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Archive for the ‘Philadelphia, PA’ Category

Short Fictions (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 17, 2024) [LOS CAMPESIONS!]

Posted in Los Campesinos!, Philadelphia, PA, Short Fictions, Union Transfer on June 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 17. 2024] Short Fictions

I didn’t know Short Fictions before this show.

They have a similar vibe to Los Campesinos!  A kind of delightful chaos that resolves into really catchy songs.  With a trombone!  Anda  xylophone!

The band rocked in a kind of bouncy ramshackle way, singing songs with titles like “Living in Places Like These Can Be Bad for Your Health (Can’t Live Here Anymore)”

They were fun and funny, introducing “I’m Going to Kill Myself with a Gun” by saying that the singer’s mom begged them not  to play that horrible song. But what she doesn’t realize is that it’s about unfair wages and economic inequality!

Some of the songs, like “Wasting” rocked a little harder than other, but other songs are twitchy and weird but also somehow sing-along worthy.  And then a song like “Self Betterment in a Time of Loneliness” had a middle section where the band just went crazy with super fast drums and cymbals.  Jittery and punky and a lot of fun. (more…)

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Pallbearer / REZN / The Keening (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 16, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Pallbearer, Philadelphia, PA, REZN, The Keening, Underground Arts on June 16, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 16, 2024] Pallbearer / REZN / The Keening

I’m more or less done with going  to heavy metal shows.  There are still a few bands I’ll go to see, but overall, there’s not much left that I’m curious about.

Pallbearer are a doom metal band (a subgenre I find myself drawn to more than other subgenres), but they mix in elements of prog metal as well, which is a major draw for me.  I’ve never seen them, but I would very much like to.

I dithered about this show because I had a few other shows around it and wasn’t sure if I wanted to go out on a Sunday night.   Then about two weeks before the show I realized that this was Father’s Day, and I certainly wasn’t going to go to a metal show by myself on Father’s Day.

REZN is a band I didn’t know, but when I checked out a few songs I really liked them.  Angry Metal Guy describes

 an esoteric brand of psychedelic doom that finds unique ways to incorporate each member’s talents. Synth maestro Spencer Oulette boasts credits for piano, sax, and flute, and bassist Phil Cangelosi even busts out a rainstick to set the mood.

(more…)

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An evening with Lloyd Cole (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, Jun 15, 2024) [CANCELLED]

Posted in Lloyd Cole, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on June 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: June 15, 2024] Lloyd Cole

I’ve never been a huge fan of Lloyd Cole, but I like a bunch of his songs.

My memory is really shaky on how I found out about him. I was certain that a friend of mine got me into him, but years later when I mentioned Lloyd Cole to her, she had no idea who he was.  Someone clearly introduced me to him, and I feel like I can picture the room that we listened to him in, but obviously I was wrong.

I haven’t really given Lloyd much thought over the last few years.  I wasn’t planning on going to this show (I mean, it was the same night as Man Man), but I was intrigued that he had cancelled the tour (as did Man Man–which made me briefly nervous that they knew something bad was happening).

But Lloyd’s reason were personal:

April 26, 2024

I’m taking some time away from music.I was sick on tour in Australia, I was sick on tour in Scandinavia, I’m sick again in Portugal. I have some kind of virus. This time my mental health has been impacted.I’m fine, for now, I’m on antibiotics. I have people to talk to. The plan is to get the seven Portuguese shows done. Then I’ll fly home early May.I need to address the root of the issue. I’d rather not go into details here. Honestly I don’t know exactly what’s going on but I’m pretty sure some major changes are needed in my lifestyle and work schedule. I’ll be consulting my MD and we’ll figure a plan. Most likely I’ll be in some kind of treatment facility for while, hopefully like The Magic Mountain.I’ve cancelled the US East Coast shows that were scheduled for June. I’m keeping May, June and July free to heal/recover. I look forward to some golf in Ireland in late August and then September solo shows in the Ireland and the UK. We’ll reschedule the cancelled US dates as quickly as we can.I’ll see you all in the Autumn.Sincerely,LC.

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Man Man (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 15, 2024) [TOUR CANCELLED]

Posted in Cancelled, Man Man, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts on June 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: June 15, 2024] Man Man

I was pretty thrilled to hear that Man Man had a new album out and that  they were touring it–June 15 at Underground Arts!

And then one day the show wasn’t listed anymore.  And when I went to Underground Arts for a different show, they told me it was cancelled.

