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Portugal. The Man (The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ, February 23, 2024)

Posted in Asbury Park, NJ, Native Americans, Portugal The Man, Snacktime, The Stone Pony on February 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 23, 2024] Portugal. The Man

My family and I saw Portugal, The Man at the Newport Folk Festival.  Actually, we saw one song and their opening session with a Native American woman (which was very cool, but obviously meant we missed a few more songs.

So I’ve wanted to see them for at least five years, and I know that I wanted to see them for a while before then as well.

I had tickets to see them with Alt-J last summer, but couldn’t make it.   So here they were coming down to Asbury Park, a closeish drive and a cool city (especially in the off-season, when parking is cheap).

I hated the crowd.  They were squeezed in so close, and then a bunch of tall people shoved in front so I could barely see anything (I didn’t even realize there was a woman on stage until about 3/4 of the way through the show).  And the loud bros behind me engaged in this fascinating behavior: Song starts, “TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK–I love this song–sing chorus very loudly-TALK TALK TALK TALK.”  It was hard to move away from them but I slowly did over the course of the show.

But before the music started, they introduced a Native American woman from Alaska who talked about nature and how cool it was to be at the Atlantic Ocean, since she knows the Pacific Ocean.  And then she introduced a man and his daughter who had lived here on this land for thousands of years.  (I assume they were Lenapi).  The spoke a bit and then sang a song of thanks and praise.

It was pretty cool, and an amazing gesture from the band.  After they were finished, they left, the stage cleared for a few minutes.  Then the lights turned red and that just solidified that I wouldn’t see anything for the show.  So I settled in to just chilling with the music.

And it was pretty amazing.  They opened with a wild medley of Dopesmoker which segued into a really fast version of Yes’ Heart of the Sunrise (just the music).  They segued between that and two choruses of their older songs and finally settled on “Grim Generation” from the new album.

I didn’t really know the new album very well.  I’ve listened to it a few times, but it hadn’t really sunk in like their earlier stuff.  But it sounded great live.

The new album is a bit more mellow, but their older music is weird and wild.  And the crowd LOVED it.  I didn’t know that P.tM had such a huge and dedicated following–people who knew the words to all the songs.  Unlike me.  I knew some of the songs, but what really impressed me was how much I enjoyed even the songs that I didn’t know.  The songs were short and catchy.  Each song was about three minutes with a big chorus and they moved on to another song.  It wasn’t exactly a greatest hits type of show, but more of a touchstone for all of their songs through their career. (more…)

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Snacktime (The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ, February 23, 2024) [PORTUGAL. THE MAN]

Posted in Asbury Park, NJ, Portugal The Man, Snacktime, The Stone Pony on February 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 23, 2024] Snacktime

I had heard of Snacktime, but I wasn’t all that excited to see them.

SNACKTIME is Philadelphia’s already beloved seven-piece band, blazing a path cut from their soul, funk, punk, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B influences. Created during the height of the pandemic, the group began performing free shows that combined their love of music, food, and togetherness in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. They quickly amassed huge crowds and became a symbol of positivity and lockdown release, while showcasing the richness of their city’s musical history and community. This progressed to sold-out headlining shows, curation of neighborhood festivals, multiple appearances at Philadelphia 76ers halftime shows, and slots at major music festivals.

It wasn’t that I wouldn’t like them.  I mean, obviously, they were going to be a lot of fun.  I assumed they would play horn-filled songs that were catchy and fun and dancey.  And I felt like I had heard that before, so it didn’t excite me.

And when they came out, that’s exactly what they played.  Super fun bouncy horn filled melodies with occasional words (most encouraging people to get up, stand up or dance).

I was in a crabby mood when they started because it was super crowded and I realized for the third time how much I dislike The Stone Pony as a venue (especially when it is crowded).   I couldn’t really see the band and the lights weren’t very helpful, so it was not a great scene.  But their music cheered me up pretty much from the get go.

They played soulful music and implored us to Step Up to The Dance Floor.

I thought about how they were promoting a message of positivity, but “I Don’t Give a Damn” was kind of an odd choice.

However, I really enjoyed the stupid shout-along “Smokin’ Drinkin’ Talkin’ Shit”

The rest of the show was more of the same, with solos, chanting, clapping and good feelings.  There were a lot of people who were there to see Snacktime.  And I totally get it.  It’s just not quite my thing (except when it is). (more…)

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Stick Men / Tim Motzer (Egner Chapel, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, February 24, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Allentown PA, Egner Chapel, Muhlenberg College, Pat Mastelotto, Stick Men, Tim Motzer, Tony Levin on February 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 24, 2024] Stick Men / Tim Motzer 

I have been trying to see Stick Men since the pandemic.  I wasn’t really aware of them before hand.  They played a show in Sellersville a few years ago and I was busy.  They play a lot around New York, but don’t seem to venture off the island all that often.

A show in Allentown seemed like an interesting opportunity to check them out.  But it coincided with a day that we had already set aside for another event.  So, there would be no Stick Men any time soon.

