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Archive for April, 2023

The Sadies / Carson McHone (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 18, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Carson McHone, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, The Sadies on April 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 18, 2023] The Sadies / Carson McHone

I could clearly spend most of my time at Johnny Brenda’s, but somehow, I seem to blow off these show more than any others.

I’ve been aware of The Sadies for a pretty long time, although I’ve never really listened to them much.  I kind of assumed they were a country band.  Wikipedia describes them as a a Canadian rock and roll / country and western band.

They are quite beloved by other musicians (in and out of Canada) and just about everyone has sung guest vocals with them (their first three songs on Spotify feature Neko Case, Kurt Vile and Gord Downie).  Just as I was becoming more familiar with them, their singer Dallas Good died suddenly.  I assumed that that was the end for the band, but they have continued.

My brother-in-law saw them recently and said they were great.  I would have liked to see them, but I had tickets to the Final Skinny Puppy show.  So I wasn’t going to miss that.

Carson McHone is a singer-songwriter from Austin. In describing her music, Nashville Scene Magazine says “she’s a young country singer who expresses herself through the form while avoiding the formalism that etiolates the work of many country purists.”

I wouldn’t have specified her as country as much as these review do.  She doesn’t have a twang, but I can see the connection to country.  I like her anyway,

This would have been a good bill.

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Lead Into Gold (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, April 18, 2023) [SKINNY PUPPY]

Posted in Lead Into Gold, Philadelphia, PA, Skinny Puppy, The Met Philadelphia on April 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 18, 2023] Lead Into Gold

I figured that Skinny Puppy would have an interesting opening band. I vaguely remembered hearing of Lead Into Gold.  When they projected the logo on a screen at one point it looked very familiar.

I see that they put out an album in 1990 so I might have heard a song (apparently “Faster Than Light”), but I don’t really recall.

I also had no idea that I was in the presence of Industrial Royalty, as Paul Barker himself is Lead Into Gold.  Barker was known as Hermes Pan and was the engineer and producer for Ministry as well as many other bands.

When the duo came out on stage, I wasn’t even sure who was the main person because the guy with the keytar, yes, keytar, was wearing a shimmery gold pajama-looking suit.  But he stepped aside as Barker played the gadget that the gold man was standing in front of to make an interesting industrial instrumental. (more…)

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Black Belt Eagle Scout / Claire Glass & Adobo (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 17, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Adobo, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Claire Glass, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on April 17, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 17, 2023] Black Belt Eagle Scout / Claire Glass & Adobo

When I first heard about Black Belt Eagle Scout back in 2018, I was really inrigued:

Katherine Paul grew up on a small Indian reservation in the Pacific Northwest. The singer, who performs as Black Belt Eagle Scout, identifies as a “radical indigenous queer feminist” and is influenced by Native American tradition as well as indie rock.

But when I listened to her song, I found it kind of bland.  Her voice is soft and pretty, but the indie rock component was pretty minimal and was, as I say, kind of bland.

It’s now five years later and the new Black Belt Eagle Scout album, The Land, The Water the Sky, ups everything that I found missing that first time around.

I rather wanted to go to this show and a friend of mine says it was really good.  But I have a birthday party to attend to coming up and I’m out tomorrow night so it was important to stay home.

Claire Glass Claire Glass is the solo project of Claire Puckett (of Hikes and Mother Falcon). This iteration highlights intricate classical guitar compositions overlaid with delicate vocals, with lyrical content prodding the deeper meanings of everyday wonders. Her newest release, “Dust”, explores themes of spiritual seeking after religion, alluding to Phillip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy. It blends classical guitar with airy synths to create an ethereal, otherworldly feel.

Adobo Adobo is the solo project of Filipinx naturalist Nay Mapalo (of Hikes); Adobo is a foray into patient, emotive songs that pull inspiration from pop composition and the intricacies of classical guitar technique.

The listing said Claire Glass and Adobo were performing together, but photos made that seem incorrect.

