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Archive for April, 2023

Placebo (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2023)

Posted in Franklin Music Hall, Kate Bush, Philadelphia, PA, Placebo, Poppy Jean Crawford, Tears for Fears on April 30, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2023] Placebo

When Placebo announced their first American tour in ten years, I immediately grabbed a ticket.  I was vaguely surprised that my wife wanted to go–she loves a couple of their songs, but doesn’t know much else by them.

I had forgotten that originally, they had announced the tour in the fall of 2022 (with no Philly date, the closests show was Brooklyn, boo).  But they had to postpone for logistical reasons.

She did, however, guess exactly right what the show would be like–loud rocking guitars, cool lights and a fun time.  I, a big fan for decades, was completely wrong about the show.  I didn’t think it would rock that hard–knowing that they have moody songs as well.

Before the show, I checked setlist, not to see what they were playing but to see album distribution.  I found that they were playing 11 songs from their new album (!) out of 22 songs in total.

I was a little bummed about this, not because I don’t like the new album, but because I’ve never seen them before and I wanted to hear a greatest hits show.  I mean it’s been ten years.  [Turns out the band hated doing their retrospective tour ten years ago and almost broke up because of so clearly they weren’t doing that again].

But they came out (with a very strict policy of no cameras) in a wall of lights.  Brain Molko and Stefan Olsdal stood up at the front.  Brian switched guitars nearly every song and Stefan switched between bass and guitar with stark frequency. (more…)

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An Evening with Steven Page Trio (Newton Theatre, Newton NJ, April 30, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Craig Northey, Kevin Fox, Newton NJ, Newton Theatre, Odds, Steven Page on April 30, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 30, 2023] Steven Page Trio

I really like Steven Page a lot.  I’ve seen him and his trio twice now and I’ve watched a bunch of live from home videos.

Evidently this show had been announced since at least the beginning of the year but it just came on my radar about a week ago.  The Newton Theatre is just over an hour from me which isn’t out of my range (that’s how long it would take to get to Philly) but somehow driving an hour north to Newton, NJ seemed kinda far.  Plus we had just been out the night before for Placebo, so I just gave this one a miss.

Crash Test Dummies are playing Newton in a few months, so maybe I will get to this place and see if its worth the drive.

There was no opening band.

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Poppy Jean Crawford (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2023) [PLACEBO]

Posted in Deap Vally, Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, Placebo, Poppy, Poppy Jean Crawford, Tears for Fears on April 29, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2023] Placebo

When When Placebo announced their first American tour in ten years, I immediately grabbed a ticket. I was vaguely surprised that my wife wanted to go–she loves a couple of their songs, but doesn’t know much else by them.  I had actually forgotten that they had set up a tour in of the States in 2022 with no Philly date and then cancelled the tour.  But there was the Philly show and there was my ticket

Deap Vally were supposed to open.  We had seen them open for Blondie a number of years ago and I really liked them.

But then it was announced a month or so ago that Poppy Jean Crawford would open.  I thought that it was Poppy and I was really excited because I’ve wanted to see her.  But no, it was Poppy Jean Crawford–whom I had never heard of.

Her brief bio says

Poppy Jean schooled herself in L.A.’s DIY scene, hanging out at places such as the Smell and taking an interest in writing music.  She joined her first band, Crosseyed and Pantyless, at 15. Playing Experimental Folk Punk in the nude.
Feeling she had more to offer, Poppy released her first single, “Dead Girl” at 16.

She was not nude when she came out on the stage, but she was in a bodysuit and I was very impressed with her body confidence.  She sang a few songs without a guitar and a few songs with a guitar.

To her right was a guy who looked like Howard Stern playing keys.  On her left was a woman playing bass.  She was pretty superfluous because almost all of the sound came from the synths.  But she looked good.

I had to assume that PJC was annoyed by the “no cameras” rule, because no one filmed her or her band at all–and a young band needs any exposure they can get.

Anyhow, Poppy has a nice powerful voice.  Her songs are simple but catchy and I mostly enjoyed her set.  Because I have no reference point, I’m remembering that I really liked a couple of her songs and kind of didn’t like a couple other ones for some reason.