Stick Men is the trio comprised of Tony Levin and Pat Mastellotto from King Crimson and Markus Reuter, one of the foremost players of the Chapman Stick guitar thing.  Bernier and Levin both play them during the set (hence the name).  I’ve wanted to see them every since I heard about them (A chance to se Tony Levin right up close!).  But Stick Men seems to tour quite a lot, and now that King Crimson is more or less dissolved for good, I assume they’ll be touring a bit more.  So when Son Lux, a band I’ve tried and failed to see twice before) was scheduled for the same night, I had to see them while I had the chance.

Tim Motzer is an experimental guitarist.  Apparently you never know what you’re going to get with him.

This was the same line up as in Sellersville, so I guess they tend to tour together.

An excerpt from Motzer in Sellersville is here.  I don’t see Stick Men available anymore.

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This is the Kit / Sam Amidon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, February 23, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Sam Amidon, This is the Kit, World Cafe Live on February 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 23, 2024] This is the Kit / Sam Amidon

This is the Kit played Johnny Brenda’s back in October.  They are a band I know from NPR Music and I haven’t thought of them in a while.  I recall liking their music but that there was something unusual about it.

I enjoyed this blurb about them from bandcamp:

This Is The Kit is the musical project of Kate Stables and whoever joins her. You thought you didn’t like the banjo but you were wrong pal. Listen as Kate rips forward with her hypnotic twang pattern and a voice of rare, unaffected beauty.

Kate has a very British delivery.  Reading my review of their Tiny Desk Concert, I really liked them more than I remembered.

I’m happy for them that they have moved from Johnny Brenda’s to World Cafe Live and maybe this will get them some airplay on WXPN. (more…)

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Indigo De Souza (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, February 22, 2024)

Posted in Indigo De Souza, Jersey City, NJ, Truth Club, White Eagle Hall on February 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 22, 2024] Indigo De Souza

This was the seventh time since Jan 2022 that I might have seen Indigo De Souza.

She had a show scheduled for Union Transfer which was postponed twice.  She was scheduled to open for Lucy Dacus–a show I didn’t get a ticket for because I was seeing Indigo headline (cancelled).  She finally played her Union Transfer show but I couldn’t make it.  Then she was supposed to open for Rainbow Kitten Surprise and that whole tour was cancelled.

I wasn’t even really sure I still wanted to see her after all this time, but the show was nowhere near sold out, so I grabbed a ticket.

There were a lot of die-hard fans there which is hit or miss.  This crowd was very respectful of her, which I liked.  There was some singing along but it was mostly quiet until it called for loud sing alongs.

I was honestly surprised at how subdued she was during the set.  I’ve never seen her before, but all of her promotional material makes her seem like a wild performer.  And she was absolutely not that tonight.

But her voice was beautiful and she was very sweet and engaging.  She played about an hour and the crowd was enraptured.

She opened with the mellow “Be My Love,” and I was so happy that the crowd was silent as she sang the quiet, sad song.

Her guitarist Maddie Shuler played a lap steel that I couldn’t even tell what the instrument was at first, it was small, plastic and portable.  It looked like a keyboard, but was clearly a guitar. (more…)

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Grace Vonderkuhn / Puppy Angst / Babyfang (Fringe Bar, Philadelphia, PA, February 22, 2024) [Free show–DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Babyfang, Fringe Bar, Grace Vonderkuhn, Philadelphia, PA on February 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 22, 2024] Grace Vonderkuhn / Puppy Angst / Babyfang

This show was announced not too long ago.  A free show–an opportunity to see Grace Vonderkuhn again.  In a venue I’d never been to.  It was compelling,

But I had tickets to see Indigo de Souza, who I’ve been trying to see for a couple of years now.

While I was waiting for Truth Club to go on, I saw this update from the Grace camp

UPDATE: Due to sickness in the ranks, I (Grace) will be ~opening~ the free show at @fringebarphilly tonight with an intimate *solo* performance followed by @webabyfang and @puppyangst . Hope to see you there!

I genuinely don’t even know what Grace Koon would sound like solo.  I’d have been bummed to discover that I wasn’t getting the whole band (if I had blown of Indigo for this show).

Babyfang is a trio based in Brooklyn  The band consists of: Oakland, California native, Théo Mode (guitarist), Houston, Texas native, Canteen Killa (drummer) and Queens, New York native, 13th Law (bassist). 

I listened to their album and I really like it.  It pulls from all directions, often within a singular song.  The vocals remind me of shoegaze, the guitars rock but there’s all kinds of interesting elements pinging around the songs.  I imagine they are really intense live.

Puppy Angst is from Philly and they describe themselves:

It’s like puppy love but a lil more sad 🐕 shoegazy/dreamy fuzz pop; kind of fun kind of a bummer [alyssa + eric + john + dan + pauli💓]

Their album scorpio season hits me in all the right places–fuzzy guitars, poppy melodies and  confessional storytelling.  Great stuff.

