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Archive for November, 2023

[CANCELLED: November 18, 2023] GZA / Fishbone / Beau Young Prince / Crazy and the Brains

This About a month ago I saw a message that Fishbone was playing White Eagle Hall.  I had seen them earlier this summer for the first time and absolutely wanted to see them again–headlining!

But this show was scheduled for a day that we had family plans.  So I knew I couldn’t go.

When I looked up the show recently, I saw that it was cancelled.  I also saw that maybe this show was opening for GZA?  Weird that the WEH page mentioned Fishbone and not GZA.

And of course GZA is part of the Wu-Tang Clan although I don’t know much about him individually.

But it turns out that this leg of the tour has just been cancelled.

Most apologetically, due to unavoidable circumstances, we are forced to postpone the upcoming GZA/Fishbone Truth and Swords shows to Spring 2024.
Rest assured tickets purchased will be honored for the rescheduled date. If you would like to receive a refund, you will be able to do so at place of purchase.
We apologize for doing this at the 11th hour with the tour beginning
in Silver Spring, MD Monday.
Both GZA and Fishbone only want to bring the best show to all of you
and plan on doing so in Spring 2024.

Except that GZA is supposed to play Underground Arts in a week or so (which isn’t on the poster) and the opening band is Rebelmatic, who I’d not heard of, but apparently I should have: (more…)

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[DID NOT ATTEND: November 18, 2023] DakhaBrakha

I saw DakhaBrakha about a year and a half ago.  I had wanted to see them for a while, but the timing was right after Russia invaded Ukraine.  I can’t believe the war is still going on.

Their music is like nothing else I’ve heard and their visually are just as compellling.

I have wanted to see them again and this show in Montclair seemed perfect.  It just happened to be scheduled on a night when we already had plans.

I am genuinely surprised they haven’t played McCarter in Princeton. It seems like a perfect combination.  Maybe next year.

 

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[DID NOT ATTEND: September 20, 2023] Bombino

Kool Keith is a weirdo rapper who I liked back in the old days.

He was supposed to play Johnny Brenda’s during the pandemic.  But those shows got cancelled.

I wrote this back then

Kool Keith is a wacko alternative rapper.  I really liked him a lot back in the 1990s. He was part of the Ultramagnetic MC’s and Dr. Octagon. he also had the alias Black Elvis.

I had more or less forgotten about him and didn’t realize that he was still making music, but he has been consistently releasing music since the 1990s.

A lot of his music is aggressively, explicitly, sometimes disturbingly sexual (Dr. Octagonecologyst, anyone?) which was once amusing but feels really wrong now.

I didn’t really know about this show until it was cancelled and I’m not sure that I’d actually want to go (I had a few other shows I was more interested in that night).  I’ve also heard mixed things about Keith live, but I feel like it would be a fun experience.  The postponed date is a year away–we’ll see.

Funny now, a few years later and I was leaning more towards seeing him.  But this show was announced as  a replacement for someone else who had to cancel and when I recently looked, I believe there were about 12 tickets sold (in a seated venue).

Yikes.

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[ATTENDED: November 17, 2023] Mass of the Fermenting Dregs

I found out about Mass of the Fermenting Dregs when I saw a big announcement that the band had sold out the Kung Fu Necktie and the show was being moved to Underground Arts.  They sold out KFN in a couple of weeks.  I checked them out and, discovered that despite their name, they are not a hardcore/noise band.  Indeed, they are super poppy and delightful.

Their own bio says

MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS is a Japanese alternative rock band formed in Kobe City, Japan. In 2007, they won the best artist of EMI Music Japan’s new comer audition and recorded their songs with Dave Fridman at Tarbox road Studio in USA. After they released their 1st album in 2008, they rapidly climbed the alternative-rock ladder in Japan. The band once paused their activities in 2012 then reunion in 2017. The current lineup consists of Natsuko Miyamoto (Vocal & Bass) , Naoya Ogura (Guitar & Backing vocal) and Isao Yoshino (Drums & Backing vocal). Known for their energetic, hair-flailing live shows and melodic, guitar driven pop sound, they are still one of the most exciting and attracted act in Japan.

In Japanese their name is Masu obu za Fāmentingu Doreggusus so the band’s name is shortened to Masu Dore–although I didn’t hear anyone call them that.

I mean, how to pass this up.  This was, as I understand it, their first time playing Philadelphia.  And the crowd was there in full support.

I arrived a little before the opening band went on and the place was PACKED (this almost never happens).  I couldn’t get as close as I wanted to, which was a real shame.

