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Archive for the ‘Johnny Brenda’s’ Category

Drinking Boys and Girls Choir [드링킹소년소녀합창단] (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, October 30, 2024)

Posted in Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, 드링킹소년소녀합창단, Johnny Brenda's, Party Nerves, Philadelphia, PA on October 31, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: October 30, 2024] Drinking Boys and Girls Choir

I saw Drinking Boys and Girls Choir open for Otoboke Beaver about 8 months ago.  They were great and so much fun.  When they announced a headline tour of the States I immediately grabbed a ticket.

I love Johnny Brenda’s as a venue, but the parking around there has gotten so bad, it’s almost impossible to go.

The place wasn’t very crowded but everyone there was super excited to be there.  When Megan Nisbet asked if anyone had seen them with Otoboke Beaver, most of the audience enthusiastically raised their hands.

Meena Bae (bass & vocals) and Myeong-jin Kim (drums & vocals) started the band in 2012.  They’ve gone through a few guitarists over the years and have now grabbed Scottish guitarist Megan Nisbet who joined the band in 2020 (and had been studying Korean for 15 years!).

The trio came out and Megan whaled some feedback as they started “Limitless Night.”    Meena Bae is a phenomenal frontwoman, she has a great voice and a ton of energy.  She smiles when she’s not singing and she jumps and kicks her feet in the air.

It was hilarious and fun.

Megan doesn’t really interact with the crowd, as she really holds down the songs with fantastic solos (she gets an extended, impressive solo in “Red Shift” which made someone at the end of the song shout expletives of approval) and backing vocals. (more…)

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Party Nerves (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, October 30, 2024) [DRINKING BOYS AND GIRLS CHOIR]

Posted in Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, Johnny Brenda's, Party Nerves, Philadelphia, PA on October 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: October 30, 2024] Party Nerves

I saw Party Nerves open for Say Sue Me back in November and for Drinking Boys and Girls Choir and Otoboke Beaver in March.  And now they are back opening for Drinking Boys and Girls again.

Party Nerves is a great, fun band.

All three members are super in tune with each other, but fairly or unfairly, most of the attention has to go to guitarist Woolly since he’s the one playing the lightning fast, non-stop surf guitar riffs. Yup, rocking surf guitar that reminds me of Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet (the band who made The Kids in the Hall theme song), although listening to them this time, they have more urgency and intensity that Shadowy’s laid back vibe).

Admittedly a lot of the songs are samey–I mean, it’s instrumental and it’s all kind of reverbed and riff-based.  But each guy is really good and the riffs are tasty.

The crowd was really into it with lots if applause after each song.   They just put out a new EP.

Party Nerves is a great opening act, check them out!

 

2024 2024 2023
Going to Hell on a Technicality ⊗ Going to Hell on a Technicality ⊗
Whose Blood is This? © Hearse Donuts ©
Scum Island ⇔ Texas Pastry Month ⇔
Hearse Donuts © 12
Coffee and Muffins with Anton ⇔ Whose Blood is This? ©
Jackie Dracula © Scum Island ⇔
Tellez Marella ⇔ Jackie Dracula ©
Coffin Hop © Goose Suit ©
I Said No Thank You ⇔ Ikta
Texas Pastry Month ⇔ Coffin Hop ©
Toothpaste, NJ ⇔ Toothpaste, NJ ⇔

⇔ Go Broke or Go Home (2024)
⊗ 2023 single
© Put a Load On, Come Back Mangled (2022)

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The Bevis Frond (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, October 11, 2024) [POSTPONED]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, The Bevis Frond on October 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[POSTPONED: October 11, 2024] The Bevis Frond [moved to March 1, 2025]

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.

But at least there’s a new date because now I’m even more excited about it

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La Luz / Mia Joy (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, October 8, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, La Luz, Mia Joy, Philadelphia, PA on October 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 8, 2024] La Luz / Mia Joy

It fascinates me when multiple shows that I want to see wind up on the same night.  It’s a bummer, of course, but weird, like why were there FOUR shows I would have gone to on October 8?

