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Archive for the ‘Underground Arts’ Category

Geoff Rickly (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, August 1, 2023) [SPARTA]

Posted in Geoff Rickly, Philadelphia, PA, Sparta, Thursday, Underground Arts, Venezuela, Zeta on August 2, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: August 1, 2023] Geoff Rickly

Geoff Rickly is the singer for Thursday, a band from New Jersey who I had never even heard of when I saw them open for My Chemical Romance last year.

I wasn’t really looking forward to his set (I would have missed this one if he was first), because I didn’t love the Thursday set.  It was fine and I may have liked it more if I was closer.  But it was fine.

However, as a solo performer, Rickly was fantastic.  He told little stories before each song.  He said that since Thursday torued with Sparta 20 years ago, he was going to play mostly Thursday songs (instead of his solo songs).

I didn’t know any of them, and at first I didn’t think the set would be that enjoyable, but he put so much passion into his singing that “Time’s Arrow” blew me away.  He had lots of fans in the audience who knew all the words and it was fun to hear them singing along.

He told us about a lawsuit that the band faced back ten years ago or so that cost them $100,000 which they did not have.  So they wound up doing a lot more shows to make some money.  They even did an “emo cruise.”  He said that he had written a solo osng which he thought was perfect and after the show the Captain of the theater told him to never play that song on a ship again. (more…)

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Zeta (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, August 1, 2023) [SPARTA]

Posted in Geoff Rickly, Philadelphia, PA, Sparta, Thursday, Underground Arts, Venezuela, Zeta on August 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: August 1, 2023] Zeta

Zeta (pronounced Zeh-tuh) is a band “of immigrants from Venezuela” as they put it.  They are now based in the U.S. trying to deal with the immigration deal.

I had listened to a little of their music before the show and I was absolutely intrigued.  I arrived just before 7:30 but they had already started by the time I came in.  I don’t think I missed too much, but as I got to the stage, the band was in full flight.

There were four members of the band.  As I walked in Juan Chi (Juan Ricardo Yilo) was whaling lead guitar and singing.  Right in the front of the stage was drummer Eduardo Sandoval.  He was front and center because this is a band that loves drums.

The wall of sound was really loud, but not harsh.  Sandoval was a maniac on the kit–it was amazing to have such a fun drummer right in the front of the stage.  Standing behind him was bassist Antonio Pereira.  Pereira was the one constant through the set–his bass was fast and steady keeping the song moving forward and also keeping it in perfect time.  He kept everybody moving. (more…)

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The Dirty Nil / Daniel Romano’s Outfit / Froggy (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, July 7, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Daniel Romano's Outfit, Froggy, Philadelphia, PA, The Dirty Nil, Underground Arts on July 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 7, 2023] The Dirty Nil / Daniel Romano’s Outfit /Froggy

Two years ago The Dirty Nil opened for The Menzingers in a show I couldn’t make.  But I’ve been intrigued by them ever since.

I wanted to go to this show, but it turned out that Skating Polly, a band I’ve wanted to see ever since I caught the last song of their set when they opened for X was playing the same night.

Stupid double booked nights.  This whole night sounds pretty great and it turned out to be a tough choice.

All of the blurbs for the bands come from their write ups on the Underground Arts page

For the strapping lads comprising Toronto rock trio The Dirty Nil, Big Bear was so much more than a convenience store parking lot they gazed upon from their second-floor bathroom window – the trash-strewn asphalt stage where seemingly every element of the human experience played out like a never-ending theatrical production.

The house was all at once a shared residence, creative commons, and god-forsaken pirate ship, its revolving cast of crewmates armed with instruments, alcohol, and overdriven amplifiers. Indeed, they lived, laughed, and loved there even though no kitschy wall sign from a suburban mom’s Etsy shop told them to.

“Bye Bye Big Bear” is a loving musical tribute to that unforgettable time and place, and The Dirty Nil’s first new offering since their impactful 2021 album Fuck Art. On its back, the boys returned to the road to electrify increasingly packed venues and festival stages with their fiery brand of punk-tinged rock n roll.

