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Archive for the ‘Venues’ Category

Guster (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, April 6, 2023)

Posted in Guster, Jersey City, NJ, Karina Rykman, White Eagle Hall on April 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 6, 2023] Guster

It was only a few months ago that we saw Guster in Montclair.  And yet here they were back again in New Jersey!

They’re playing Philly tomorrow night and it was be incredible to see them two night in a row, but the second night is the same as night as the five-times rescheduled Bikini Kill show. so, you know, priorities.

Karina Rykman’s set was so much fun but we had no idea how good this night’s set was going to be.

This is my tenth time seeing Guster and my wife’s ninth (she couldn’t make the Free at Noon that I went to).  So we pretty much know what to expect at a show by now.

But the guys really mixed it up quite a lot for this one.

In addition to their super fun set design (desk lights suspended from the ceiling all set up with LEDs to glow different colors), they also played a setlist that was totally killer. (more…)

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Karina Rykman (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, April 6, 2023) [GUSTER]

Posted in Guster, Jersey City, NJ, Karina Rykman, White Eagle Hall on April 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 6, 2023] Guster

I’ve seen Karina Rykman play with Marco Benevento three times.  She is an amazing bass player with a great sound, great instincts and great jamming skills.

I was supposed to see her a few times, but the shows were cancelled for one reason or another.

So how awesome was it that she was going to open for Guster?

I didn’t really have a good sense of what her live show would be like.  Her recorded solo stuff is rather synthy and kind of discoey, which I really didn’t expect.  So who knew what we were going to get.

Well, her band, Chris Corsica on drums and Adam November on guitar were outstanding.  The songs had a kind of disco feel (especially from the guitar playing from November) and the occasional very disco bass line that Karina threw in.  But they felt modern as well.

The songs grooved and were groovy, taking the most fun aspects of disco and marrying them to a heaviness and thumping sound that worked really well.

I hadn’t really heard Rykman sing before and her voice is quiet and somewhat angelic.  She must have some kind of processors on her mic because it sounded like there were harmonies a lot of the time. (more…)

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Deerhoof / Hello Mary / Scarlet (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 5, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Deerhoof, Hello Mary, Philadelphia, PA, Scarlet, Underground Arts on April 5, 2023| 2 Comments »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 5, 2023] Deerhoof / Hello Mary / Scarlet

Deerhoof is one of the weirder indie bands out there.  Their songs have no real sense of standard structure or melody.  They jump from notion to notion, seemingly on a whim.

I haven’t listened to them a lot, although I always like to know they’re still making weird music.

They’re the kind of band that would be really interesting to see live.  One reviewer on Soundkick puts it much better than I could

There sound is also so fascinating because they love playing around with polar opposite musical elements, testing how they clash and complement each other. Singer Satomi Matsuzaki’s voice has a characteristic sweet and child like innocence to it; however it is often bizarrely paired with abrasive (sometimes borderline frighting) musical accompaniments. Deerhoof is also a band that has a rich understanding of pop music; however they will take it into their own territory: perverting it, capitalizing on its charm, and most importantly using it as a way to mess with the listeners anticipations.

Deerhoof is one of the most unique bands around and it is a wonderful experience to see them perform live. Their music is simply incomparable. In a way it is a mystery how they get such interesting sounds when using very conventional instrumentation. When I saw them live for their “Breakup Song” tour they performed their entire set using only a guitar, bass, drum set and microphone. I was mesmerized throughout the performance. It was one of the few shows I have attended in which I was absolutely absorbed in the music. They switched from songs like “Apple Bomb” which was a more contemplative track featuring fantastically odd chord changes to newer songs like “There’s That Grin”. “There’s that Grin” has to be the catchiest Deerhoof track written. I couldn’t believe how perfect they performed it live either. This is a song that features extensive use of synthesizers and yet it sounded just as good performed on the guitar and bass. Their drummer Greg Saunier also has one of the greatest improvisational styles I have seen in a long time.

I wasn’t really intending to go to this show until I saw that Hello Mary was opening.

The New York trio’s self-titled full-length debut, out March 3, is a blast of distorted chords, sunny harmonies, and all-consuming angst that will renew your faith in the hopelessly dated and/or timelessly classic sounds of alternative rock. Hello Mary is an instant contender for 2023’s most bracing entrance to the stage, sharp and self-assured. Oh yeah, and the band’s two founders — singer-guitarist Helena Straight and bass player Mikaela Oppenheimer, both 18 — just graduated from high school this summer.

I have since listened to the album and I love it.  I sure hope they tour soon, maybe as a headliner.

Scarlet is a terrible name for a band.  While looking this band up, I found at least three possibilities because there are at least three bands with this name.  One is a hair metal band, the other is a grunge goth band and then there’s this one, which I assume is the right one (there’s no way to tell really).