The big surprise came about 2/3 of the way through the set when she played a cover of Tears for Fears “Head Over Heels.”  The pacing was much slower which was odd.  I couldn’t decide if i liked it or not.

She didn’t say anything until the very end of her set.  But she had an amazing stage presence–utterly fearless.  (she’s been performing for eight years or so, so that makes sense).

Overall, a thumbs up.

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Restorations / Space Cadet / Orbits (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 28 & 29 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Orbits, Philadelphia, PA, Restorations, Space Cadet on April 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 28 & 29 2023] Restorations / Space Cadet / Orbit

Restorations was scheduled to pay one Philly Date (hometown date) in 2020, which was cancelled.  These two shows aren’t exactly rescheduled shows, but they kind of are.

And, I didn’t hear a single thing about them until long after they were sold out.

I saw them open for Band of Horses six years ago, and they were great.  Like with many opening bands, I thought it would be great to see them headline (especially in a small place like Johnny Brenda’s).

I would have absolutely gone to one (or both) of these shows.

The first night was billed as New and Old Songs.  The second night was billed as LP2

For the first night, they played songs from LP2, LP3, LP 5000 and Restorations as well as some new songs.

The second night they played all of LP2 and some other new songs.

They haven’t really done anything since 2019.  I’m not sure if it was a hiatus or what, but it sure seems like they are back.

Space Cadet is from Massachusetts.  It’s a little hard to find details about them.  But this review from Geoff Wilbur Music is pretty succinct

The songs on Space Cadet‘s Lion on a Leash (available digitally and on vinyl) recall the jangly, energetic radio-friendly rock of Harvey Danger and Semisonic. Vocalist Matt Hock and guitarist David Walsh were two-fifths of punk rock outfit The Explosion, and a bit of that frantic punk energy can be found powering Space Cadet’s songs, as well.

They play catchy pop rock with an edge.

Orbits (not to be confused with about six other similarly named bands (they are not The Orbits, Orbit, Orbital or Atom & the Orbits) are from Philly and Cleveland.   Clevescene says

With Orbits, Toby Reif (the Sidekicks) and Maxwell Stern (Signals Midwest, Timeshares, Meridian) expand upon the music they explored with their previous bands. And yet, Orbits’ densely layered vocals, down-tuned guitars, synthesizers, and odd timings position the record as “a unique vessel for exploring ideas well outside the realm of their past output,” as it’s put in a press release.

The guitars are loud and a little sloppy (not exactly sloppy, but noisy and unpolished).  The vocals are too (with cool loud harmonies).  The songs are short.  It’s a fun record and probably a fun live show.

 

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Fucked Up / Gnawing / Restraining Order (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 27, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Fucked Up, Gnawing, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Restraining Order, Underground Arts on April 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 27, 2023] Fucked Up / Gnawing / Restraining Order

I saw Fucked Up back in July of last year and never thought they’d be back again so soon.  Of course they are super prolific, so why shouldn’t their touring schedule be, too.

I was really excited to see them again because the last show was intense and a ton of fun.

But I wound up doing a ton of yard work during the day (I had taken the day off from work).  And by the time it was time to go out, I was exhausted.  I even felt asleep during the show hours, so it’s probably best I wasn’t driving.  But it sounds like they’ll be back soon enough.

Gnawing describes themselves as a loud rock and roll band that wishes they were a country band.  They come across as more of a sloppy indie rock band from the 90s and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Restraining Order is pretty much straight up hardcore punk.  They would have been a fun opener.

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Bailter Space / Eight (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia PA, April 26, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Bailter Space, Eight, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on April 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 26, 2023] Bailter Space / Eight

Bailter Space are legendary, although I never really got into them for some reason.  They play a noisy shoegaze/distortion-fueled type of music that I really like.

I was surprised to see that they were touring (I’s assumed they’d broken up years ago–and they had).

They put out 7 albums up until 1999.  Then they disappeared only to resurface in 2012 and 2013 with records.  More recently, they released an album in 2021.

But man, I had something like five shows this week and it’s just too much.

For a scathing review of their last show in New Zealand (in 2018), check out this review.

