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Ministry / Gary Numan / Front Line Assembly (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, May 4, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

May 4, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 4, 2023] Ministry / Gary Numan / Front Line Assembly [rescheduled from July 18, 2020, April 17, 2021; moved to March 9, 2022]

Ministry had several tour dates scheduled and cancelled in the last few years.  Most were pandemic cancellations, but some seemed out of the blue.

I had once really like Ministry, but I haven’t listened to much by them in ages.  So I think I’m pretty much done with the idea of seeing them live.  Seeing Skinny Puppy took care of my industrial needs and I suspect the Ministry crowd is more aggressive.

Gary Numan is a pioneer in the genre. And boy do I dislike him.  Actually, that’s not fair.  I hate the song “Cars” so freakin much that I’ll never get past it to explore him further. So, even if I had wantedto go to this show, Gary Numan might have kept me away.

Front Line Assembly was supposed to open for Ministry on the original 2020 tours.  They were eventually replaced.  FLA was one of the few bands on the industrial label Waxtrax that I never really got into.  I liked many bands on the label, but really never had much exposure to FLA (in the days before you could listen to things online).

 

Posted in Franklin Music Hall, Front Line Assembly, Ministry, Philadelphia, PA, Wax Trax! | Leave a Comment »

Liily (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 4, 2023) [THE WALKMEN]

May 4, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: May 4, 2023] Liily

I wasn’t even entirely sure I was going to go to this show.  I only really knew one song by The Walkmen.  But I decided that I wouldn’t stay home.  I’d go check out this reunion show.

The opening band was Liily who I had not heard of before.  They came out–a four-piece from L.A.–and Charlie Anastasis the bassist (who had an awesome mop of curly hair), played a chord that rung out and feedbacked for about 90 seconds.  All the while the singer Dylan Nash stood at the front of the stage kind of confrontationally.

Then the band kicked into “Wash.”  It had a stomping bass and squealing guitars from Sam De La Torre.  But it was drummer Maxx Morando who soon claimed all my attention. Continue Reading »

Posted in Liily, Limp Bizkit, Magic Sword, Philadelphia, PA, The Intelligence, The Walkmen, TWRP, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

The Walkmen / Lilly (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 2 & 3, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

May 2, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 2-3 2023] The Walkmen / Lilly

When the Walkmen announced this ten year reunion tour I must have missed it entirely, because by the time I heard of it, these first two shows were sold out and they had announced a third.

When I got a ticket to this show, I was swept up in the excitement of this reunion tour.  I didn’t really know The Walkmen, but I knew of them.  I mostly knew Hamilton Leithauser from his solo work.  But I was also very familiar with their hit “The Rat.”

The third night proved to be plenty of fun and I really enjoyed the opening band Lilly.

From what I can see, it looks like The Walkmen played an extra song on the second night.  But I think we got the best Lilly set.

Posted in Liily, Philadelphia, PA, The Walkmen, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Spiritbox / After the Burial / Intervals (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, May 2, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

May 2, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 2, 2023] Spiritbox / After the Burial / Intervals

Spiritbox opened for Ghost on their last tour. I was really impressed by them, mostly because singer Courtney LaPlante has a beautiful delicate voice and then can, on a dime, scream with the best of them.  I don’t necessarily like screamed/growled lyrics, but I love a singer with great range.

They have a broad range of sounds in the band too, with industrial and electronic elements quite prominent.

When we saw them, some fans had travelled a pretty long distance to see just them.

I’d have enjoyed this show but it was sold out even before I heard about it.

After the Burial are a progressive metal band, with a lot of emphasis on the metal.  They have a very growly vocalist, which kind of ruins the impressive intricacies in their music.

Intervals is an instrumental progressive metal band. I prefer my progressive metal to be instrumental because I don’t really like the direction metal vocalists have gone.  Intervals might be a little too perfect, though, being really precise instead of having a good feel.  But I’ve only listened to two songs by them.

