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So what happened here?

June 10, 2022 by Paul Debraski

For nearly fourteen years I was able to keep up this daily blog of books and music.

About a year ago I got a promotion and that changed everything.  I no longer had the time to post everything I wanted to.  Heck, I didn’t even seem to have the time to read all the short stories I wanted to.  Amusingly (or not), just before this new position, I had gotten a print subscription to the New Yorker.  This now means that I (like many others) have a two-foot stack of New Yorker magazines that I haven’t even looked at yet.

For a few weeks I was limiting myself to only the concerts that I went to because that was a little easier to write about.  Although back in the good old days, I used to include photo and links, and I pretty much have neither now. And I’m several shows behind as well.

So I’m still reading books and I think I may try to post some thoughts about them from time to time.  I’d also like to think I have time to write about my concerts, but even those are proving to be challenging.

So let’s consider the blog on hiatus more or less, with occasional posts about things I’ve read or listened to.

The good thing is that I like the new position and wouldn’t change it for the world. I guess I never realized how much down time my old position gave me!

Posted in Paul Debraski | 3 Comments »

The Linda Lindas (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, October 4, 2026)

October 6, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: October 4, 2026] The Linda Lindas 

Four years ago i got tickets to see The Linda Lindas with my daughter. The show was postponed for a week and she was unable to go  the following week.  So I went by myself and really enjoyed it.  I figured I’d either see them before they broke huge or before the broke up.  Well, I don’t know if they broke huge, but they have played some pretty big shows (they opened for Green Day after all).

The foursome are great musicians, they write rocking punk songs, and most important, they have a ton of fun.  When I saw them last time, drummer Mila de la Garza, was possibly 12 (she is 16 now).  The oldest member, Bela Salazar turned 21 last year.  Guitarist Lucia de la Garza is now 18 and bassist Eloise Wong is now 19.

In four years, the band has grown more sophisticated in their song writing and in their musical chops.  But they still have a lot of fun onstage.  Eloisa and Lucia jump on their gear boxes to get close to the crowd.

Last time they tried their best to get the young kids in the audience as close to the front as possible.  It wasn’t possible this time, I guess.  I felt bad for the little kids who arrived early but weren’t allowed to get near the barricade.  I couldn’t help but think they could have asked the parents to back off and let the kids up front.

When I saw them last time, they had just released their debut album, which is full of young punk songs.  I didn’t like the album enough to get it, but it was fun–and Racist Sexist Boy is a great song for young girls to hear.

Here it was four years later and they’ve all grown up.  They also had a fifth member on stage Adan Diaz, their friend, who played synth and percussion as needed (there’s some songs we can’t play by ourselves).

When the show first stared, their voices were too quiet, but that was fixed fairly quickly.  I hadn’t listened to the new album yet, but I was so impressed by these new songs.  They have added all kinds of sounds to their basket.  They opened with the first song from the new album which has cool synths, percussion and a funky bass line.

They followed it up with Oh, from their debut.  It was one of the few songs from that album that they played, and it sounded bigger.  By the end of Growing Up all four members had sung lead. Continue Reading »

Posted in Deux Visages, KulfiGirls, Philadelphia, PA, The Linda Lindas, Theatre of Living Arts | Leave a Comment »

Deux Visages (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, October 4, 2026) [THE LINDA LINDAS]

October 5, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: October 4, 2026] Deux Visages

I saw Deux Visages open for Sir Chloe two years ago. I really enjoyed their set, which was made up of songs from their one EP.  Back then they were based in Miami, but they have since moved to Philly (so this was a hometown show).

The band was a four piece but are now a five piece. They are fronted by Daphney Homono (who has a shock of bleached hair).  This was especially notable because their set was lit very darkly and mostly in black and white.   The rest of the band includes Jack Chiu on guitar, and possibly Tony Jouvin on bass.  The other two members were not mentioned and I can’t find anything about them.

I was right in front of Jack and while his guitar was a little too loud, his playing was fantastic.  The songs where catchy (in a very 90s style) with nice guitar flourishes.  I remembered particularly enjoying Cheetah last time, with its very cool bouncy guitar riff.

