Show info is here, if you’d like to read a bit more about it.

So many shows, so little time! If you don’t know about The Big Pink, you can hear them pretty regularly on KCRW now; I have to admit I was utterly annoyed by the lyrics of “Dominoes,” but that’s just my petulant feminism and bitterness about dating too many boys in bands. When I stop to listen to the layers of sound behind the words, it’s a crazy big sonic-scape that combines the best of shoegaze, deep house and Stone Roses/Oasis/Radiohead’s “Kid A.”

And Royksopp, our somber, crunky disco pals from Norway–well, how could anyone choose between these shows?

Too bad! You’re going to have to choose. To win tix to either show, you have to explain why you love either The Big Pink or Royksopp THAT much–or for a dark-horse kind of entry, you can profess your love for Crystal Antlers.  I have a handful of ticket pairs for each show, so go crazy & good luck.

But I’m sure he’s not such a douchebag in real life, and Alison is just great, so you should go see this show.  Want tickets? Tell me about a musician you think is so awesome & talented, or so attractive & lucky, that you’ve found yourself oozing resentment every time you see them. I will feel your pain and assign tickets accordingly.

Info on the show is here.

Oh well. I may be boned for attending this one, but you should go. To win tickets, leave me the best excuse you’ve ever made up or heard for missing an event. Because I may need to find a good excuse so I can attend this show.

Show info is here.

Hello Los Angeles! I’m CuriousJosh, happily here on loan courtesy of LA Weekly. Read on for vampires, live art, Miss Jackson–if you’re nasty–Hello Kitty, underground DJs, and wig socialization opportunities.

Downtown Artwalk (Thursday)
Thousands converge for this culture crawl through Los Angeles’ downtown art district. Visit an array of galleries, speckled with live music, wine, craft sales, and more. FREE

I AM A LASER (Thursday)
When artwalk dies down, the culture continues. DJs and Live art highlight the new monthly I AM A LASER artwalk afterparty at Club Nokia. This month features DJ Take (Dublab/Alpha Pup/Los Angeles), R/D (The Designed Disorder), LC (Cannibal Flower/Think Space), live artwork by Hans Haveron, live painting by John Park, and roving photography by Curious Josh.  $10.

Wig Out! (Thursday)
Get your wig out, and join this offbeat crowds monthly themed wig party. This month DJ My Little Pony, DJ Spinny, and performance art troupe Art of Bleeding spearheads the medical themed health care night. Tonight’s a perfect opportunity to use that Halloween naughty nurse outfit you thought would stay in the closet until next year. $8 with wig/ $10 without. At Bordello. (Great parking and safe!) 901 E 1st St, 90012.

Click thru for vamps, tribal DJ parties, one spooky Kitty, and wardrobe malfunctions en masse.

The Do Lab presents Bluetech (Thursday)
The Do Lab combines creative environment fabrication, with an ability to showcase music and artists. Known for Coachella’s Misting Oasis, outlandish event facades, and enormous art installations at Burning Man, their most recent event was a renegade roller-disco bowling party in a downtown alley. Thursday Bluetech, MiMosa, and Electric Dandelion provide soundscapes highlighted by The Do Lab’s colorful club envisioning. King King, 6555 Hollywood Blvd. $15 presale, $20 door.

Hello Kitty’s Bats and Cats Masquerade (Friday)
Hello Kitty goes gothic with Bubble Punch’s (http://bubblepunch.wordpress.com) masquerade at Royal/T. Gothic inspired attire is appropriate for Hello Kitty’s Halloween season wonderland with DJ Amanda Jones, the Wandering Marionettes, and a photo booth featuring Hello Kitty herself! FREE, Royal/T Cafe, 8910 Washington Blvd.

Janet Jackson Flash Mob (Saturday)
Interested in showing Los Angeles your dancing skills and Janet Jackson appreciation? The Janet Jackson Flash Mob descends on unsuspecting Los Angeles locals this weekend. RSVP to FlashMobAmerica (at) gmail (.dot.) com with your email and phone number for details, and watch this youtube video for the simple choreography. FREE.

