I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: September 29, 2019] Thin Lips

I had heard a Thin Lips track on NPR and really liked it.  So I decided to get to Philly Music Fest in time to see them.

Traffic was tough and I arrived at around 7:58.  They went on at 7:55 and as I walked in I heard them playing already.

I suspect I missed the beginning of the first song–although I could hear it as I was checking in.

But the audience was scattered around (and left a very large space in front of the stage), so I was able to see just fine.

Enough about me, because Thin Lips was fantastic. 

Thin Lips is made up of Chrissy Tashjian (vocals and lead guitar), Michael Paul Tashjian (drums) and Kyle Pulley (bass) (who were all in a punk band together called Dangerous Ponies), and a second guitarist whose name I didn’t catch.

Chrissy Tashjian is the primary songwriter of the band.  And she writes catchy punky/rocking songs (with very cool guitar riffs) that address queer issues.  Their first album was a bit punkier, but the newer songs have grown more complex musically.

I only caught the tail end of the wonderfully titled “Gaslight Anthem (the Song Not the Band)” and I love the guitar riff in it.  I really enjoyed the bouncy “South America.” which again has such a catchy chorus and thoughtful lyrics

I told you all that I was good for
Take in some, then you take in some more
Just because I call it doesn’t mean that I don’t care

Many of the songs are about relationships like “Smoking’s for Quitters” (which has some great guitar lines) and “Sex is Complicated,” during which she said, “This song is about gay sex if anybody’s homo this song is for you.”

They recently released a new EP called Carrot Milk and “Butterfield Road” comes from it.

They have some wonderfully titled songs like “I Know That I’m the Asshole” and “What’s So Bad About Being Lonely” although I don’t think they played them.  Their set was pretty short–about a half an hour.  Although since most of their songs are about three minutes long they must have played more than six songs.

They ended with the rather lovely “A Song For Those Who Miss You All The Time.”

They were really fantastic live and I hope to see them again.

POSSIBLE SETLIST

1. Gaslight Anthem (The Song Not The Band)
2. South America
3. Sex Is Complicated
4. Smoking’s For Quitters
5. Butterfield Road
6. A Song For Those Who Miss You All The Time