It took a few days, but on May 23, they finally posted

Sorry to everyone who was looking forward to our upcoming US @manmanbandband tour. We’re gutted by the postponement. unforeseen circumstances took control of the wheel. Hopefully we’ll wrestle it back in the future. Our album still drops on June 7 & and we are so goddamn proud of it.”

So no explanation for the cancellation, but at least  thy acknowledged it and (one hopes) they will reschedule for next year.

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Kim Gordon and the Collective (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2024)

Posted in Bill Nace, Kim Gordon, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer on June 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 14, 2024] Kim Gordon 

I could have seen Kim Gordon a couple of years ago but didn’t get a ticket (and then we went out to something else that night anyway),

I’m not sure what that show was like and I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect for this show either.

I hadn’t really listened to her new album and I’m not entirely sure that I needed to, because I feel like her live band transcended the beats-n-effects of the album.

Kim’s band was fantastic.  They all looked like they could have been teenagers (they’re not) and they made an exquisite noise that was not like Sonic Youth in any way but spirit.  And yet, it was noisy and delicious, with guitars that didn’t sound like guitars, snyths that spanned the gamut of sounds and a drummer who bashed and bashed.

I loved watching guitarist Sarah Register (who was in my sight line while I looked at Kim) play…everything.  She played chords of course, but also played shapes and sounds and scrapes and everything.  It wasn’t like watching Thurston and Lee, it was far more controlled.  But it was awesome.

Bassist Camilla Charlesworth doubled occasionally on electronics (apparently, she was responsible for the the nagging John Carpenter-like synth stabs on “Bye Bye”, although it was impossible to know who was playing what half of the time.  She played a great fuzzy almost electronic sounding low end, both on the bass and on the synths

And drummer Madi Vogt , whom I was closest to, was a machine, pummeling the drums and then pulling back when the songs got quiet.

I’m focusing on the band because I went there to see Kim and was amazed at how much I was impressed by the band.  Kim herself was pure Kim–very cool, very much in control.

She played occasional guitar and mostly recited lyrics (that I think she had written on the book in front of her).  It’s a testament to Kim that she was the least interested person on stage and yet I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, she has that much charisma.

Given Kim’s diverse recording history and tendency towards out-there avant garde, I wasn’t really sure what I’d be getting at this show.  This set was nothing that I was expecting and was far better than anything I had hoped for.  And I have since followed everyone of her backing band to see what else they get up to.

  1. BYE BYE ©
  2. The Candy House ©
  3. I Don’t Miss My Mind ©
  4. I’m a Man ©
  5. Trophies ©
  6. It’s Dark Inside ©
  7. Psychedelic Orgasm ©
  8. Tree House ©
  9. Shelf Warmer ©
  10. The Believers ©
  11. Dream Dollar ©
    Encore:
  12. Air BnB Ø
  13. Paprika Pony Ø
  14. Cookie Butter Ø
  15. Hungry Baby Ø
  16. Grass Jeans §
  17. BYE BYE ©

© The Collective (2024)
Ø No Home Record (2019)
§ Single (2021)

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Lower Wolves / Coca Leaves & Pearls (Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA on June 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 14, 2022] Lower Wolves / Coca Leaves & Pearls

Again, I don’t care much for cover bands, but this one looked kind of interesting, mostly because Chris Forsyth is in Coca Leaves & Pearls.

But the two bands together were probably a good time.  It was a slim chance that I was goingto go to this and when Kim Gordon was announced for the same night, I knew I wouldn’t be going.

But that is my favorite R.E.M. period as well.

Lower Wolves
Focusing on R.E.M.’s early period as a beloved college/alternative live act, Lower Wolves perform R.E.M. covers from the years 1982-1987. A typical set includes album tracks, singles and obscurities delivered with the energy and intensity that characterized R.E.M.’s live shows in the 1980s.

Coca Leaves & Pearls
Featuring guitarist Chris Forsyth and members of Florry and Radar Honey, Coca Leaves & Pearls is a tribute to the spirit and vibe of 1970s Neil Young and Crazy Horse, particularly offering a guided tour of Neil’s mid-1970s years in “the ditch.”

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Bill Nace (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2024) [KIM GORDON]

Posted in Bill Nace, Kim Gordon, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer on June 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 14, 2024] Bill Nace

Kim and Bill Nace toured in 2022.  Bill was also in the band Body/Head with Kim.  I saw him play in a jam session with Chris Forsyth in which he played the Suzuki Ran–an Electric Taishogoto.  When he played with Forsyth I worte

It sounded like a bunch of noise, honestly—there were some loud and wild effects on it.  It also drowned out Forsyth’s guitar.

