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Archive for April, 2022

Born Ruffians / Sham Family (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 30. 3022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Attack on Titan, Born Ruffians, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Sham Family on April 30, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 30, 2022] Born Ruffians / Sham Family

I blew off seeing Typhoon so I could see Born Ruffians, a Canadian band that is hard to pin down exactly, except that they make hyperactive poppy punk that is catchy but not super catchy.  They’re probably not even going to sell a million records, but they should have a pretty devoted fan base.

The band is a trio–singer/guitarist Luke Lalonde, bassist Mitch DeRosier, and drummer Steve Hamelin.  They put out a trio of albums in 2020/2021 all thematically similar. Juice was my favorite.  They have a great set available from The Live at Massey Hall series (see video below).

However, my wife and daughter were out that night and I was home with my son.  We started watching Attack on Titan and I decided that I would much rather spend the night with my son than these bands, so I blew off the show and we enjoyed some bonkers anime. (more…)

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Napalm Death (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022) [BEHEMOTH]

Posted in Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Napalm Death, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts, Unto Others on April 30, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2022] Napalm Death

Napalm Death are legends.  They have been around since 1981 although formed a solid lineup in 1987.  Although their Wikipedia page lists 18 former members, the lineup I saw was almost has been with the band since at least 1991.

Current members Shane Embury – bass, backing vocals (1987–present) Mitch Harris – guitars, backing vocals (1990–present) Danny Herrera – drums (1991–present) Mark “Barney” Greenway – lead vocals (1989–1996, 1997–present).

That’s pretty impressive for a grindcore band whose first album contained songs that were almost all under two minutes long. (more…)

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Typhoon / Carm / The Ophelias (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 30, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in CARM, Philadelphia, PA, The Ophelias, Typhoon, Underground Arts on April 30, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 30, 2022] Typhoon / Carm / The Ophelias

I saw Typhoon back in 2018 and  the show was amazing.  They were so good live, that I knew I’d want to see them again.  Although actually, playing Underground Arts seemed like too small of a stage for their show (I saw them at Union Transfer last time).

Their brand of orchestral rock is really powerful and moving.  It’s interesting how much singer Kyle Morton sounds like Andy Shauf–that same kind of almost marble mouthed delivery that IU don’t quite understand but kind of makes you lean in to hear.

I was pretty excited to see them again, but then I found out that Born Ruffians, a Canadian band that I really like was playing Johnny Brenda’s the same night.  So I opted to see the band that I’d never seen rather than the one I’d seen before.

I hadn’t heard of Carm.  (more…)

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Unto Others (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022) [BEHEMOTH]

Posted in Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Napalm Death, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts, Unto Others on April 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2022] Unto Others

Despite having tickets to see Girl Talk, I decided I’d go see this North American Siege of 2022.  I’ve been intrigued by Behemoth for quite a while.  The are an extreme metal band from Poland who sing of the occult and thelemic ideas.  But they are known mainly for their intense live show.

I haven’t really ever been to a show like this and it seemed worth a visit.

I arrived absurdly early.  I think doors opened at 6 and I arrived at 6:15 or something.  And there was hardly anyone there.  The guy at the bar said it sold poorly. (more…)

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half•alive / Tessa Violet (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in half•alive, Meekakitty, Philadelphia, PA, Tessa Violet, Theatre of Living Arts on April 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 29, 2023] half•alive / Tessa Violet

I first heard of half•alive on a Tiny Desk Concert.

I’ve been interested in seeing the band because their stage show is legendary–they have two guys who basically dance–they choreograph dances for the songs.

My friend Lindsy is a huge fan and was very excited to go to the show.  I grabbed a ticket pretty quickly and then realized that it was the same night as Placebo.  I assumed Placebo would cancel, but when they didn’t I was able to sell my ticket.

Lindsy and her family got there pretty early and actually met some of the band.  She also handed out pieces of paper for the fans to light up color blocks during one of the songs.  And it looked pretty great.

I know they had a great time.  I’m still not entirely sure if I know (or would even like) their music, but I loved her dedication.

Turns out half alive is pretty dancey in an alt kind of way and I’m sure I’d like them. Especially live.

Tessa Violet Williams, previously known as Meekakitty, is a singer-songwriter, video blogger, actress, music video director, and former model.  She writes simple bedroom pop songs that are catchy and sound quite sweet.  Her narrators are awkward and on the verge of love.

For ease of searching I include half alive.

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Altin Gün / Sessa (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

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[DID NOT ATTEND: April 29, 2022] Altin Gün / Sessa

Altin Gün sounds like the kind of band I would love–a Turkish psychedelic band from The Netherlands.  (Their name means Golden Day).

Their live shows are supposed to be wonderful as well:

Altin Gün’s relentless grooves are truly immersive, anti-elitist, inclusive. It’s truly music for the dancefloor – all dancefloors. Altin Gün are the perfect 21st Century psych band, hinting at a deep record collection while still belonging to a living tradition and having a unique and distinctive voice
[from Forestpunk].

