Maybe some day people will realize that there is more to Los Angeles than celebrity-dating DJs and spawn-of-celebrity artists, that there actually is a crop of solid music groups out here that really deserve a bit of attention.
Take Tender Box, for example. Last night at Spy Club, I had a chance to see the band for the first time since the name change (they used to be Silent Grey). Despite the technical difficulty that thwarted what sounded like it might be a cover of the Cure's "Never Enough," the band played a tight set. These guys have definitely grown as musicians over the years and have turned their style of guitar-heavy, schooled-on-the-Brits style of pop into something that is poised to make an impact soon. "Mister Sister" is a radio hit waiting to happen. I suggest you download it from the band's My Space page. But, you know, buy it at the merch booth if you get the chance to see them.
The Mojo Filters followed with another impressive set of 60s soul-influenced rock. These guys play at least once a week somewhere in the city. There is no reason not to go see them.
Bands aside, I had a really great time at Spy Club. Dia played House of Love for me, which was a nice treat. I ran into an old acquaitance, Eric, who informed me that his band Love Like Heaven (formerly Riah) is working on some new music in the vein of "the La's and Suede." I hope to check them out live sometime in the near future. Then I heard some pretty heavy duty gossip from another friend regarding bona fide rock stars, which I shall not repeat here because I like being a tease.