For this show, Nace came out with this same instrument.  It has keys that you press and strings that you strum or bow.  Nace used a bow and turned the distortion and effects up to max and then played noise for about fifteen minutes.  Then he put the bow down, turned the Ran so it was more like a piano and played the same note–tapping the same key–for about 8 minutes.

I did not enjoy the set at all.  Which is a little odd since I do enjoy experimental music.  But this seemed to be more of a joke or a punishment than anything else.

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Pixies / Modest Mouse / Cat Power (TD Pavillion @ The Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA, June 12, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Cat Power, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Modest Mouse, Philadelphia, PA, Pixies on June 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 12, 2024] Pixies / Modest Mouse / Cat Power

This is the same tour that was going on last summer.  I was vaguely interested in it, but knew I wouldn’t go.   Here’s the same thing I wrote last summer.

I saw Pixies for the first time in 28 years at The Stone Pony Summer Stage and it was glorious.  I’ve since seen them two more times and I don’t feel the need to ever see them again.  Even though each show has been very good, and there is some mixing up of songs, I feel like I’ve seen everything they’re going to show me.

I would see Modest Mouse every time they came around.  The shows are totally different and each one feels like a new version of the band.

I have never really liked Cat Power (blasphemy!).  She just doesn’t do anything for me.

With this line up, the nays overrode the yeas.

 

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Melt-Banana (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 6, 2024)

Posted in babybaby_explores, Melt-Banana, Philadelphia, PA, The Flying Luttenbachers, Tomato Flower, Underground Arts on June 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 6, 2024] Melt-Banana

I’ve known about Melt-Banana for years.  I knew they were loud and fast and were from Japan.  But I didn’t know much beyond that.  Turns out they’ve never had a permanent drummer.  They like the freedom of a drum machine.  For over twenty years they had a bass player (Rika Hamamoto) but when they decided to tour again recently, they decided to go just as as duo Yasuko Onuki – vocals and Ichiro Agata – guitars, effects.

I saw them nine months ago when they opened for Igorrr.  I knew they toured a lot but I didn’t think they’d be back again as a headline act.

This show was really really packed and I was on the side of the stage so I didn’t really see all that much, but since there’s only two of them, it was actually not a bad place to stand.

The set wasn’t radically different from the last time I saw them.  I wrote:

After getting all of their gear set up, Yasuko calmly stood with a colorful videogame controller looking device in her hand.  A wall of amps and a laptop behind her.  Off to her left a few feet was Ichiro, with a guitar, a huge array of pedals and his own wall of amps.

He played fast and he looped his sounds and did a million things most of which I can’t even fathom.  Yasuko had her device and from time to time, she would wave her hand and presumably push a button on the gadget and the drums and bass blasted out of the speakers.  And these drums sounded great–they sounded real and not like a preprogrammed device.  I actually wondered if they were somehow triggering the drumset that was set up behind them (they weren’t).

Yasuko sings very high, very fast and sounds kind of angry.  But she never looked angry.  And she never broke a sweat (while Ichiro was a sweaty mess).

They played a whole bunch of songs, I can’t even imagine how anyone could tell them apart.  But someone did, as the setlist below is from the NY show but I believe it is the same (or roughly so) of ours–comparing my clips to what the songs are, it seems like the setlist was the same each night.

(more…)

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The Flying Luttenbachers (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 6, 2024) [MELT-BANANA]

Posted in babybaby_explores, Melt-Banana, Philadelphia, PA, The Flying Luttenbachers, Tomato Flower, Underground Arts on June 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 6, 2024] The Flying Luttenbachers

The Flying Luttenbachers are an American instrumental unit led by multi-instrumentalist, composer, improviser and producer Weasel Walter. They focus on noise and dissonance, but surprisingly composed and controlled, almost like jazz punk.   And I see that they have been around since 1992!

I wish I was in a better place for this band–I was too far off to the side to see Weasel Walter doing his thing and drummer was obscured from time to time.  But I had a great view of bassist who was a maniac seemingly doing his own thing but always perfectly n synch with the other when needed.

They opened the show with a wall of noise.  Thunderous drumming from James Paul Nadien, rumbling bass from Luke Polipnick and screaming guitars. (more…)

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