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Archive for the ‘Johnny Brenda’s’ Category

The Rural Alberta Advantage (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, February 18, 2026)

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Jordan Burchel, Philadelphia, PA, The Rural Alberta Advantage on February 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 18, 2026] Jordan Burchel

Jordan I saw The Rural Alberta Advantage two years ago at The Foundry and it was such a great show I couldn’t wait to see them again.  I even grabbed a ticket for my wife because I was sure she’d love them.  She didn’t feel up to going but I did and it was even more fun than last time.

The RAA is a trio with an unusual setup: Keys, guitar and drums, with the drums on the right side and the drummer facing the other two.  Nils Edenloff sings and plays acoustic guitar.  Amy Cole plays keys and (most importantly) bass foot pedals that add so much to these songs. She also has a floor tom that she occasionally bangs on.  And Paul Banwatt plays drums (which is the biggest understatement I can make).

I wrote this last time and I’ll say it again

But no drumming could compare to Paul Banwatt.  He has a fairly small kit, but it’s amazing that it’s still standing by the end of the show.  He throws in all kinds of fills on the snare and even the hi-hat.  He has speed and power and is simply amazing to watch.  I think that since the songs themselves are fairly simple, it gives Banwatt the ability to fill in any open spaces as needed.  Banwatt, who is also a lawyer (!) has to be the most underrated drummer out there.  The way he plays the drums in counterpoint to the guitar in “Drain the Blood ” is just incredible to watch.

He broke two drumstick by about the fifth song.

Amy Cole has a lot to do in the songs, but she also has parts where she doesn’t do anything.  So she skips around the stage, claps, or just hangs out in the back of the stage until one of her responsibilities is called upon.  She and Paul seem to communicate a lot on stage with meaningful looks.  They even had a kind of dance move for one of the songs when Nils was singing by himself.

For a band whose songs are so intense (Nils’ voice is so intense, I love it) they have a lot of fun.

They are not very prolific–they were still calling their last album (2023) their new album.  Although Nils did say that his friend got him to participate in a “write a song a week” session which really loosened up his creativity. They have been around for almost 20 years and have put out 5 albums (an easy band to get caught up with). (more…)

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Jordan Burchel (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, February 18, 2026) [THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Jordan Burchel, Philadelphia, PA, The Rural Alberta Advantage on February 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 18, 2026] Jordan Burchel

Jordan Burchel is a folk singer from Florida.  He writes clever lyrics over simple, catchy melodies. I’d never heard of him before the show but I liked him a lot.  I almost bought a T shirt from him (they were cool designs) but the line was too long.

He sang and played guitar and his wife (I’m fairly certain) Sam (he mentioned her last name briefly, but said Sam several times) sang the harmonies (which added so much to the songs!)

He joked that he wrote the setlist on a plate (a Johnny Brenda’s tradition, I feel) but that he couldn’t read the plate from where he was.

He was very funny telling stories between songs.  He even joked that he felt weird about bending over to get his water because he was afraid he looked like Marco Rubio in that video where he bent out of frame to drink a water–and he doesn’t want to be associated with that man in any way.

He made a joke comparing Florida where he was born and raised to his Aunt Jane while at his wedding. She hit on all of his friends.  Like Florida, he loves his Aunt Jane, he just wishes she were different.

And on another song he has a lyric about taking all the spoons and knives.  He said he didn’t really know what that meant and if anyone had any ideas they could tell him.  He said that after one show a very intense guy came up to him and said I know what it means.  You took the spoons and knives…. but you left the forks [end of statement]. (more…)

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Mondo Cozmo / The Cobbs (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, September 11, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Mondo Cozmo, Philadelphia, PA, The Cobbs on September 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 5, 2025] Mondo Cozmo / The Cobbs

Two years ago my wife and I saw Mondo Cozmo and it was great.  A ton of fun and lots of singing along.  This year he was playing Johnny Brenda’s but I’d already had two possible shows lined up for this night.  So, he didn’t really stand a chance.

Interestingly, the night before we saw them, they played Ardmore Music Hall with the same lineup as this show.  Here’s what I wrote two years ago.

We got tickets for the Saturday night show.  And I’m so glad I did.  For two main reasons.

