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Archive for September, 2021

Bob Mould Band: Distortion and Blue Hearts (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, September 19, 2021)

Posted in Bob Mould, Hüsker Dü, Kestrels, Philadelphia, PA, Sugar, Union Transfer on September 21, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 19, 2021] Bob Mould Band

I saw Bob Mould play a solo show last year (just before the pandemic).  I had seen him 24 years earlier and thought it would be fun to see him again.  And it was.

When he announced this new tour, I didn’t feel like I needed to see him again.  However, since he was with a band, I thought it would be a different experience.  And it was.  Not radically different, but different enough to make it more fun.

Last time he played 22 songs in about 80 minutes.  And, in what I understand is true Mould fashion, a song would end and he would jump right into the next one.  He took a break every few songs to chat and then off he went.

It was much the same at Union Transfer, although this time he played 24 songs in 80 minutes.  Having the other two guys Jason Narducy on bass and Jon Wurster on drums added a much appreciated low end.

Plus there are some songs (especially Hüsker Dü songs) where the bass and or drums play something distinctive and it was nice to hear that part.

In 2020, Bob had not yet released Blue Hearts, although he did play four songs from it.  For this show he opened with four songs (two were different, like the appropriately angry “American Crisis“).  And then he was all over his lengthy discography (dating back to 1983). (more…)

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My Chemical Romance: 2020 MCRXX (Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, September 21, 2021) [rescheduled]

Posted in My Chemical Romance, Newark, NJ, Postponed, Prudential Center on September 21, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[POSTPONED: September 21, 2021] My Chemical Romance [rescheduled from September 22, 2020; moved to September 20, 2022]

indexOn April 16th, My Chemical Romance decided to postpone their tour once again.  And I’m glad they postponed and didn’t cancel because I have great seats.  But I realized that my son was a freshman when I ordered these tickets and he will be a senior when the show actually goes on!

My Chemical Romance is postponing our 2021 touring plans until 2022.  We are deeply sad, but those emotions are only a fraction of the depth of feeling we have all experienced watching the suffering and loss of the past year.  We just want to be as sure as we can be that everyone is safe.  Refunds will be offered to anyone who wants them.  We are sorry if this is disappointing, and we REALLY can’t wait to see you in 2022

I enjoyed My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade album quite a lot, although I haven’t listened to all that much beyond it.

I wasn’t really aware that they’d broken up because my son and his friends like them and listen to them on trips (sometimes).  When this tour was announced, I thought it would be so much fun to go to see this massive spectacle (which I assume it will be).

I bought a ticket for me, my son and his friend and the seats were great!  I was really excited about the show and was hoping that it wouldn’t get postponed–end of September seemed like maybe we’d be out of lockdown.

Then on June 16th, it was announced that the tour would be pushed back to next year.  I am getting rather concerned that rescheduled dates are going to be on the same night.  Turns out this sow is the day after the Pet Shop Boys show.  But since I had great seats, I’m glad we get to keep them.

One more year just builds up more anticipation.

 

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The Avett Brothers (The Mann Center for Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, September 21, 2021) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Coronavirus, Deftones, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Nick Cave, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Philadelphia, PA, Postponed, Quarantine, The Avett Brothers on September 21, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 21, 2021] The Avett Brothers [rescheduled from September 24, 2020 and June 9, 2021]

I enjoyed them last time I saw them, but the crowd was terrible,  Nevertheless, it would take a lot to get me to go to The Mann Center to see them–it’s just too inconvenient for me.