The Vampire Ball at Ruin Hollywood (Saturday)
Ruin Hollywood kicks off it’s biweekly residency with Saturday’s Vampire Ball. Dress in your bloodsucking finest, and join the darker side of Los Angeles club culture. Music genres feature Darkwave, Trip Hop, Dark Indie, Dark 80’s, Tribal, World Fusion, NeoClassical, Ethereal, Downtempo, Synthpop and Avant Garde with DJ Xian (Malediction Society, Ruin Hollywood, Wumpskate) and DJ Baron (Bar Snister, Severance, Disco.Nekro). Every 2nd & 4th Saturdays. Doors 10PM-2:30AM · $10 Entry, $5 before 10:30 with RSVP. 21+. 3100 Wilshire Blvd, LA, 90005. The entrance and a $5 valet located down S. Westmoreland, east of Vermont.

…

That’s right people! Step right up and get your tickets to see the world-famous Raveonettes onstage in all their dessicated, fruity, chocolaty glory!

Kidding. There’s nothing dessicated or fruity about Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo, even though their names are weird. Although the candy comparison isn’t entirely off–their music lately has become downright dirty, the kind of grungy (not grunge), crusty, fuzzed-out sonic landscapes layered over candy-coated melodies you expected from bands like Jesus & Mary Chain, Stone Roses and more recently, Autolux. So, envision a delicious Mike & Ike dropped on the floor of the dollar movie theatre, and you get my drift. I freaking love this band and I’m pissed I can’t go to this show, but you can, you lucky spud.

To win, tell me your favorite kind of candy in the comments. I’m a candy nut, and we only have one pair of tix to give away, so you better make it good.

Well, that’s the plan, at least (info). Here’s the man in his own words: “November, Friday the 13th, I will attempt to beat the world record of ‘most tattoos done in 24 hours.’  I have learned that the actual number to beat is 801 tattoos set on Nov. 17, 2008 by Hollis Cantrell.  That is an incredible amount of tattoos to do in 24 hours. I began to wonder if I should still do this…This is twice the amount of tattooing I had anticipated.”

But he’s got a lot in his favor: he’s a great artist, as you can see by the photos, and he’s offering four designs to keep the process streamlined: one, a cute little bat; two, the classic “LA”; third, a heart with wings; and fourth, lucky number 13–since it’ll be Friday the 13th when he does this. And you can’t argue with the price: $20 for the first, $10 for each additional one. You can check out Jeremy’s blog here.

Stop by even if you’re an indecisive wuss like me and not gonna get ink done: they’re gonna have live music, tasty food, booze, t-shirts with a custom design you can see in this photoset I just made, and a raffle for cool stuff.

The Downtown Palace

Ooooooo, spooky! Former frontman of the Strokes, Julian Casablancas, has a residency at the Palace Theatre this month, and damn is this show hot! It’s the first time in quite a while that anyone has played a rock show there, in this gem of a classic Broadway movie house–so you can listen to a guy from New York sing songs about New York while in a venue that is actually as old as the ones in New York–a rarity out here, I know.

His new album is really pretty good–we’ve all been listening to it around at work–and I know you’ll enjoy the show. So we’ve got tickets for you! To win, tell me your favorite garage rock band. “Garage rock” is an elastic term, so you can tell me everything from Weezer to the Ramones to Death (the Detroit punk band). Hey, ho! Let’s go!

I admit it. After my first cassette tape–Stacey Q –I then acquired two from Huey Lewis and the News.

I listened, somewhat nonplussed by the deep and complex narratives and unable to appreciate the profound artistic flourishes, because I was only maybe eleven years old. If I had only known. If I had only known.

Wanna go to the show? I just bet you do. It’s the POWER OF LOVE.

Ok, I’ll stop. Comment & tell me the first piece of music you bought. LP, EP, cassette, CD, maybe you’re 12 and it was a mp3. Whatever. Let me know, & be sure to check your email regularly in case you win!