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Archive for the ‘Philadelphia, PA’ Category

Deux Visages (Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ, June 2, 2024) [SIR CHLOE]

Posted in Deux Visages, Philadelphia, PA, Sir Chloe, The Foundry on June 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 2, 2024] Deux Visages

I hadn’t heard of Deux Visages when they were scheduled to open for Sir Chloe.  They are from Miami and at the time of the show had only released three singles!

Since then they have released an EP from which most of the songs that night came. The band is a four piece fronted by Daphney Homono.  The rest of the band includes Antoine Lappin on drums, Jack Chiu on guitar, and Tony Jouvin on bass.

They play a really enjoyable mic of shoegaze, garage, and surf rock with a healthy dose of fuzz.  There’s some diversity within the style with Excuses being a bit heavier with chanted moments.  And Go Away has short verse lines that lead to a big fluid chorus.

Their first single Cheetah (the second song they played) is a killer tune–super catchy and fun. (more…)

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Broke Body / Grace Vonderkuhn / Spirit Weak / Whose Hands Are These? (PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA, June 1, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Broke Body, Grace Vonderkuhn, Philadelphia, PA, PhilaMOCA, Spirit Weak, Whose Hands Are These? on June 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 1, 2024] Broke Body / Grace Vonderkuhn / Spirit Weak / Whose Hands Are These?

I continue to try to see see Grace Vonderkuhn.  I’ve seen them once, and they do play around here a lot, but it just never seems to work out for me.  Ideally I’d like to see them headline (which they never seem to do).  Although this show seemed very promising, it fell at an awkward time for me (Saturday nights are hard for me to want to go out on after being home all day).  But the lineup was interesting.

Broke Body is from Philly.

A slow-burning force on the Philly rock scene, Broke Body is gearing up to release its next batch of new music.  The Paranoid Particles EP last September made for a solid project-length introduction to Broke Body via a punchy set of five post-punk infused atmospheric rockers. But the stage is where the band has truly shone in the time since, and this power trio — singer-guitarist Jackie McLaughlin, bassist Davey Jones, drummer Nolee Morris — has shaped its sound into something as bracing as it is body-moving.

I really love the bass work on their songs–playing some lead parts over the guitar chords.  And the drummer is tight and up for sharp tempo changes.  The vocals/guitars are also quite good.

Grace Vonderkuhn is simply great and as I say I can’t wait to see them again

Spirit Weak is from Philly.  And their bio is really spot on

If Drug Church, Weezer, and Pup walked into a bar, Spirit Weak would be the punchline! Spirit Weak is a South Philadelphiapunk adjacent band — spearheaded by Mazz Cardone. It was March of 2023 that a full band formed around Spirit Weak, with Chris Bryson on drums, Mike Brein on second guitar, a rotation of friends filling in on bass — and they played their first show on May

I definitely see the PUP influence, although they are not quite as fast, and their vocals have a slightly harsher edge.

Whose Hands are These? are from Lancaster and play driving rock.  Their publicity is a oddly pretentious, but the music rocks.

Now that i’ve written this I probably should have gone.  It seems like a really fun night.

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Camera Obscura / Photo Ops (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 29, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Camera Obscura, Philadelphia, PA, Photo Ops, Union Transfer on May 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 29, 2024] Camera Obscura

When it was announced that Camera Obscura had released their first album in 11 years and were touring for the U.S. for the first time in longer, I got caught up in the hype.  I didn’t really know them, but felt like I sort of did.  But it turns out I didn’t know them at all.  Then I thought, ooh, their Scottish, I wonder if they are interesting and unusual.

I listened to the new album a few ties and I like it, just not enough to go out a second night in a row.  The same thing happened when they played a song on the radio this morning,  I thought it was pleasant, but when they said it was Camera Obscura, I didn’t think it was anything more than pleasant.

They more or less broke up in 2015 following the death of their keyboardist but reunited to play at a festival headed by Belle & Sebastian.

I really wanted to like them, but nothing i listened to really stuck. (more…)

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Francis of Delirium (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, May 28, 2024)

Posted in Francis of Delirium, Johnny Brenda's, Julian, Philadelphia, PA on May 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: May 28, 2024] Francis of Delirium 

I was supposed to see Francis of Delirium open for The Districts back in 2022, but I wound up taking my son and his friends to see Ice Nine Kills instead.  I didn’t mind missing The Districts because I had seen them just a few months earlier, but I was bummed about missing Francis.

And here they were two years later on a headlining tour.  They had just played Boston Calling but tonight was their first proper show and they were ready for it.

I had also snagged tickets to see Negativland tonight.  A very different experience.  I was torn about which to go to see because I love Negativland’s culture jamming.  But I thought that Francis of Delirium was a better, more fun choice.  And I was so right!