Maybe some other tour.

~~~~~~~~

I saw The Avett Brothers a couple of years ago in Bethlehem. I’d always heard that they were fun live and yes they were.  But oh man, was I in a bad place.  I was far back and behind a wall of people who just didn’t seem to want to let me look between their giant heads. (more…)

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Kestrels (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, September 19, 2021) [BOB MOULD]

Posted in Bob Mould, Halifax Nova Scotia, Hüsker Dü, J. Mascis, Kestrels, Philadelphia, PA, Sugar, Union Transfer on September 20, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 19, 2021] Kestrels

I had not heard of Kestrels.  They are a trio from Halifax with several releases out.

According to the new release

Since 2008, Kestrels has been the primary project of singer/guitarist Chad Peck, who spends his time offstage as a high school English teacher.  [Do his students know that their English teacher rocks?]

They played an excellent mix of loud and soft, with ripping solos, an excellent bass sound and cracking drums,

When they first started playing I actually couldn’t hear Peck’s voice at all.  I was right up against the fence in front of the stage and assumed I was too close to hear the voices (that’s not a nice audio trick to play on people in the front).  I backed up a few steps and could hear him better (they may have turned up the vocals, too).

Peck’s guitar playing was really fun–big distorted chords and then pulling back for some quiet guitar picking.

One of the more amusing moments was when the bassist (whose name I didn’t catch) asked if they could change the lights (they had been on that terrible red for a couple of songs).  He said “I’m a ginger, anything but red.” (more…)

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Soccer Mommy (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, September 18, 2021) [rescheduled from March 30, 2020]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Phoebe Bridgers, Slowdive, Soccer Mommy, Union Transfer on September 19, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 18, 2021] Soccer Mommy [moved from March 30, 2020]

I was supposed to see Soccer Mommy open for Phoebe Bridgers a few years back.  I felt sick on the way down to the show so I wound up coming home instead.

S. bought me her CD for some holiday in 2020 and I thought it would be fun to see her live.  I was supposed to see her back in March of 2020, but the show was pushed back until September 2021.   And in that time, something big must have happened to her because this show sold out! And the crowd was really intense about her.

As soon as Sophia Regina Allison (who is Soccer Mommy) came on stage, the crowd went bananas.  It was kind of funny because Sophie is so low key.

She had a pretty full band with her. I stood in front of her lead guitarist who really made some outstanding noises –a component that made her songs even more interesting to me).  Her new bassist (this was his first tour with them) had an amazing sound–buzzy and noisy but groovy at the same time.  Guitarist-keyboardist Rodrigo Avendano on the far side added some great textures and drummer Rollum Haas whom I could not see because I giant cymbal was in the way, played some amazing fills and really added a lot of intensity to these songs.

What I’m saying is that the album is good, but live, the songs were amazing.

Soccer Mommy only has two albums out.  Most of the songs came from the new(ish) album Color Theory.  I have to say that I was really surprised she played “Circle the Drain” second because I thought it was her big hit and would come at the end.  She must have a lot of hits that I don’t know about.

I had a hard time getting clips of Julian Powell because of the way he was hiding behind the carboard TVs, but I loved the way that he and Sophie harmonized the guitar licks on “Crawling in My Skin.” (more…)

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Squirrel Flower (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, September 18, 2021) [SOCCER MOMMY]

Posted in Caroline Polachek, Philadelphia, PA, Pictoria Vark, Soccer Mommy, Squirrel Flower, Union Transfer on September 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 18, 2021] Squirrel Flower

I had heard of Squirrel Flower from All Songs Considered and I was interested in seeing her live.  So I was pleased when she was announced as the opening act for Soccer Mommy.

Squirrel Flower is the stage name of Ella Williams who has been releasing music under this name for about six years.

The show started a little late, so when Ella and her band came out, we all cheered, until we realized they wee just setting up the gear and setlists.  A few minutes later Ella came out by herself and sang “I’ll Go Now.”  It was a remarkably slow song.  She payed stretched out chords and sang slowly over them.   A few minutes in, she bent down and did something at her feet and a looping melody began–I couldn’t tell if she played it live, but it did have a not that was a slightly off.  The song ended and everyone cheered.

She apologized for the “fake out” earlier and then started “Desert Wildflowers” in that same slow style. (more…)

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Sinéad O’Connor (City Winery Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, September 18, 2021) [rescheduled]

Posted in City Winery Philadelphia, Coronavirus, Philadelphia, PA, Postponed, Quarantine, Sinéad O'Connor on September 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[POSTPONED: September 18, 2021] Sinéad O’Connor [rescheduled from April 5, 2020 moved to May 13, 2022]

indexI had heard a while back that Sinéad was postponing this whole tour for non-COVID reasons (or maybe they are, they were just listed as health reasons).  But there was no official word from the venue until April 14th.

City Winery must reschedule the Sinead O’Connor show originally scheduled for 4/4/2020 & 9/18/2021  The new date is 5/13/2022 (Next Year).