Bu after a few songs, when the full on pit started up, I was pushed far away anyhow, so I guess it doesn’t really matter.

What I enjoyed about this show was that fans were shouting things to them in Japanese and they were answering in Japanese.  No idea what was being said, but it was so cool to overhear. (more…)

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[ATTENDED: November 17, 2023] Cam Kahin

Cam Kahin is a twenty something Torontonian who, at this show at least, looked a lot like Phil Lynott (mustache included).

It sounded like the band he had with him was a touring band, but they were in pretty great synchronicity–with both the bassist and guitarist seeming very excited to be playing.

His songs were catchy and leaned toward the heavy end of alt rock.  With songs like “Wat Are You Waiting For” having pauses for heavy guitars to punctuate the choruses.  Although some of the songs started off quietly while he softly sang lyrics like

Take my phone
Throw it down the river
Take my smokes
Flush ’em down the drain

He spent most of the time between the songs trying to get the crowd to start moving.  I have to admit that I didn’t think Mass of the Fermenting Dregs were all that mosh-based, so I didn’t really think the opening band would get that kind of response either,  But there was a small section of the crowd who were bouncing enough for their liking–the group received several shout outs.

I enjoyed the simple repetition of the chorus of “in around” which reminded me of old punk songs in style (but not sound).

Nothing in the song was stand-out original, but his use of older ideas was cool.  Like the simple echoed three note riff (and then later a repeated two-note riff) in “try again.”  Super catchy.

“Queen St.” mellowed things out a bit with a kind of rapping delivery.  Although there was some great crowd interaction with our helping out on the “oh-oh” during the chorus.

Then he asked if it was okay if the final two songs were much heavier.  And yes, of course it was.  He introduced “birds” and was probably confused as to why everyone shouted “go birds” at him.  That song and the absolutely blistering “nicotine” ended his set on a high, heavy note as the songs crashed through the crowd.  The lead guitarist also jumped into the crowd (after, I assume, telling Cam that’s what he was going to do).

I didn’t know Kahin before this show, but it was a great set and his music still resonates.

  1. Junky
  2. compass
  3. what are you waiting for
  4. in, around
  5. try again
  6. queen st
  7. birds
  8. nicotine

⊕ When It’s All Over (2023)
⇓ Let It Sink In (2022)

 

MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS is a Japanese alternative rock band formed in Kobe City, Japan. In 2007, they won the best artist of EMI Music Japan’s new comer audition and recorded their songs with Dave Fridman at Tarbox road Studio in USA. After they released their 1st album in 2008, they rapidly climbed the alternative-rock ladder in Japan. The band once paused their activities in 2012 then reunion in 2017. The current lineup consists of Natsuko Miyamoto (Vocal & Bass) , Naoya Ogura (Guitar & Backing vocal) and Isao Yoshino (Drums & Backing vocal). Known for their energetic, hair-flailing live shows and melodic, guitar driven pop sound, they are still one of the most exciting and attracted act in Japan.

Cam Kahin

As a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Cam has been pouring out his own experiences and emotions into his music. Cam has been playing music since he was 12 years old and has been developing his skill set ever since. His music leans toward an experimental/alternative-rock sound, from which he says is due to his upbringing listening to bands such as Radiohead, Cage the Elephants, and Biffy Clyro.

 

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[DID NOT ATTEND: November 17, 2023] Bit Brigade/ Triforce Quartet 

I have only seen Bit Brigade once and it was amazing.

The premise behind a Bit Brigade show is that the band plays the soundtrack to a video game while their resident gamer plays the game.  The band is heavy and the sound is amazing.

I don’t know why exactly I didn’t get a ticket for this show.  They are playing one game I’ve never heard of, and one that I haven’t played in 30 years, but that shouldn’t make any difference.

Maybe when they come by next year.

Although if Mc Lars was opening I definitely would have gone.

Which is not a dis of Triforce Quartet who play string versions of video game themes.

Triforce Quartet  began innocently as a short Zelda medley for an encore of a recital in early 2007, but the video of using traditional string quartet instruments to play music of classic games gained viral popularity later that summer. Thanks to this, cellist Chad Schwartz was able to combine his love for video games, along with years of classical training, to arrange a variety of video game themes that even non-gamers can enjoy. The four members of the Triforce Quartet take audience members on an unforgettable musical journey.

Their music is beautiful.

If I wasn’t going  to see Mass of Fermenting Dregs, I would sneak across town to see this too.