I know La Luz from a live Levitation recording that I really dig.  I don’t know a lot more about the band aside from the basic bio.  They are from Seattle and are known for their “surf noir” style, with layered vocal harmonies.  I didn’t know that their “energetic live shows often include Soul Train-inspired dance contests and crowd surfing.”  Which sounds really fun and makes me want to see them even more.

But again, this was the fourth show tonight and the band I knew the least, so I wasn’t going to go to this one.

Mia Joy Rocha, is an American indie rock musician from Oak Park, Illinois.  I haven’t heard of her but her music is described as ethereal indie pop that envelops the listener in a shroud of gentle, personal hymns that are both intimate & warmly inviting.

Listening to her stuff, that description seems very apt.

This would have been a delightful show.

 

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Spoon Benders / Color Charge / Disaster Artist (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, July 23, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Color Charge, Disaster Artist, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Spoon Benders, The Lunar Year on July 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 23, 2024] Spoon Benders / Color Charge / Disaster Artist / [was] The Lunar Year

Spoon Benders opened for The Psychedelic Porn Crumpets on a night I couldn’t go (still sad about that one).

If they open for PPC, they must be worth checking out so I had considered going to this show.  But I had a couple of other shows this week so this one was pushed aside.

They are a progressive psych-rock powerhouse that has been relentlessly crisscrossing the United States, leaving a trail of newly acquired fans in their wake. Spoon Benders have become synonymous with an electrifying stage presence that can only be described as loud, controlled chaos.

When I first listened to some of their songs I wasn’t that excited, but I feel like I must not have been paying attention because their sound is very cool with lots of echoing guitars and a much-needed female voice on lead and backing vocals.

I would like to see them some day though. (more…)

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The Family Crest / Koser (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, July 21, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Koser, Philadelphia, PA, The Family Crest on July 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 21, 2024] The Family Crest

I saw The Family Crest back in 2017.  I was really into their album at the time.  Since then I’ve kind of forgotten about them.  I was interested in seeing them again as their new material is still strong. But I wound up not getting a ticket.

Then we made plans to go visit family members, so the point was moot anyhow.

Koser sounds like they want to be the band for everyone

a high-energy 5-piece rock/blues/funk band from Philadelphia. The supergroup meshes the powerful contralto vocals of Kara Koser with a heap of instruments– guitars, bass, saxophone, keyboard, synth, percussion, drums, and more, every show. KOSER pairs well with the soul of Lawrence, Amy Winehouse, and the grit of Nirvana, Paramore.

I listened to their one song on Bandcamp and it was all instrumental and all synths, so I don’t really know what that blurb is talking about.

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Slomo Sapiens / Wax Jaw / Flatwaves (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 22, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Airiel, Blushing, Bodywash, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on June 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 22, 2024] Slomo Sapiens / Wax Jaw / Flatwaves

My failed quest to see Wax Jaw again continues.  This show was announced as Wax Jaw’s last show for a while, as they regroup and plan to record a new album.  So I would have really liked to go.  But I had tickets to see Frank Turner and his band who I have been trying to see for longer.  So, never mind.

I love the name Slomo Sapiens  I first heard of them last year and I wrote

Slomo Sapiens continues the tradition of great band names from Philadelphia.  I didn’t know much about them, but they are described as a psychedelic “sludge rock” trio, which sounds pretty good to me.  I’ve listened to a couple of songs and psychedelic sludge rock is right on the nose.

This show was actually an album release party for The Holy Babble, their second album.  It’s pretty good and I imagine they are lots of fun live.

Flatwaves are Philly-based garagegaze. And that’s pretty accurate.  They have a shoegaze vibe but with a kind of heaviness that’s a twist on the genre.

I’m sure this would have been an enjoyable show

 

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Airiel / Blushing / Bodywash (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 19, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Airiel, Blushing, Bodywash, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on June 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 19, 2024] Airiel / Blushing / Bodywash

I saw Blushing open for Ringo Deathstarr and I really liked them a lot.  That was five years ago and I was ready to see them again.  Even if they were second on the bill.

