The Radar Screen
September 15, 2003
by Alexander Washburn

LA on Radar

One too many emails have come Radar Screen’s way talking about an East Coast bias. Hey folks – the travel budget is not what it use to be here at 2 Walls. However, at the end of the day, you have to listen to the fans, so Radar Screen rolled some coins, packed some music and headed out west to answer the demand.

First stop was the venerable Pitcher House in Hermosa Beach where local favorites Jettson were slated to entertain the crowd. Jettson may be the only band in LA featuring a lead guitarist that jammed with U2 at the ripe old age of 15. Spies on the scene at that concert say guitarist Jeff Springer was destined for greatest and judging from his beautiful and preggers wife, Denise, she must’ve realized that too.

Even though Jettson started off with a short acoustic set, featuring solid songs "Sugar Mountain" and "I Want You to Know," they proceeded to plug in and turn up the volume. You can hear traces of the Foo Fighters and Bob Mould from his Sugar days in Jettson’s music. The set was dominated by thoughtful originals while some contained humorous lyrics like “Southern Girl” who “loved to play the banjo.” When Jettson wasn’t banging out great originals, their lead singer was doing dead-on Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes. This being LA, Radar Screen was kind of hoping that the beautiful and preggers Kate Hudson would show up – but a quick glance around the Pitcher House revealed the place was filling up with So Cal hotties, making the scenery equally as awesome as the music.

The same can’t be said for Nothing Shocking, the lame-ass Jane’s Addiction cover band that followed Jettson. With the sound manipulated so the lead singer could sound like Perry Farrell and a smoke machine to distract you from the kindergarten-style playing of the band. RS would rather spend the evening reading Pigs at the Trough by Arianna Huffington than listening to Nothing Shocking butcher "Pigs in Zen." And please tell me, what kind of cover band plays "Been Caught Stealing" without the barking dog? That was the sentiment shared by Jennie (Oh Jennie), right before she gave RS the Heisman.

Summertime, We’ll Be Together

Walking up Westwood Blvd. at 4pm a sign in the window of a Borders Book Store caught RS’ eye. An in-store appearance by the Headhunters at was scheduled for 3pm. Knowing that musicians are traditionally late, RS took a chance, hoping to see the legend Bill Summers up close and personal. The music had stopped but there was Summers talking on his cell phone, acting like he wasn’t the greatest percussion player alive. Now, Radar Screen is use to hanging out with notables, whether it’s catching up with Charlie Hunter at the Mercury Lounge, chilling with Harry Belafonte on the Upper West Side, or being invited to private in-studio rehearsal sessions with Mike Webb and Chris Orcutt of Spitball fame. But Summers is of a different ilk. Nerves took over, mispronouncing Los Hombres Calientes and forgetting about the free concert the Headhunters put on in Battery Park earlier this summer. My freakiness didn’t stop Bill Summers from signing my copy of the new Headhunters CD and comping two tickets to their show later that evening at the Temple Bar.

This Month Radar Screen Picks Up…

Whiskey Hill by Porter. So, let’s get this straight, Radar Screen flies all the way out to LA and ends up reviewing a band he could’ve taken the L train to go see in Brooklyn? With that being said, Whiskey Hill from Blue Monster Records was one of the few CD’s that made the cross-country journey and RS is sure happy about that. This record flows real well between rock, jazz and jam band music. The two and a half years drummer Stefan Monssen spent in West Africa is well served, as the introduction of African drums doesn’t complicate nor hinder matters. The music is complex and often times you find yourself wondering if you’re listening to the same record. It’s not just the music that shines as the vocals by Peter Fand, Porter’s founder and brain-trust, are also top-notch. Standout tracks include: “What I’ve Learned,” and “Whiskey.” RS has told you that Porter plays solid music that will satisfy the hippest jazz purist to the most stoned Phishhead but like their last track suggests, “If They Don’t Want To Listen,” Fuck ‘em..

Piano Drag: Possessions and Positions. Formed in 2000, this Riverside-based group released a record of songs that evoke motion, that are fluid and vibrant. This four-man group features three guitars, keyboards and lead vocalist Sean Dillingham on the Powerbook. Like the press kit says, Piano Drag is music for mature rockers. It maintains its power while challenging the listener to adapt shifting between electronic and organic music. With key tracks like “Play it as it Lays,” and “Redaway,” Piano Drag is truly what the revolution of rock can actually sound like.

Waiting for Kaila

One look at the official Kaila Yu website and you’ll understand why Radar Screen is fixated on a sit down interview. Your editor gave you a copy of her CD, on it which she sounds like J Lo, which is not necessarily a bad thing. After listening to it you get the feeling that Kaila can master any form of music that she puts her mind to. There’s talent there – you can hear it. Perhaps she just linked up with some over-ambitious producers who masked her great voice behind beat-heavy dance tracks. You email Kaila and days go by with no response. Finally, the call is returned but RS is too busy (and too stupid) to take the call. Kaila sends another email wondering when we can meet, and again, RS is too busy (and too stupid) to return it promptly. Now, hours before Radar Screen needs to be put to bed, you return the call only to get voicemail. You wait and wait, passing the time listening to Victor Duplaix and St. Germain (Not to be confused with Celia’s apartment building) CD’s. Of course, beautiful Chinese women who’s second frequently asked question according to her website is: “Why don’t you do hardcore porn?” probably has millions of guys trying to track her down on a daily basis. But it’s not everyday that RS is checked into the Beverly Hills Plaza and the interview can be done pool side, with Napa Valley wine being poured freely. Yes, if there ever was a time to pretend to be a big-shot, now is the time. You press and you press, but at the end of the day, you’re still waiting for Kaila.

Click here to read the Kaila Yu interview>>>

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Liner notes: Next month, Radar Screen is still pretending to be a big-shot in LA. Got a band in the LA area for Radar Screen to check out? Drop us a line at: radarscreen@2walls.com