The band that I think this is–they make the most sense–is the band from Brooklyn (this one) who I rather like.  There’s droning guitars and feedback–grunge guitars and soft vocals (a la 90s indie rock).   Probabaly because I just saw Versus, tis band reminds me of them somewhat in style. It’s pretty great.  I hope this is the Scarlet that was at this show.

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Sunset Rubdown (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, March 31, 2023)

Posted in Nicholas Merz, Philadelphia, PA, Sunset Rubdown, Union Transfer on April 2, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: March 31, 2023] Sunset Rubdown 

I really like Spencer Krug’s other (one of many) band Wolf Parade.  When the Sunset Rubdown album Dragonslayer came out, I really liked it as well. Krug is a weird songwriter with an unusual sense of what a song should be like.

Sunset Rubdown more or less broke up after Dragonslayer for reasons I’m unclear about.  They toured throughout 2009 and then disbanded.  Sometime in December 2022, Krug decided to get the band back together for a Tiny Tour.

As Krug puts it

“Fast forward twelve-and-a-half years” from their final show in Tokyo in late 2009 “to Krug whimsically sending the band a group email about a possible reunion, after having dreamt about it the night before. Each of the members replied with an enthusiastic “Yes” that same afternoon, and a dormant volcano began to rumble…”

I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to go to this show.

When it was first announced, on December 6, it was at PhilMOCA and it sold out almost instantly.

Then on

December 9,  (Three days later) there was a message

OK, let’s go. Due to popular demand, the Sunset Rubdown show has been MOVED from PhilaMOCA to the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia! All previously purchased tickets will be honored at the new venue and additional tickets are ON SALE NOW! …but for how long?

Now I don’t go  to the Church, so I wasn’t going to go to this show.  But then later that day:

Damn, this sold out instantly. Should we move it to a bigger room or…

On January 5, the show was moved to Union Transfer and I bought my ticket the next day.

By the time the show came up, I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to go.   There were two other shows that night that I was vaguely interested in.  But I decided to take advantage of this reunion.  (more…)

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Nicholas Merz (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, March 31, 2023) [SUNSET RUBDOWN]

Posted in Nicholas Merz, Philadelphia, PA, Sunset Rubdown, Union Transfer on April 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: March 31, 2023] Nicholas Merz

I has listened to Nicholas Merz’ record before this show and hadn’t liked it very much.  Merz’ delivery is really slow and deep and is almost comical.  he’s also got this kind of cowboy vibe which is really kind of weird.  But the thing i disliked most about the record was the overuse of saxophone.

So I didn’t care if I arrived a few minutes late. But it turned out the traffic was really light that night and I wound up pretty early.

I talked to a couple of people who were discussing Godspeed You Black Emperor.  And then Merz came on.

With one spotlight shining down on him, he sauntered slowly to the center of the stage as swirls of music played on the speakers.  After an introduction, he began singing in that slow deliberate way of his.  It was terrible.  but it was also mesmerizing.  i couldn’t stop watching.  And soon enough, without him changing anything, I found myself enjoying it.

The swirling music made me a little light headed, perhaps.  And that spotlight pulsed like a strobe, lighting him up in various ways.  When that song wrapped up, he walked to a pedal steel guitar at the back of his setup and sat down.  He played a simple chord structure, manipulated the sound a bit and looped it.  It wound up having the same slow woozy feeling.  (more…)

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Cosmic Guilt / Garcia Peoples (Brooklyn Bowl, Philadelphia, PA, March 31, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Brooklyn Bowl, Cosmic Guilt, Low Cut Connie, Philadelphia, PA on March 31, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 31, 2023] Cosmic Guilt / Garcia Peoples

This missed show continues my streak of not going to Brooklyn Bowl.  I has nothing to do with the venue. It’s right next to venues that I have been next to many times.  Something always seems to come up with shows here.

Although what came up with this show is that I don’t really like the headliner.

The show came to my attention because Garcia Peoples were playing.  Shockingly for me, Garcia Peoples were opening for Cosmic Guilt.

Although with a very minimal amount of digging I have now learned that Cosmic Guilt were formed by the former lead guitar player for Low Cut Connie and are based in Fishtown.  So yes, this is a hometown show with a popular home town dude.

I happen to not really like Low Cut Connie, so it’s probably not surprising that I feel the same about Cosmic Guilt.  I find some of what they do to be good, but overall, it’s not quite right for me, despite their billing as “a ten-piece, psych-tinged, heavily fringed folk outfit.”