I hadn’t heard of Airiel even though they’d been around for over twenty years.  They had been pretty dormant for much of it. so I guess its not too surprising.  I listened to some of their songs and really liked them. And then I felt as though I liked them a little less each time I listened again.

They describe their music as “It’s loud, it’s pretty and you can dance to it”

I was intrigued, but ultimately decided to stay home because I had gone out the two nights before and was going out the two nights after.

Bodywash play a shoegaze style (with synths) and two singers Chris Steward and Rosie Long Decter.  They are from Montreal. (more…)

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TAGABOW / Hotline TNT / Fib / Menu (Ukie Club, Philadelphia, PA, June 8, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Fib, Hotline TNT, Johnny Brenda's, Menu, Philadelphia, PA, Tagabow on June 8, 2024|

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 8, 2024] TAGABOW / Hotline TNT / Fib / Menu

This was my third missed show at the Ukie Club in a month.  Each one is a show I really wanted to go to.  Although as it turns out, this one was probably the least most interesting one of the three.  I was mostly interested in seeing Hotline TNT who I’ve really been enjoying over the last few months.

TAGABOW I hadn’t heard of until the Slide Away Festival in Aptil–their set was really good (having seen the video).

The other two bands I hadn’t heard of at all.  They are new(ish) indie bands from Philly.

The night’s tickets went to Palestinian Relief, so I didn’t mind getting a ticket since the money went to a good cause.

On the night of I just decided I didn’t really want to go to a full night of bands, even if I would have liked it.  And, watching the videos below, I think I would have.

TAGABOW (They Are Gutting a Body of Water) is a Philly-based shoegaze band that I’ve never heard of.  They seem to be on the noisier side of shoegaze–heavier guitars, more wild distortion, extra noises.   Wikipedia says that genres besides shoegaze that have influenced the band include drum and bass, breakcore, jungle, and reggaeton, which could certainly explain some of the noisier components.

Hotline TNT plays what I can only describe as classic shoegaze, which is definitely having a moment again.  Unlike a lot of their contemporaries, they don’t really mess with the classic shoegaze vibe all that much–not adding elements at all.  Their music warms my heart and I’d love to see them live.

Fib Philadelphia rock band. Logan, charlie, gage, and Damien.  They play noisy, somewhat abrasive rock, with vocals!

I didn’t know Menu at all(they are rather hard to search for online as well).  I enjoyed their set (from the video below) which is the kind of lurching, somewhat off-kilter indie rock that makes me happy.  The first four songs are instrumental, but the fifth does have a few screamed words.

Rampaging post punk from Philadelphia, PA.  Fast guitars like shooting laser blasters. Tracked at home.  This most memorable Rock Band burns bright, quickly leaving you to wonder where it’s gone. We love T.V., just like we’re supposed to

And here’s videos of all four sets from Wallace, Watches!

TAGABOW full set from Wallace, Watches!

0:00 – Intro 0:32 – lude 1 2:24 – 63 skies 6:50 – lude 2 9:40 – texas instruments 11:40 – lude 3 13:49 – eightball 16:35 – lude 4 18:33 – violence I 22:15 – a wasp appears 24:15 – lude 5 27:00 – behind the waterfall 32:20 – closing

Hotline TNT full set from Wallace, Watches!
0:00 – Intro 1:00 – Protocol 7:30 – Son In Law 10:33 – I Thought You’d Change 13:40 – Candle (Unreleased) 18:00 – Stampede 22:10 – “Philadelphia…” 22:40 – Trinity 28:05 – Are You Faded? 33:00 – History Channel 38:10 – Had 2 Try
Fib full set from Wallace, Watches!
0:00 – Outro 3:53 – Taking the Piss 5:49 – Bedside 7:30 – Dotted Line 10:07 – Jam 11:26 – We’re Only in it For the Money 15:36 – Heavy Lifting 19:01 – Real Heat 22:50 – Unknown 1
Menu full set from Wallace, Watches!
0:00 – Intro 0:55 – Song 1 3:35 – Song 2 6:12 – Song 3 9:42 – Song 4 11:04 – Song 5 12:22 – Song 6 15:01 – Peter 17:40 – Sorcery

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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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