Rock Picks: Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, Elvis Costello, Rock & Roll Summer Circus

Also, Flaming Lips, Clipse, Silk Flowers, the Muffs and others

Comments (0) By L.A. Weekly Music Critics Wednesday, Aug 12 2009

Sylvain Sylvain at the Knitting Factory
The recent reincarnation of the New York Dolls really emphasizes just how important rhythm guitarist Sylvain Sylvain is to the band. The late Johnny Thunders was often considered the true soul of the influential glitter-rock group, but Sylvain Sylvain (you can say that again) co-wrote several of the Dolls’ best songs, including their purest pop moment, the psychedelic-bubblegum masterpiece “Trash.” He composed the bulk of the surprisingly varied and sometimes even exotic music on the Dolls’ two generally excellent comeback albums, and he’s a major reason why the current lineup stands on its own and is on more than just a nostalgia trip. About the only drawback to the Dolls’ successful return is that it’s been too many years since Sylvain has toured here on his own, doing stylish power-pop songs from underrated solo albums like (Sleep) Baby Doll. Onstage with the Dolls, the chatty Sylvain serves as a willing fool and foil to singer David Johansen, but, without Davey Boy around to say “Hush!,” there’ll be no stopping him tonight. (Falling James)

Babyland: subverting expectations since 1989

The Icelandic singer Emiliana Torrini

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Also playing Thursday:

CARNEY, CAITLIN CROSBY, END ROULETTE at the Roxy; VENICE, LUKAS NELSON & THE PROMISE OF THE REAL at Santa Monica Pier; SMOGTOWN, KILLING CALIFORNIA, SUPERBUICK, BLOODHOOK at Alex’s Bar; AL QAEDA at the Echo Curio; CHRISTOPHER HAWLEY & PETER GOETZ, ELI GOLDSMITH, AMY WALLACE, TREVOR HALL at the Hotel Café; CHRIS PIERCE at Levitt Pavillion.