Adventures in Hollywood

I spent my last two nights hanging out in Hollywood.  More specifically, I spent the nights seeing a pair of concerts at the Avalon, a concert venue north of Hollywood Blvd and Vine.  The bands performing were Pelican, Circa Survive, and Thrice. 

Thursday night I stayed and watched all three acts.  I have never seen Pelican perform, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised.  I have read about them in Alternative Press; they were a band who, despite the norm, have no lead singer (of course the articles mentioned more than that, but you can track down and read the articles yourself).  When I heard they were the opening, I was curious to see how it was going to go.  They were great.  Their set was more along the lines of a laser light show accompanied with metal-ish music.  I can’t really describe their sound so much, but it’s along the lines of Between The Buried And Me without the growling and a little more melodic, almost Pink Floyd-ish.

The next act needs no introduction (well maybe a little one if you don’t know who they are): Circa Survive.  With the force of one the most beautiful sounding band names and probably the best front man of the new generation Circa Survive tore down the stage and had people screaming their lyrics in droves.  Anthony Green (the band’s infamous vocalist) danced around the stage like a possessed demon while belting out Circa mainstays such as “Act Appalled” and “Kicking Your Crosses Down.”  I highly suggest checking out this band.  Ever since the first time I saw them play back east (they are from Philadelphia – BONG!) I have been a huge fan.  It’s really hard to describe their music also except that it’s awesome.  I tried explaining them to Brian down at La Cita last weekend, but I found it really difficult, so just go their myspace or something and take a listen. 

Thrice was the headliner.  Now, I can remember the first time I saw Thrice play.  It was at the Electric Factory in Philly.  They played along side Coheed & Cambria and Thursday if your head can wrap itself around such a bill.  Thrice was born in the southern California punk scene and played punk fused with a little speed metal.  I think Vic Carreno turned me on to them, an old friend from college.  Anyway, recently, Thrice released an album entitled The Alchemy Index. It’s four smaller EPs, each with eight songs using the four elements as inspiration.  I’m not a fan.  I mean, it’s not a bad album, it’s just not a Thrice album.  I miss the old days when the show was a mass of mosh-pitters and loud vocals with the occasional acoustic jam.  I was disappointed with their performance Thursday night, as it was all over the place and not what I’m used to.  Now, I’m not entirely opposed to an band “growing up” a little, but Thrice changed it’s sound a lot and they don’t feel like the same old band.  Most of the show was the new stuff.  They opened with a couple tunes from Artist In The Ambulance and closed with “Deadbolt” from Illusion Of Safety but I feel like book-ending the show with hits just doesn’t make for a good show, especially when it’s little teeny-bopper emo chicks screaming “DEADBOLT” b/c that’s probably the only song they know.  I’m sure they have no idea what Identity Crisis even is.  All in all though, it was a decent show. 

Now Friday began like any other Friday, with an afternoon at The Whaler.  I came home, took a quick nap and made my way back to Hollywood.  Why? B/c if Circa Survive is playing, I’m there.  I went back to the Avalon like I did the night before.  Parked in the CNN building lot like I did the night before.  Walked up Sunset to Vine, then north on Vine to the venue, like I did the night before.  However, as I got closer to Hollywood Blvd, I noticed something different, unlike the night before.  Police cars kept buzzing by me.  Some guys I was standing next to noticed it as well and said something to the affect of “Something big must be going on.”  That’s when I noticed three, yes three, LAPD helicopters circling the intersection of Hollywood and Vine.  As I crossed over to the north side of the crosswalk, I turned to see an ocean of cop cars heading west on Hollywood.  Cars on Vine screeched to a halt as a white Ford Escort missing half of the front fender weaves through the traffic, tries to pull a u-turn, but instead breaks the front axle, slides up onto the south curb and smashes into the traffic light pole.  It was surreal seeing the crowd disperse like water after a fat guy jumps in a pool.  Especially b/c seconds before I was on that same corner.  Now dead where he stood, cops enveloped the car, guns in hand, and pulled the bloodied assailant from the vehicle, slammed him on the trunk of one of the black and whites, cuffed him, and threw him in the back of the car.  It… was… AWESOME!

After the police dispersed us onlookers, I went and watched Pelican and Circa Survive for the second time.  Circa played a completely different set, which was pretty dope.  It was the last night of the tour, so while they were playing, a whole mess of people (who I am assuming were techs and the other bands) crashed the stage during Circa’s last song, all dressed up like bandits and robbers and a horse and covered them with about five Costco toilet paper packaged full of TP.  It was pretty great.  I didn’t stay for Thrice b/c I’m sure their set was the same, and had no real desire to watch them again. 

My Friday ended like it tends to do from time to time with a trip to Busby’s with my friends from Punk’d. Brandon and Jared M. went out to meet Josh, who bartends there a couple nights a week in between acting gigs.  Nothing too special about last night at all; just a good time with friends. 

I found out this week my cousin Melissa went and got herself pregnant.  Way to go and get knocked up.  Just kidding.  She’s married and her and her husband Jake were planning on starting to try to have a kid this summer, but apparently when they threw caution to the wind on their trip to Jamaica… well let’s just say first time’s the charm in this case.   Look out people, the first of the next generation of Mallick’s will be here in December and if he/she turns out anything like the rest of the family, he/she is going to be a total riot.  Congrats to them, they deserve it, those two crazy kids. 

Tonight is Oki’s birthday, so for a third night, I will be heading into the ‘hood.  Different venue though.  I plan on stopping by to give the birthday boy a big kick in the nuts and catch up with Joe Montalbano and a few others who will probably make an appearance, stay for a bit, then make my way back down to La Cita. Why? B/c I have nothing else to do. 

Monday I finally go back to work.  I am doing the pilot with Dakota, so wish me luck.  Should be fun. 

I want to leave you with one last piece of inspiration.  To quote the amazing unrivaled Anthony Green: 

Nothing you ever planned on turns out the way you planned.