And here’s a summary of the show the night before this one: “There were real highlights, times when it all gelled like a thousand horse hooves in a rendering plant, but times when it just smelled like a rendering plant.”

Eight is the recording project of Mimi Gallagher, based in Philadelphia. Delight in Eight is the debut record, assembled from recordings done at home and at the Bunk with a revolving door of friends — anchored by the core trio of Mimi Gallagher, Cat Park, and Pat Brier.

I listened to a few songs from the album and I really like it.  It has a Julian Hatfield (circa 1995) feel–gentle vocals over some good old fuzzy guitar rock.

I probably should have gone to this show.  But at least I learned about this band.

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100 gecs / Machine Girl (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, April 26, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in 100 gecs, Franklin Music Hall, Machine Girl, Philadelphia, PA on April 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 26, 2023] 100 gecs / Machine Girl

Back in 2021, 100 gecs played Union Transfer.  Two nights.  Both sold out.

I barely know them but I enjoy their hyperactive pop.

Here it is two years later and they have moved up to Franklin Music Hall.  I still think they would be fun to go see, but I  imagine I would be an old age minority at this very young person’s show.

Still sounds like fun.

Machine Girl is described by Pitchfork as Relentlessly smashing together bits of punk, grindcore, rave, industrial, and more, the Pittsburgh duo’s maximalist music echoes the cruel momentum of the modern world.

Which sounds about right for this tour.  The show must have been exhausting.

 

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Charly Bliss (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 24, 2023)

Posted in 2nd Grade, Charly Bliss, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on April 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 24, 2023] 2nd Grade

This was my third time seeing Charly Bliss.

This was their first headlining tour in three years.  It made me wonder what they’ve been doing, but I see they have been playing shows in the meantime.  Nevertheless, this one sold out immediately.

The last time I Saw them, I marveled at Eva Hendrick’s energy–she pogoed throughout so many songs.  The whole band was great and that was the case at this show as well.

They played a kind of greatest hits.  Six songs from their debut and six from their follow up.   The rest of the set was filled out with an oldie and four brand new songs.

Spencer Fox on guitar also seems to really enjoy himself–doing fun poses and dances while playing.

He and Eva also have an amazing rapport, especially when she plays guitar and they jam with each other.

Drummer Sam Hendricks is spot on, keeping these songs moving perfectly and bassist Dan Shure contributes lots of keyboards to flesh out the songs.

But really all eyes are on Eva.  She is a bundle of energy–in the way she sings so intensely and the way she dancey and smiles when she’s not singing.

Her outfits are often very interesting too.  Last time I saw the, she was wearing a skirt made of feathers.  This time it was a kind of Chain Mail made of little rubber (?) tchotchkes.   I saw kitty cats and dogs and letter and all kinds of things.

They seemed super psyched that we came out for (and sold out) the show.  She said she wasn’t sure if anyone still cared about them.  But we sure did.

For an encore, they showed their appreciation the only way they knew how–by playing a cover song t hat everyone knew but me: A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton whom I’ve ever heard of. But the song was fun anyhow.

They ended with “Julia” and with Spencer and Eva on their knees on the floor totally jamming out.

It was a ton of fun.  And I’m glad I was able to get a ticket.

April 24, 2023 November 14, 2019 October 8, 2018
Urge to Purge $$ Capacity ¥ Westermarck ⊗
Capacity ¥ Hard to Believe ¥ Scare U ⊗
DQ ⊗ The Truth ¥ Heaven $
Westermarck ⊗ Threat $ Gatorade ⊗
Chatroom ¥ Glitter ⊗ Ruby ⊗
Nineteen ** Supermoon $ Supermoon
Percolator ⊗ Camera ¥ Percolator ⊗
Heaven $ Ruby ⊗ DQ ⊗
Ruby ⊗ Heaven $ Black Hole ⊗
Black Hole ⊗ Under You ¥ Glitter ⊗
Boyfriend  ** Hurt Me ¥
UDK ** Bleach ¥
Calling You Out ** Blown to Bits ¥
Hurt Me ¥ Young Enough ¥
Hard to Believe ¥ Chatroom ¥
Fighting in the Dark (whole band) ¥ encore
Young Enough ¥ Percolator ⊗

encore
A Thousand Miles [Vanessa Carlton cover]
Julia ⊗

*2018: they played everything but “Totalizer” and “Julia” from Guppy.
*2019: they played everything but “Fighting In the Dark” from Young Enough.

