NoHo>LA

Elefant
by Megan Gaynes

Diego Garcia of Elefant; Photo by Neil Motteram mrdodgy.com

Elefant are one of the most enigmatic of the recent crop of New York bands; their music brings to life the Smiths, if they wrapped themselves in Psychedelic Furs. But, as it always seems to go, they’ve garnered less attention in comparison to trend-by-the-minute performers (and fellow New Yorkers), Interpol, the Strokes, and the rest. But, they continue a steady climb, with several tours opening for some of the biggest and brightest of the scene, as well as a January performance on Last Call With Carson Daly, and a recently shot music video for their song “Misfit,” which features Sports Illustrated cover model Petra Nemcova, Smashing Pumpkins Adore cover-girl Amy Wesson, and current Levi’s model Liliana Dominguez. Though the hot chicks won’t be coming along, Elefant themselves will be appearing a third time in California, this time headlining the Troubadour on March 10.

When it was only the second time Elefant had come through town (that time headlining the Echo), we spoke just a few hours before their show, as singer Diego Garcia happily worked his way through a steak, the rest of the band (bassist Jeff Berrall, typically one-sentenced drummer Kevin McAdams, and ‘enigmatically’ non-speaking guitarist Mod) waited for their venue-provided food.

MEGAN GAYNES: Was it you that put the band together, or did it all just fall into place?

DIEGO GARCIA: No, I had all these songs, and I needed an outlet. Since everyone does the singer/songwriter thing at Starbucks, I just went out and looked for the best musicians I could find. And I found them.

MEGAN: But you were in Circus before, with the singer of stellastarr*?

DIEGO: Yeah, yeah. I always forget about that! It was a little project. He played bass with us a little bit. But yeah, that was my band, and he saw us, and he said it himself, he started stalking us. He wanted to be in the band, and so we let him play bass. It was fun, he was a great guy... but it didn’t last. It was too precious; it kind of blew up. We were all living together, we did everything you shouldn’t do as a band. The drummer was from LA and she had a nervous breakdown and wanted to move out. She missed In’N’Out burgers too much. ‘Cause come on! In’N’Out is that good.

JEFF BERRALL: Touring’s enough.

MEGAN: What’s the cover photo of the album from?

DIEGO: It’s from this really good sculptress in New York. Or sculpter. Her name is Hopi Atherton and she’s just, almost amazing. She’s an incredible person. And so, we needed a cover, and she was like, let’s do it, but keep it ambiguous; let’s just try to capture the silhouette. So a lot of people think it’s me, but it’s actually a girl, a really small one. I went with a friend of mine and this really cheap photographer. We just walked up along the West Side highway along the water there. It’s a really cool picture, I think. It’s not touched at all, that’s how it came out.

MEGAN: Did you consider any other photos?

DIEGO: We considered a naked photo of Jeff for a while, but his penis was too big, and it would scare the little boys away…

JEFF: We were thinking about some controversy there.

DIEGO: Smell the glove!

DIEGO: I have to be careful what I say ‘cause you can take something and really run with it. The title of the piece will be “Jeff Berrall naked could’ve been the record.” Or “Jeff Has Huge Penis.” But you won’t do that.

MEGAN: Hey, it might make a great cover.

DIEGO: I’ve been taken out of context so many times. A few times it’s been ridiculous. I’m used to it now, but it’s just funny. They’ll take whatever I say just so it can fit the niche of the piece. ‘Cause a writer sometimes, in some magazines, they just want a really specific story.

KEVIN MCADAMS: He doesn’t speak ever, Mod. He’s the maestro.

The Checkers

Make a Move - Teenacide

Margot Olaverra, one of the founders of The Go-Gos, was kicked out of that band because she wanted to do edgier material, and now The Checkers are here to show us what it might’ve sounded like if she’d actually succeeded. Not that they’re too edgy – the title of this record tells you that right off the bat. Oh yeah, you’re the Checkers and you’re, like, telling us to make a move and stuff – clever! And the cover is a self-conscious echo of Blondie’s Parallel Lines and the chick singer keeps assuring us what a baaaaad girl she is, even though this is just catchy pop punk at best. Bottom line: it’s not going to change your world but if you’re not a punk rock purist it just might make for a little head-bobbin.’ -Iron Duke

Cinematic Orchestra

Man With A Movie Camera

Ninja Tune

This atmospheric instrumental album was recorded live during the screening of a silent documentary from 1929. One gets the feeling that it might be better appreciated while watching the film, and luckily there is a DVD available which has both. Still, as jazzy mood music goes, this is pretty good stuff. There's even a funky Jimmy Castor sample thrown in the middle to wake up anyone who starts to doze off. -Ryan Orvis

Crooked Fingers

Red Devil Dawn - Merge

Crooked Fingers' main man Eric Bachmann is the Neil Diamond of indie rock (which is not a bad thing). On Red Devil Dawn, Bachmann's crooning voice (which is disturbingly similar to Mr. Diamond's) wavers with gritty emotion and his songs bristle with desperate passion and fragility. The leader of the now defunct Archers of Loaf, Bachmann again offers an album centered around his perpetual struggle with inner demons and the human instinct to submit to temptation.

