Written by Patrick McNamara

We are officially into the swing of summer and that might not make a whole much of a difference in terms of the weather but it sure as hell makes a difference concerning the quality of shows happening on this, the finest of touring seasons.

Below are five really good shows happening this week. And be sure to check out our guide to Free Summer Shows in LA this year for a WHOLE lot more musical goodness (that you totally don't have to pay for) from now well into September.

Have fun out there and don't forget to be thankful you live in a city with so much life, wonder, and excellence. So embrace it.

Forever and Ever.

Amen.

#1 Chastity Belt - All Star Lanes - Monday - June 1 - 2015 A.D.

Seattle's Chastity Belt (click that for more kind/well written words you've come to expect from Oh My Rockness band profiles) are one of the fastest rising bands according to this music blob. They rule and you should see them now so you can one day you can say you saw them when. Did you get all that? Cool. They play All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock tonight and I once bowled a 205 so I'm not sweating it either. Oh yeah, Slutever opens. They rule too.

#2. Girlpool - Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock + Amoeba - Mon/Tues - June 1/2 - 2015 A.D.

The former local band (they're in Philly now) Girlpool come home to play two shows this week. And hey, one is even FREE. If you're not hep to the pep this punk pop duo puts in your step I bet the following song will get you pumped to see them let it rip at either Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock or an in-store at Amoeba this week. Guess which one is the free one.

#3. Sufjan Stevens - Dorothy Chandler Pavillion - Wed/Thurs - June 3/4 - 2015 A.D.

Sufjan Stevens' latest album “Carrie & Lowell" is a modern classic and when enough time passes (it just came out a couple of months ago) we're gonna rip the “modern" from that statement and just call it a classic because that's exactly what it is. If there's a prettier song currently out there than “John My Beloved" I have yet to hear it. And there's more where that came from.

#4. No Age - The Smell - Wednesday - June 3 - 2015 A.D.

I've been mad sweating No Age (click that if you like reading 8-year-old band profiles) since the punk duo first shredded up the scene back in 2005 (Oh My Rockness was around even then - I can't believe we've been doing this shit for so long - but this is perhaps a tangent for another time). It's basically impossible not to have fun at a No Age show unles you've brought some serious baggage with you. And even then, who knows. Punk has the power to heal practically anything. GET THEE TO THE SMELL.

#5. Make Music Pasadena - Pasadena - Saturday - June 6 - 2015 A.D.

This annual fest is always a good time and it helps that it's FREE. A bunch of good peeps are playing throughout the day, including How To Dress Well (click that if you like reading 5-year-old band profiles)+ Kishi Bashi (that profile is only 2 years old that's OK) + Hundred Waters + well, just click here for the full lineup. See you there. I'll totally pay for your free ticket.

Other notable shows = Delta Spirit at Teragram Ballroom + Tennis System at The Echo + Reggie Watts at El Cid + Dawes at Hollywood Forever Cemetery + Kids in the Hall at The Theatre at Ace + Kiasmos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery + The Mountain Goats at Mayan Theater + U2 (?) at The Forum + Todd Rundgren at The Roxy + Patrick Watson at Hollywood Forever Cemetery + Christopher Owens at The Echo + The Rentals at El Rey Theatre + Hanni El Khatib at Natural History Museum + Palma Violets at Teragram Ballroom + Miami Horror at The Roxy + Alkaline Trio at The Observatory + Kitten at Trouabdour

Damn, that's a lot of shows. Aren't you glad you live where you do?

CHOOSE SHOWS CHOOSE LIFE WELCOME TO COSTCO I LUV U