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Skating Polly (Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, July 7, 2023)

Posted in Bugsy, Jacklen Ro, Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, Skating Polly on July 9, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 7, 2023] Skating Polly

I saw Skating Polly six years ago when they opened for X.  Unfortunately, I arrived really late and caught only a couple songs from them.

I’d been intrigued by them for a while–two sisters, both teenagers (technically Kelli was NINE when they formed), started a band as a duo and played some kick ass punk.  Six years ago primary singer Kelli was only 19, older sister Peyton was 24 and their brother Kurtis (no age given) was playing drums with them.

So here it was several years later and Kelli can legally be in Kung Fu Necktie.

They put on a fierce show with Kelli doing impressive high kicks in her platform shoes.

The lighting in KFT was weirdly over-red, so Peyton and Kurtis had a red glow the whole night while the one spotlight was on Kelli.

We also found out that they had a strict curfew of… 9:30!  Apparently there was some kind of event at 10, so they had to be off stage in plenty of time. (more…)

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The Head and the Heart / The Revivalists (The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park, NJ, July 9, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Asbury Park, NJ, The Head and the Heart, The Revivalists, The Stone Pony, The Stone Pony Summer Stage on July 9, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 7, 2023] The Head and the Heart / The Revivalists

My wife and I saw The Head and the Heart at the Met Philly in 2019.  Here’s what I wrote:

I had quite possibly the worst concert experience of my life at this show.  And I want to reiterate it had nothing to do with the band.  There may have been a song or two in the middle that I wasn’t too excited about, but overall, they sounded great, played some really fun songs and seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

I wouldn’t mind seeing them again to make up for this show, but I probably won’t.   I also feel like I never want to go to the Met Philly again.  I feel like it attracts the wrong crowd–rich people who are looking for a night out rather than fans of music.

Re-reading the review I spent 2/3 of it complaining about the people around me. They were loud talkers and drinkers, completely louder than the band at times.

I would like to see The Head and the Heart again, I think.  Although it turns out they released a new album last year and I didn’t even know it.  So, I guess I won’t miss them that much,

I just checked and this show is sold out, so I guess they won’t miss me either.  And it really sounds like an event I don’t want to be at.

The Revivalists are a band that get some airplay on WXPN.  I do like one of their songs but overall their vibe is a little too retroey for me.  They are probably a very good fit with The Head and the Heart, although I feel like they veer in a direction I don’t enjoy as much.

 

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Bugsy (Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, July 7, 2023) [SKATING POLLY]

Posted in Bugsy, Jacklen Ro, Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, Skating Polly on July 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 7, 2022] Bugsy

Bugsy are from Minneapolis.

They were much louder than Jacklen Ro (and louder than their recordings would suggest).  They may have been egged on by the fact that Jacklen Ro came right up to the front of the stage to dance wildly for their set.

I enjoyed the guitar and vocal interplay although I found the singer to be a little hard to hear clearly.  It may have been where I was standing, although I find that she’s a little quiet on record as well.

I was quite fond of their bassist though.  She played some really cool fills and runs and her bass had a great almost New Order sound to it. And the final song, “hard to breathe” had a great opening bass line (and guitar harmonics).

I was kind of distracted during their set though because of Jacklen Ro dancing right in front of me and because half way through the set I noticed that Kelli from Skating Polly was in the audience watching, too.  (more…)

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The Smile / Robert Stillman (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, July 8, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, Robert Stillman, The Smile on July 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 8, 2023] The Smile / Robert Stillman

Much like with the Trey Anastasio Band and Phish (the only way to get close to Trey is to see him solo), The Smile seemed like the only way to see Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead up close. Their drummer is Tom Skinner from Sons of Kemet.

So when they announced a show in Philly I was all set  to grab a ticket.

Then I listened to the record and… I didn’t think much of it.  Granted , I didn’t give a lot of time to the record, but what I heard was just too jazzy for my liking.  So I was just as happy to not go see them.

I see that it has sold out, so good for them.

Robert Stillman is a composer and multi-instrumentalist from the northeast United States, currently based in Margate, UK. His music juxtaposes the archaic with the futuristic, incorporating influences of Jazz, Minimalism, American Folk music, and experimental electronic music to create a sound described by the Guardian Observer as “lending an avant-garde shimmer to pre-modern American sounds.”