-Steve Parks

Division of Laura Lee

96-99 - Lovitt

The whole Swedish rock revival is still a little hard to understand. I mean, correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s been a long time since the Swedes seemed especially wild and, back when they did, it’s because they were thought to be sexually liberated in a way just about all Europeans are by now. These days the Swedes are known chiefly for affordable furniture and bands like Division Of Laura Lee. I guess you could do worse. A few songs remind you a little of Fugazi. Others sound like they long to hang out with Lemmy Caution at scuzzball stripper bars with lots of choppers in the parking lot. Hey, wouldn’t you feel that way if you came from Sweden, too?

-Iron Duke

Hella

Devil Isn’t Red – 5 Rue Christine

This record has a terrible reputation among fans of Hella’s first LP, Hold Your Horse Is, but the truth is, you’ve got to be a math rock freak to get into this no-vocal-anti-melody-two-man-drums-and-guitar stuff in the first place. It’s hard to say what all the rancor’s about. Maybe a couple of songs sound too much like actual songs. Maybe it’s the occasional hints of Industrial. As far as this writer’s concerned, most math rock sounds pretty much the same but, if you’re a novice, look first to Oxes, who don’t have a moral imperative against power chords, or especially to the Lightning Bolt of 13 Monsters – the one math rock cut that can truly take the top of your head off! -Iron Duke

James Chance

Irresistible Impulse – Tiger Style

Mixing no-wave and funk is about the worst idea I can think of, but considering today's climate of crappy electro bands, it makes sense to reissue these tracks from the late 70's New York scene. Apparently Chance was an electrifying performer in his day, but as this is a CD and not a live show, we're left with little to focus on besides his irritating vocals and squealing saxophone. In fairness, there is a pretty solid funk band playing on these tracks, but the overall vibe of sweaty cocaine constipation spoils the party early on. -Ryan Orvis

Lo-Hi

Say It More – Tiger Style

Featuring Hollis Queens and Jens Jurgensen from 90's sleaze-rockers Boss Hog, Lo-Hi present a stripped-down sound which fits nicely within the conventions of the current indie rock scene. Unfortunately, that's not saying much. The music is uninspired, and the Sleater-Kinney style vocals are shrill and annoying. There are a few decent riffs here and there, but that's not enough to make it float. Coming from indie veterans with solid credentials, it's quite a disappointment. -Ryan Orvis

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Pig Lib - Matador

Stephen Malkmus' latest solo effort (sure, the band is called the Jicks, but face it...this is a solo album) shows that while he hasn't grown substantially since the demise of his legendary indie band Pavement, he can still produce some damn fine music. Littered with goofy yet charming lyrical non-sequiters and richly angular melodies, Pig Lib is a playful CD that proves that Malkmus has enough wit and musical innovation to survive and perhaps even flourish outside of the massive shadow of his former band. -Steve Parks

Maroon 5 Songs for Jane - Octone

Someone should have told these guys to stop playing music in 1999 when they were called Kara's Flowers. Reprise tried, but lead singer Adam Levine went to New York City to try to find a new way to sell records and fulfill their lifelong dream of sell-out empiracy. Think of what would have happened had the Red Hot Chili Peppers mated with the Little Rascals. -John Damien

Notwist

Different Cars and Trains - Domino

Abandoning their punk roots, Munich’s Not-wist does a complete 180 with this EP. Pretty great music for a rainy day indoors, this album is almost entirely minimalist instrumental music. -John Damien

Estelle Reiner

I will never forget Estelle Reiner in the film When Harry Met Sally – “I’ll have what she’s having.” With only one line this funny lady made her mark! How many middle-aged women or older have since echoed her order? Now with her latest CD entitled Ukele Mama2, Reiner the chanteuse resurrects some really old tunes and with her inimitable snazzy jazzy style brings them to life for a new generation of listeners. When was the last time you heard “Ain’t She Sweet?”, “Ja-Da”, “My Blue Heaven”, “Jeepers, Creepers”? Never heard of them, you say? Estelle Reiner makes them SWING!! The famous wife of funny man Carl Reiner will be appearing at the Gardenia at 7066 Santa Monica Blvd on Friday, February 13 just in time for Valentine’s Day. Make your reservations early – (323) 467-7444.

-Don Grigware