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Archive for the ‘Johnny Brenda’s’ Category

Florist / Allegra Krieger (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, May 5, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Allegra Krieger, Florist, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on May 5, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 5, 2025] Florist / Allegra Krieger

I knew of Florist from an NPR Tiny Desk Concert.  It makes me smile that this was a show I could have gone to on the same night that I could have gone to Arch Enemy at TLA and Napalm Death at Union Transfer.  Because Florist is one of the quietest bands around.

Emily Sprague has a very gentle voice–almost a whipser (but not mumbling or anything).  And her guitar playing is really pretty.

There’s no way I would have gone to this show, but it’s fun to list it here.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Allegra Krieger is also a quiet musician.  She comes across as a little louder and darker than Florist.  But I’d guess this was a no earplugs needed kind of show.

Actually, after listening to Allegra, I like her more than Florist.

 

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Mercury Rev / Ryley Walker (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 16, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Mercury Rev, Philadelphia, PA, Ryley Walker on April 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 16, 2025] Mercury Rev / Ryley Walker

I enjoyed Mercury Rev’s 1990s albums.  But the 2000s records lost me.  I was surprised that they were playing Johnny Brenda’s since Deserters Songs was a relatively big album.  But they really haven’t done anything much since then.

I wouldn’t mind seeing them live but this one wasn’t very appealing to me.

I’ve seen Ryley Walker a few times.  I’ve seen him play weird psychedelic instrumental jamming and I’ve seen him play rocking songs as well.  I’m not sure which way he went with this show–probably more traditional songs I’d assume.

I wasn’t all that interested in this show, but I was taking my daughter to see Lucy Dacus tonight anyhow, so it didn’t make much difference.

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Remember Sports / Anna McClellan (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 15, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Anna McClellan, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Remember Sports on April 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 15, 2025] Remember Sports / Anna McClellan

Remember Sports are a Philly band that I’ve been vaguely interested in for a while.  They play indie punk and lead singer Carmen Perry has a distinctive almost unpleasant voice that I find really compelling.

But since I didn’t know them that well and there were four other shows I could have gone to tonight, this one didn’t have much of a chance.

Anna McClellan is an indie musician based out of Nebraska.  Her music (and vocals) seem really raw.  She seems to be also pushing the boundaries of unpleasantness, but might fall on the other side of it for me.

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FACS / Jeff Ziegler / Long Spells (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 8, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in FACS, Jeff Ziegler, Johnny Brenda's, Long Spells, Philadelphia, PA on April 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 8, 2025] FACS / Jeff Ziegler / Long Spells

I saw FACS back in 2019.  They opened for Explosions in the Sky and they were intense and wonderful.  They were 3/4 of the now defunct band Disappears.  I would have really enjoyed seeing them again, to experience their noise and cathartic sounds.  But there were THREE other shows I could have gone to that night and they were all slightly more interesting to me.

Ultimately, I stayed home because my wife had just had surgery.  According to the video below they only played for 45 minutes.

Jeff Ziegler is a Philadelphia based music producer who makes abstract electronic music.  The video below makes it seem reasonably interesting.

The blurb on the video below says:

Live synth set from producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Zeigler, recorded at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. Known for his work with Mary Lattimore, Kurt Vile, The War on Drugs, and his own project Valley Exit, Zeigler builds a shifting landscape of modular textures, analog pulses, and atmospheric loops unfolding in real time. This set moves through evolving drones, drifting melodies, layered sequences, and the subtle unpredictability of live modular electronics. It’s a performance that sits between structure and spontaneity, drawing from the rich, textural side of experimental and ambient music.

Long Spells are a trio from Philly with an amusing quote for their bio

“Long Spells is a musical act comprised of three caucasian males of varying ages that reside in the city of Philadelphia and possess mid socioeconomic statuses. Each member works a job unrelated to music that inconsistently assists with creating a sense of financial stability within their lives. Long Spells is a musical and creative outlet that can help them find stimulation, regulate their mood, and live in a manner congruent with their desire to be true to themselves. The members have many similar musical interests and social/cultural connections that have brought them together over the years. Long Spells enjoy making indie pop/rock that allows for experimentation with sound textures, melodies, and rhythms. Audience members at their shows have been observed nodding their heads and tapping their feet to the music. After performances, some showgoers have been overheard telling the band members, “Hey, great set!” “I really liked the third song.” and “I had a hard time hearing the lyrics.”

From what I heard below I would have really enjoyed them.  In fact, the while night sounds like it would have been great.

pocket sound pictures posted videos of

FACS:

Long Spells:

Jeff Ziegler:

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Nanocluster : Immersion | Suss (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 1, 2025)

Posted in Immersion, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Suss on April 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 1, 2025] Nanocluster : Immersion | Suss

I stumbled upon Suss one night when I was looking for music to relax to.  I got a kick out of the name–my kids had been using it as slang quite a lot at the time–and really enjoyed their music.  The seem to be described as “ambient country” which would have turned me off.  I’d rather think of them as a soundtrack to the open spaces in the midwest and west (even though all three members are from New York City.