One review of his set says he was

Perched behind a Yamaha DX7 and some DJ gear, Stillman blended down tempo jazz sax with minimalist electronic beats to warm-up the growing crowd

This sounds like a show I would have enjoyed intellectually, but not in practice.

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Jacklen Ro (Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, July 7, 2023) [SKATING POLLY]

Posted in Bugsy, Jacklen Ro, Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, Skating Polly on July 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 7, 2022] Jacklen Ro

I had not heard of Jacklen Ro before this show.  I wound up being a couple minutes late to thieir set and missed a song or two.

But I really enjoyed them.  A lot.

The band is a four-piece: Jackie Giroux (vocals/guitar), Caelen Perkins (guitar/vocals), Lauren Hickey (bass) and Caden Bartlett (drums).  They’re from L.A. and they write folky indie rock.  They’re punk enough to be on a bill with Skating Polly although their vibe is far more indie than punk.

Especially since Jackie Giroux plays acoustic guitar and Giroux and Caelen Perkins sing with delightful harmonies.  But what I especially liked about them is that their harmonies are lovely but they are not polished.  The songs are fun and emotional.  Not raw, because that implies a harshness.  Just stick with unpolished–a warm and inviting sound.

They were also warm and inviting with Giroux being full of smiles and compliments (and wearing no shoes).

“Self Control” is the new single.  It is spare but fun with a big friendly chorus.  The song is fun on record but live, the low end really gives the song more energy. (more…)

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Trey Anastasio Band (The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park, NJ, July 7, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Asbury Park, NJ, The Stone Pony, The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Trey Anastasio, Trey Anastasio Band on July 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 7, 2023] Trey Anastasio Band

I’ve seen the Trey Anastasio Band twice and each time was a fun event.

Try plays originals and Phish songs and his band is always top notch.

It’s also one of the few ways to see Trey up close, since I can never get close at a Phish show.

Trey had announced these few shows in July, but I didn’t really want to go to the Stone Pont Summerstage to se see his band.  Although I do love watching Cyro Baptiste on percussion.

I reconsidered going a couple of weeks ago, but it had sold out.  So good for Trey.  And besides, I have Skating Polly to see.

 

 

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The Dirty Nil / Daniel Romano’s Outfit / Froggy (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, July 7, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Daniel Romano's Outfit, Froggy, Philadelphia, PA, The Dirty Nil, Underground Arts on July 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 7, 2023] The Dirty Nil / Daniel Romano’s Outfit /Froggy

Two years ago The Dirty Nil opened for The Menzingers in a show I couldn’t make.  But I’ve been intrigued by them ever since.

I wanted to go to this show, but it turned out that Skating Polly, a band I’ve wanted to see ever since I caught the last song of their set when they opened for X was playing the same night.

Stupid double booked nights.  This whole night sounds pretty great and it turned out to be a tough choice.

All of the blurbs for the bands come from their write ups on the Underground Arts page

For the strapping lads comprising Toronto rock trio The Dirty Nil, Big Bear was so much more than a convenience store parking lot they gazed upon from their second-floor bathroom window – the trash-strewn asphalt stage where seemingly every element of the human experience played out like a never-ending theatrical production.

The house was all at once a shared residence, creative commons, and god-forsaken pirate ship, its revolving cast of crewmates armed with instruments, alcohol, and overdriven amplifiers. Indeed, they lived, laughed, and loved there even though no kitschy wall sign from a suburban mom’s Etsy shop told them to.

“Bye Bye Big Bear” is a loving musical tribute to that unforgettable time and place, and The Dirty Nil’s first new offering since their impactful 2021 album Fuck Art. On its back, the boys returned to the road to electrify increasingly packed venues and festival stages with their fiery brand of punk-tinged rock n roll.

(more…)

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Sparks (Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA, June 28, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Glenside, PA, Keswick Theatre, Sparks on June 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 28, 2023] Sparks

Last year I dragged myself all the way to New York City (which seems to get harder and harder to get to every time I try) to see Sparks at Town Hall.  I had never seen them and I was convinced they’d never play anywhere closer.

It was worth the grief because the show was wonderful.

So imagine my surprise when one year later they announced a show at the Keswick Theatre.  Keswick is kind of a pain to get to but it’s a nice enough venue.  And for Sparks I was willing  to make the effort.

