CIRCLE PRESENTS: LOOM - DARK, SINISTER MISFITS COVERING NIRVANA SOUND

If you thought Savages‘ Jehnny Beth had the iciest stare in new music, think again. LOOM‘s Tarik Badwan has the art of gloweringly eyeballing crowds perfected already, making the aforementioned first lady of noir-punk seem about as scary as your nan. Debut single ‘Bleed On Me‘ encapsulates that brooding terror in its Misfits-by-Nirvana judders and yelps, a dark, sinister but exhilarating introduction to a very promising new band.

‘Bleed On Me‘ was released on Heart Throb Records on 3rd December. 

facebook.com/loomband

CIRCLE PRESENTS: THE HEARTBREAKS - MODERN 80S NEW WAVERS GOING FOR CHRISTMAS NUMBER 1

The Heartbreaks are giving away for free a very special Christmas cover song ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’. 


The band are set to release a brand new EP, ‘Hand On Heart’, on February 4th and features a selection of newly recorded material with strings arranged by the legendary James Banbury of The Auteurs (U2, Depeche Mode, Bloc Party etc.)


Matthew, vocalist of The Heartbreaks explains the motive of the new release, “We’ve always had a kind of intrinsic sense of drama, but with the addition of strings we were able to truly articulate a feeling of being widescreen, cinematic.

Rather than merely ‘sounding big’, we wanted to make music that, like those great Scott Walker, REM and Bunnymen records, was melodic, bold, elegiac… Something conceptual that would, even if just for an EP, take our music beyond its usual guitar and bass sound”

theheartbreaks.net

facebook.com/theheartbreaks

CIRCLE PRESENTS: HUSKY RESCUE – STUNNING AND ETHEREAL SOUND FROM FINLAND

Listen to the amazing ‘Deep Forest Green’ EP by exciting and forward-thinking Nordic experimental pop band Husky Rescue.


Husky Rescue’s Marko Nyberg, Anthony Bentley and Johanna Kalén) stunning and ethereal ‘Deep Forest Green’ EP, is no. 1 on iTunes Electronic Chart in Finland, is released on their own recently launched El Camino label and is one of the best EPs of 2012.






facebook.com/huskyrescueofficial

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PREMIERE ‘A LITTLE DEATH’ – ANOTHER DARK POP GEM FROM LOS ANGELES

Check out Los Angeles band The Neighbourhood’s ‘A Little Death’ the splendid B-side to the already excellent ‘Let It Go’, both taken from their debut EP ‘I’m Sorry’.

Formed by five friends in August 2011, The Neighbourhood are set to release their debut album, which was recorded in L.A. during the summer of 2012, in the spring of 2013.

The Neighbourhood are: Jessie Rutherford (vocals), Jeremy Freedman (guitar), Zach Abels (guitar), Mikey Margott (bass) & Bryan Sammis (drums).

The Neighbourhood are just one of the exciting new bands ready to break out in 2013.

thenbhd.com

PETE DOHERTY REVEALS HE'S USING AMY WINEHOUSE'S LYRICS ON NEW ALBUM

Pete Doherty has spoken about his plans for his new solo album and has revealed that he is using lyrics written by Amy Winehouse on one of the tracks. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Doherty has revealed that his new album will feature a duet with singer Suzi Martin named 'Bird Cage' with lyrics written by Winehouse. An acoustic version of the track will also be played over the credits of Doherty's new film Confession Of A Child Of The Century. 

The album, which Doherty is currently recording with producer Adem Hilmi, has six other confirmed song titles, which are 'Down For The Outing', 'Siberian Fur', 'Nothing Comes To Nothing', 'Shine A Light On Your Misery', 'Ba Ba Ba' and 'Dust On The Road'. 

Speaking about recording is progressing, Doherty said: "We've been cracking on. I've got a hard drive full of new songs and a few of them have taken more of a definite shape. Things that were ad libs and off the cuff, we're putting more into traditional song structure."

