With a major-label distribution deal right out of the chute, Candy Butchers seemed destined to follow in the footsteps of other smart, song-focused, melody-driven, ’90s outfits like Ben Folds Five and Fountains Of Wayne before the proverbial window of opportunity slammed shut circa 1997. Since then, seemingly unflappable leader Mike Viola has kept plugging away, fending off adversity in his personal life (his first wife died of cancer) and overall public indifference to get his music out there, whether as himself, under the Candy Butchers moniker, on film soundtracks or elsewhere. Viola’s new solo release, Electro De Perfecto (Good Morning Monkey/Hornblow), is a slickly produced celebration of a versatile songwriter in his prime, one who deserves a little more love. Viola will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.
Viola: Homemade pastrami, swiss cheese and cole slaw with Russian dressing on homemade and double baked rye bread. It’s $14, and you’ll have to take a nap afterward ’cause it’s so heavy, but it’s worth the stress on your heart. If you have a meeting in Los Angeles and want to impress somebody with a downtown old-world, old-style lunch, bring them to Langer’s. Order root beer, too. And hand-cut fries. Park across the street in the Langers parking lot. It’s free. Or order ahead and use their super-convenient curbside pick-up service. Langers is located on MacArthur Park so you’ll be singing cake out in the rain by the time lunch is over wondering why you’ve never been east of Vermont, where the city actually has a pulse.
Video after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll49yVhBOCA
