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Archive for the ‘Johnny Brenda’s’ Category

Illiterate Light / Caiola (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, February 15, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Caiola, Illiterate Light, Johnny Brenda's, Mo Lowda & The Humble, Philadelphia, PA on February 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 15, 2024] Illiterate Light / Caiola

My wife and I saw Illiterate Light two times within a few months.  The first time was opening for someone and they really impressed us.  The next time was headlining Johnny Brenda’s.  The show was a ton of fun, although the lighting and smoke made it really hard to see what was going on.

That was four years ago and I guess I just didn’t care enough to see them again.  I don’t even know how much new stuff they’ve put out since then.

Okay, not much. One album and an EP.  They sounded pretty good, but some shows just don’t happen.

Caiola is the music of Jordan Caiola a songwriter/musician/producer based out of Philadelphia. He founded the indie rock band Mo Lowda & The Humble in 2010 and released his first solo record in October of 2020.  I am aware of Mo Lowda, but have never really been interested enough to listen to them.

He has a nice voice and sings pleasant folk songs.  He’s pretty much exactly who I’d think would open for Illiterate Light.

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The Teeth / Alejandro Morales (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 19, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Alejandro Morales, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, The Teeth on January 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: January 13, 2024] The Teeth / Alejandro Morales

I had never heard of The Teeth before I saw that they had sold out three nights at Johnny Brenda’s months and months before these shows happened.

So who were they?

The Teeth was an indie rock band from Philadelphia consisting of twin brothers Aaron MoDavis on rhythm guitar and Peter MoDavis

After abruptly breaking up 15 years ago The Teeth are reuniting for a pair of special shows at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. Twin brothers Peter MoDavis (Bass) and Aaron MoDavis (guitar) will reassemble with Jonas Oesterle (drums) and Brian Ashby (guitar) on their favorite stage in the City of Brotherly Love.

Opening for this show was comedian Alejandro Morales.  I watched a clip of his standup and found it okay.  I wanted to like him more than I did.  The vibe was good but the jokes didn’t seem to land very well.

Here’s some more about The Teeth: (more…)

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The Teeth / Lindsey Noel (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 13, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Lindsey Noel, Philadelphia, PA, The Teeth on January 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: January 13, 2024] The Teeth / Lindsey Noel

I had never heard of The Teeth before I saw that they had sold out three nights at Johnny Brenda’s months and months before these shows happened.

So who were they?

The Teeth was an indie rock band from Philadelphia consisting of twin brothers Aaron MoDavis on rhythm guitar and Peter MoDavis

After abruptly breaking up 15 years ago The Teeth are reuniting for a pair of special shows at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. Twin brothers Peter MoDavis (Bass) and Aaron MoDavis (guitar) will reassemble with Jonas Oesterle (drums) and Brian Ashby (guitar) on their favorite stage in the City of Brotherly Love.

Opening for this show was magician Lindsey Noel.  I watched a clip of her performing in front of Penn and Teller and it was quite good.  But what a weird opening act!

Here’s some more about The Teeth: (more…)

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The Teeth / Brad Howe (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 12, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Brad Howe, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, The Teeth on January 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: January 12, 2024] The Teeth / Brad Howe

I had never heard of The Teeth before I saw that they had sold out three nights at Johnny Brenda’s months and months before these shows happened.

So who were they?

The Teeth was an indie rock band from Philadelphia consisting of twin brothers Aaron MoDavis on rhythm guitar and Peter MoDavis

After abruptly breaking up 15 years ago The Teeth are reuniting for a pair of special shows at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. Twin brothers Peter MoDavis (Bass) and Aaron MoDavis (guitar) will reassemble with Jonas Oesterle (drums) and Brian Ashby (guitar) on their favorite stage in the City of Brotherly Love.

Opening for this show was comedian Brad Howe.  I watched a clip of his stuff from 2017 and rather liked him.

Here’s some more about The Teeth: (more…)

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Wax Jaw / Trash Boy / Jim E. Brown (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, December 18, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Jim E. Brown, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Trash Boy, Wax Jaw on December 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: December 18, 2023] Wax Jaw / Trash Boy / Jim E. Brown

I was pretty excited to go to this show.  I had seen Wax Jaw a few months ago and they were outstanding.  This was to be their last show of the year and it was back on home turf.  It was also going to be my last show of the year and it seemed like a great one to go out on.

Then it rained.  And rained.  And rained.  Our area was flooded like crazy–schools closed, rivers overflowing, the works.  I probably could have still gone to the show.  It looked like Philly wasn’t as badly affected as my area was, but when I looked on the map, it did suggest that  there were flooding issues along the way and around the venue.  It just didn;t seem like it was worth going to the hassle.

So I stayed home.

Bummer.

I’ve seen a couple of videos and the show looks insane.  I hope someone has recorded the whole show. (more…)

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Strand of Oaks [Winter Classic VIII/IX] / Pat Finnerty (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, December 15 & 16, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Boot & Saddle, Johnny Brenda's, Pat Finnerty, Philadelphia, PA, Strand of Oaks on December 15, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: December 15 & 16, 2023] Strand of Oaks / Pat Finnerty

I had every intention of going to this Winter Classic.  I even had a ticket to night one.  Which I bought very specifically because I had a ticket to another show on Saturday night.  Then at about 3PM on Friday the 15th, I realized that my other show was actually tonight!

And my wife and I were going to that show together.

And the Saturday night show sold out a long time ago.  Sigh.

