KXSC Fest Presents: The Dead Ships

The Dead Ships duo enthralled their observers with their punchy blend of garage-esque rock and blues-tinged sound during KXSC’s residency at Space 15 Twenty back in 2011.

Now a trio, The Dead Ships has been quickly trickling into the L.A. music scene and “Best of” lists. And with a recent month-long stint at The Echo, a packed schedule of performances at this year’s SXSW, Performing on The Live Show on KXSC, and a song once featured on the critically acclaimed anthropological show, “The Jersey Shore,” under their burgeoning belt, it looks like they’re here to stay for a little while.

 

There’s something nostalgic about the tunes that these Echo Park locals create, encompassing everything from head-banging anthems to more soulful, down-tempo tracks with catchy-as-hell hooks to rival acts who have been in this game much longer than them. There's also something about their music that encourages libation-induced sing-a-longs.

If this Echo Park trio is not on your radar, rest assured that after KXSC Fest this year, they will be.

The Dead Ships at The Live Show on KXSC

Facebook // MySpace // Bandcamp // Spotify

 -Candice Aman, The Live Show

KXSC Fest Presents: Unctuous Rump

If the name Unctuous Rump sounds vaguely familiar to you, that’s because this rapscallion student band once made Reddit’s front page for their music video featuring band members covering themselves in peanut butter as a feast for some lucky dogs. I begin with this fact because this music sounds like it could only be consummated through Reddit’s front page; Unctuous Rump makes songs that sound incredibly knowledgeable, and in the greatest, most complimentary sense possible, they do so while making complete fools of themselves in the process.

This carefree, borderline nihilistic comedy (a la The Dude) gives Unctuous Rump a feeling of complete sincerity in all their audio-visual, and social media antics. Scrolling through their Facebook page, I came across a YouTube link to a Japanther song, a link to the “Unctuous Rump live cam”, and an invitation to a show with the caveat “We are each really stupid”. There’s something in such a humor that I find incredibly endearing for a band that can cite Igor Stravinsky, Sun City Girls, and Norah Jones in their list of influences. Any other band that might do this and also attach an experimental noise demo to their Soundcloud profile--might come off as utterly pretentious, but totaling all these things together makes listening to Unctuous Rump a completely liberating experience. All of a sudden I want to give Reddit a second chance.

Facebook // Soundcloud

Michael Silvestre, Public Relations

KXSC Fest Presents: Barry Levine

Barry Levine is one of KXSC’s most vibrant characters, and not surprisingly, the longest-running DJ currently on-air. His weekly, two-hour long show The Bear’s Den showcases the greatest punk rock hitting your record store, or hitting your face in a mosh pit. Whichever is closer.

However, when Barry isn’t providing you with new punk songs to violate your eardrums (or working!), he composes his own acoustic punk rock songs. Barry’s songs channel the most acidic, albeit quieter, songs in
punk’s history; forgoing the bratty Sid Vicious snarl and replacing it with the Violent Femme’s dry wit or late-period Joe Strummer’s politically conscious acoustic songs. Listening to these tunes gives you the sense of someone that’s spent a significant amount of time with this genre’s history. Barry has elbowed, kneed, and bit the earlobe off punk, only to come out of it with a delicate understanding about how to make punk rock squeal, even if he only has an acoustic guitar strapped around his shoulder.

Barry’s classic cynicism works well with a chord progression reserved for a more lighthearted ditty. It’s self-deprecating, it’s hopeless, and most importantly it’s catchy.

Website // Facebook // The Bear's Den

-Michael Silvestre, Public Relations

KXSC Fest Vendor: AmazeBowl

If you want to pick up something delicious and FREE while at KXSC Fest, check out the Acai Bowls byAmazeBowl! To understand the Acai Bowl, you have to get to know know the acai berry. It's a superfood from the Amazon, rich in antioxidants, but most importantly very delicious with a dark chocolate-like taste. Along with the acai berry, the Bowl has good stuff like bananas, granola, strawberries, etc. Definitely make sure to stop by and chow down on one these.

Image via cookingpanda.com

-Rachel Brauer, KXSC Intern