Rock ‘n’ roll sax: We’re comfortable enough...

Rock ‘n’ roll sax: We’re comfortable enough with ourselves to admit the Dave Matthews Band has been there for us in the past, so the death of LeRoi Moore this month hit us a little hard. Reeds teamed with guitars can lead to a fusion-shaded ticket to Sleepytown (see “Sanborn, David”), but here’s to LeRoi, “Baker Street,” the Stooges’ “Fun House” and all who’ve reminded us a horn can truly rock.

Watching the political conventions: Maybe the Olympics weren’t the best opening act as our democratic process moves center stage, but wherever your allegiances lie, these weeklong politics-a-paloozas should be appointment TV, particularly the candidates’ speeches. Think of it as another long relay race that happens once every four years -- except, you know, even more globally significant.

Vampires: Between the massive run-up to the latest “Twilight” book (and the series’ move to the big screen this fall) and the premiere next Sunday of the HBO drama “True Blood,” from executive producer Alan Ball (“Six Feet Under”), pop culture sure seems awfully crowded with brooding bloodsuckers lately. You know what we really could use? A good Wolfman story.

Naming your band after notable L.A. liquor vendors: It was bad enough when the Silversun Pickups made it impossible to buy beer en route to Spaceland without feeling like a fanboy. Now the Little Joy in Echo Park has been hijacked by Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti for a new project title. We expect to hear from a blues-punk combo named Craby Joe’s any day now.