There seem to be two versions of Joe Cardamone that exist in the world. A couple of hours after we speak backstage at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, we see that there's one version onstage; howling, spitting, strutting topless like prime Iggy Pop, looking every bit the unapproachable rock god. Two hours before that, I speak to a Joe Cardamone who orders a goat's cheese salad as a pre-gig meal, drinks ginger beer and is a charming and engaging interviewee. But, if you know the history of Los Angeles' Icarus Line , you'll know to expect the [...]
Every Monday, we'll be offering you early picks for some of the week's best concerts. Do you think we omitted something worthwhile? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to visit our Local Concert Calendar for an expanded set of daily listings. Sic Alps headlines all-local show at The Verdi Club Sic Alps is back from Europe with two new 73s on Drag City. The band kicks [...]
Happy Halloween — hope everything's ghoul with you: ► Zola Jesus , the Wisconsin-bred, L.A.-based purveyor of brooding darkwave, brings her small frame and big pipes to the Echoplex as her fall tour behind the release of her debut album "Conatus" nears an end. That's the video for her song "Vessel," above, directed by Jacqueline Castel. [Download "Vessel" here .] ► Stellar lineup at the Echo, with the Icarus Line headlining, supported by the Sister Ruby Band and Stab City . ► Perfect for the occasion, the [...]
One of the benefits of being 'sent away' for work is that the evenings are empty of the usual homely responsibilities and can legitimately be spent absorbing music and alcohol, there being nothing much better to do. One of the downsides is that there is no choice of date or location: one must make the best of what's on offer on that fately night. Being sent to Glasgow is a good start, as that distinguished city offers a number of grubby, noisy, beery venues in which to experience loud rock music – what could be finer? Tonight, faced [...]
Once the perpetrator of internal ear destruction with a vitriolic brand of hard-as-knuckles, penetrative hardcore, The Icarus Line has incontrovertibly become the Joe Cardamone show. It's gone ten by the time he cocksurely struts onstage with the canny conviction of a gambling, toothless jailbird, flouting the smoking ban as the perfume from his roll-up washes over his admirers. And admire is precisely what many are here to do: the agitated fidget, commenting on his petite stature: "he's smaller than I imagined" and the like, garbled anxiously and excitedly. However while Cardamone's more contemporary material makes Mono and Penance [...]
Hot stuff for a cool weekend: ► The Kills — last spotted raising blood pressures at the Music Box in May — swing back through L.A. for a show at the Wiltern, with Eleanor Friedberger and Mini Mansions opening. ► Superhumanoids head up a great local lineup at the Bootleg Theater, where Pollyn and Hot As Sun support. ► And more great local rock at the Mint, where the Icarus Line , the Warlocks , Spirit Vine and the [...]
All over the map tonight: ► Spindrift , L.A.'s singular purveyor of spaghetti Western psychedelia, celebrate the release of their new album "Classic Soundtracks Vol. 13 at the Echoplex, supported by the Icarus Line and the Gram Rabbit side project the Country. The videos and trailers for the music on Spindrift's new collection — all collaborations with noted filmmakers — have been premiering on IFC.com (and will be screened tonight). The latest, the Ed Wood Jr. homage "Theme From Ghost Patrol" (above), is the work of directors Jean Balest and Sam [...]
"Never trust the teller, trust the tale." Or something. That's what we were told once. There is a kind of narrative behind this record. That a dissolute bunch of musos from LA finally got their shit together after a decade of internecine splits, excesses and excuses. Good soil to grow rock legend in. Which is a diversion from the unavoidable issue that this is a record indebted to Iggy Pop, and late 70s Bowie, reminding us that people were calling this 'record collection rock' over a decade ago. When these guys were passed out we presume. Think of a 70s [...]
The latest - and last - album from Glen Campbell tops the list of new releases this week. And I'm not just saying that because he covered a Guided By Voices song...but that doesn't hurt, either. Other stuff worthy of your time includes the Brian Jonestown Massacre singles collection, as well as the new Male Bonding , Beirut and Hella . I'm also intrigued by the Cymbals Eat Guitars , Icarus Line and Tommy Keene records, but I haven't spent much time with [...]
Two U.K. greats from the '90s — Mark Gardener of Ride (pictured) and Adam Franklin of Swervedriver — highlight the lineup for the fifth Clean Air Clear Stars Festival at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace on Sept. 23 and 24. Franklin will be performing with his band Adam Franklin & Bolts of Melody at the annual psych-rock-leaning affair, a benefit for the Arbor Day Foundation that also will boast appearances from the Icarus Line , the Morning After Girls , the Warlocks , Miranda Lee Richards , the Gram Rabbit [...]