But most of the set was from their as yet released new album (due out next month).  I really enjoyed the way Jack’s guitar was busy without overwhelming the melody or the vocals. Continue Reading »

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KulfiGirls (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, October 4, 2026) [THE LINDA LINDAS]

October 4, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: October 4, 2026] KulfiGirls

Back in June, I left a Mekons show a little early to head across town to catch KulfiGirls who I had just recently learned about.  Somehow, this show at W.O.W. was on only the second of four bands when I walked in and I was beat.  I just couldn’t stick it out for two full band sets (even if they were good).  So I hoped I’d get to see them soon and imagine my surprise when they were suddenly listed as the first opening band for the Linda Lindas!

I made sure to get to TLA early because sometimes (like tonight) the first band goes on BEFORE the announced start time.  And indeed, KulfiGirls came out on stage at 7:30.

Abi Natesh came out on stage looking beautiful in traditional Indian dress.  She sang and sat by an instrument and that’s when I realized with certainty that I had seen her perform with Pinkshift at Asbury Lanes a few years ago.  I didn’t know who she was or what her instrument was called, but tonight she had us say the instrument with her.  Not a sitar but a Veena.

Abi played a pretty, quiet melody on the instrument.  She may have been singing, but her mic was quiet at the start (it was eventually turned up).  Stephanie Bruning on the far side of the stage played flute  (and I love me some flute in my rock music!).   Guitarist Joan Natesh started building some tension while killer drummer Adesola Ogunleye played a martial beat.  Abi started playing a nifty lead line and then started singing from the seated position (I was glad I was near the front or I would never have seen her). Continue Reading »

Posted in Deux Visages, KulfiGirls, Philadelphia, PA, The Linda Lindas, Theatre of Living Arts | Leave a Comment »

Russian Circles / Pelican (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, October 4, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

October 4, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 4, 2026] Russian Circles / Pelican

Russian Circles played Union Transfer last year and I didn’t know anything about it.  I’d never heard of them until this show and I only investigated because of Pelican who I like.   They are a three piece instrumental band from Chicago.  They are very heavy and not very math rock influenced.  But their instrumentals convey a lot of intensity.

Pelican is an American post-metal band also from Chicago known for their heavy, atmospheric and almost entirely instrumental style.

I would have liked to check this out but I had tickets for another show this evening already.  So many shows in October.

I’d been vaguely aware of Pelican for a while, and when this show was announced, I listened to a bunch more and was really excited to see them.  When they came to town last year I really wanted to see them, but the show was the same night as another commitment.  I was excited to see them coming back, but once again, the timing was terrible.

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Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, October 1, 2026)

October 3, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: October 1, 2026] Ted Leo & the Pharmacists

I’ve seen Ted Leo four times before this.  Twice with Pharmacists, once solo and once with Aimee Mann for a Christmas show.

I enjoyed his solo show–which was personal and fun and also informative–but when he has the whole band with him, the show explodes.

The band set up and Ted came to the mic and said they were early (it was 9) and they were going to take a few minutes and then come back.  Why did they wait until 9:15 to start?  I have no idea.  The first thing he said was that the Phillies were losing (it was a win or they were out of the playoffs–they lost) and then he told people not to soot the messenger.

He started playing Timorous Me by himself.  And, just like on the record, about half way through the song, the rest of the band came out and the room exploded with sound when they all joined in on time.

I noticed immediately how much bigger and better Ted and the band sounded than Labrador.  And I don’t mean that as an insult to Labrador at all, because I enjoyed their set a lot.  But TL/RX just filled the room in ways that Labrador didn’t.  Is that because the headliners get more time to set up their gear and do soundchecks?  Even in a small place like this?  I have no idea.  But man, TL/RX just filled the room with music.

Ted has been in punk bands, but he has also written slower songs.  But holy cow, these songs were fast and fun and intense and loud and just screamed for everyone to dance.

We were right on the barricade (there was like no one there when we arrived, but it filled in), so we probably didn’t get the best sound–Ted’s vocals were always a little quiet which is shame because his words are so good.  But the energy was undeniable.

I love the way that Ted doesn’t skimp on the sounds of his songs, like the little guitar scratches that start out The Sons of Cain.  There’s few things as fun as the whole band screaming heeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyy (or Caaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnn or whatever they say) at the end.