The trio is Jonathan Gregg: Pedal Steel, dobro ; Bob Holmes: Mandolin, baritone guitar, acoustic guitar, harmonica, violin, Keyboards ; Pat Irwin: Electric guitars, National guitar, eBow, harmonium, keyboards, melodica, loops.

Then one night I was listening to Echoes on NPR and they had an interview with Suss.  Which seemed coincidental.  And they mentioned this album that they had made with Immersion.   Immersion is a project from Colin Newman of Wire.  He and Malka Spigel (his wife) who played in Minimal Compact started this electronic project some 30 years ago.  Then in 2021 they started doing Nanocluster projects where they collaborated with others.  Volume 3 featured Suss.  So this was a tour of the album (which is short) as well as sets from each band.

I almost never sit in the balcony at Johnny Brenda’s.  I like to be up by the stage.  But this show, which promised to be very chill, seemed like a great opportunity to go upstairs and grab a stool!

Suss came out first.  They were clustered close together because there was so much gear on the stage.   They had two screens behind them.  Each one projected the same thing (which was weird when it was a  camera panning over a landscape since it seemed like it should continue from one screen to the next rather than being the same thing, but that’s fine.

The three guys bent over their instruments and made beautiful instrumental music.  Keys, slide guitar and other instruments created a dreamy feeling of being in open spaces.  After about 15 minutes or so they were joined by a bass player (whose name I didn’t catch),  he didn’t add fancy bass lines, just a nice low end.  They ended as a trio with one of the guys whistling a sad mournful melody.  (more…)

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The Bevis Frond / Oneida (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, March 1, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Oneida, Philadelphia, PA, The Bevis Frond on March 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 1, 2025] The Bevis Frond [moved from October 11, 2024]

I feel like I’ve always been aware of The Bevis Frond, but I don’t think I’d ever heard them.

When they announced their first US tour in 25 years I grabbed a ticket without even being sure if I really liked them,  So I listened to them a bunch and, yes, I do like them.

I felt lucky to be able to go to one of these shows as there were only 8 shows on the tour.

And then in late August it was announced

The Bevis Frond’s first US Tour in over two decades has now been re-scheduled for 2025. Fans can expect a selection from the Frond’s colossal catalogue as well as new music from their recent Fire releases, for what promises to be an historic live show.

When the new tour was announced, I was pretty excited to have one of my first shows scheduled for 2025.  And I was looking forward to this show for months.

And then, my family had plans during the day of March 1.  And the day was very good and we enjoyed ourselves quite a lot.  And we dithered about what time t o head home.  And the thing that bummed me out the most is that we dithered long enough that by the time we got home, we were just late enough that I wouldn’t have been able to make the show.  If we had stayed out later to have made it undoable entirely that would have been fine. But to make it so that I basically was just unable to go was a real bummer especially since I doubt he’ll be back for another tour.

Oneida is described as an experimental band from Brooklyn.  But the few songs I listened to weren’t that experimental.   They strike me more as a garage rock/psychedelic lumbering entity.  Joyful Noise, their record label says

Oneida has long straddled gray-area boundaries between the NYC punk/psych/rock world and the art/experimental world, playing at gritty rock clubs and elevated cultural institutions, including the Guggenheim, MoMA PS1, ICA London, MassMOCA and the Knoxville Museum of Art. The band has been known for extended live improvisational performances,

I’m guessing they would have been pretty fun.

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Jessica Lea Mayfield / MARGAUX / lowercase roses (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 28, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Jessica Lea Mayfield, Johnny Brenda's, lowercase roses, Margaux, Philadelphia, PA on January 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: January 28, 2025] Jessica Lea Mayfield / MARGAUX / lowercase roses

I saw Jessica Lea Mayfield in 2018 and really enjoyed her set.   Since then, I have been following her on Instagram and I enjoy her social media presence.  I genuinely have no idea if she has released any new music since 2018 (when I loved her song Sorry is Gone).  Huh, in fact she has not put out any new music since then, although she does have an EP coming out soon.

Looking at her setlist, she played almost the same set as when I saw her in 2018.  With songs mostly from Sorry is Gone and few more songs from her album Make My Head Sing.  I’m sure I would have enjoyed this show, but I wasn’t all that interested in going.

Margaux is yet another new singer going by a mononym.  Margaux Bouchegnies is a singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY.  She is inspired by Motown, Pixies, and Dirty Projectors. (more…)

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Third Annual Abortion Access Benefit: Control Top / Dark Thoughts / Mopar Stars / Money Nicca / Nina Ryser / Noun / Pinkwash / (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 25, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Control Top, Dark Thoughts, Johnny Brenda's, Mopar Stars, Nina Ryser, Noun, Palberta, Philadelphia, PA, Pinkwash, Rachel Fogletto, Screaming Females, Third Annual Abortion Access Benefit on January 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: January 25, 2025] Control Top / Dark Thoughts / Mopar Stars / Money Nicca / Nina Ryser / Noun / Pinkwash

I bought a ticket to this show primarily for Control Top.  And I added an extra donation because I felt the cause was really important.  And then I grabbed tickets to Soccer Mommy which was a show that was easier for me to get to.