I had listened to FoD’s new album Lighthouse, which is more mellow than their previous couple of EPs.  So I thought the show would be enjoyable but kind of chill.  But WOW, did they rock!  All of the grunge sensibilities of the early EPs were employed on the new songs as well and the whole night was like a perfect callback to the best elements of the best grunge songs, all with a new perspective.

Francis of Delirium is from Luxembourg (main Delirium, Jana Bahrich, was born in Antwerp but lived in Switzerland and Canada before her family settled in Luxembourg.   Her  backing band Denis Schumacher (drums) and Jeff Hennico (bass) are both native to Luxembourg.  I don’t know really anything about Luxembourg, but it seems so exotic.  And apparently being an indie rock band is REALLY exotic in Luxembourg, so they are like the most exotic band around, I guess.

The trio came on stage and Jana played am introductory guitar part using a metal slide–a sound not featured on the record.  But it was just a cool opening intro before she tossed the slide on the ground and they jumped into “Alone Tonight.”

I’m not sure what recent song really make me perk up my ears and find out who wrote such a great song, but I think it was “Blue Tuesday,” which hits all of my buttons for a great song.  Jana joked that it was a Tuesday night, perfect for playing the song.  It sounded even better than on record.

The new album has 11 song and they played 9, also mixing in some from the earlier EPs.  (more…)

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Negativland and Sue-C: Live Performance of We Can Really Feel Like We’re Here / J Lesser (PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA, May 28, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in J Lesser, Negativland, Philadelphia, PA, PhilaMOCA, Sue-C on May 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 28, 2024] Negativland / J Lesser

I saw Negativland in 2000.  I was a big fan of  them in the 1980s and 90s.  So seeing them live was a real trip.  Hearing and seeing The Weatherman in person was something I never thought I’d be able to do.

I didn’t really realize they toured from time to time (they played PhilaMOCA in 2022!).  I really haven’t paid too much attention to them in the last twenty years, so when I saw this tour announcement I jumped at the chance to see them again.  It would have been cool to see them 24 years later.

I didn’t realize that it was the same night for a show that I really wanted to see, Francis of Delirium.  So I debated on which artist to check out.  A seated show at PhilaMOCA or a bouncy show at Johnny Brenda’s.  Logically, this was the show to go to, but I went with my heart and went to Francis instead.

Sue Slagle (SUE-C) is an award-winning artist, engineer and educator whose work in “real time cinema” presents a new, imaginative perspective on live performance. Her performances blend cinema and technology into an organic, improvisational and immersive act, created from live cameras, light pads and video algorithms. She has always pushed the boundaries of human-computer interaction, employing emerging technologies and inventing many of her own, both through performance and tinkering with hundreds of students in her well-established teaching practice.

I mean, it does sound like a cool show.  I’m just not in that headspace anymore. (more…)

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Julian (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, May 28, 2024) [FRANCIS OF DELIRIUM]

Posted in Francis of Delirium, Johnny Brenda's, Julian, Philadelphia, PA on May 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: May 28, 2024] Julian

I have a negative opinion of any musician who goes by one first name.  I mean, sure a few people can pull it off (Cher, Adele), but their names are (at least a little) unusual to begin with.  It’s weird enough for new artists to go by their first name (Mike, Dave).  But it’s bizarre to me that a band would go by a single first name.   Enter Julian.  I mean, there are several Julian/Julien musicians who do not go by a mononym, so how confusing is it to be this first-named band?

Well, maybe not very.  Their bio says

Despite various lineup shifts and relocating from D.C. to Philadelphia, Julian has remained tight-knit, well-worn, and snugly fit around the sharp, soft voice and inner thoughts of vocalist and guitarist Jay Leiby (they/them). Yearning Songs, the project’s fourth EP following a series of one-off singles, invites listeners to come honest and open—to leave with a warm halo of dream-pop and 2000s pop rock glowing in its wake. They are working on a new EP that will be out sometime this summer.

And yet, it’s really hard to search for them online.

Which is a real shame because they were great as openers for Francis of Delirium.

The band was a five-piece with J front and center.  They played guitar (but not lead as there weren’t really any solos) and sang.  The rest of the band was tight and fit in perfectly.  Although I will say that the second guitarist (I didn’t get anyone else’s names) was too quiet in the mix.  When he played a lead line in one of the songs it was only there when J’s guitar faded.

But the bass and keys sounded great.

Indeed, I really enjoyed the keys/bass music that the band played while J was tuning.  Instead of loops or noise, they played pretty ambient songs.

But the main focus is on J’s songs.

Julian has a few EPs out and most of the songs came from the newest one Yearning Songs.

J plays simple chords, but they use a capo a lot to change the feel of the songs.  But the most notable things about the songs is their mostly really short.  Most of the songs in the set were about 2 minutes long (no time for a solo).