  1. Mondo Cozmo played a song called “Your Motherfucker” which was hilarious and outstanding.  He didn’t play it in Ardmore because his mother was there.  So I’m glad we go to hear it.
  2. He told us that after about four songs in Ardmore, the fire alarm went off and everyone had to leave.  They didn’t go home, but I’m sure some people did.  Then the resumed, but that would have been really annoying.

I don’t know what else he played in Ardmore, but whatever it was, he played exactly what I wanted to hear in Underground Arts, so I ‘ll just be happy with the great show we had. (more…)

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Lucy Dacus / Julien Baker & Torres / Jay Som / Hop Along // Magdalena Bay / Remi Wolf / Annie Di Russo [A Make the World Better Benefit] (FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, July 25 & 27, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Annie DiRusso, Dell Music Center, Hop Along, Jay Som, Johnny Brenda's, Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, Magdalena Bay, Make the World Better, Philadelphia, PA, Torres on July 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 25 & 27, 2025] Lucy Dacus / Julien Baker & Torres / Jay Som / Hop Along // Magdalena Bay / Remi Wolf / Annie Di Russo

Like every one of these benefits shows, the first day was made for me.

I love Lucy Dacus, although I have seen her twice this year already.

I would love to have seen Julien Baker & Torres together.  They cancelled all of their shows this summer and were replaced by Hop Along which was fine, but not as good as the original.  Interestingly, perhaps, Hop Along was supposed to open for Japanese Breakfast last year but they were replaced at the last minute.

Jay Som is a favorite underground artist whom I love and who has been pretty quiet as of late.

Day 2 was less exciting for me.

Remi Wolf is someone I’ve h heard about but don’t really know.  She appeared on American Idol so I assume she’s not someone I would like, even if she is listed as an indie artist.  I saw that she opened for Lorde in 2022 (which I didn’t go to) and back then I wrote

Remi Wolf is a singer songwriter whom I do not know.  The fact that she appeared on American Idol in 2014 makes me not like her.  That’s unfair, but whatever.

At least I’m consistent.

Magdalena Bay is a duo (I thought it was someone’s name, oops).  The duo consists of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, who met in high school.  They play synthy pop and I really like their song “Image” although the rest is more pop than alternative.  Dancy and probably a treat to listen to on a sunny summer day.

Annie DiRusso was the only person on the bill for both days whom I had never heard of.  She’s an interesting young musician who veers to the noisy while writing poppy songs.  She also sings about college and wrote a song called Ovid.  So she appeals to that side of my musical appreciation.  The Harvard Crimson (!) review says

The album is an evolution of her usual guitar-heavy rock instrumentals, experimenting with incorporating different genres while still maintaining a cohesive sound across the record.

I hope she opens for someone I’m seeing one of these days.

So why didn’t I go to Day One?  Well, I didn’t really need to see Lucy again.  Plus, this was in FDR Park which I know nothing about and I have really bad luck with outdoor venues in Philly.  So while I fully support the cause, I just wasn’t willing to make the effort for this one.  And obvsiously Day Two wasn’t my scene.

 

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Preoccupations / Goon (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 25, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Canadian Music, Goon, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Preoccupations on June 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 25, 2025] Preoccupations / Goon

I’ve seen Preoccupations twice already, once in the Foundry opening for Protomartyr.  They used to be called Viet Cong, but wisely changed that name.  They put on a great live show, but I was in a bit of a concert funk and didn’t bother getting tickets.  It’s possible that Preoccupations has changed their sound somewhat–a little softer and less abrasive perhaps.  They seem to have embraced a new wave feel.  I wonder how they deal with their older songs live if they’ve become kind of a different band.

Goon is a band created by Kenny Becker who is also an accomplished painter.  Fascinatingly, Becker suffers from a rare medical condition that periodically deadens his sense of smell and hearing, which for years shaded his day-to-day life with a dull pallor.   Similarly his songs are hazy and soft, synth pieces with soft vocals.  Considering Preoccupations opened for Metz last time around, this is quite a change.

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Girls Against Boys / Maafa (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 19, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Girls Against Boys, Johnny Brenda's, Maafa, Philadelphia, PA on June 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 19, 2025] Girls Against Boys / Maafa

I was into Girls Against Boys in the early 90s.  Not a huge fan, but I liked their sound and a bunch of their songs.  When this tour was announced, I didn’t know that they were still a thing (they’ve broken up and reformed a few times).

