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Archive for the ‘Johnny Brenda’s’ Category

Basic / The Early / Totally Automatic (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, December 7, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Basic, Chris Forsyth, Johnny Brenda's, Nick Millevoi, Philadelphia, PA, The Early, Totally Automatic on December 7, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: December 7, 2024] Basic / The Early / Totally Automatic

I have seen Basic twice in recent months and didn’t really feel compelled to go again. I do enjoy their music (and would have enjoyed seeing them at Johnny Brenda’s, but I had tickets to see Ride tonight and there’s no way I was passing up them for this.

The Early says about themselves

Formed in north Jersey in 2004, The Early’s music metabolizes the textural grandeur of post-rock, the communicational intimacy of jazz improvisation, and the patient grooves of minimalism. Currently operating out of Philadelphia, PA.

So what does that mean?  Interesting and improvisational-adjacent jazzy instrumentals, from the sound of their most recent record.  The Early appears to be Alex Lewis – electric guitar, korg minilogue and Jake Nussbaum – drum set, percussion, contact mics.  I’m not sure if there were more people on stage.

The Early released an album with Totally Automatic this year.

Totally Automatic was formed by Anne Ishii, Eugene Lew and Matthew Smith Lee in the summer of 2021. They play unarranged music with each other, on drums, saxophone and electronics, and can be found around Philadelphia.

So this set would be even more improvised, this time with saxophone.

Probably not the most enjoyable night I could spend, but it would have been kinda fun.

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Illiterate Light / Palmyra (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, November 14, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Illiterate Light, Johnny Brenda's, Palmyra, Philadelphia, PA on November 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: November, 14, 2024] Illiterate Light / Palmyra

My wife and I saw Illiterate Light two times within a few months back in 2019.  Since then they’ve played Philly a lot and I haven’t bothered to see them again.  I’m sure they’re still great–we enjoyed both shows–but they have just fallen off my radar.   Interestingly, they played Johnny BRenda’s back in February as well, so clearly they must be popular in Philly without my help.  So, good for them.

Palmyra is a trio from the Shenandoah Valley.  Here’s a fun review from Getalternative.com

Palmyra is a folk trio from the Shenandoah Valley. Teddy, Manoa, and Sasha have personalities that spill out all over the stage and feel like friendly strangers you strike up a conversation with outside a gas station, waiting for the car to fill. Their lyrics ponder an intimate, contemplative side of things. Sasha sings lead vocals and their voice drips with a beautiful desperation, every single word holding an earnestness you don’t find just anywhere anymore. Teddy and Manoa’s harmonies are screw-tight and the collective sound compliments the guitar, mandolin, and upright bass like whipped cream compliments peach cobbler.

I’ve listened to a couple of songs and they vary from rocking to super-folkie.  They’re probably fun live.

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Finom / Meg Elsier (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia PA, November 13, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Finom, Johnny Brenda's, Meg Elsier, Philadelphia, PA on November 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: November 13, 2024] Finom / Meg Elsier

I saw OHMME open for Jeff Tweedy a few years ago.  Then in August 2022 Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart announced that they had changed their name from OHMME to Finom, for legal reasons.

I really enjoyed them (a lot) when I saw them live, but for one reason or another I haven’t been that interested in seeing them again.  I haven’t really listened to their new music, so it’s not really fair that I haven’t been interested in them, but that’s what happens sometimes.  Although ultimately, the reason I didn’t go is because I had tickets to see Ratboys and Palehound for the same night.

I understand that each of their records is quite different.  The few songs from the album remind me a bit Lucius, but with noise sprinkled into the mix.

Meg Elsier is from Nashville via Boston and plays an indie rock with synthy pop flourishes and noises and other eccentric moments.  The little I heard from her was quite good. She seems like a real character and I’ll bet she’s fun live.

I’ll definitely look for both of them next year.

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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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