I love Garcia Peoples, but I wouldn’t see them open for a band I don’t really like especially since they tour all the time and I can see them headline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kiwi Jr. / 2nd Grade / Kate Davis (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, March 31, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in 2nd Grade, Johnny Brenda's, Kate Davis, Kiwi Jr., Philadelphia, PA on March 31, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 31, 2023] Kiwi Jr. / 2nd Grade / Kate Davis

I was supposed to see Kiwi Jr. open for Nap Eyes back in 2022, but the show was cancelled.

When I briefly listened to them then, I mused

Kiwi Jr. is a fun Canadian band, recently described as “clever, easy-going jangle pop” that I’d really like to see live. So I hope this lineup stays the same when Nap Eyes comes back to Philly again.  Some day.

I thought they were a little more punk pop, but i can see how they would fit pretty well with Nap Eyes, even though they are more upbeat.

I was supposed to see a band called Grade 2 open for Anti-Flag but that show was cancelled.  Turns out Grade 2 is not the same as 2nd Grade.  Grade 2 are a classic punk band from the UK.  2nd Grade are an indie band from Philly.

They are a gentle boppy indie pop band.  Super catchy and poppy with delightful harmonies and a childlike quality (as befits their name).  Most of the songs are around two minutes.

I just heard about Kate Davis on All Songs Considered a few weeks ago.  They say

Kate Davis was trained as a jazz musician but after moving to New York and being influenced by bands such as Dirty Projectors and Grizzly Bear, she found her own sound.

Her song was slow and broody.  I didn’t love it, but she probably comes across well live.

 

 

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The Residents (The Foundry, Philadelphia, PA, March 31, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, The Foundry, The Residents, Triple Trouble on March 31, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 3, 2021] The Residents [rescheduled from May 1, 2020, May 14, 2021; and September 3, 2021]

 

After four tries and almost three years The Residents finally came to Philly.

And somehow I missed the announcement entirely.  Whoops.

I actually had several options for shows on this night, so The Residents problem were never going to be on my list, but it’s always nice to know that they’re out there, Holding up the Underground.

Plus, I was lucky enough to see them for a Free at Noon earlier that day.  So I got to experience some (25 minutes) of a Residents show.  And that was probably enough.  Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but I don’t need to see more after my experience.  (I thought it would be a little more insane, to be honest).

Opening for the band was a screening of their film Triple Trouble. (more…)

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The Residents: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, March 31, 2023)

Posted in Free at Noon, Philadelphia, PA, The Residents, World Cafe Live on March 31, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: March 31, 2023] The Residents 

I’ve been an admirer of The Residents forever.  I’m not a fan exactly–I have some of their records.  I also have some of the CD-ROMS because they were one of the first entities to really make good use of CD-ROM technology.

Their music is bizarre.  Sometimes wonderfully so.  Sometimes not.  I’ve thought about going to see them for years now.  They played Philly in 2018, but i was going to see Built to Spill that evening, so there was no thought of The Residents.

Then in 2020, they announced a new show.  And that and all subsequent attempts were put on hold.

Then my friend Garry sent me a notification that The Residents were going to do a Free at Noon. What?!  I took half a vacation day and drove to Philly to see this remarkable opportunity.

Since their promo material still shows the giant eyeballs that they wore when they came out, I assumed we’d see at least one.  But instead, each member of the band had on a gaiter over their head which perfectly matched their eyeball-filled suits. Anonymity is key! (more…)

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Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul / Rentboy (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, March 29, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Bolis Pupul, Charlotte Adigéry, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Rentboy on March 29, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 29, 2023] Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul / Rentboy

Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul put out an album (with a very cool cover) in 2022 that was on most Year End lists.  Musically it is described as effortlessly propulsive electro pop, but lyrically it is sharp and targeted.

Cultural appropriation and racism. Social media vanity. Post-colonialism and political correctness. These are not talking points that you’d ordinarily hear on the dancefloor but Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul are ripping up the rulebook with their debut album Topical Dancer. The Ghent-based duo, who broke out with their 2019 Zandoli EP on Soulwax’s record label DEEWEE, are rare storytellers in electronic music: they take the temperature of the time and funnel them into their playful synth concoctions – never didactic and always with a knowing wink.

Their new studio record – which cements them as a duo under both their names for the first time and is co-written and co-produced by Soulwax – is both a triumph of kaleidoscopic electro-pop and “a snapshot of how we think about pop culture in the 2020s.” It captures Charlotte and Bolis’s essence as musical collaborators and the conversations they’ve had over the past two years on tour, as well as their perspectives as Belgians with an immigrant background, Charlotte with Guadeloupean and French-Martinique ancestry and Bolis being of Chinese descent.

It’s not really my type of thing, but I thought it would be really interesting to experience.  If i had less going on this week, I would have tried harder to get to the show.

Rentboy is a Philadelphia based disco collective whose last album, Memory Forever, is a meditation on body memory and queer musical history

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