** new songs (2023)

$ = Supermoon EP (2019)
¥ = Young Enough (2019)
⊗ = Guppy (2017)
$$ = Soft Serve EP (2014)

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Overcoats / Halima (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia PA, April 25, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Halima, Johnny Brenda's, Overcoats, Philadelphia, PA on April 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 25, 2023] Overcoats / Halima

I saw Overcoats twice back in 2018 and I was really quite taken with their music and their friendship.

Over the years I’ve cooled on them somewhat.  I’m not sure why, exactly, but I wasn’t interested in seeing them again.  So, that’s okay.

Halima’s bio says

Raised by her mother between Lagos and London, and now based in Brooklyn, Halima draws from a tri-continental well. …  From early explorations of folk and piano to later studies of jazz and R&B, Halima’s career has evolved, making pit stops in pop-punk, neo-soul, and electronic along the way. Now, her sound pulls unapologetically from a broad musical spectrum, nodding sonically to those defining experiences and pushing forward toward a more pointed exploration of self.

I listened to one song and only heard R&B and didn’t like it.

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2nd Grade (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 24, 2023) [CHARLY BLISS]

Posted in 2nd Grade, Charly Bliss, Gladie, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on April 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 24, 2023] 2nd Grade

I could have seen 2nd Grade play with Kiwi Jr. last month.  But I went to a different show that night instead.

Originally, Gladie was supposed to open this show.  But at the last minute, 2nd Grade took their place.  I had been looking forward to seeing Gladie again as I thought they were great.  But I was happy to see 2nd Grade since when I looked them up last time I found

They are a gentle boppy indie pop band.  Super catchy and poppy with delightful harmonies and a childlike quality (as befits their name).  Most of the songs are around two minutes.

And that’s how they played fourteen songs in some 30 minutes.

“Favorite Song” is a fun song about how people’s favorite songs changed during their relationship.  “W-2” is, as he said, a song about taxes.

They have some fun titles.  “Dennis Hopper in Easy Rider” is super catchy with lyrics that are not challenging.

The band is lead by guitarist and vocalist Peter Gill (who actually played bass at our show).  Catherine Dwyer played second guitar and had a nasty word for the PPA who had recently thrown “3 hour limit” parking signs all over the area.  The applause wasn’t as strong as it could have been, probably because most people walk there.  But for me, I was 100% in agreement.

On lead guitar was John Samuels who also played at Johnny Brenda’s the night before with someone else.  His guitar was a little too loud (or I was standing too close to the amp), but his solos were interesting.

Gill had a good rapport with the audience (for a Philly band, they seemed largely unknown, although there were definitely some fans–one of whom even requested a song).  “My Bike” was supposed to come after Sharona but he said they were going  to skip it–you don’t want to hear that. But later on someone did request it, so they dropped the last song on the setlist “Work Til I Die” to fit it in.

They had fun with Controlled Burn which has a big chant at the end: “if you know the title “Controlled Burn” you can chant along.  Which we did.

Most of the songs were indeed under two minutes, with a couple running a little longer.  They were delightful pop nuggets that ricke da little harder than on record–but not much.  A delightful opening band.

  1. Favorite Song ⊗
  2. W-2 ∇
  3. Strung Out on You €
  4. Dennis Hopper in Easy Rider ∇
  5. Me and My Blue Angels €
  6. Superglue ⊗
  7. When You Were My Sharona ∇
  8. Controlled Burn €
  9. Made Up My Own Mind *
  10. Velodrome ∇
  11. Hands Down €
  12. My Bike ∇
  13. Shooting From the Hip ∇
  14. As Long As We Can Talk About It ⊗


€ Easy Listening (2022)
∇ Hit to Hit (2020)
⊗ When You Were Here Tour Revisited (2018/2021)

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