I enjoyed the two new songs (according to the photo of the setlist, Everything and Picture, as they rocked a little harder and were a little longer.  There’s nothing wrong with short songs, but these songs felt more fleshed out.  I mean, Crush Song is only 1 minute and 45 seconds long!  But it’s really good, with a staccato company that is really catchy.

J’s voice is pretty soft and the melodies are all pretty quiet, but there’s a great rocking vibe underneath and most of the songs rock out for a short time.

They told us that Bike (and older song) was their favorite to play and the band really got into it

I was a little bummed that their set was so short.

 

  1. Never B ¥
  2. Everything [new song]
  3. Stuck ¥
  4. Bike £
  5. Picture [new song]
  6. Car ⇔
  7. Crush Song ¥
  8. Having You Around ¥

⇔ Real Distance EP (2018)
£ Longing EP (2021)
¥ Yearning Songs EP (2022)

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Mannequin Pussy (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 23, 2024)

Posted in Mannequin Pussy, Philadelphia, PA, Soul Glo, Union Transfer on May 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: May 23, 2024] Mannequin Pussy

I wasn’t sure if I needed to see Mannequin Pussy again–but when they announced a tour of their new (excellent) album and that they were ending it in Philly and that Soul Glo was opening, I knew I had to go.

This was the fifth time I’ve seen Mannequin Pussy, which is a little crazy since it’s more than band that I have liked for a lot longer.

But they put on a great show (and they play Philly a lot).

I enjoy them as a headliner because Marisa Dabice can really stretch out and encourage the audience t o let themselves go.  She also told us that this tour was all about playing the new album.  Which they did.  All but the last song.  And this album kicks ass so it was great to hear all of these new songs.

The show started quietly with their surprisingly mellow first single, “I Don’t Know You,” and it built with the second single “Sometimes.”  If anyone came just for the new singles, that was the end right there. (more…)

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Frank Turner: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, May 24, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Frank Turner, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Free at Noon, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on May 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 24, 2024] Frank Turner

I have seen Frank Turner once and the show was stellar and super fun.  He tours all the time, but I have yet to see him again.  Mostly I want to see him with his full band.

This Free at Noon was announced as a solo show, so I decided not to go.

But I was really happy to listen on the radio.  Turner was great and the audience was really into it.

I don’t regret not going to the show because I had the day off and enjoyed staying home.  But it sounded like a great time and I’m looking forward even more to seeing him in late June

Here’s a review from The Key

  1. Do One
  2. Girl From the Record Shop
  3. I Still Believe ∉
  4. Letters
  5. Show People
  6. International Hide and Seek Champions
  7. Undefeated
  8. Recovery ‰
∉ England Keep My Bones (2011)

 

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Khruangbin / John Carroll Kirby (The Met Philadelphia, PA, May 21, 22 & 23, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in John Carroll Kirby, Khruangbin, Philadelphia, PA, The Met Philadelphia on May 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 21, 22 & 23, 2024] Khruangbin / John Carroll Kirby

Back in 2022, Khruangbin  played the Met Philly and I wrote:

I’m intrigued by Khruangbin.  I wanted them to sound a little different than they originally did.  And then they made some EPs with Leon Bridges and they did sound different–more trippy, but more catchy as well.

I thought they’d be fun to see live.  My wife likes the EPs even more than I did, but she didn’t really want to see them.  So I refrained from buying tickets.

Now, two years later and I think we both like them more and I was all set to buy tickets but they were SO EXPENSIVE!  In fairness now I realize that they were expensive because the Ticketmaster pricing now shows the price with al the fees built in and I thought the high price didn’t include fees yet.  But I was still quite sure the price was way too high for a band that I thought was kind of under the radar.

Then they announced TWO MORE NIGHTS!  I think technically none is sold out, but they’re all pretty close.

Very impressive.

John Carroll Kirby is a pianist and composer who apparently resides more in the jazz/new age ether moreso than the rock realm.

His music seems pleasant enough.

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Soul Glo (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 23, 2024) [MANNEQUIN PUSSY]

Posted in Mannequin Pussy, Philadelphia, PA, Soul Glo, Union Transfer on May 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: May 23, 2024] Soul Glo

I wasn’t sure if I needed to see Mannequin Pussy again–but when they announced a tour of their new (excellent) album and that they were ending it in Philly and that Soul Glo was opening, I knew I had to go.

I had heard lots of buzz about Soul Glo and all of the videos I’d seen had shown a frenzied band and a frenzied audience.  I was intrigued but decided that ultimately the show would be too intense for me.

But having them as an opening act made it a little safer–especially since I got to stand on the side of the pit and just watch it.  But a home town crowd knew how to get into their scorching punk.

Soul Glo came out to much applause.  Allen Nunez on bass was closest to me.  Singer Pierce Jordan was playing with some electronic sounds while the rest of band got set up.  TJ Stevenson was on the drum kit and GG Guerra strapped on his guitar and started making noises on his own electronic equipment.

And then they turned to us and were off. (more…)

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