Posted in After the Burial, Intervals, Philadelphia, PA, Spiritbox, Theatre of Living Arts | Leave a Comment »

Placebo (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2023)

April 30, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2023] Placebo

When Placebo announced their first American tour in ten years, I immediately grabbed a ticket.  I was vaguely surprised that my wife wanted to go–she loves a couple of their songs, but doesn’t know much else by them.

I had forgotten that originally, they had announced the tour in the fall of 2022 (with no Philly date, the closests show was Brooklyn, boo).  But they had to postpone for logistical reasons.

She did, however, guess exactly right what the show would be like–loud rocking guitars, cool lights and a fun time.  I, a big fan for decades, was completely wrong about the show.  I didn’t think it would rock that hard–knowing that they have moody songs as well.

Before the show, I checked setlist, not to see what they were playing but to see album distribution.  I found that they were playing 11 songs from their new album (!) out of 22 songs in total.

I was a little bummed about this, not because I don’t like the new album, but because I’ve never seen them before and I wanted to hear a greatest hits show.  I mean it’s been ten years.  [Turns out the band hated doing their retrospective tour ten years ago and almost broke up because of so clearly they weren’t doing that again].

But they came out (with a very strict policy of no cameras) in a wall of lights.  Brain Molko and Stefan Olsdal stood up at the front.  Brian switched guitars nearly every song and Stefan switched between bass and guitar with stark frequency. Continue Reading »

Posted in Franklin Music Hall, Kate Bush, Philadelphia, PA, Placebo, Poppy Jean Crawford, Tears for Fears | Leave a Comment »

An Evening with Steven Page Trio (Newton Theatre, Newton NJ, April 30, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

April 30, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 30, 2023] Steven Page Trio

I really like Steven Page a lot.  I’ve seen him and his trio twice now and I’ve watched a bunch of live from home videos.

Evidently this show had been announced since at least the beginning of the year but it just came on my radar about a week ago.  The Newton Theatre is just over an hour from me which isn’t out of my range (that’s how long it would take to get to Philly) but somehow driving an hour north to Newton, NJ seemed kinda far.  Plus we had just been out the night before for Placebo, so I just gave this one a miss.

Crash Test Dummies are playing Newton in a few months, so maybe I will get to this place and see if its worth the drive.

There was no opening band.

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Craig Northey, Kevin Fox, Newton NJ, Newton Theatre, Odds, Steven Page | Leave a Comment »

Poppy Jean Crawford (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2023) [PLACEBO]

April 29, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2023] Placebo

When When Placebo announced their first American tour in ten years, I immediately grabbed a ticket. I was vaguely surprised that my wife wanted to go–she loves a couple of their songs, but doesn’t know much else by them.  I had actually forgotten that they had set up a tour in of the States in 2022 with no Philly date and then cancelled the tour.  But there was the Philly show and there was my ticket

Deap Vally were supposed to open.  We had seen them open for Blondie a number of years ago and I really liked them.

But then it was announced a month or so ago that Poppy Jean Crawford would open.  I thought that it was Poppy and I was really excited because I’ve wanted to see her.  But no, it was Poppy Jean Crawford–whom I had never heard of.

Her brief bio says

Poppy Jean schooled herself in L.A.’s DIY scene, hanging out at places such as the Smell and taking an interest in writing music.  She joined her first band, Crosseyed and Pantyless, at 15. Playing Experimental Folk Punk in the nude.
Feeling she had more to offer, Poppy released her first single, “Dead Girl” at 16.

She was not nude when she came out on the stage, but she was in a bodysuit and I was very impressed with her body confidence.  She sang a few songs without a guitar and a few songs with a guitar.

To her right was a guy who looked like Howard Stern playing keys.  On her left was a woman playing bass.  She was pretty superfluous because almost all of the sound came from the synths.  But she looked good.

I had to assume that PJC was annoyed by the “no cameras” rule, because no one filmed her or her band at all–and a young band needs any exposure they can get.

Anyhow, Poppy has a nice powerful voice.  Her songs are simple but catchy and I mostly enjoyed her set.  Because I have no reference point, I’m remembering that I really liked a couple of her songs and kind of didn’t like a couple other ones for some reason.

