Shop Stop - Thrift Edition

Thanks to the girls from Fabulous On A Budget for posting this very informative YouTube video on how to succeed in thrift store shopping. I knew a few of these laws of the land before, but never put them into such a comprehensive document. They also brought up some points I never considered before, like buttering up the staff. Anyway, take a look, and then see some of my recent thrift store finds below. These are soldiers that I left on the battlefield, but were memorable enough to be photographed.

Tiki style coffee table. Note the metal lined wells in the lower shelf. Planters?

I imagine these came from a law office or a back room poker club.

Teak chair. This is just a smart timeless piece of design.

Sorry if this picture gives you vertigo, this thing was actually sitting on its side. Those are orange and brown stripes PAINTED onto gold velvet. Brilliant!

Tape Deck - Sunset Junction

Hey guys! Here's the bands that I'm going to see at Sunset Junction this weekend! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see everyone there, and eat junk food, and drink beer in the sun, and ride the rides.....What's that?....Sorry, say again?...No, it can't be canceled....< Google search>...WHAT??? 

So I'm open this weekend if anyone wants to hang. Here's the bands that I WOULD HAVE seen had they not been CANCELED....

KD Lang

The Butthole Surfers

The Vandells, and other ladies of Motown

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Tapes n' Tapes

He's My Brother She's My Sister

Seriously though..... This probably means that the non-profit group (Sunset Junction Neighborhood Alliance) who has put on Sunset Junction for 30 years will go broke and we will never see it again. "Thanks" City of LA. But it's not the city's fault. It's really the fault of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council who complained about last year's packed crowd, and the fences that had to be put up, ironically, to keep the surrounding neighborhood clean. My question to them: Do you even know what neighborhood you live in? I would expect this from Beverly Hills, but not Silver Lake. I'll say it here first: Silver Lake, congratulations, you've done it. You are now gentrified. You suck.

Click here to see where some of the bands have rescheduled their performances.

Shop Stop - Marukai

Here are some cool finds that I saw at Marukai in Gardena last weekend. These can only be found at the Gardena location because it's the one with a home department. I know it sounds far, but it's right off the 110.

Black lacquer chair with three legs

Sheer curtain panel with LED Christmas lights sewn in

White globe hanging light with silk flowers shade

Table top lantern with decorative twigs

Ceramic from with huge eyes

Tape Deck

Sorry it took me so long to give you all a recap of the bands that I saw at Sunset Strip Music Festival and what I thought of them. I really should have gotten to it sooner. What can I say? I was stressing over Sunset Junction being canceled this weekend. In any case, here they are..... I linked some of them to their MySpace pages. I know it's very 2005, but its the easiest place to listen to music for free.

School of Rock
It's kids planing in a band, so I can't say anything bad. The kids were actually really impressive. They were all right on point, and the singers - all the ones I caught were girls - had very mature voices for their age and size. But I do have to say it seems like about half are into the attention and not the music, and the other half are into the music, but would rather not be on stage. Click here to them cover Gwen Stephani. That's little Ava Cohen singing lead, she is definitely my fav.

Cobra Starship
They are best known for their club hit Good Girls Go Bad but I would argue that they are better than their reputation. Their performance was neat and clean. Very sharp just like their looks and their vocals. They had the best commentary between songs too.

She Wants Revenge
They were alright. Their best days are behind them for sure. The lead singer was a little too strung out, he even started into the wrong song at one point and his basest had to stop him and correct him.

Jordan Cook
I had some free time between bands scheduled in to see if I could stumble upon someone new, and I did. The very talented, and Canadian, Jordan Cook. The best part of his performance was watching him sing and play guitar, then play drums and guitar simultaneuously, then play harmonica and guitar at the same time, then go back to singing and guitar, all in one song, all without skipping a beat. Literally.

Deluka
British punk band with a female lead singer. Good, but not totally memorable. Better on their recordings than they are live.

Matt & Kim
By far my number one with a bullet favorite of the day. This is now the band whose album is on repeat in my car. It's just the two of them, and it's like watching a pair of A.D.D. class clowns putting all that energy toward banging on the band equipment. They had more energy, synergy, and charisma than every other band I saw put together. Highlights were Kim showing a weird tattoo, and a thousand blue balloons being thrown into the air on the count of four. I am buying up all their music on iTunes, and memorizing all their songs, and at next year's festival I'll be in the front row singing along to all their lyrics.

Bush
This is when everyone else showed up at the festival so I was way in the back for this one, but from what I could here Gavin was great, sounded just line in high school. Looked for Gwen, but couldn't find her.

Public Enemy
These guys had like 25 people on the stage, it was really impressive. Master P has great stage presence, and Falava Fav wore a big clock around his neck - the crowd really went wild for him. For being in their 40's (I'm guessing), they moved really well, like they were still in their 20's. Great job, I would see them again for sure.

All in all, this was an awesome festival. I can't believe I saw all these bands in one day, and they really were all very good. I'm still sad about Junction being canceled this weekend, but I think I'll survive on the musical sustenance that I had from this day.

What I would do with $2 million....

Another significant piece of architecture on the market.....Read the history here. See more pictures, and more about the listing here.

Tape Deck

Check out the first single from the yet unreleased Feist album; Metals.....

This is promising. I love her. Love her music. Can't wait to hear more.

Line Up

Bands I'm planning on seeing at this weekend's Sunset Strip Music Festival....

PUBLIC ENEMY
EAST STAGE
7:00 – 8:15 p.m

BUSH
WEST STAGE
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

MATT & KIM
EAST STAGE
5:10 – 6:00 p.m.
 I just found out about this band, and I think they are awsome! http://www.myspace.com/mattandkim

SHE WANTS REVENGE
WEST STAGE
3:10 – 3:50 p.m.

COBRA STARSHIP
EAST STAGE
2:30 – 3:10 p.m.
This is a newer band. You might know their club hit I Make Good Girls Go Bad. The rest of their music is not as douchy. http://www.myspace.com/cobrastarship

School Of Rock – Hollywood
Whisky A Go-Go
2:35 – 2:55 p.m.
This is an extra special treat. The kids from the School of Rock music school in North Hollywood will be performing. http://www.schoolofrock.com/. I don't usually get all gaga over kids, but look at this cute YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb4eh2YNEs4. The volume levels are off, but that might just be the video. Those boys on guitar carry a melody better than most "grown-up" bands I've seen. And that little girl has a career ahead of her.

I hope I see some of you there.