This is one of those bands that I knew nothing about before they came in, and thought they would sound much different than they did…probably because of the name. It turns out that ATE happened to be one of my favorite performances in long time. If you are into BritPop and/or the Smiths I think this might be your new favourite band.

Limbeck are a band from the Los Angeles area, or to be more specific Orange County. They play a brand of classic California rock the way it used to be done back in the 70s. I have had a chance to see the band live a couple of times and their new self-titled record is one of my favorites of 2007. It’s the kinda music that makes you want to have a BBQ!

This is probably one of the best covers we have heard at the Live at LG Acoustic sessions and it’s a perfect fit for Limbeck. If you have never heard the original by The Byrds, well, then you should just be ashamed of yourself!

Wax On Radio are a collective from Logan Square, an area on the West side of Chicago that is quickly becoming a hotbed for new and emerging indie acts. They were kind enough to swing by our studio while they were on tour and we always welcome bands from the Midwest through our doors. Plus anyone that plays the guitar upside down is pretty awesome in our book!

If you’re saying to yourself right now: “Self, I know I’ve heard this song before but can’t remember where,” chances are you watch a little program called Grey’s Anatomy. Let’s Go Sailing have become a staple on the show with not one or two but three songs receiving placement in those super dramatic almost laughable scenes. I don’t know about the show, but the band is great as evidenced by their stripped down version of the soon to be huge song “Sideways.” Good stuff!

This was one of our favorite sessions yet as we actually had an accordion player in the house! Kate Havnevik is all over the place right now and we were psyched that she was nice enough to come by our studios a couple of weeks ago. One thing is for sure. The girl can sing. Keep an eye out for another song in a couple of weeks…

I have been a big fan of Electric Soft Parade since their debut record came out back in 2002. Unfortunately the band has never had the success in the States that they have seen in the UK. Hopefully that will all change with the release of their latest record, No Need To Be Downhearted, out on April 24th. Highly Recommended!

It’s not all that often that a band does a live cover that makes you want to find out more about the original artist, but I have a feeling this version of “Blue It Is” originally recorded by the late Billy MacKenzie might have that effect on a lot of you. This performance is one of my favorite moments from the Live at LG sessions. Good stuff!

Great Northern seem to be everywhere lately. Every time I am out at a show here in Los Angeles somebody is inevitably talking about how they saw Great Northern last week and were absolutely blown away. The thing is it’s true. They are great. I was lucky enough to have my own private performance when they came by our studios. This is the first of three songs they did…more to come soon!

Locksley are from the NYC, but they channel Liverpool like few bands can nowadays. This session was probably the most fun we’ve had since we started the series, and it was all because the guys in the band were having as much fun as we were. This track is from their most recent record Don’t Make Me Wait in stores now.

It sure is nice to hear a band play Rock N’ Roll how it used to be…fun and upbeat. If you think you’ve heard this song before, it’s because you have. It’s a cover of the Beatles classic from their 1964 record Meet The Beatles!

Eastern Conference Champions are old school. No fancy gimmicks or studio trickery. They just put one guy on drums, another on bass and have the singer bang out some guitar chords. The result is a refreshingly awesome blend of rock that will have your feet stomping and head nodding. Don’t believe me? Well they’re just a click away!

This track is from the band’s forthcoming album titled Ameritown due out this June on Suretone records. We asked the band if they were talking about Basketball or Hockey when they named the band. It was hockey. Can you guess the team? Bring on the rock!

We liked Mezzanine Owls so much that we had to put up two of their songs this week. How awesome is that distorted keyboard lead that snake sin and out of the performance. We here at LG like keyboards. They are like magic.

This track is an acoustic version of the first track off of the Mezzanine Owls debut album called Slingshot Echoes. We love it when a band comes in and does a version of a song that’s a lot different from the studio recording. After you listen to the Live at LG version head over to their site to hear the original.

Western States Motel are from Los Angeles, CA and have a sound reminiscent of early Shins, especially when they stripped it down for us live at Liquid Generation. When they are huge remember where you heard them first!

According to frontman Scott Stevens, this song was kinda the catalyst for their new record. Sometimes inspiration comes from the least expected places, but when it works it works. It’s always cool when a band covers a song, but also put their own stamp on it.

Scott from the Exies dropped by our studios and played us a bunch of songs, the first of which are on LG now for your viewing pleasure. This track is from their soon to be released record, A Modern Way of Living With the Truth, out on April 10, 2007.

This week in the LG Studios we have a band originally from Canton, Oh called Lovedrug. They played three songs for us from their sophomore record called Everything Starts Where IT Ends which will be in stores on March 6th. The band is currently on Militia Group and will be touring a ton for the new record. Go see them, you won’t be disappointed!

The Silent Years are a Detroit based group who got lost and ended up in Los Angeles. Since they were already here, we figured they should come by the LG Studios and play us some songs. And you know what? That’s exactly what they did! Check out this brooding version of “Devil Got My Woman.”