 

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Caroline Polachek / George Clanton (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, April 14, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Caroline Polacheck, Franklin Music Hall, George Clanton, Philadelphia, PA on April 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 14, 2023] Caroline Polachek / George Clanton

Caroline Polacheck is a name that I keep hearing in the context of someone that I should be listening to.  It kind of blows my mind when someone I don’t know (but who is in a genre that I like) plays a venue the size of Franklin Music Hall.

Polachek co-founded the band Chairlift who I guess I don’t actually know, but who I’ve at least heard of.

But this review of Polacheck puts her squarely in my wheelhouse of musical taste

At its highest register, her voice is diaphanous and otherworldly, somewhere between the call of a siren and the religious arias of an 11th-century abbess. When combined with Polachek’s futuristic synth stylings, the result is like something from a science-fiction novel. Polachek is lithe and willowy, with a surreal, selkie beauty that matches her ethereal voice. Her visual work deals heavily in the fantastical, where her elven features fit right in — it’s almost hard to imagine what she would look like in everyday clothes (or, rather, it’s easy to imagine that she simply wears leather, buckles and 18th-century corsetry to the grocery store). She frequently co-directs her music videos, which take inspiration from Greek mythology, obscure surrealism and historical fantasy.

Although I don’t really like her music all that much.  I don’t dislike it, it just doesn’t quite do it for me. (more…)

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Diavolo (State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ, April 13, 2023) [rescheduled date, rescheduled again and again] [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Acrobats, Diavolo, New Brunswick, NJ, State Theatre on April 13, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 13, 2023] Diavolo [rescheduled from April 28, 2020, April 29, 2021 and March 25, 2022]

After all of these postponements, I wondered if we would actually get to see it this year.

It turned out that this date was on my kids’ Spring Break and we decided to go to the beach during the day.  By the time of the show we were in no condition to go anywhere–exhaustion from the heat and the sun kept us at home.  Sorry Diavolo.

~~~~~

And now, the resurgence had made a third postponement.

By 2023, I wonder if any of the same people will still be in the troupe?

~~~

One might have thought postponing this show an entire year would have been sufficient.  But now they have postponed again for nearly another entire year.  I think I’ll be very ready to see a Cirque by then.

I love going to see Cirques–all kinds of fun acrobatics and stunts on display.  When my kids were younger, we went to a lot of them.  Then we stopped for a while and I felt it was time to do it again.

Diavolo is in fact a dance company, but they perform amazing acrobatics and physically demanding pieces (as you can see from the reviews like: “Diavolo’s performers are fearless, elegant and strong with a sense of timing by which a Swiss watch could be set, and the way the troupe interacts with the moving sets, makes for a truly spectacular and awe inspiring show”).

I found out about this show after it was cancelled, but when I saw that it was rescheduled for April of 2021, I was really interested in going to see it with the family.

VOYAGE is Diavolo’s newest adventure, inspired by travels in space and the 50th Anniversary of the first Moon Landing. A young woman dreams of traveling distances only astronauts can, escaping from the ordinary world into a surreal landscape of infinite possibilities. Gravity-defying bodies join her on a large wheel structure that rolls along the stage and on the journey in a universe that is alive with kinetic energy, fantastical whimsy, and surprising transformation.

TRAJECTOIRE is a signature Diavolo work that takes the audience on a visceral and emotional journey through the ebb and flow of the human experience. Watch as performers jump on and off a “Trajectoire” which is a 3,000 pound boat made of wood, aluminum, and steel that continuously rocks back and forth. Watch the performers struggle to find their balance on a voyage of destiny and destination in a daring display that shows the transcendence of the human soul against all odds.

diavolo

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Sleaford Mods (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 11, 2023)

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Sheer Mag, Sleaford Mods, Underground Arts on April 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 11, 2023] Sleaford Mods

I’ve been aware of Sleaford Mods for a few years.  I enjoy them a little more in theory than in reality.  It’s a little aggressive for me and Jason Williamson is a little too angry for my tastes these days.  But I still thought they would be fun to see live.

When Sheer Mag was done, the roadies cleared out everything from the stage–amps, gear, banner.  Everything stripped out.

