Bad Kids - Black Lips

The Black Lips are a garage band that produces flowery punk songs. They formed 10 years ago when they were just teenagers. As they were about to go on their first tour, their guitarist was killed by a drunk driver. The Black Lips decided to go on.
Now they're known for their rowdy shows which can include fireworks, chickens, vomiting and more. In America, the most that can happen is they get kicked out of a venue. During their tour in India however, they got kicked out of the country. Here's their story.

They're playing at the Glasshouse in Pomona on Friday, January 22nd.

My Body's A Zombie For You: Dead Man's Bones

Two men, one actor, about 25 young kids, one musical group. Not your average band, right? Meet Dead Man's Bones, made up of Zach Shields and acclaimed actor Ryan Gosling. Their one and only album was recorded with the LA Silverlake Conservatory Children's Choir, who even joined them on their recent tour in late 2009. But their bizarreness doesn't end there. Along with impressive solos from some of the older members of the choir, Dead Man's Bones incorporates paper ripping for thunder, crying, and werewolf howling, among other things, into their songs. Some of their best tunes include "In the Room Where You Sleep", "Paper Ships", and "Pa Pa Power". Their eerie sounds and Halloween-ish music reminisces childhood feelings from The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Yet, it's unique sound is appropriate any time of the year.

Kids (MGMT Cover)- The Kooks

The Kooks are an indie rock band formed in Brighton, England in 2004. They are widely known for their famous songs "Naive" and "She Moves in Her Own Way" and their music has similar sounds ranging from artists like Artic Monkeys, The Killers, and The Fratellis. It's quite surprising that The Kooks did a cover for MGMT's notorious song "Kids" because the two bands differ in tastes. They are both considered indie alternative, but MGMT can be a bit more on the pyschedlic side. Nevertheless, The Kook made a superb, acoustic version of "Kids", so sit back and feel rejenivated through their mellow voices.

When I'm With You - Best Coast

"So when I'm with you, I have fun. Yeah when I'm with you, I have fun."
Although she's only 22 years old, Bethany Cosentino has already changed her musical style several times throughout the years. As a 16 year old, she recorded bittersweet anti-folk pop songs under the name Bethany Sharayah. A few years later, she was one half of the self described "Mary-Kate and Ashley of Drone" duo, Pocahaunted. After a bad year in college in New York, Bethany returned to California to start her lo-fi beach pop project, Best Coast, with her friend/former babysitter Bobb Bruno.
Best Coast tends to fall under the same shoegaze-but-not-quite category as other girl bands like the Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls, and Grass Widow, but Bethany's confident vocals and harmonies make her stand out from the rest. Every song radiates summertime nostalgia, ocean water, wav(v)es, and dreams of love.
Catch Best Coast and the Vivian Girls at the Smell on February 6th.

Let Go: Frou Frou

An oldie, but a classic nonetheless. Frou Frou, the two-member band consisting of Imogen Heap and Guy Sigsworth, only had a short lifespan of 2002-2003, but released one album containing this track. But it's real fame came from it's appearance in the film, "Garden State." This mellow, electronic tune accompanied by Imogen Heap's haunting, soothing voice will be stuck in your head all day. It's a tune that can be enjoyed if you're cruising down PCH or getting ready to fall asleep.