We were right in front of Ralph Darden and he was so much fun to watch.  He jumped around, played solos and sang backing vocals.  Just a great performer.  Marty Key on bass mostly stood by the big bass speaker but occasionally he came out front to contribute backing vocals.  But his bass sounded amazing. Continue Reading »

Posted in Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, Labrador, Stiff Little Fingers, Ted Leo, Ted Leo + Pharmacists, The Pogues | Leave a Comment »

Public Image Limited (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, October 2, 2026)

October 3, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: October 2, 2026] Plague Vendor

I was torn about this show from the get go.  John Lydon has (possibly) become a right wing stooge like Morrissey (there are those who say he is mocking the MAGA camp, who the hell knows).  I didn’t really want to give him any money (although I did feel bad about his wife dying and all that).

And yet, I’ve loved most of PiL’s output (at least up through 9) and have never seen them live.  Reviews suggested that on their last tour, at least, they were still great live and so I grabbed a ticket.  There were many other shows that night that I was interested in.  Indeed, we almost went to Karina Rykman at the last minute.  And, boy oh boy do I wish that we had.

Public Image Limited was the worst show I have ever been to.

I’ve been reading other reviews of this tour in which people were blown away by this show and I can’t tell if they are all crazy or if John was just really off tonight.  And yet, people around me seemed to really enjoy it as well.  I’m not sure what rubbed me the wring way so badly.

Now, I know all about John and his antics–his utter disdain for the audience, the “did you ever get the feeling you’ve been swindled,” everything.  I was expecting a performative asshole.  I was actually worried that he might get in my face and give me shit for something I was or wasn’t doing.  But instead, what I got was an old fat guy who didn’t even sound like Lydon.  Lydon has the most distinctive (borderline irritating) high pitched voices in music.  And yet, when he sang (if you can call it that) his voice was deep and gravelly.  It’s hard to imagine that his voice can’t get high pitched and whiny anymore, but maybe he can’t?  And yet it’s not like singing where you have to hit the high notes, this is just a high whiny sound.  Can you really lose that ability? Continue Reading »

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Labrador (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, October 1, 2026) [TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS]

October 2, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: October 1, 2026] Labrador

I hadn’t heard of Labrador before this show.  Turns out they are a solid Philly rock band.  Their blurb on bandcamp says Maximum Alt Country which I assumed was a joke as they don’t sound country at all.  But even in the review of their new album, it says “The latest LP from Philadelphia rock quartet Labrador turns up the heat on the alt-country and mod influences forged on their previous records.”  I can certainly hear the mod influences, but I don’t hear any alt country at all.

Especially live, where they rock pretty hard and singer and guitarist Pat King has a powerful rocking voice.  And Steve Kurtz’ drums were simple but punctuated the songs nicely.

And what I really liked, in addition to his pleas for the Phillies to win, was his passionate belief in justice.  As the rest of that blurb says

Labrador are a barn-burning bar band bringing influences from the storied, intersecting legacies of anti-war punk, blues, folk, and soul music into the 21st century. Labrador’s weathered, vintage sound isn’t indicative of a desire to return to some idealized fantasy version of the past, but to learn from the history that created destructive forces dominating the present—worker exploitation, corporate greed, rampant xenophobia, genocide in Palestine.

Their songs are simple.  The three chords of Kill Kill Kill were instantly catchy and the progression to the chorus was obvious but satisfying.  The mix was a little off in the beginning with Kris Hayes’ guitar being a little too loud.  But his solos were really tasty.  We couldn’t reallu hear bassist Will Hochgertel at all–maybe that’s why the set sounded less full that Ted Leo’s.

Later the chords to We Drew Straws was similarly three chords.  But again, catchy and fun.  And then the chorus takes a pointed turn

Shout these words out loud
War crimes for genocide
Cease fire now

A slower song like Slow Down King (where King played acoustic guitar) was really simple but effective

If I’m hollow by the sunrise at least I’ll know I’ve tried
I’m going to keep on fighting I’m gonna fight for what I know is right
I got some people I love in my life who could use me on their side.

