Art Tavana

Sissy Spacek; Credit: Courtesy of the Artist

The 20 Best Punk Bands in L.A. Right Now

Art Tavana
For the writer tasked with classifying, ranking, and co-opting the punkness of our local scene — in a listicle, of all things, the journo's tawdriest scheme — there's a sense of duty, combined with an undeniable desire to judge the cool kids. But I've fraternized enough to build some allies over......
James Supercave performing at last year's Red Bull Sound Select Presents: 30 Days in L.A.; Credit: Photo by Misha Vladimirskiy/Courtesy of Red Bull Sound Select

Why Is Super-DIY Band No Age Playing a Corporate-Sponsored Music Festival?

Art Tavana
Since the 1990s, Red Bull has been sticking its logo on anything an athlete can ride. The energy-drink company has cultivated some history-making moments in the process, such as sponsoring Felix Baumgartner's wacky decision to skydive from the stratosphere. Red Bull also has attached its wings to music. The company......
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Best All-Ages Venue

Art Tavana
The pungent odor wafting through the Smell's brick-walled interior is special. It's not just a smell; it's the grimy remnants of 170 shows booked every year by and for teenagers who come to the Smell for their own oasis amidst the junkies, drunks and cops of DTLA. For 17 years,......
Credit: Franky Flowers

Best All-Ages Venue

Art Tavana
The pungent odor wafting through the Smell's brick-walled interior is special. It's not just a smell; it's the grimy remnants of 170 shows booked every year by and for teenagers who come to the Smell for their own oasis amidst the junkies, drunks and cops of DTLA. For 17 years,......
Credit: Courtesy of Colleen Green

Best Solo Artist

Art Tavana
With just a drum machine and distorted guitar, Colleen Green creates bubble-gum punk that's as relatable as grunge, catchy as new wave and dark as her knockoff Wayfarers. She's the quintessential bedroom artist, spending most of her time alone, sketching out songs on her rug-burned MacBook and creating her own......
Hipster fatigue at FYF 2013; Credit: Photo by Art Tavana

Dear FYF, Your Lineup Is Bumming Me Out

Art Tavana
An open letter to Sean Carlson, founder of Fuck Yeah FYF Fest: Hi, Sean. So I was just listening to Jason Bentley's monotone-prattle on "Morning Become Un-Eclectic," and well, I thought we should chit-chat for sec. Perhaps over an iced coffee at some artisanal joint? But first, can you turn......
Vision: brothers Phillip Dominick (drums)

Hear a New Track From Vision, East L.A.'s Answer to Britpop (PREMIERE)

Art Tavana
L.A.'s equivalent to England's "working class" is the native without a safety net; the local band with more soul in their war-torn Chucks than an entire band of surfers embracing faux-poverty while collecting vintage tube amps. Thankfully, Fullerton's Burger Records gave one of those gritty local bands a chance to......