Which is fine.  I can wait.

I have seen Sinéad O’Connor four times. although the last time was in 1998.

I assumed I’d never see her again for a whole host of reasons.

I was pretty stunned to see that she announced a U.S. tour.  She was playing at City Winery in Philadelphia.  I have never been there.  Then I saw how much the tickets were!

I loved her voice back in the 90s, but since then she has gone all over the place (literally).  I wasn’t sure she even sounded any good anymore, so I balked at the price and opted not to get tickets.

I have since heard that her show was really good.  I’m not sure how upset I am about missing this, but maybe if she reschedules it will be at a larger (cheaper) venue.

sine

 

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Terry Pratchett–Pyramids (1989) [Discworld #7]

Posted in Camels, Death, Discworld, Egyptology, Funny (ha ha), Ghosts, Magic, Philosophy, Ptraci, Teppic, Terry Pratchett, Unfinished series on September 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »

SOUNDTRACK: hiatus

[READ: September 2021] Pyramids

After six books tackling roughly the same geographical area, Pratchett sets out to “Egypt” for Pyramids.  “Egypt” in this case is the wonderfully named Djelibeybi.

Djelibeybi is going broke.  They make pyramids for each of their Pharoahs.  And each pyramid gets bigger and more impressive.  But where does the money come from when the Pharoah is dead?

Teppic (short for Pteppicymon XXVIII), left Djelibeybi and is studying at the Assassin’s Guild in Ankh-Morpork.  He’s not the best assassin but he has learned a lot (and has survived).  Indeed, he manages to pass his final exam (meaning he survived).  But after he does so he has a psychic realization that his father the Pharoah has died and he must go home and take over the throne.

Dios is the high priest of Djelibeybi.  He is the actual ruler of the country.  He makes all of the rules and decisions saying that everything he wants is “tradition” etc.  The Pjaroahs tend to nod and go along with it (Dios is like 200 years old).  Dios is intent upon making Pteppicymon XXVII’s Pyramid the biggest the country has ever seen. (more…)

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Terry Pratchett–Wyrd Sisters (1988) [Discworld #6] [Witches #2]

Posted in Death, Discworld, Eskarina Smith, Funny (ha ha), Granny Weatherwax, Greebo, King Verence, Magic, Magrat Garlick, Nanny Ogg, Terry Pratchett, Unfinished series, William Shakespeare, Wizards, Wizards on September 16, 2021| Leave a Comment »

SOUNDTRACK: hiatus

[READ: Summer 2021] Wyrd Sisters

This story reintroduces everyone to Granny Weatherwax.  It also introduces two other beloved characters: Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick the other two witches in the region.  It took six books to bring about Nanny Ogg!

This book owes a debt of plot to MacBeth.  It even begins with the familiar opening scene.  Three witches stand around a bubbling cauldron and one asks portentously, “When shall we three meet again.”  And another, after a lengthy pause says.  “I can do next Tuesday.”

The three witches are Granny Weatherwax, the scary, stiff, witch who takes no guff.  There’s Nanny Ogg, the smiling, raunchy, seemingly good natured witch who also takes no guff.  She has a brood of countess children and grandchildren and she loves them all (except the young girls who marry her sons).  She also has the most evil cat in the world (Greebo, whom she thinks is a sweetiepie).   And then comes Magrat Garlick, the youngest witch who is really into occult symbols and books and trinkets.  The other two think this is a load of tosh and know that witch magic is all about headology. (more…)

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The HU (Theatre of Living Arts (TLA), Philadelphia, PA, September 14, 2021)

Posted in Metallica, Mongolia, Philadelphia, PA, The HU, Theatre of Living Arts on September 15, 2021| 1 Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 14, 2021] The HU

The HU are from Mongolia. I saw them in this same venue two years ago.  They haven’t released much in those intervening years, but I enjoyed the first show so much I wanted to see them again (plus, I was pretty delighted that they were back touring the States). on the left side in front of Temuulen Naranbaatar a.k.a. “Temka” who plays the tovshuur (a two or three string lute-like instrument).

But I knew I wanted to be on the other side for this show.  And so I set out to stand in front of Enkhasaikhan Batjargal a.k.a. “Enkush” who played lead morin khuur.  This was pretty exciting as I really got to watch him play the solos.

The two guys in the middle are the main singers.  Galbadrakh Tsendbaatar a.k.a. “Gala” is credited with “lead throat singing,” which I love.  His voice was incredible.  He also played the morin khuur with a gorgeously carved horse head at the top.  This instrument is two-stringed and you play it with a bow.

And Nyamjantsan Galsanjamts a.k.a. “Jaya” who was sort of the lead singer, although Gala sang lead as often.  Jaya’s main instrument was, fascinatingly, the jaw harp which played a significant role in several songs.  He also played the tsuur (a Mongolian flute).

There are technically four guys in the band, but for the tour they had four extra guys supporting them.  The touring guys mostly hung at the back, although occasionally the guitarist Jambaldorj Ayush a.k.a “Jamba” would come up front.   In the back on the left was Batkhuu Batbayar on bass.  Then there were the two drummers.  Sitting at the full kit was Odbayar Gantumur a.k.a “Odko.”  The final player, and one I could see occasionally was Unumunkh Maralkhuu a.k.a “Ono.”  Ono played two large drums.  Mostly they were an accompaniment to the main drum, but occasionally they were the only percussion.  Those drums resonated loudly. (more…)

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