They sang a song that was popularized by Joan Baez, No Man is and Island but was actually an old soul song–Labrador certainly reference soul roots, but i didn’t really hear it in this set. Continue Reading »

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Beabadoobee / Wisp (Liacouris Center, Philadelphia PA, October 2, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

October 2, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 2, 2026] Beabadoobee / Wisp

I saw Beabadoobee back in 2021 on her first tour of the U.S.  Since then, she’s put out a couple of albums and has been back to the States.  I didn’t go last time.  She was supposed to play at All Things Go last year but cancelled for some reason or another.

I would have liked to go to this show.  I am genuinely surprised she played a venue the size of the Liacouris Center (10,000 seats, although it can be converted to a 5,000 seater which I have to assume they did for this.  But I didn’t want to go to a massive venue to see her and the tickets were outrageously expensive.

I’m assuming it must not have sold well because one of the local radio stations had a contest for free tickets and when I didn’t win, I received an email

I’m writing because you entered [the]  contest for tickets to see Beabadoobee on Friday, October 2nd at The Liacouras Center, but did not win.  We do have one extra pair of tickets for the show that we can offer as a thank you gift for a donation of $50.

And then a day or so later

These tickets are still available.  Would anyone be interested in the pair for $40?  That would really help Y-Not Radio reach our fundraising goal for this month.

I certainly would have taken the two tickets for $50 (although I ‘ll bet the seats were crappy), but I had tickets to Public Image Limited (and possibly Karina Rykman is I changed my mind on PiL).  But I do hope she comes back and plays a smaller venue.

Wisp opened for System of a Down a while back and then had a headlining gig at Union Transfer.  (Apparently Wisp has a big online following).  She (Natalie R. Lu is Wisp) plays a delightful shoegaze–heavy guitars but not really heavy metal and perfect soft vocals.  This would have been a good show for sure.

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Plague Vendor (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, October 2, 2026) [PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED]

October 2, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: October 2, 2026] Plague Vendor

I was torn about this show from the get go (see main post) and when I listened to Plague Vendor briefly, they were interesting but not compelling.  So I wasn’t that excited when they came out on stage.

Three guys came out and they started playing an awesome, simple bass and guitar riff.  The bass and guitars sounds fantastic and I was instantly hooked.  Their outfits (the bassist was wearing like a Sears cowboy outfit from the 70s, including a glittering belt buckle that said Bill.)  The guitarist had a fringe of hair that fell in his face and I couldn’t see him at all.

After a minute or so of this riffage, a guy came out on stage in black pants, a black muscle shirt and lots of tattoos.  His hair was soaking wet and he was an absolutely lunatic.  He started singing the first song fairly calmly and then the chorus exploded and his voice exploded too.  It was fascinating.

During the instrumental parts, he lined up the bottles of water (one of which he dumped all over his head midway through the show).  He seemed unhappy with the microphone stand and at one point he threw it into the photographer pit and then later climbed down to get it.  He complained about the lights twice saying how hot it was up there.  He even said I don’t know where the hell I am and I’m sure you don’t either, so let’s just play music.

I didn’t really like him, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.  And it’s a good thing I didn’t, because suddenly, he was standing on the barrier singing right at us.  He was holding on the a fan’s hand (and head at one point) just wobbling and singing.  Continue Reading »

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Karina Rykman / Mackenzie Johnson (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, October 2, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

October 2, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 2, 2026] Karina Rykman / Mackenzie Johnson

This concert was announced after I had already purchased my tickets for PiL.  Which was a bummer.  A few days before, my wife said she might like to go to this one and I was okay with it.  I looked up the PiL setlists and decided I was kind of meh about it.  But we went to Ardmore Music Hall the night before and she didn’t want to do that two nights in a row (I feel bad for dragging her out to Ted Leo now).

We’ve seen Karina a four times and every show has been super fun.  I would have liked to see her at Ardmore, since the first time I saw her and realized who she was  was at a Marco Benevento show at Ardmore.

But instead, I went to PiL and that was a pretty terrible show, so I’m even more bummed now.  But I’m sure she’ll be back.

Mackenzie Johnson is an acoustic-pop singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, PA. She became known for the acoustic covers and original songs she posted to her YouTube channel.   Her songs are on the softer side of  things, but her voice is a powerhouse.

 

Posted in Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, Karina Rykman, Mackenzie Johnson | Leave a Comment »

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