There was nothing on the stage when Andrew Fearn came up with a table and a laptop.   Then they brought up a microphone.

And that was that.

So what the heck is this band all about?

Sleaford Mods have described their work as “electronic munt minimalist punk-hop rants for the working class.” Williamson is responsible for the words, Fearn for the music. Sleaford Mods songs have been described as embittered rants about such topics as unemployment, modern working life, celebrities and pop culture, capitalism and society in general. The lyrics usually contain profanity, which is, according to Williamson, the way in which he speaks and “not just fucking swearing.” Fearn’s music has been described as “purgatorial loop[s]” of “pugilistic post-punk-style bass; functional but unprepossessing beats; occasional cheap keyboard riffs and listless wafts of guitar.” Williamson’s voice on Sleaford Mods songs is sprechgesang, rapped with an East Midlands dialect.

So they don’t really do rap.  But they kind of do.  (more…)

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Lucius / Danielle Ponder (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, April 11, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Danielle Ponder, Lucius, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of Living Arts on April 11, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 11, 2023] Lucius / Danielle Ponder

Last year I didn’t see Lucius on two separate occasions because the shows didn’t line up properly for me.

So when they announced a shwo at White Eagle Hall, I thought I’d try to get to it.

But it turned out to be opposite Sleaford Mods who I had been wanting to see for quite a while.  So, sorry Lucius.  I suppose I won’t get another opportunity, but if I do I’ll be sure to take it.

Although as I keep saying–

I’m not even 100% sure I want to see them live–I really like some of their songs a lot, but a lot are just kind of okay for me.  Although their harmonies are absolutely dynamite.

Danielle Ponder is a soul singer with an amazing voice.  Her raspy vocals on “Some of Us are Brave” are incredible.  I feel like she could easily be working with Hozier one of these days.

In 2020, NPR described her music as anthemic while compassionate; soulful, while bold and strong. She reverberates with a goosebump-inducing passion,.”

She’s be pretty great to see live.  And she has a fascinating backstory too:

Danielle attended Northeastern University where she received her Juris Doctorate. For 5 years, Danielle worked as a public defender where she provided criminal defense to the indigent community.

While working as a public defender, Danielle also toured Europe and scored an opening spot with George Clinton.

In 2018, after five years as a public defender, she made the gutsy decision to pursue her No.1 passion — music. In 2021, Danielle performed at the Newport Jazz Festival where her performance was hailed as one of the stand out performances of the event.

 

 

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Sheer Mag (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 11, 2023) [SLEAFORD MODS]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Sheer Mag, Sleaford Mods, Underground Arts on April 11, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 11, 2023] Sheer Mag

I saw Sheer Mag about ten months ago. So this was my third time seeing them.  It’s always funny to me how I see some bands a lot without really trying to, but bands that I really want to see I hardly get the chance.

There are bands that I love that I have now seen as many times as Sheer Mag, a band that I enjoy, but don’t need to see again.

The first time I saw them, I said

They play a terrific swagger-filled hard rock (comparisons to many riff rock bands of the 70s abound).  And they are fronted by bad-ass singer Tina Halladay whose gritty voice sounds quite a bit like some of high-pitched male singers of the era.

They have a new album coming out soon.  And they may have played some songs from it–there were a few that sounded different from the ones they usually play.

They are certainly an odd opening band for Sleaford Mods.  Tina joked that the pairing made sense because Sleaford Mods are British and Sheer Mag are a bunch of cunts.  So there ya go. (more…)

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Bikini Kill (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, April 7, 2023) [Fifth rescheduled date!]

Posted in Bikini Kill, Brontez Purnell, Feminism, Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, Riot Grrrl on April 9, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 7, 2023] Bikini Kill [rescheduled from November 22, 2020, October 2, 2021 and July 13, 2022]

I bought a ticket for this show on November 10, 2019.  That’s 1,244 days.

And it finally happened!

It felt like a pretty long time before the band came out.  My daughter was a little nervous about the place being sold out and the crowd definitely pressed in on us, but she was a trooper and we enjoyed talking to some of the other people around us.

And then the band came out.

