I loved the weather out there. It was in the mid 60's most of the week, with rain only on our last full day. The first day out there, I got to check out the Santa Monica pier. Really beautful view, the beach looked nice. The most surprising thing, was the large amount of homeless folks just milling around and sleeping on the beach. They were everywhere. Brings a whole new meaning to the term, Beach Bum. I got to check out the greatest Welsh band ever, the Super Furry Animals. They were simply amazing, playing two great shows, one in Holllywood at the Avalon, the other at the House Of Blues in Anaheim. They also made a visit to
KCRW, Los Angeles' biggest public station, for a Morning Becomes Eclectic session. Before the first show, I ate some great Cal-Mex food at this place called the Border Grill. Really good stuff. I found it on Citysearch and it had rave reviews. The design reminded me of lots of NYC spots, with lots of bright colors and huge murals, but the food, was undeniably very California. The show that night was at the Avalon, formerly known as the Palace. A really beautiful building, with lots of history behind it. The parking lot also had a really great view of the Capitol Building too. 
The sound was great, it had this cool two level dressing room and Super Furries slayed. Playing a great set. The next morning was dreadful, having to wake up at 6am to head over to KCRW for the Furries MBE session. Then came the drive. Yes, the drive from Santa Monica to Anaheim, was hellacious. It took close to two hours for a drive that should have taken about 45 mins. LA traffic sucks. The 405 is awful, the 10 is too. Driving sucks out there. And of course, no one walks anywhere, it's a total car culture. So different from NYC. Anyhow, the hotel in Anaheim was awesome. Huge room, the bed was gigantic, and super clean. that night the Super Furry Animals played the House Of Blues, which was actually in Downtown Disney. Which means you had to go through the park to get in. We got to see some Disney fireworks, which were actually pretty good. I guess they do this every night. The show was amazing, the venue sounded great, and the fans were totally into it, with kids actually dancing.
The next day I had to drive back from Anaheim to LA. Fun times. More traffic. Yay! As I got off the freeway, I made it over to near Dodger Statdium, off Route 66 area, and headed over to Olivera Street. Named after the first County Judge, Agustin Olvera, in 1877. It's a colorful Mexican market place and has the oldest brick house in the city, the Avila Adobe. Feasted on some amazing Mexican Food there too.
Yummy shrimp tacos with rice, salsa, and good ole Pacifico beer. Later on that night, went out for some really good sushi and saw lots and lots of crazy Scientology buildings. They are everywhere. Eventually made my way over to some Urb dj night at this place called Joseph's. Hipster night, very much in the same way lots of NYC nights are. Friday was the day to head over to the Getty Museum. It was a great experience. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the complex is constructed to highlight both nature and culture. The building itself is brilliantly constructed out of cleft-cut Italian travertine, with beautiful gardens and layed out on a hill, so many of the terraces overlook much of LA. In the buildings youl'll find European paintings, drawings, manuscripts,
sculptures and decorative arts, even photographs. One of the coolest displays was news photography of Arthur Fellig, who became known in the 1930s as Weegee. Really cool stuff, most of which was based around New York City. The European paintings were great too, showing works by Monet, Cezanne, Titian, and Munch among many others. The Getty was a real treat, and I highly recommend checking out if you're in the LA area. Ended the night with a great drive on scenic Mullholland Drive, then some late night snacks at Pink's Famous Hotdogs. Saturday morning, before the flight, I got to check out the La Brea Tar Pits and some of the Wilshire shopping district, as well.
On my flight back, I listend to the Jazz June album, The Medicine. Originally released back in May of 2000, on Louisville's Initial Records, it's sees this band at their creative peak. Produced by J. Robbins at Inner Ear Studios it's a hooky and emotive indie rock album, with driving melodies and some really snazzy drum work. I loved this album then, and I still do. Wish they would have gotten a little more credit and fan appreciation, like bands as Cursive, Engine Down and Jets To Brazil.
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