But when I listened to them I just couldn’t quite get into it.  Possibly because I knew I was so overbooked that night I didn’t want to have yet another band I was dying to see.

Sessa is a Portuguese musician whose record label says “a songwriter …. blessed with a flair for the intimate, the enigmatic, and the licentious. Sessa’s songs are sung in Portuguese, with visceral, sensual lyrics, and melodic flourishes.”  He seems more mellow than Altin Gün but I could see people on the dancefloor for both.

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Kevin Devine / Kayleigh Goldsworthy / Kississippi (First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in First Unitarian Church, Kayleigh Goldsworthy, Kevin Devine, Kississippi, Philadelphia, PA on April 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 29, 2022] Kevin Devine / Kayleigh Goldsworthy / Kississippi

The embarrassment of riches continued on April 29th as there were four more shows I was interested in going to.  And what’s so fun about Philadelphia is that among the eight shows in two nights none were in the same venue.

I’ve been a fan of Kevin Devine for a few years.  I feel like I’ve seen him a bunch because he so often plays around here.  And yet I have only seen him three time (twice solo and once with his Goddamn Band).  I would love to see him again and would absolutely gone to see this show except that it was at the First Unitarian Church, avenue I won’t go to again.  So, this one was really a no-go.

I saw Kayleigh Goldsworthy open for Frank Turner and really liked her.  I didn’t realize she was part of Kevin Devine’s circle of players until recently.  I’d have happily seen her again.

Kississippi is a Philly band who I saw open for someone else.  They write super catchy songs and I would happily see them again as well.  Some other time I’m sure.

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Girl Talk / Hugh Augustine (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

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[DID NOT ATTEND: April 29, 2022] Girl Talk / Hugh Augustine

The embarrassment of riches continued on April 29th as there were four more shows I was interested in going to.  And what’s so fun about Philadelphia is that among the eight shows in two nights none were in the same venue.

Girl Talk is the stage name of DJ Gregg Michael Gillis.  He makes music that is comprised of samples and mashups.  His 2010 album All Day album used overlapping samples of 372 songs by other artists.

His live shows are described as an experience not to be missed and so I immediately grabbed a ticket.  But the more I learned about the experience–a sweaty, writhing dancing mess of people, I wasn’t really sure I wanted to be a part of it.  So I decided to do something else that night instead.  I’m not sure if I missed out on something life changing, and I’ll never know.

Hugh Augustine is a rapper, chef and activist.

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Deafheaven / Clear Capsule (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Clear Capsule, Deafheaven, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer on April 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 29, 2023] Deafheaven / Clear Capsule

I saw Deafheaven last year; it was an intense and enjoyable show.  A wild mix of utter noise and lovely shoegazey rock.

I’d consider seeing them again, although this show was scheduled for the same night as Placebo, so it wasn’t going to happen this time.

This show was announced with pretty short notice too.  The date was only listed in early March, so it must have been an impulsive show before they went to Europe.

Los Angeles’ Clear Capsule straddles alterna-metal heaviness and punky shoegaze.  Noot unlike Deafheaven, although a les extreme on both ends.  I rather liked the songs I heard and the high whispery voice of singer Bryce Pulaski.

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Son Lux (The Foundry, Philadelphia, PA, April 28, 2022)

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Son Lux, The Foundry on April 28, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 28, 2022] Son Lux

April 28th turned out to be a banner night of shows.  There were four I was interested in seeing–three of those I was really interested in.  It was very hard to choose especially since one of them was a show rescheduled to that night and I already had tickets to a different one.

I had seen Son Lux in an NPR Tiny Desk Concert (the NPR folks love Son Lux) and was blown away by all three of them.  Drummer Ian Chang is just amazing to watch as he plays all sorts of different things and in unusual rhythms.  But then I would notice that guitarist Rafiq Bhatia was making some incredible sounds out of his guitar and I would wind up watching him for awhile.  And all along, keyboardist and vocalist Ryan Lott would be singing and playing these heartbreaking melodies.

I knew I had to see them and since I had been waiting the longest to see them, they won out.

And it was amazing.  The band had just scored the film Everything Everywhere All at Once so there were some songs from that in the mix, but mostly this set came from their new trio of albums Tomorrows I, II and III.

The songs were gorgeous and soaring or quiet and meditative or jazzy and fun.  They each went far beyond their own length, with solos from all the members of the band.

At one point Ian and Rafiq played a wonderful interplay and Ryan just stood back away from his keys and watched as we all did.

The only concession to playing a “hit” is that they played an updated version of their song “Easy” which would be the closest thing they have to a popular song.  They even brought out local rapper Low G (I think) to do some freestyling over the middle of the song.

The rest of the set was wonderful and magical.

  1. Vacancy III
  2. Only I
  3. Prophecy II
  4. Plans We Made I
  5. Honesty I
  6. Easy £
  7. Last Light I
  8. Live Another Life II
  9. A Different Kind of Love III
    encore
  10. Unbind III

I Tomorrows I (2020)
II Tomorrows II (2020)
III Tomorrows III (2020)
£ Lanterns (2013)

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