Kid Bloom, Glam Skanks, Brothers Collective, Hypnotic Hyena Play The MIME in Echo Park
By DONNA BALANCIA
ECHO PARK — Everyone knows Echo Park is a hotbed of music these days, but what’s becoming even hotter is the underground, word-of-mouth music scene.
There are shows held in storage units, gigs in garages and even in galleries — like a show at the MIME sponsored by Echo Box Music on Saturday night. The show features The Glam Skanks, The Brothers Collective, Kid Bloom and Hypnotic Hyena.
Veronica Witkin, founder of The Glam Skanks, said discreet, invite-only shows are becoming more and more popular and it’s a cool way to get out the news for today’s rockers.
The Glam Skanks have been together around three years and their show is dynamite. She knows it has to be because today, the show is the thing.
“We’re a pretty physical band,” Veronica said. “We try to include the audience.”
While music may be a labor of love, the 24-year-old guitarist knows these days, it’s a lot of work too. Most of the bands out there who are just starting out are wearing different hats. In addition to writing, learning and performing music, they have to promote and come up with intriguing ways to attract the crowds. Word of mouth is something Veronica believes in.
“I think it’s super important to put on a good act,” Veronica said. “We put on a show that people want to see.”
It’s a family affair between Veronica, her bandmates Ali Cat, Jaxine on drums and Millie on bass. Her dad, Bruce is a producer and her mother, Suzanne is a professional photographer, so she knows she’s more fortunate than most young musicians starting out.
The Glam Skanks are wrapping up a new album and they plan to start touring soon. After three years of performing, Veronica says it’s time.
“We’re almost done with our album and it’s going to be released some time in the summer,” Veronica said.
The Glam Skanks have got the right idea. And they have a lot of energy as their show is a non-stop cavalcade of characters, action, confetti canons, streamers and sparkles. Front gal Ali has a voice any rocker would envy and bassist Millie who came into the band a little later has fit in well, Veronica says. Jaxine, well, let’s just say this drummer is just another one of the girls.
“We get along great,” Veronica says. “We have the same influences, like Bowie, The Runaways and Joan Jett.”
The key to success for any young band today is to collect a fan base that stays for the long ride into the sunset, Veronica says. She thinks the Glam Skanks are covering their bases by bringing in a range of admirers.
“Our fan base is interesting,” she says. “It’s all different ages and runs the range of kids our age to adults our parents’ age. We haven’t been performing a lot lately because we’ve been recording.”
Veronica knew once she hit the stage she was hooked. So much so, that she’s having a hard time staying off the stage to record.
“So in case the fans were wondering where we went, we’ve been laying low until we finish recording,” Veronica said.
The Glam Skanks say the show Saturday night at The MIME could be the start of something really cool. Playing with Kid Bloom, the Brothers Collective and Hypnotic Hyena could lead to more gigs.
“It’s a good mix of bands, and it’s going to be a great night,” Veronica said. “We’re really fortunate to be with these other great bands and we can’t wait to see our fans. We miss them.”