Three of the original Bikini Kill members were touring, Tobi Vail on drums (and vocals) Kathi Wilcox on bass (and drums) and Kathleen Hanna singing (and bass).  Original member Billy Karren was not part of the reunion and was replaced by Sara Landeau who has an impressive musical background.

They came out and launched right into song after song.

Kathleen Hanna is a great front woman–talking to us about the songs, saying how great it was to see so many young people whose parents were into th eband and talking about how different it was back in the 90s when people would heckle and throw things at them.

They played a bunch of songs and the crowd was singing along with them all the way.

After about six songs, Tobi Vail came down from behind the kit and sang a couple of songs.  Kathi played drums and Kathleen went to the bass.

Then Kathleen retruned to the fore for a few more songs.  She talked about “No Backrub” as being about self-care and she was delighted to see punks slamdancing to a song about self-care.

It’s been a pretty long time since I listened to these records very carefully so I didn’t know the songs all that well.  But I enjoyed the energy and singing along to the songs and parts of songs that I knew.  I love “Reject All American.”  And it was soon after that they played a whole bunch from Pussy Whipped, the album I know best.

As the set drew to a close, she said they were going to a play a song that she wrote because her sister used to say it to all he guys who harrassed her on her way to school.  Everybody shout along now: “suck my left one!”

After a short encore break, Kathleen apologized for not introducing the band and shouted “We are Bikini Kill and we want Revolution Girl Style Now!” before playing “Double Dare Ya!”

And then came the moment everyone was waiting for.  They started “Rebel Girl” and the play exploded.  It was great fun.  And at about 80 minutes it still felt pretty exhausting from all the dancing.

  1. New Radio §
  2. This Is Not a Test ⇓
  3. Don’t Need You ©
  4. Alien She Ψ
  5. Feels Blind ⇓
  6. I Hate Danger § (Tobi Vail singing)
  7. In Accordance to Natural Law § (Tobi Vail singing)
  8. Carnival ⇓
  9. Resist Psychic Death ©
  10. No Backrub Ø
  11. Capri Pants Ø
  12. For Tammy Rae Ψ
  13. For Only Ø
  14. Demi Rep §
  15. Reject All American Ø
  16. Jigsaw Youth ©
  17. Sugar  Ψ
  18. Rah! Rah! Replica §
  19. Hamster Baby Ψ  (Tobi Vail singing)
  20. Tell Me So Ψ  (Tobi Vail singing)
  21. Magnet Ψ
  22. Lil’ Red Ψ
  23. Suck My Left One ⇓
    encore
  24. Double Dare Ya ⇓
  25. Rebel Girl Ψ
⇓ Revolution Girl Style Now (1991)
Ψ Pussy Whipped (1993)
© The C.D. Version of the First Two Records (1994)
Ø Reject All American (1996)
§ The Singles (1998)

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Brontez Purnell (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, April 7, 2023) [BIKINI KILL] [Fifth rescheduled date!]

Posted in Bikini Kill, Brontez Purnell, Feminism, Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, Riot Grrrl on April 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 7, 2023] Brontez Purnell [rescheduled from November 22, 2020, October 2, 2021 and July 13, 2022]

I bought a ticket for this show on November 10, 2019.  That’s 1,244 days.

And it finally happened!

In the 4 years since I bought these tickets, my daughter became a fan of the band and I was able to score a ticket for her that wasn’t marked up all that much.  So we both got to enjoy the show.

There were a couple of different opening acts planned for this show.  I would have loved to see Alice Bag.  But for this date we had Brontez Purnell.

I had no idea who this was and even had kind of a hard time imagining what they would do.  Especially since his Wikipedia page states:

Brontez Purnell is an American writer, musician, dancer, and director based out of Oakland, California. He is the author of several books, including Since I Laid My Burden Down, and the zine Fag School; frontman for the punk band The Younger Lovers; and founder of the Brontez Purnell Dance Company.

I didn’t know if Brontez would speak, dance or sing.

So it turned out Brontez fronted a three piece garage punk band.  And they were very much okay. (more…)

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