(more…)

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Mondo Cozmo (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 24, 2023)

Posted in Illinois, Mondo Cozmo, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts on June 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 24, 2023] Mondo Cozmo

We had enjoyed Illinois, but as my wife said, when Mondo Cozmo started playing it was like, “ah yes, this is a professional band.”  And I know what she meant, somehow Mondo Cozmo stepped up the quality of the performance.  Everything felt a little bigger, a little more polished.

So we had known some Mondo Cozmo songs from hearing them on WXPN.  As of a few days ago I could say I didn’t really remember the songs I knew, although when I played the albums on Spotify they came flooding back.   Suffice it to say we didn’t know most of the songs.

But as soon as Joshua Keith Ostrander started playing (acoustic guitar for the first song) and singing “Meant for Livin'” it was clear why they were the headliners (even if Illinois helped him out when he was first starting).  And by the chorus, we knew that we had picked a perfect show to see.

The band sounded great, Josh’s voice was fantastic and the songs were all catchy as hell.  Even if you didn’t feel comfortable singing along yet, you could easily clap along.

“Meant for Livin'” has a kind of Dylanesque feel of folk rap and and a big ripping chorus.  And I could see from the way that she was smiling  that my wife was happy she came along.

“Black Cadillac” was even bigger, with a fun bass line and another sing along chorus and  fun ending “Give me some sugar.” (more…)

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Illinois (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 24, 2023) [MONDO COZMO]

Posted in Illinois, Mondo Cozmo, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts on June 26, 2023| 1 Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 24, 2023] Illinois

I was looking forward to seeing this show, but I felt bad that I was going out two nights in a row so I asked my wife if she wanted to come along.  I never ask her along to show I know she’ll hate, and I know sometimes she’s iffy about going out at all, but she said yes, and that made it all the more fun.

The opening band was Illinois who I had never heard of, but whom the crowd absolutely had. The crowd sang along to almost every song and I’m guessing that if I knew the music a little better I would have had as much fun as everyone else.

As it was, it felt like a fantastic cover band playing covers that I’d never heard before.

Turns out Illinois is from Bucks County, PA, so they’re locals.  And the locals were really into seeing them.

The songs had a stomping kinda country feel and I was never exactly sure what vibe the band was going for. (more…)

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Temples (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 7, 2023)

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Post Animal, Temples, Underground Arts on June 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 7, 2023] Temples

I saw Temples about a year and a half ago and the show was terrific.  The songs sounded like the albums without sounding exactly like the albums.  They were fun and funny and, without doing anything fancy, put on a heck of a show (probably because their songs are so good).

I wasn’t sure if I was going to go to this show because a literal cloud of smoke had fallen over the entire area.  Wildfires in Canada had sent plumes of really dangerous smoke over the entire Northeastern U.S.  Air quality was so bad that we were wearing masks again.  I wasn’t sure if it was safe to go out in it.  Technically it wasn’t, but it was okay with a mask.  I drove to Philly with my windows closed and a mask on the whole way.  It was weird to take the mask off inside, but I did because the place had a filtration system in place.

I hadn’t listened to the new record a much as I should have, but I do like the overall feel of the album.  So, having new songs sprinkled throughout the set was a nice way to get to really enjoy them.

Lead singer/guitarist James Bagshaw is a great presence up there under his curly hair.  His voice sounded great and it was cool watching him play the catchy riffs that the band has created.  He messed up the opening of one song and chastised himself.  But other than that his playing was spot on.

I really enjoyed their previous album Hot Motion a lot and would have loved to hear more songs from it.  But I understand you have a new album to promote.  Honestly they could have played for thirty more minutes and maybe played all of their songs that I like. But I have no complaints about the setlist.

Because “Certainty” from Volcano sounded amazing.  And Holy Horses from Hot Motion is one of my favorite songs of theirs. (more…)

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Post Animal (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 7, 2023) [TEMPLES]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Post Animal, Temples, Underground Arts on June 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 7, 2023] Post Animal

I hadn’t heard of Post Animal, but when I read about them, I was really interested in checking them out.