And then Sloan announced their local show for the same night–I’m honestly shocked how often bands winds up in Philly on the same night.  It’s a little weird, frankly.

So even though I have only seen Sparks once and I have seen Sloan four times, I assumed the Sparks show would be very similar while the Sloan show would be quite different.  Plus, my wife and I have been enjoying seeing Sloan together the last few times.

And so, I blew off Sparks for Sloan. (more…)

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An evening with Sloan (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 28, 2023)

Posted in Canadian Music, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Sloan on June 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 28, 2023] Sloan

This is my fifth time seeing Sloan (and S’s third time).  And while I know that they have a new record out (and they played every song from it), I am so impressed by the number of new songs they played at this show.

Every time I’ve seen Sloan, they’ve done “An Evening with” which I love.  I do enjoy an opening act most of the time, but it’s so great getting two sets–two and a half hours–of music from the band you really like.

I’m always a little bummed that Sloan aren’t bigger here–they play such huge places in Canada.  But here they wind up in 250 person capacity venues.  Of course, everyone there is a huge fan, so that’s gotta feel pretty good.  Plus, I don’t want to see them in an arena.

Their new album Steady is really good and they started off the show with three new songs, one from each vocalist.  I love that they started out with a song from Patrick–his songs are so catchy.  They followed it with a Jay song–so distinctive.  And ended the trilogy with a Chris song–poppy and catchy with great harmonies from Patrick.

They jumped back to Twice Removed with a classic song I can’t believe I haven’t heard them play before, “I Can Feel It.”

Jay doesn’t have as many songs as the other guys so we tend to hear a few of the same songs from him when he sings.  But Between the Bridges is my favorite album of theirs so I’m always happy to hear a song from it.

After the new “Human Nature” with a killer melody, Andrew, the drummer, came out from behind the kit.  This is always fun, because Jay switches to bass and Chris switches to drums while Andrew sings and plays guitar. (more…)

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Feeble Little Horse / Full Body 2 (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 27, 2023) [CANCELLED]

Posted in Feeble Little Horse, Full Body, Full Body 2, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on June 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: June 27, 2023] Feeble Little Horse / Full Body 2

I heard about Feeble Little Horse from All Songs Considered.  They had an interesting sound and I was intrigued when I heard they were playing Johnny Brenda’s.  It turned out that this show was the same night my son was flying out to Denver.  So I just figured I wouldn’t be going out that night anyhow.

I didn’t buy tickets, so I didn’t hear that their whole tour had been cancelled.  Just a few days before they were supposed to tour (on the 23rd), they announced:

Feeble Little Horse have canceled their upcoming tour of North America, which was set to begin in Washington, D.C., on June 25. “[W]e were so excited and this tour meant the world to us,” the band wrote in a statement, “we have been blown away by all the recent support we have received but for now we have to take a step back and reassess our little world for our continued health.” Read the rest of the message below.

The Pittsburgh-based band issued its second album, Girl With Fish, in mid-June after announcing it with the summer tour in February. Feeble Little Horse reissued their debut, Hayday, last year. Feeble Little Horse have not yet indicated whether the 12-date tour will be rescheduled.

I don’t know what’s up with their health, but I did have to laugh that a 12 date tour seemed too much for them.  Their post actually sounded like they were breaking up, so we’ll see.

Full Body 2 is (according to WKNC)

an explorative band from Rochester, N.Y. [who] have found their niche tapping into a bold blend of digital rock, shoegaze, and curated electronic chaos. Composed of Cassidy Rose Hammond, Dylan Vaisey, and Jack Chaffer, this trio created Full Body 2 in 2020 as a one-off project from their former indie-rock band Full Body. Full Body 2 provides us with music that encourages creativity. It is motivating and refreshing. They are defined by their unique use of sound collage and abstract vocal work. Full Body 2 is positive, energetic, and undeniably loud. Upon the release of “Demo 01” in 2020, their explosive, curated sound took root and the band quickly shifted gears from Full Body into Full Body 2– the once ephemeral project taking ownership of its permanence.

I hadn’t heard of either band, but I really like the shoegaze feel (one of the rare recent bands who are shoegaze without being really heavy).  It’s a wall of ethereal electronic sound and is really good.

 

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