By my calculations, this should be Winter Classic XIII, but the poster says IX, so I’ll trust he’s right.  And I’ll make sure I’m there for Number 10.

~~~~~~~~

In 2015, Timothy Showalter played his first Strand of Oaks Winter Classic at Boot and Saddle.

Every year since then he has played two to four shows around Christmas time to a small but rabid fan base.  Obviously he didn’t pay one in 2020.  And now Boot & Saddle is closed

I have been to three of these fun winter events.

When he announced December shows at Johnny Brenda’s, it just didn’t occur to me that these would be Winter Classic shows.  I’m not sure why it would have made a difference, but had I realized, I would have gotten a ticket before they sold out.  Even S said, you love those, I can’t believe you didn’t go.

When I’m looking for it now I see that it was clearly stated that this was a Winter Classic, but I guess I was looking in the wrong places. (more…)

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Bit Brigade/ Triforce Quartet (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, November 17, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Bit Brigade, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Triforce Quartet on November 17, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: November 17, 2023] Bit Brigade/ Triforce Quartet 

I have only seen Bit Brigade once and it was amazing.

The premise behind a Bit Brigade show is that the band plays the soundtrack to a video game while their resident gamer plays the game.  The band is heavy and the sound is amazing.

I don’t know why exactly I didn’t get a ticket for this show.  They are playing one game I’ve never heard of, and one that I haven’t played in 30 years, but that shouldn’t make any difference.

Maybe when they come by next year.

Although if Mc Lars was opening I definitely would have gone.

Which is not a dis of Triforce Quartet who play string versions of video game themes.

Triforce Quartet  began innocently as a short Zelda medley for an encore of a recital in early 2007, but the video of using traditional string quartet instruments to play music of classic games gained viral popularity later that summer. Thanks to this, cellist Chad Schwartz was able to combine his love for video games, along with years of classical training, to arrange a variety of video game themes that even non-gamers can enjoy. The four members of the Triforce Quartet take audience members on an unforgettable musical journey.

Their music is beautiful.

If I wasn’t going  to see Mass of Fermenting Dregs, I would sneak across town to see this too.

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Pansy Division / The Ritchie White Orchestra / UgLi (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, November 16, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Pansy Division, Philadelphia, PA, The Ritchie White Orchestra, UgLi on November 16, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: November 16, 2023] Pansy Division / The Ritchie White Orchestra / UgLi

I heard about The Last Dinner Party a few weeks ago.  Right around when I found out they were doing a very short US Tour and Philly was one of the places.

When Pansy Division first appeared in the late 1990s, I was hugely supportive.  I loved that they were out and proud.  They introduced me to a whole subculture that I wasn’t aware of and which I am still really supportive of.  It almost seemed like it wasn’t much of a subculture anymore until Florida got their hands on it. But whatever.  Evidently the world still needs Pansy Division.

There have been gay musicians hidden throughout rock music history, but when Pansy Division began in 1991 in San Francisco, they were the first to be so boldly open about it.  Founded by guitarist/singer Jon Ginoli and soon joined by bassist/singer Chris Freeman, with the intent of forming a gay rock band, Pansy Division blew the closet doors open. Raised on a diet of 60s pop and 70s punk, their sound was suitably crunchy and catchy as hell. They wrote in-your-face lyrics, but did it with a sense of humor. Not only did their music and stance defy stereotypic norms of rock musicians being openly gay, they also broke gay cultural stereotypes that rock wouldn’t interest gay people.

I imagine that this show is going to be very very fun.

I don’t know the other two bands for the night.  But I love the blurb of The Ritchie White Orchestra

The Ritchie White Orchestra is a hard rocking poppy psychedelic trip to Detention Hall. Music for bad boys and girls and those in between.

They are a pretty raw band, though.

UgLi are from Philadelphia, PA.  They play cool indie grungy rock with lots of fuzz. They are probably my favorite of the three bands playing.  (Pansy Division’s music is a little too simple compared to UgLi).

 

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Fievel is Glauque (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, November 7, 2023) [CANCELLED]

Posted in Cancelled, Fievel is Glaque, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA on November 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: November 7, 2023] Fievel is Glauque

I saw Fievel is Glauque open for Stereolab and really enjoyed them.

Fievel is Glaque is the duo of American keyboardist Zach Phillips and Belgian singer Ma Clément.  They played a weird jazzy alt rock.  The songs were mostly just over a minute long.  And Clément sang in a French-inflected English that was really quite lovely.  They were practically like the anti-Stereolab.  Like if Stereolab had a younger, brattier cousin.

The audience during their set was terrible, so it might have ben fun to see them.

I hadn’t gotten a ticket, but when I went to check on the show a few weeks ago, I saw that the whole tour (which was like four shows) was cancelled.

There was no explanation.  And, in fact their socials had been quiet until very recently.

Weird.

 

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The Last Dinner Party / Mothermary (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, November 4, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Mothermary, Philadelphia, PA, The Last Dinner Party on November 4, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: November 4, 2023] The Last Dinner Party / Mothermary

I heard about The Last Dinner Party a few weeks ago.  Right around when I found out they were doing a very short US Tour and Philly was one of the places.

I was intrigued by their gimmick, but also by their music.  And I snagged a ticket even though I knew we had tickets to see The Head and the Heart. I figured this would sell out and I’d rather not be able to go because I had something else to do than not be able to go because it was sold out.

So what is this band about?  Well, they dress as you see here, and they play a kind of “art-rock bombast” with a “distinctive baroque-pop sound and look.”  Lead singer Abigail Morris sings in a very aristocratic way with very long vowels.

And they dress up.  Often in corsetry and baroque outfits.

Because, yes, they are all university students.  And there are few things more fun than British University students starting a band. (more…)

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