Today we feature Ladytron, Prince Edward Island, Howling Bells, No Ceremony and The Icarus Line. Ladytron. Let us be clear so there is no misunderstanding, I love Ladytron, their icy, hauntingly sinister goth electronica continues to fill my heart with unbridled joy. Their latest offering "Mirage" which appears on their forthcoming album,' Gravity The Seducer,' has reaffirmed and indeed justified my infatuation... It's in stores September 12 (UK) / September [...]
Mark Sovel (aka Mr. Shovel) is back in business of premiering new tunes — the former music director of the dearly departed Los Angeles FM station Indie 103.1 (2003-'09) has launched an online video series. Residing on his new website MrShovel.com and on Vimeo, Sovel's series takes the name of his old local music show "Check One Two" and runs with it. Sovel, who also did a midday show at Indie and served as Steve Jones' producer on "Jonesy's Jukebox" (the Sex Pistol anointed him Mr. Shovel), produces the videos himself, and the first two are [...]
STREAM: The Icarus Line - Let It Fall (demo) While we await the straight ripper that is Wildlife, due this August, our internet buddy honcho Travis Keller posted this gem of a demo (gemmo? or is that too British?) from a prospective new album following suit this fall for his own label. Not only are The Icarus Line back, but they seem to rolling and rocking and knocking it finally down. Their ability to disappear in the past was always been their detriment since they have the songs, but hopefully [...]
Music is a visceral thing. Making music is no different. "This record did not just make itself and get into your hands by accident today. It was written, produced, and recorded under the constant threat of extinction," says Joe Cardamone, of The Icarus Line , on their upcoming album "Wildlife". Out August 30th on Cobraside Distribution/ Roar Scratch Records, the LP is a collection of songs that perfectly capture the raw feelings that pure rock n' roll music is supposed to emote. The album features guest appearances from Annie Hardy, of fellow LA rock outfit Giant Drag, and Ariel [...]
After a bit fresh garage rock to wake you up on this rainy afternoon? We've got two mpfreebies for you today, courtesy of Crystal Antlers and The Icarus Line. First up, the title track from Crystal Antlers' second full-length studio album (out July 11th). The band began recording the 11-track LP in September 2010 in their hometown of Long Beach, California, working with producer Ikey Owens (as well as engineers Athony Arvizu & Jeff Lewis, the team behind their debut EP). Read more...
DANTE VS ZOMBIES + THE DOUBLE NEGATIVES + VOWS + THE ICARUS LINE ON MON., JUN. 13 AT THE ECHO, 1822 SUNSET BLVD. 8:30PM / FREE / 21+. ATTHEECHO.COM
Try to think of terms that say rock and roll band: danger, sleeze, sex, charisma, Ike Turner, Stooges, hipshake...knife fight? The Icarus Line has it all in spades. Having them pop up every few months on the live radar is like a big game of duck duck goose: band, band, band, band, BAND, band, band. Their sets are invariably thrilling, their songs original and, after over a decade, they continue to produce fresh and vital material: their set at the Echo to close out The Bixby Knolls' residency included a couple old gems mixed in with material from the TWO [...]
CANNONEERS, WAKE UP LUCID, THE BIXBY KNOLLS, AND THE ICARUS LINE ON MONDAY MAY 30TH AT THE ECHO, 1822 WEST SUNSET BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES. 8:30PM/ FREE/ 21+
Your Memorial Day shows –– All free: ►Since He's My Brother, She's My Sister just played with Alexander in New York this weekend, Vaud and the Villains [pictured above] will take over the last night of their residency at the Satellite. The 18-piece, who could have been plucked right out of a 1920s speakeasy, closes the night out. The Silverlake Chorus and Paulie Pesh open. ► If you missed the High Highs last night [see their video for "Open Season" ], you have one more [...]
The Icarus Line has been making music and mayhem for a decade now, surviving bumps and bruises and embracing the notion that rock 'n' roll should be a bit reckless, if not downright dangerous. Except for a single released early last year, the band has been pretty silent since 20072s rockin' "Black Lives at the Golden Coast." But today main man Joe Cardamone unveiled a new track, "Bad Bloods," along with an announcement that a new album is en route in early August on an imprint called Roar Scratch, which also will release the new Giant Drag album. GD's [...]
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