They came out on stage–all five of them–and proceeded to blow me away with a fusion of what I heard as Rush meets King Gizzard.

The Rush component came in some of their extended, prog-like songs that ended in chord patterns that were very much Rush adjacent.  The King Gizzard part came from some of the frenetic guitar soloing.  And what was really really fun about them was that every song was really different.

Some were straight up riff rockers.   Some had multiple parts.  Indeed, I didn’t actually know how many songs they played before they spoke.  I thought it might be one fifteen minute song, but i believe it was actually three shorter songs.

They had four different vocalists (some who switched off during one song, I believe). (more…)

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Voivod / Imperial Triumphant (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, May 11, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Imperial Triumphant, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts, Voivod on May 11, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 11, 2023] Voivod / Imperial Triumphant

I saw Voivod play back in 2019.

I’ve been a fan of Voivod for decades.  But I never saw them live when I was most into them (late 80’s).  Then after Denis “Piggy” D’Amour’s death in 2005 I assumed I never would.  But amazingly they found a guy who plays guitar very much like Piggy did–a bizarre hybrid of prog, metal, dissonance and eerie harmony.  That man is Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain.  Chewy is able to play Piggy’s parts.  And his new parts are very much in the style of old Voivod, but are certainly his own.

I was pretty excited to go to this show.  I wanted to see them again (although Underground Arts seemed rather small for them).  But for one reason or another I never got a ticket.  And the show cam and went and I missed it.

I was actually more interested in seeing the opening act, Imperial Triumphant, an American experimental metal band formed in 2005 in New York City.  I’m intrigued, especially, because they wear these wild costumes on stage.  Their sound is abrasive and weird.

I do hope to see them at some time.

And Voivod again too.

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Fucked Up / Gnawing / Restraining Order (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 27, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Fucked Up, Gnawing, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Restraining Order, Underground Arts on April 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 27, 2023] Fucked Up / Gnawing / Restraining Order

I saw Fucked Up back in July of last year and never thought they’d be back again so soon.  Of course they are super prolific, so why shouldn’t their touring schedule be, too.

I was really excited to see them again because the last show was intense and a ton of fun.

But I wound up doing a ton of yard work during the day (I had taken the day off from work).  And by the time it was time to go out, I was exhausted.  I even felt asleep during the show hours, so it’s probably best I wasn’t driving.  But it sounds like they’ll be back soon enough.

Gnawing describes themselves as a loud rock and roll band that wishes they were a country band.  They come across as more of a sloppy indie rock band from the 90s and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Restraining Order is pretty much straight up hardcore punk.  They would have been a fun opener.

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Sleaford Mods (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 11, 2023)

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Sheer Mag, Sleaford Mods, Underground Arts on April 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 11, 2023] Sleaford Mods

I’ve been aware of Sleaford Mods for a few years.  I enjoy them a little more in theory than in reality.  It’s a little aggressive for me and Jason Williamson is a little too angry for my tastes these days.  But I still thought they would be fun to see live.

When Sheer Mag was done, the roadies cleared out everything from the stage–amps, gear, banner.  Everything stripped out.

There was nothing on the stage when Andrew Fearn came up with a table and a laptop.   Then they brought up a microphone.

And that was that.

So what the heck is this band all about?

Sleaford Mods have described their work as “electronic munt minimalist punk-hop rants for the working class.” Williamson is responsible for the words, Fearn for the music. Sleaford Mods songs have been described as embittered rants about such topics as unemployment, modern working life, celebrities and pop culture, capitalism and society in general. The lyrics usually contain profanity, which is, according to Williamson, the way in which he speaks and “not just fucking swearing.” Fearn’s music has been described as “purgatorial loop[s]” of “pugilistic post-punk-style bass; functional but unprepossessing beats; occasional cheap keyboard riffs and listless wafts of guitar.” Williamson’s voice on Sleaford Mods songs is sprechgesang, rapped with an East Midlands dialect.

So they don’t really do rap.  But they kind of do.  (more…)

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