The big surprise came about 2/3 of the way through the set when she played a cover of Tears for Fears “Head Over Heels.”  The pacing was much slower which was odd.  I couldn’t decide if i liked it or not.

She didn’t say anything until the very end of her set.  But she had an amazing stage presence–utterly fearless.  (she’s been performing for eight years or so, so that makes sense).

Overall, a thumbs up.

Posted in Deap Vally, Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, Placebo, Poppy, Poppy Jean Crawford, Tears for Fears | Leave a Comment »

Restorations / Space Cadet / Orbits (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 28 & 29 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

April 28, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 28 & 29 2023] Restorations / Space Cadet / Orbit

Restorations was scheduled to pay one Philly Date (hometown date) in 2020, which was cancelled.  These two shows aren’t exactly rescheduled shows, but they kind of are.

And, I didn’t hear a single thing about them until long after they were sold out.

I saw them open for Band of Horses six years ago, and they were great.  Like with many opening bands, I thought it would be great to see them headline (especially in a small place like Johnny Brenda’s).

I would have absolutely gone to one (or both) of these shows.

The first night was billed as New and Old Songs.  The second night was billed as LP2

For the first night, they played songs from LP2, LP3, LP 5000 and Restorations as well as some new songs.

The second night they played all of LP2 and some other new songs.

They haven’t really done anything since 2019.  I’m not sure if it was a hiatus or what, but it sure seems like they are back.

Space Cadet is from Massachusetts.  It’s a little hard to find details about them.  But this review from Geoff Wilbur Music is pretty succinct

The songs on Space Cadet‘s Lion on a Leash (available digitally and on vinyl) recall the jangly, energetic radio-friendly rock of Harvey Danger and Semisonic. Vocalist Matt Hock and guitarist David Walsh were two-fifths of punk rock outfit The Explosion, and a bit of that frantic punk energy can be found powering Space Cadet’s songs, as well.

They play catchy pop rock with an edge.

Orbits (not to be confused with about six other similarly named bands (they are not The Orbits, Orbit, Orbital or Atom & the Orbits) are from Philly and Cleveland.   Clevescene says

With Orbits, Toby Reif (the Sidekicks) and Maxwell Stern (Signals Midwest, Timeshares, Meridian) expand upon the music they explored with their previous bands. And yet, Orbits’ densely layered vocals, down-tuned guitars, synthesizers, and odd timings position the record as “a unique vessel for exploring ideas well outside the realm of their past output,” as it’s put in a press release.

The guitars are loud and a little sloppy (not exactly sloppy, but noisy and unpolished).  The vocals are too (with cool loud harmonies).  The songs are short.  It’s a fun record and probably a fun live show.

 

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Orbits, Philadelphia, PA, Restorations, Space Cadet | Leave a Comment »

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

April 27, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[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.

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

Bailter Space / Eight (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia PA, April 26, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

April 26, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 26, 2023] Bailter Space / Eight

Bailter Space are legendary, although I never really got into them for some reason.  They play a noisy shoegaze/distortion-fueled type of music that I really like.

I was surprised to see that they were touring (I’s assumed they’d broken up years ago–and they had).

They put out 7 albums up until 1999.  Then they disappeared only to resurface in 2012 and 2013 with records.  More recently, they released an album in 2021.

But man, I had something like five shows this week and it’s just too much.

For a scathing review of their last show in New Zealand (in 2018), check out this review.

And here’s a summary of the show the night before this one: “There were real highlights, times when it all gelled like a thousand horse hooves in a rendering plant, but times when it just smelled like a rendering plant.”

Eight is the recording project of Mimi Gallagher, based in Philadelphia. Delight in Eight is the debut record, assembled from recordings done at home and at the Bunk with a revolving door of friends — anchored by the core trio of Mimi Gallagher, Cat Park, and Pat Brier.

I listened to a few songs from the album and I really like it.  It has a Julian Hatfield (circa 1995) feel–gentle vocals over some good old fuzzy guitar rock.

I probably should have gone to this show.  But at least I learned about this band.

Posted in Bailter Space, Eight, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA | Leave a Comment »

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