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Truth Club (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, February 22, 2024) [INDIGO DE SOUZA]

Posted in Indigo De Souza, Jersey City, NJ, Truth Club, White Eagle Hall on February 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 22, 2024] Truth Club

I used to really like White Eagle Hall.  I still think it’s a great venue with fantastic sound, but the people who go to show thee have really ruined it for me.

A guy preceded me into the bathroom and was enthusiastic about the show, which was cool “Bro, are you fucking stoked?”  But he brought that enthusiasm out to the floor and was shouting “rock and roll” and just being really loud (and tall). I assume he was drunk, but who knows.

Then in front of me there was a group of ten or so people who were definitely there for Indigo but who talked throughout the opening band which sucked because Truth Club was fantastic,

Any band who has a My Bloody Valentine song in their setlist is going to be interesting.  I would have love to have heard their cover of “Cupid Come,” but they didn’t play it.

From North Carolina, Truth Club is a foursome who play quiet loud really well.  Catchy melodies and big walls of sound meld into a great picture overall. (more…)

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Tyler Ramsey / Jeremy Lister (Milkboy, Philadelphia, PA, February 21, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Jeremy Lister, Milkboy, Philadelphia, PA, Tyler Ramsey on February 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 21, 2024] Tyler Ramsey / Jeremy Lister

Tyler Ramsey was the guitarist for Band of Horses for many years.  I don’t know why he is no longer the guitarist for Band of Horses.

He has released some solo albums, including this new one called New Lost Ages.

Musically the songs are interesting.  His voice is also pretty good.  But it all sounds a lot like Band of Horses, just not as good.  Sorry.

Jeremy Lister is (from what I can see) in high demand.  He doesn’t have anything on bandcamp, but he is a featured guest on lots of songs.  His bio says

he is known for his ability to write and perform across a wide spectrum of genres, from pop to folk to crooner jazz. In November 2021, Lister released his full-length big band holiday album “Happy Holidays, Everyone.”

His voice is interesting and evocative.  He reminds me of a bunch of offbeat singer songwriters like Michael Penn or more theatrical songwriters like Rufus Wainwright.

I wasn’t planning on going to this show because I had other shows later in the week.

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The Dead Milkmen (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, February 18, 2024)

Posted in Flag of Democracy, FOD, Philadelphia, PA, The Dead Milkmen, Underground Arts, YDI on February 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 18, 2024] The Dead Milkmen

I don’t know exactly when I first heard The Dead Milkmen.  It was obviously in college, probably when I was working on the radio station.  I think it was Instant Club Hit, which hated on all kinds of other bands that I liked.  By the time they released Beelzebubba, I was a die-hard fan.

And yet in 35 years I’d never seen them live.  True they were broken up for a chunk of that time, but still…

So, I’ve tried to see them a few times over the last few years and things always fell through.  But this time I was determined to go.  And what a great show it was.  I admit that I haven’t listened all that much to their newer records.  Although their latest album, Quaker City Quiet Pills is really good.

I thought they’d play a bunch of new stuff and a few oldies, but holy cow it was like a greatest hits night for me (although I like a lot of their songs, so I guess that would be true for any old songs, but they played songs I really like).

Opening with “Dean’s Dream,” a classic from their debut, it featured Joe Jack Talcum singing and Rodney Anonymous hiding out behind the curtain.

I had deliberately placed myself to the side of the stage as I assumed there would be a massive pit for this show.  And I was 100% wrong.  There was no pit.  Maybe some pushing, but mostly it was just everyone wanting to sing along.  But this meant that I never saw bassist Dan Stevens or drummer Dean Clean.

Oh and Kurt Vile (and his brothers) was standing right in front of me.

One of the fantastic new songs is “Grandpa’s Not a Racist (He Just Voted for One)” and that got Rodney out on the stage doing his thing.  Despite not being the young bratty punk any more, he still has a ton of charisma and knows how to get a crowd going.  And his young bratty voice hasn’t changed all that much. (more…)

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Flag of Democracy (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, February 18, 2024) [THE DEAD MILKMEN]

Posted in Flag of Democracy, FOD, Philadelphia, PA, The Dead Milkmen, Underground Arts, YDI on February 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 18, 2024] Flag of Democracy

The only thing I knew about Flag of Democracy was that The Dead Milkmen song “Nutrition” ends with Rodney saying

And Mom and Dad say if I eat all of my foodI can go to the hard core show and see F.O.D

So The Dead Milkmen and F.O.D. have been friends for a long time.  F.O.D. writes intense political hardcore songs and, impressively, they’ve had the same line up for almost their entire existence:

Jim McMonagle – vocals, guitar (1982–present)
Dave Rochon – bass guitar, vocals (1983–present)
Bob Walker – drums (1986–present)

So Bob (who payed barefoot and held the sticks like a jazz drummer) is the new guy since he’s only been in the band for 38 years.

Most of their songs are 2 minutes long (except for “Aberration” (ha!) which was 5).  Even their most recent (2018) album has the same style of short intense songs like “Let’s Build a Wall” (more…)

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