I was instantly intrigued about going to this show (especially at Johnny Brenda’s) but it was in between two nights that I was already going out.  I’m a little bummed to have missed it, but it’s okay.  I would have liked to see Kill the Sexplayer live though (and I’ll have to dig out their CDs to listen to).

I had never heard of Maafa, but they sound pretty amazing

MAAFA is a Brooklyn-based “Afro-progressive hardcore” band founded by Brazilian bassist, vocalist, and composer Flora Lucini. They fuse intense, abrasive hardcore punk with traditional African instrumentation and rhythms, featuring politically charged lyrics that address systemic oppression and the African diaspora.

Looks like this would have been a really fun show.  I should have reconsidered going.

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Model/Actriz / AFK (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, May 17, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in AFK, Johnny Brenda's, Model/Actriz, Philadelphia, PA on May 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 17, 2025] Model/Actriz / AFK

I My son and I saw Model/Actriz open for Dazey and the Scouts bac in 2022.  They were bizarre and intense and put on a wonderful performance.  I would really like to see them again–especially now that it has been a few years.

But I had tickets to see Puscifer, Primus and A Perfect Circle the same night and you can’t be in two places at the same time.

AFK is an Industrial Glitch-hop trio from the Hudson Valley/NYC. Mind-melting beats and razor sharp flows. Hip hop from the future.

I like glitch hop in small doses. I didn’t love what I heard on their bandcamp, but I imagine it presents well live.

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Sunflower Bean / Laveda (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, May 16, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Laveda, Oneida, Philadelphia, PA, Sunflower Bean, The Bevis Frond on May 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 16, 2025] Sunflower Bean / Laveda

I’ve seen Sunflower Bean twice.  The first time I loved them.  The second time I loved them for different reasons.  But since then they have drifted away from the sound I liked into a more.

Actually, I see that they have recently put out a new album that changes their sound quite a bit again.  So clearly they are a band who are experimenting with sounds. I will have to keep tabs on them for the next time they come around.

Laveda is an NYC-based indie rock band formed by Ali Genevich and Jake Brooks, known for their blend of dreamy, shoegaze, and ’90s grunge sounds.

I listened to a few songs and really liked them–possibly more than Sunflower Bean, although I’ll have to see what this new album sounds like.

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Hooveriii / Expo / Feaster (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, May 16, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Expo, Feaster, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on May 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 16, 2025] Hooveriii / Expo / Feaster

I’ve been a fan of Hooveriii for a while. I got to see them open for Mudhoney and I really wanted to see them again.  I was excited for this show but when the date rolled around, we had a family crisis of some sort and I stayed home instead.  I have since seen that their set was only 45 minutes, but it sounds like the whole night was fun with these two weird opening bands.

Feaster is from Philly and describe themselves as One of the World’s Bands of All Time.  They’re weird in a really good way. They’re heavy and they rock and their vocals are kind of shouted and loud.  They seem like a lot of fun.

Expo is an experimental psych trio from Philadelphia and their music is exactly as they describe themselves there.  Wild drumbeats, funky bass lines and vocals that are squeezed on top.  I’d like to see them live.

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Tune-yards / JayWood (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, May 7, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in JayWood, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, tUnE-yArDs on May 7, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 7, 2025] Tune-Yards /JayWood

I saw Tune-Yards in 2018 and liked them well enough.  I hadn’t really considered seeing them for a while, but I was enjoying the new songs I’d heard from them.  But this show sold out in a minute.  I mean it’s not that surprising.  Last time I saw them at Union Transfer, and this one was at Johnny Brenda’s.

When this sold out, I tried to see Tune-Yards for their Free at Noon the day after, but the traffic was so bad I missed them.

And then later in the summer, when they played the XPoNential Festival,we arrived too late to see them–so I ‘m really just not meant to see them again, I guess.

JayWood is the stage name of Jeremy Haywood-Smith, a Canadian musician from Winnipeg, Manitoba whose music blends soul, funk, hip hop, indie rock and psychedelic rock influences.

I mean, on paper this guy is perfect for me, but I didn’t really like the sound all that much.  It felt too much like bedroom R&B to me.  Oh well.

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