Matt Average

Graphic design, photography, and assorted items.

Blog

Photos, photos, and more photos.

TOTAL VACATION

Just a few photos from the Total Vacation set at Towne Square on March 17, 2025. They have a self-released EP available here.
SPEED PLANS

Mike Thrashead and I caught Speed Plans, from Pittsburgh, in downtown LA on 3/17/2025, and our minds were blown! I knew they would be pretty good from what I was hearing on their records. But they went way beyond expectations. Their records only hint at their intensity. These guys go for broke every single song. Mike and I would look over at each other throughout their set with the look of “Holyyyyyy fuuuuuuuccccckkkk!” on our faces. Get their records and go see them live. I will go on record stating they are going to be a classic band in years to come.
CRISIS ACTOR

Here’s a few photos from the first time I saw Crisis Actor live. A friend of mine had a birthday party at The Offbeat in Highland Park on January 25 and asked for these guys to be on the bill. Stylistically, they remind me of Middle Class, Gang of Four, Mimutemen, and others. They released an LP, False Flag, a couple years back, and they recorded a new one last year that will be out at some time. Also, some photos from their show at Gold Diggers in Hollywood on 92/2025. New album out soon! Frontman, Tony Knox has an excellent radio show, No More Heroes, on KXLU, Friday at 3 PM. Make it part of your weekend routine.
TENSION SPAN

The music of Tension Span gives me hope. It is at times bleak, but it also has an eye on, and a desire for a better world. A friend of mine kept bugging me to come check them out when they played at 4th & Towne in Los Angeles at the end of 2023. I was somewhat reluctant because, for the most part, I was pretty much done with going to shows. Yet, it would have been foolish to pass up seeing anything that involved members from Asunder, Dystopia, Neurosis, amd Christ on Parade. All important bands. I’m glad I went. It reminded me why punk rock was/is so important in my life. I strongly urge you to get their The Future Died Yesterday LP and see them if they come to your town.
EN LA MUERTE

En La Muerte are one of my favorite local bands. They go full throttle every singe show. If you haven’t picked it up already, get their Silencio EP on Extinction Burst.
LAMICTAL

First time seeing the incredibly fast Lamictal, and hopefully not the last. They ripped through a short set of hardcore punk that sounds like a 33rpm record played at 45rpm. Check ’em out here.