Ground Control Touring’s 3rd Annual Abortion Access Benefit Series takes place in NYC, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, DC, Austin, and Raleigh on January 25, 2025! Visit their website to see the variety of bands at each show and specific event details! 100% of proceeds from all shows are donated directly to NOISE FOR NOW who will allocate the funds raised to local abortion funds in need. You can also text GCT to 53-555 if you can’t make it out but would still like to donate.

Proceeds support: Abortion Liberation Fund of PA, Access Reproductive Care – Southeast, ACCESS Reproductive Justice, The Afiya Center’s SYS Fund, Baby2Baby’s Disaster Relief and Emergency Response, Carolina Abortion Fund, DC Abortion Fund, Feminist Women’s Health Center, Lilith Fund, Midwest Access Coalition, New York Abortion Access Fund, Northwest Abortion Access Fund, and independent abortion clinics in California, DC, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, the Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania via Keep Our Clinics.

And here’s the blurb from Johnny Brenda’s

Ground Control Touring is thrilled to announce they’re teaming up for the third year with NOISE FOR NOW, a non-profit specializing in reproductive justice, to take action and bring awareness with its third annual Abortion Access Benefit Series. The series has expanded to take over EIGHT cities, coinciding on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 – Los Angeles at Lodge Room, New York City at Bowery Ballroom, Chicago at Sleeping Village, Atlanta at The Masquerade (Purgatory), Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda’s, Austin at Hotel Vegas, DC at Songbyrd, and Raleigh at Kings. Since its inception in 2023, the Abortion Access Benefit Series has raised over $110,000 via eight completely sold out nationwide events, with performances by nearly 100 artists and silent auction bundles provided by dozens of community sponsors and local businesses.
Each benefit show will feature a special night of music and festivities in support of abortion funds, community, and bodily autonomy. 100% of proceeds will go to NOISE FOR NOW who will then allocate the funds raised to local independent abortion clinics and abortion funds in each region.
More about NOISE FOR NOW: NOISE FOR NOW is a national initiative that enables artists and entertainers to connect with and financially support grassroots organizations that work in the field of Reproductive Justice, including abortion access. Reproductive health care services, including access to legal abortion, are under attack. By organizing benefit events and campaigns, NOISE FOR NOW provides opportunities for artists and entertainers to use their talent to raise money and send a clear message that Reproductive Rights are human rights. Since their inaugural benefit concert in 2017, NOISE FOR NOW has worked with over 450 artists and entertainers to raise $1.36M for 54 partner organizations. In 2023, NOISE FOR NOW established a record label and has released 3 benefit compilations, 2 of which are streaming on all digital platforms.

(more…)

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Kurt Vile (solo acoustic) / Mike Polizze (solo acoustic) (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 18, 2025) early and late shows [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Kurt Vile, Mike Polizze, Philadelphia, PA, Purling Hiss on January 18, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: January 18, 2025] Kurt Vile / Mike Polizze

I asked my wife if she wanted to see Kurt Vile (whom she loves) but we kind of both felt that we didn’t really want to see him play solo acoustic.  And that’s fine.  We had seen him not too long ago, and honestly I enjoyed his electric sound a lot more.

And then it sold out in a minute anyhow.  Later I managed to get tickets for Bruce McCullough on the same night.  But I hadn’t realized that they’d announced an early show (5:30) that night as well.  We could possibly have done both!

Mike Polizze is the main guy behind Purling Hiss, a band I’ve seen once and really liked.  I don’t think I even knew that he was an opening act for this show until I started to write this. (more…)

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Geordie Greep / NNAMDÏ (First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA, January 14, 2025) AND (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 16 & 17, 2025) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Black Midi, First Unitarian Church, Geordie Greep, Johnny Brenda's, NNAMDÏ, Philadelphia, PA on January 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: January 14, 16 & 17, 2025] Geordie Greep / NNAMDÏ

Geordie Greep is one of the vocalists in Black Midi.  He’s a fascinating dude with a fascinating voice.  When I saw that he was doing a solo tour, I was really intrigued.

But when I went to the Johnny Brenda’s site, both night were long sold out.

Sometime later he added another date, but this one was at the Church, so I knew I wouldn’t be going to the show.

I’m not too heartbroken about it, but it would have been interesting to be sure

i saw NNAMDÏ open for Wilco four years ago and I loved their set.  I wrote

I felt like he was digging into prog-rock territory and yet I guess it would be more accurately labelled as jazz with rapid time changes, incredibly fast parts and wicked jamming.   And yet the roots of most of his songs were a kind of pop/R&B vibe.

This is a solid double bill, with three shows I couldn’t make.

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