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[DID NOT ATTEND: November 16, 2023] Pansy Division / The Ritchie White Orchestra / UgLi

I heard about The Last Dinner Party a few weeks ago.  Right around when I found out they were doing a very short US Tour and Philly was one of the places.

When Pansy Division first appeared in the late 1990s, I was hugely supportive.  I loved that they were out and proud.  They introduced me to a whole subculture that I wasn’t aware of and which I am still really supportive of.  It almost seemed like it wasn’t much of a subculture anymore until Florida got their hands on it. But whatever.  Evidently the world still needs Pansy Division.

There have been gay musicians hidden throughout rock music history, but when Pansy Division began in 1991 in San Francisco, they were the first to be so boldly open about it.  Founded by guitarist/singer Jon Ginoli and soon joined by bassist/singer Chris Freeman, with the intent of forming a gay rock band, Pansy Division blew the closet doors open. Raised on a diet of 60s pop and 70s punk, their sound was suitably crunchy and catchy as hell. They wrote in-your-face lyrics, but did it with a sense of humor. Not only did their music and stance defy stereotypic norms of rock musicians being openly gay, they also broke gay cultural stereotypes that rock wouldn’t interest gay people.

I imagine that this show is going to be very very fun.

I don’t know the other two bands for the night.  But I love the blurb of The Ritchie White Orchestra

The Ritchie White Orchestra is a hard rocking poppy psychedelic trip to Detention Hall. Music for bad boys and girls and those in between.

They are a pretty raw band, though.

UgLi are from Philadelphia, PA.  They play cool indie grungy rock with lots of fuzz. They are probably my favorite of the three bands playing.  (Pansy Division’s music is a little too simple compared to UgLi).

 

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[ATTENDED: November 15, 2023] Say Sue Me

I knew about Say Sue Me because they are on the Damnably label with Otoboke Beaver.   I assumed they were a similarly wild punk band, but I hadn’t gotten around to listening to them.

About a week before this show, Otoboke Beaver sent a message that Say Sue Me was playing nearby. So I listened to a few songs, loved them, and grabbed a ticket.

Say Sue Me are from Busan, Korea and they sing most of their songs in English (lead singer Sumi Choi says they feel less personal and invasive to her that way).

They set up their gear (and used Party Nerves’ drums) and were ready to go after about fifteen minutes.

And as soon as they started I was so happy that I grabbed a ticket and arrived early.

I loved their bouncey sound and the delighted attitude of the whole band, (more…)

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[DID NOT ATTEND: November 15, 2023] Geddy Lee In Conversation

It’s crazy that I could have seen Jeff Tweedy and Geddy Lee read from their latest books and be interviewed in the same month.

Much like with Jeff, though, I didn’t really want to see Geddy read from his book.  I wasn’t even sure I cared enough about him anymore to read his book.  I mean, as a once die-hard Rush fan, I assume I knew everything about the band that I was devoted to.

But listening to the story in the video below, maybe I haven’t.

Also, I had no intention of going to New York to see this show, but seeing that Paul Rudd was his interviewer is pretty amazing.  I had no idea it would be in that format and how amazing would that have been?

I would have gone to the Philly event buy holy crap the tickets were so expensive!  So I decided to not bother.

The guest at the Met Philly was Pierre Robert who I have never heard of.  Apparently he is a DJ with WMMR, which I don’t really listen to.  So I guess he was probably a good choice for interviewing Geddy Lee.  Just not as interesting as Paul Rudd.

Here’s a clip from Philly, followed by a clip from New York

 

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[ATTENDED: November 15, 2023] Party Nerves

I found out about this show very recently.  When the show was announced there was no opening band.

Then a few days ago it was announced that Party Nerves would be opening.

Party Nerves is a Philly band who plays rocking surf guitar instrumentals.  They reminded me immediately of Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet (the band who made The Kids in the Hall theme song).

They were funny (when they spoke), self-deprecating (this is the most people who have ever hung around after we started playing) and basically ripped through 11 songs in 30 minutes or so.

They put out an EP last year and a new single (which is all of 30 seconds) this year.  They played most of their EP but clearly they have a bunch of new stuff as well.

Admittedly a lot of the songs are samey–I mean, it’s instrumental and it’s all kind of reverbed and riff-based.  But each guy is really good and the riffs are tasty.

30 minutes was pretty perfect for me to enjoy their stuff without getting overwhelmed by the surf vibes.

According to bandcamp, the band consists of Pavlo – Drums, Woolly – Guitar and Mike – Bass.

Party Nerves is a great opening act, check them out! (more…)

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