Nike / Filter Present: NIKE BE TRUE FAMILY REUNION 2008 w/ Cool Kids & NO AGE, 6/1/08

What a fucking fun day! I drove with my sister to a random parking lot on Laurel and Sunset Blvd. just before 2 PM, where a shuttle bus took us for at least a 15 minute ride up into the Hollywood hills. We arrived at a giant gate that was the entrance to the most amazing mansion that felt like it was on the top of the world. The view was incredible and I could not spot anywhere else that was higher than us.

There were two giant inflatable slip 'n slides, a dunk tank (where you could win free Nike dunks if you knocked the big black guy in the water), tether ball, delicious BBQ that consisted of veggie patties, BBQ chicken, BBQ beef sliders, BBQ baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, etc. and to drink there was iced tubs of various soda and mini Fiji water bottles. There were also two bars serving up Belvedere vodka mixed drinks and some type of expensive rum (that I hadn't heard of nor do I remember) and mojitos. The bartenders were smoking hot and super friendly with the crowd.

First up on stage was a hip hop orchestra conducted by Double G. Now I would definitely not consider myself a fan of hip hop or rap, but these guys were really good and it was pretty amazing to see an actual orchestra conducting hip hop instrumentals on stage. There were flutes, trompones, trumpets, bass, saxophone, keyboards, etc. They sounded terrific and even toyed with some jazzy sounds as well. I was really blown away.

Next up were Chicago's "The Cool Kids" who have been getting a decent amount of buzz lately. They looked young. I bumped into Mapi of KXLU radio, and she told me one of them were only 20 years old. Cool Kids consists of two rappers and a dj behind the table in the background. I think they sounded okay, but again, i am not a hip hop fan, so if you are, please check them out!

About 30 minutes after Cool Kids, No Age took the stage. They had just been picked up from LAX after returning from Dublin. Guitarist Randy Randall wore an Atlas Sound t-shirt (if you like Deerhunter check them out, they're fronted by singer Brad Cox). Drummer/singer Dean Spunt sported a walking cane, which he explained to the crowd he acquired after injuring himself when trying to sneak into a children's bathroom at a show in Germany, because they charge people to use the restrooms there. Maybe he should change his name to Dean Cane. Haha. Get it?

Anyway, they played a set that didn't change much from when I saw them open for the Liars at the El Rey a couple months ago, although this time, the crowd was a much more tame. They also played a few tracks off the more melodic and rhythmic new album "Nouns". A lot of people were there for the hip hop stuff so they left when all that was done, but I spotted a small group of The Smell regulars who were there to support Dean and Randy, and everyone was soaking up the rays and enjoying there drinks in the mid 70 degree ridiculously comfortable and clear sunny weather. They ended right around 6 PM and the crowd cleared slowly thereafter.

Be sure to catch No Age next Sunday, June 8th, with breakfast at The Smell with Mika Miko and Abe Vigoda! It's only $5, and they're going to have pancakes! Please join me and don't be afraid to stop by and say hi! The syrupy madness starts at 11 AM.











NO AGE - TEEN CREEPS live @ BE TRUE:


Pray to Jesus and Mary...



WAKE THE FUCK UP!!!


Random + Crowd Pics...





Stay tuned for Double G + Hip Hop Orchestra vids, No Age live video, and The Cool Kids pics!