The album will be Doherty's second solo effort, after his first effort 'Grace/Wastelands' came out in 2009. 

albionrooms.com

JACK WHITE WAS THE YOUNGEST OF 10 CHILDREN

Jack White felt like a 'kid in the '40s from Europe' growing up.

The former White Stripes frontman has recalled his challenging upbringing. He came from a large family, being the youngest of ten children, and was raised in a lower middle-class neighbourhood in Detroit, Michigan.

'My mom's Polish and she was born in the Depression. I was raised by people who were senior citizens, along with nine brothers and sisters. So I was really raised like a kid in the '40s from Europe, plucked in the middle of blue-collar America,' he told the January edition of Esquire magazine. 'We'd go to Catholic school and that was a decaying religion in Detroit at that time because there were no white people left ' they'd all moved away ' and Detroit was already decaying as well.'

Although Jack had a tough childhood, he says his early years had a huge impact on his desire to pursue a career in music.

'But all of that showed me the beauty of music, song-writing structure, family, folk, culture. All those were involved in constructing how I looked at the world,' he explained.

The 37-year-old musician struggled to connect to children in his neighbourhood. Jack had very different interests to most of his school mates, and also admits he was heavily influenced by his older siblings.

'I went to an all-Mexican school and graduated to an all-black high school, and I'm coming home and watching The Godfather and listening to Hank Williams and reading about the Second World War, and at school everyone's doing none of that!' Jack laughed. 'You don't really know what's cool any more, and I had so many older brothers and sisters and I cared what they thought so much. I was indoctrinated to assume that if I was ever going to attempt anything new in my life, it had to be approved through that committee.'

whitestripes.com

facebook.com/thewhitestripes

DITA VON TEESE STARS IN MONARCHY’S ‘DISINTEGRATION’ NEW VIDEO

We can’t wait to check out Monarchy’s new video for ‘Disintegration’ featuring splendid muse Dita Von Teese

After seeing Monarchy perform at Coachella in 2011 Dita Von Teese started tweeting about them. The first one was “Currently listening to Monarchy and Cut Copy. What music are you listening to that doesn’t suck?”.

They began emailing. Dita described herself as a “super-fan”, and she invited Monarchy to DJ at one of her private events in London in October 2011. They chatted for an hour.

It’s late December 2011 and Dita invites Andrew from Monarchy to spend five days over Christmas with her and her friends, staying at her flat in Paris. Less than 24 hours later, Andrew is stepping off a plane in Charles De Gaulle airport. These invitations don’t come every year.

The days consisted of private tours of Musee D’Orsay, dinner up the Eiffel Tower, the circus, Crazy Horse, and Christmas day with the likes of Diane Pernet, Ali Mahdavi, Mr Pearl, Catherine Baba and Eric Szmanda along with various other designers, artists and a dominatrix.

It was during those Christmas days that the idea was hatched for Dita to feature on a Monarchy single. It would be the first time she has provided vocals on a release.

Returning to London, Andrew and Ra wrote a track for Dita called ‘Disintegration’.

It’s a song about losing the self in a moment, in a love affair, in a partner, drawing from a metaphor of “le petit mort”, that post sex moment where the mind goes blank, as a symbol of the larger loss of self in a relationship.

The video is shot by Roy Raz, who previously directed Monarchy’s “I Won’t Let Go” video, and features Dita extensively as the classic 1950′s housewife escaping the monotony of her marriage through sexual fantasy.

The voice over introduction is provided by Eric Szmanda, who initially introduced Dita to Monarchy’s music, and is one of the lead characters from CSI. The photos are taken by Ali Mahdavi, the former creative director at Crazy Horse, and an exceptional fashion and portrait photographer.

Monarchy ‘Disintegration’ digital release Jan 14th/ physical release 11th March 2013 

monarchysound.com

INTERVIEW: ROB ZOMBIE OPENS UP ABOUT HIS MUSIC, MOVIES, SCARY THINGS AND GROWING OLD

Watch this exclusive backstage chat with the incredible Rob Zombie, before he co-headlines The O2 with Marilyn Manson. He takes us into O2′s exclusive dressing room — the FAB Room, to talk music, movies, scary things and growing old.

facebook.com/robzombie
robzombie.com

US MUSIC MANAGEMENT COMPANY MAKING METAL FOR THE TROOPS

The Lafayette Agency is a US based full service music management company who specialize in promoting up and coming rock and metal acts. 

Founded by Tony Wilson, the agency prides itself on being ‘honest and dedicated to  looking out for the artist and their best interests’. This year the passionate and kindhearted staff at The Lafayette Agency have decided to put together a compilation CD that embodies all what they are about - dedication to getting unrecognized talent out there to markets where they may not currently be.  

Tony, an Iraq veteran explains what the compilation means to him: “ ‘This One's For The Troops’ is a play on the old adage of drinking and toasting. We use it here because we are creating this compilation in their honor. Hatebreed and Lamb of God got me through my tour in Iraq in '06. So our objective is to deliver this to them in hopes it lifts their darkest of days. In hopes that it motivates them to push harder through the rigors of a deployment. The purpose of this compilation is to get music to the troops and say thanks as well as getting exposure to a network of great artists in a new way.” 

If you’d like to support up and coming metal bands AND the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to serving your country get in touch with The Lafayette Agency and help make this bigger.  

Email info@thelafayetteagency.com if interested. Artists who would like to be on the CD will get:

• One track on the disc
• 25 discs for giveaway
• A Facebook link on the inlay
• And an insane amount of exposure
• Show distro w/ touring bands as well
• Online streaming of the disc in it's entirety.
• Satisfaction in knowing you made some service members day a little bit better with your art.

Advertising/Sponsor Spots $25 for a 1/4 spot on the inlay. $100 for a full page spot

thelafayetteagency.com
facebook.com/lafayettebbooking

NEW NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS TRACK AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

We No Who U R is the first track to be taken from the upcoming Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album Push the Sky Away [February 2013] and is available for download today from nickcave.com. 

At the heart of Push the Sky Away is a naturalism and warmth that makes it the most subtly beautiful of all the Bad Seeds albums. The contemporary settings of myths, and the cultural references that have time-stamped Nick's songs of the twenty-first century mist lightly through details drawn from the life he observed around his seaside home, through the tall windows on the album's mysterious and ambiguous cover.

The songs on this album took form in a modest notebook with shellac covers over the course of almost a year. The notebook is a treasured analogue artefact but the internet is equally important to Nick: Googling curiosities, being entranced by exotic Wikipedia entries 'whether they're true or not'. These songs convey how on the internet profoundly significant events, momentary fads and mystically-tinged absurdities sit side-by-side and question how we might recognise and assign weight to what's genuinely important.

Push the Sky Away was produced by Nick Launay and recorded at La Fabrique, a recording studio based in a 19th Century mansion in the South of France, where the walls of the main studio are lined with an immense collection of classical vinyl.

We No Who U R sets this album in our time; we're living with the consequences of actions and innovations that seemed so progressive in the industrial era. There's a calm assessment of the gravity of the situation, and humility. This whole album has a generosity of spirit that's established here by a children's choir singing 'we know there's no need to forgive.'

We No Who U R is available from today (December 3rd). The track comes as a download with every pre-order album purchase via nickcave.com or iTunes. We No Who U R will also be available as a single download from all digital retailers.



nickcave.com
facebook.com/nickcaveandthebadseeds
twitter.com/ncandtbs

CIRCLE PRESENTS: BOMBERS, TWISTED PSYCHOTIC DOOM-PUNK FROM BIRMINGHAM

Emerging Birmingham band Bombers (Matty Warke – Guitar, David Owen -Drums, Darren Mullen – Bass, David Duell – Guitar/Vocals) are exactly what we need right now: some twisted and psychotic doom-punk.

Their excellent new single ‘Drawing’ b/w ‘Buddy’s In A Cult’ is less then 2 minutes of driving bass lines and stabbing guitar parts that jerk and writhe around the pummelling drums as the vocals from David Duell proclaim “I can tell I’m going wrong” over and over with a sense unhinged pleasure.

It’s a dark and manic proposition of flailing riffs and swagger.

bombersbombersbombers.com

FULL LINEUP FOR ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 2013 ANNOUNCED

Today the Isle of Wight Festival is proud to announce an array of the hottest new and established artists around who will be joining headliners The Stone Roses and Bon Jovi for the first major music Festival of the summer. 

Jake Bugg, The Script, Bloc Party, Paloma Faith, The Maccabees, Ellie Goulding, Happy Mondays, Fun, Bonnie Raitt, Imperial Teen, The Farm, Blondie and Republica, will now be appearing, plus more to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are selling fast for what will be an unforgettable experience.

Jake Bugg is the most exciting new singer songwriter in the UK and will be making his debut appearance on the Isle of Wight Festival's Main Stage on Friday 14th June. Also joining the Main Stage bill on Sunday 16th June will be one of the biggest & best-loved bands, The Script, who return with their meticulously-crafted, meaningful songs.

The Isle of Wight Festival Main Stage has seen many epic performances and 2013 will be no different, with the addition of Bloc Party, a band that has shaped the sound of modern British guitar music and will be appearing on Saturday 15th June. Returning for the second time will be Festival favourite Paloma Faith, who will be captivating the crowd on Sunday 16th June. Next up, South Londoners, The Maccabees will also be performing their well crafted yet off-kilter alt-pop songs ahead of Bloc Party on Saturday 15th June.

The Isle of Wight Festival takes place 13th ' 16th June @ Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight

isleofwightfestival.com
Facebook.com/iwfestival

READING AND LEEDS FESTIVAL 2013 TICKETS ON PRESALE NOW

Tickets for the Reading and Leeds Festivals 2013 have gone on sale this morning (November 30) with a new deposit scheme.

The festival tickets are available from 9am this morning. For a limited period until December 31, tickets will be sold at 2012 prices. As revealed by NME.COM earlier this week, Alt-J, Deftones, Sub Focus and Boy Better Know are the first acts confirmed to appear at the 2013 event. Alt-J are the first act confirmed to headline the NME/ Radio 1 tent. 

Organisers are also introducing a £50 deposit scheme for 2013, meaning fans can guarantee a place at the bash early and pay the full balance before March 31, 2013. 

It was confirmed earlier this year that Reading and Leeds 2013 will feature three new stages with festival organiser Melvin Benn announcing that: "There will quite a bit more dance music, quite a bit more other bits and pieces."

The Cure, Foo Fighters and Kasabian headlined this summer's Reading And Leeds Festivals, with The Vaccines, Enter Shikari, At The Drive-In, Bombay Bicycle Club,You Me At Six and All Time Low all playing high-profile slots.

Readingfestival.com
Leedsfestival.com 

PLACEBO MAIN MAN MOLKO CLAIMS HE IS EMOTIONALLY STUNTED

Brian Molko has been telling  Xfm about his forthcoming birthday, when the singer turns 40.

"It's no big deal for me, the big 4-0," he told Dan O'Connell. 

"I think I'm quite emotionally immature, so it doesn't really matter that much to me."

However, he was pleased that Placebo fans were drawing attention to his big day with a campaign on Twitter called Molko Y'Know.

"Apparently, they're plastering images of me around the globe and then taking photographs of them. It's quite an interesting little thing, I'm touched by it really."

The band have just released their B3 EP and are working on their seventh album, the follow-up to 2009's Battle For The Sun.

Listen to the full Xfm interview below:

INTERVIEW: BRIGHTON BASED PSYCHEDELIC ROCKERS, BAD FOR LAZARUS

Brighton based psychedelic rockers Bad for Lazarus have been whipping audiences into a frenzy in the last few years with their energetic live shows. 

Ahead of their long awaited debut album they released the stand alone single ‘My Muddle’, the video of which was the second most popular on NME. I chatted to Rich Fownes to find out what the reactions been like to the new tracks and the state of rock music. 

You set up your own label to release your music, why do that rather than approach an already established label?
For every cliché reason you hear about day after day. We'll always be open to offers, but it's a wasteland out there and I don't expect any favours or easy rides. No established label would have much of a reason to gamble on us, why pick us over One Direction...if I had money to invest I'd know who the safer bet is. We don't want to curb our ideas to try to appeal to the last, panic-stricken dinosaurs remaining. 

As a band you have had a few incarnations, was it every frustrating and how did you keep the motivation going?
Not frustrating at all, we got better every time. So there were always a few excited faces when we took it to the next level. 

How’s the tour been going? What’s the reaction been to the new tracks?
Amazing so far! (I have to say that though, right?) ..but genuinely amazing. The main difference I've felt on this tour is our singing has started getting really tidy. It's nice when that kind of thing starts feeling effortless, when you start you never know if you're gonna get there. Right now we're feeling the karmic payoff for all our public onstage no-no's.

How many takes did you have before you got the full my muddle video?
Six takes, although I think we used the fifth. But about a week of walking through Brighton and scouting areas to get the timings just right.

Craig Charles is a big fan, would you consider going on the new series of Red Dwarf, you could be rock aliens or something?
YES! I can't believe I hadn't even thought of that blag. If I could shoehorn my way into some gross latex outfit it would be a dream come true. I would like to be on Red Dwarf too. Zing.

How can an audience member expect to feel after watching one of your shows?
Ten English pounds lighter once they've visited our merchandise stall and seen some of our wonderful winter deals. We like to press the flesh after gigs and you can usually find us sweating it out behind the merch, so come and say hi, we'll give you a really sweaty hug.



soundcloud.com/bad-for-lazarus
facebook.com/BadforLazarus

CIRCLE PRESENTS: HIVA OA – SOUND THAT CREEPS INSIDE YOUR BONES

Scotland is the place to watch for new music in 2013. Scottish based three-piece Hiva Oa’s have just put out their new double a-side single ‘Badger’ / ‘Urban’, released via mini50records on December 10, 2012.

Their understated intense tracks are taken from their EP ‘Future Nostalgia For Sale’

Although the band hail from Edinburgh, each member – Stephen Houlihan, Christian Smallwood and Marco Calderone – came together from Ireland, Belgium and Italy respectively.

Hiva Oa are planning another single late January 2013, an EP in April and finally their second album nearing the end of 2013.

hiva-oa.co.uk
facebook.com/Hiva-Oa

LIAM GALLAGHER DEFINITELY MAYBE AGAINST FUR-FASHION

Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green clothing range is completely fur-free. In an e-mail sent to PETA, Pretty Green’s chief executive officer confirmed that the company has a no-fur policy and that it is now labelling any faux-fur trim on its garments. 

In addition, the company has requested to be added to the animal rights organisation’s list of fur-free fashion brands.

“Only the truly arrogant can ignore the suffering of minks who go mad from being confined to small cages and foxes who chew off their own limbs to escape painful steel-jaw traps”, says PETA’s Senior Programme Manager Yvonne Taylor.

“We are delighted to add Liam to the list of truly talented visionaries and trendsetters who are able to design stylish, fashionable and popular clothing without the use of fur.”

Animals on fur farms spend their entire lives confined to cramped, filthy cages before they are beaten, gassed or anally electrocuted. Sometimes, they are even skinned while they are still alive.

More than 2 million cats and dogs are skinned in China every year – many while fully conscious.

Designers such as Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Vivienne Westwood have all publicly sworn off fur. With so many stylish alternatives available, there’s no excuse to harm a hair on an animal’s back.

prettygreen.com
PETA.org.uk

FASHION: EEST END CLOTHING, K POP FASHION IS TAKING OVER

Eest end is a Korean menswear brand which formed in May 2012.

While a six month old store opening may not warrant the title ‘newsworthy’, there is a sharp emerging trend of Korean fashion retailers and designers sprouting up in western society – causing quite a stir.

As the majority of people with any interest in world economics will know; Korea is a rapidly emerging country. The fashion industry there often takes heavy influence from the K-pop (Korean pop) scene and incorporates themes of current western trends. Korean style is becoming synonymous the world over with people looking for clothing chic in appearance but affordable in price. Retailers like Susiekim and Yesstyle are just two of the mainstream online companies pioneering the way for the Korean fashion market.

Eest end in particular offers every essential you need in order to build a capsule wardrobe, combining classic styles and cuts with a whole host of contemporary prints and patterns.

facebook.com/eestend

eestend.com/

PETE DOHERTY: "I LOVED AMY WINEHOUSE, WE WERE LOVERS"

Pete Doherty claims that Amy Winehouse 'didn't suffer fools.'

The late Back to Black singer passed away in July 2011.

The Libertines rocker Pete has revealed that he and Amy were more than friends.

'This is difficult for me to admit,' he told British newspaper the Daily Mail.

'But, yes, it's true. Amy and I were lovers. I loved her then and, well, I still do today. But towards the end, as only lovers can, she became quite mean and cruel to me. She didn't suffer fools. and believe me, she had a mean right hook.'

Kate Moss married The Kills rocker Jamie Hince in June 2011, but she and Pete were in a rocky relationship together for years before her recent union.

Fortunately he and his ex-fiancée are now on good terms.

'I got a call from Kate a couple of weeks ago, which came as a surprise as we haven't exchanged a word since it ended,' he recalled.

'And believe me, it ended nastily. But she was friendly and just asked me what I was up to. She wanted to know why I hadn't written any songs recently and whether I was still taking drugs. She said she was staying clean and that she was very happily married.

'It came as a huge relief to hear from her and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. It was a really important call because it put a few unresolved issues to bed for me. She told me that despite everything that had happened between us, she was still rooting for me and that was nice. It means a lot to me to know that.'

BIFFY CLYRO RETURN WITH NEW SINGLE 'BLACK CHANDELIER'

Black Chandelier, the new single from their early 2013 6th album ‘Opposites’, almost goes back in time with strong reminiscences to their debut album ‘Blackened Sky’. Most particularly reminiscent to fan favourite ‘27’.

Simon Neil’s (Lead singer) voice is ever emotional from beginning to end with it gradually becoming more powerful as the chorus commences, before mellowing during the verses. This is complimented beautifully by the traditional drumming of Ben Johnston and the dexterous support of brother James (Johnston).

With a January 2013 release of this song, plus their album release and a substantial headline tour, 2013 is certainly the year of the Biff!



biffyclyro.com/
facebook.com/biffyclyro

CIRCLE PRESENTS: PARADISELOVESYOU – BEAUTIFUL AND ETHEREAL POP

Inhabiting their own beautiful, ethereal corner of the musical universe, poised exquisitely at the crossroads between the soaring soundscapes of Spiritualized and naive pop melodies, new UK duo Paradise are One To Watch in 2013


The pair have now recruited a band, to create an amazing live sound to reflect the recordings, with live dates slated for the near future.

Watch this space.

Free single launch party at The Victoria, Dalston with Eat Your Own Ears 27th November

paradiselovesyou.bandcamp.com

CIRCLE PRESENTS: GIRL BAND – NOISE-ROCK FROM IRELAND + NO GIRLS IN THE BAND

Discover Girl Band, exciting four piece noise-rock band from Dublin with…no girls in the band.

They formed in late 2011 and 'France 98' is their second release with Any Other City Records. This stuff is delirious, well turned-out punk rock venom put to a scuzzy frenzy.

Girl Band are pretty much unGoogleable so you won't find much more info about them that what you're reading right now.

At just over 20 minutes long, 'France 98' is the nasty and noisy second coming from the band who own their on particularly manic brand of neo-grunge. They sound like the kind of band who would appear on Beavis & Butthead's tv screen and one who the dim-witted but excellent judges of good music would ultra-approvingly remark, "cool".


The EP is released on a limited run of 300 12″ handstamped, numbered records.

girlbanddublin.bandcamp.com

FASHION: SOURPUSS, THE SHOW STOPPING SWEET ALTERNATIVE CLOTHING BRAND

When it comes to alternative clothing that ticks all the boxes you really can't go wrong with Sourpuss. The alt clothing company have been creating a range of alternative attire & wares catering for punk, rockabilly, tattooed & horror inspired guys & gals for a number of years. 

Always finding the right mix of alternative adornment to appeal, whether you like punk accessories with a nod of vintage, ghoulish attire, or quirky homewares. What's more is that they have a wide range of both mens & womenwears, alongside kidswear and alternative homewares.

With a constant range of new, inventive designs added to their ranges we just love their Peggy dress. The Sugar Ink print is sure to be a show stopper! This black stretch cotton halter dress has an all over gold sugar skull, webs & stars print, fitted bodice with 5 buttons, black trim & pockets.

That dress with Iron Fist's Zombie Stomper Platforms would be sure to wake the dead for one last dance!

sourpussclothing.com

facebook.com/Sourpussclothing

PETTY FEST WEST ROCKS THE HEARTBREAKERS' HOMETOWN, CELEBS TURNOUT TO CELEBRATE

With a decade of successful New York shows behind it, the Petty Fest made its way to Los Angeles at last on Wednesday. Hollywood's El Rey Theatre may be a few miles removed from gliding down over Mulholland, but over two hours and 25 songs, the first of back-to-back tribute shows to all things Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers felt right at home in the Florida band's adopted city.

As in previous fests, the Cabin Down Band served as house band and emcees for the evening, while a rotating cast of rockers from the Black Keys to Kings of Leon joined them for a run of Petty classics.

No song was off-limits during the loose, well-lubricated set, though Petty's 1994 solo album Wildflowers earned the most attention of the evening. The sold-out crowd filled the El Rey up through the balcony, with women in Stevie Nicks-inspired hats squeezing past BBQ slider buffet stations on their way to the bar in the two VIP sections.

The food and drink was a bonus: the room was filled with dedicated Petty fans, who obeyed Har Mar Superstar's early urge to "sing along all night." Full proceeds from the show will benefit the charity Sweet Relief and victims of Hurricane Sandy, a personal cause for players who had flown in from the Northeast. "We have to rebuild my parent's bar" in New Jersey, Nicole Atkins revealed before "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around."

While no actual Heartbreakers made a hoped-for appearance, the set packed plenty of star power. After a faithful version of "The Waiting" led by Harper Simon and Jenny O., Jesse Malin strode to the front of the stage for an amped-up take on "You Wreck Me." He wound up singing from within the audience, convincing the crowd to crouch down with him for the song's muted bridge before bursting above them like a punk dolphin.

Other songs included contributions from Cory Chisel, Butch Walker and members of Alberta Cross, Guster, Little Joy, and the Eagles of Death Metal, who turned up the heat on "Running Down a Dream." Of all the rock heavyweights, the oddest pairing of the fest was the Black Keys' Patrick Carney and Ke$ha, who joined the Cabin Down Band for "Last Dance with Mary Jane." Drink in hand, the "Die Young" singer proved her classic rock cred once again, leading the audience in chanting, "Oh my my, oh hell yes!"

Actors and comedians such as Sarah Silverman, Justin Bartha and Mae Whitman also took the stage for enthusiastic performances, none more memorable than the arrival of Johnny Depp who stepped onstage strapped to a blue guitar doing his best Keith Richards imitation.

The show wrapped up with members of the Strokes rolling out a rapid-fire performance of Petty classics and ending on the man's most classic hit of all "Free Fallin'".

tompetty.com

CIRCLE RECOMMENDS: "L.A'S ONES TO WATCH" IO ECHO AND THEIR ‘MINISTRY OF LOVE’ EP

Los Angeles’ IO ECHO – Ioanna Gika and Leopold Ross released their stunning debut ‘Ministry of Love’ EP, which combines amazing grand songs with unique textures such as Japanese koto harps and Chinese violins.

Their unique, genre pioneering style, both musical and visual have tastemakers proclaiming them as ones to watch.

 ioechomusic.com

twitter.com/ioecho
facebook.com/ioecho