June 29

Jens Lekman Sick With H1N1 Virus

Cornelius' biggest fear has come true, but it didn't happen to him. Fellow musician Jens Lekman has contracted the H1N1 ("Swine Flu") during his trek through South America. According to Jens Lekman's website, he's quarantined for 10 days while he recovers.

To read what he says about what's going on with him, here's the news concerning his status straight from Jens Lekman's blog:

Michael Jackson Viewing Set For Friday In Santa Barbara

Looks like Southern California fans have a chance to say goodbye to the King of Pop near Santa Barbara. According to CNN, Michael Jackson's body will be returned to Neverland Ranch this Thursday for a public viewing on Friday. No details on times or what it will entail, but we do know there is going to be a lot of traffic on the 101.

Also, according to reports, Michael Jackson will be buried this Sunday in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. If the viewing takes place on Friday, are any Scenestar readers thinking of going?

Lollapalooza Gives Away Free Music

Have you ever bought tickets to a festival to see your favorite band(s), but you're clueless as to what the other bands on the bill sound like? Well, Lollapalooza has made it easier for fans to get to know the festival's lineup. Now available on iTunes is a 15-song digital sampler. Simply click on the link below and get tracks by Scenestar favorites Alberta Cross, Fleet Foxes, The Henry Clay People, The Raveonettes, White Lies and more! The download is only available for those in the U.S. Sorry international Scenestar readers!

Tickets are still available for Lollapalooza, which will take place at Grant Park in Chicago on August 7-9.

Lollapalooza 2009 Artist Sampler
August 7- 9: Lollapalooza at Grant Park (Chicago)

New Video: MSTRKRFT "Heartbreaker"

MSTRKRFT is still going at it playing the festival circuit! It also looks like they had a chance to release a new video, "Heartbreaker" featuring John Legend from their latest release Fist Of God. MSTRKRFT just recently played Coachella but don't have any Southern California dates currently scheduled.

Photo Gallery: Telekinesis @ Echoplex

Photo by Leslie Kalohi

On the self-titled debut record, Telekinesis is essentially bespectacled Seattle native Michael Benjamin Lerner, assisted by the album's producer (and Death Cab for Cutie member), Chris Walla.  On stage, Lerner removes the glasses and gets behind the drums, enlisting a full band to recreate the album's shimmery tunes of love and longing.

The Echoplex was treated to a relatively brief set by Telekinesis this past Saturday night, which included favorites "Awkward Kisser" and "Tokyo," as well as "Plankton" off the tour-only Coast of Carolina EP.  In-between song banter kept the tone of the show light, with Lerner acknowledging the fan who often arrives to the venue before the band gets there, as well as his jealousy over California's easy access to In-N-Out.  Although a vegetarian, Lerner enjoys the grilled cheese sandwich and Animal style fries.

Photos from the evening can be viewed in the gallery below:

Photo Gallery: Telekinesis @ Echoplex, June 27

Spoon To Play Small Show For Film Festival?

Spoon is ready to drop a new EP onto the world this Tuesday, Got Nuffin. This weekend Spoon would be dropping an even bigger surprise for their Los Angeles fans if this is true. The band supposedly added an intimate show at a local Hollywood theater! Spoon would be playing at the Laemmle's Fairfax on Sunday, August 2nd for the NY International Independent Film & Video Festival. 

Tickets are now on sale via Ticketweb for only $12. We discovered the link via Spoon's Ticketmaster page so we're hoping it's not just another movie in the festival. For now it's on sale so buyer beware till we can officially confirm!

UPDATE: From Ticketweb: There seems to have been some confusion over this event, which is an independent film entitled Spoon, and is unrelated to the band Spoon.  As a result we are refunding all buyers.  If you did intend to purchase for the film, we apologize for the inconvenience, but please feel free to re-purchase.

New Video: The Mars Volta "Since We've Been Wrong"

The Mars Volta is back with a new album, Octahedron! This is the video for their latest single "Since We've Been Wrong". The Mars Volta is currently on a small world tour returning back to California for San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival on August 29th. We're crossing a fingers that the Mars Volta plan a Los Angeles show that's a bit closer than their recent Majestic Theater show in Ventura.

Phoenix Cancels San Francisco Show

Is there a mysterious virus attacking musicians this weekend? Saturday night, Phoenix had to cancel their show at San Francisco's Regency Ballroom due to vocalist Thomas Mars' still trying to recover from a nasty virus. Ticket holders were told that they will try to get them a refund or exchange for Phoenix's next show in San Francisco.

We at The Scenestar are hoping that Thomas Mars recovers and that Phoenix doesn't cancel tonight's show at the Wiltern as well. Below is a statement from Phoenix via their tour diary: