Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Broken Social Scene / Jasmyn (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, October 12, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 12, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 12, 2022] Broken Social Scene / Jasmyn

I can fall for hype when it comes to concerts.  I’m not going to see someone I don’t actually like or anything like that, but if there’s lots of excitement about a reunion or something, I can get swept up in it.

I really liked Broken Social Scene when they came out.  You Forget It in People was on steady rotation twenty years ago.  But I didn’t really listen to them at all in the last fifteen or so years.

This 20th anniversary tour was much hyped and I grabbed a ticket remembering how much I liked the album.  Although when I went back and listened to the album again I didn’t remember it all that well.

This show was in the middle of a busy week of shows and I felt like I could sacrifice this one to spare me having to go out every night of the week.

Reviews of the show and tour were quite good though and I wonder if I made the right call.   In an otherwise rave review, WXPN points out a few flaws at the show

An eight-member edition of their coterie faced mildly chaotic setbacks throughout their Union Transfer set, from Drew switching up songs on the fly as his voice grew more and more raw over two-plus hours, to a sound tech who kept rushing onstage to fidget with drum mics and synth inputs up to the last song of the main set. Though nothing ever reached the point of full collapse, the threat hovered; at one point there was an inexplicable loud BANG! from offstage and once it was clear nobody was injured, the show moved on.

But this makes me think I should have gone

But the moments that were great, were so great. Opening the show with People‘s opening run of songs was a thrill, from the barreling urgency of “KC Accidental” to the handclap-happy crowd participation of “Stars and Sons,” to Amy Millan of the band Stars rushing onstage in a whirlwind to sing “Almost Crimes,” play flute on “Looks Just Like The Sun” and generally contribute to the festivities for the rest of the night. It was the first show of tour where she was able to link up with the band, and she knocked it out of the park.

I love Amy Millan, and that would have been a cool surprise.

I was going to say I didn’t know who Jasmyn was, but the review says she was the singer in Weaves, a band I loved, and who were amazing live.  Her new sound is a bit more synth poppy, but I’ll bet she’s still dynamite live.

Posted in Andy Shauf, Marina Allen, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Ghost: Imperatour (Cure Insurance Arena, Trenton, NJ, September 9, 2022)

September 11, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 9, 2019] Ghost 

This was my third time seeing Ghost.  In four years!  They never fail to put on a spectacular show.

Each time I’ve taken C. with me and these last two he brought his friend with him.  This time, though, the boys sat in the seats straight back but on a slight rise (they had a great view) and I went to the floor to get as close to the action I could.  The usually toss stuff out to the audience after the show, but I was not in the right place.

There were tons of people in full cosplay, and they looked amazing.

It took a while for Ghost to come out.  They have a huge stage change up, so it’s understandable.  I happened to run into someone I knew there and his son (Hi Gary) which was crazy (although not really as he has seen Ghost like 6 times).

They play taped music as the band sets up.  It’s usually a kind of Gregorian chant.  Soon the stage was revealed in all of its multi-tiered, stained-glass glory.  The music segued into a tape of “Imperium” before the Nameless Ghouls ran out on stage followed soon after by Papa. Continue Reading »

Posted in Bruce Springsteen, Cure Insurance Arena, Ghost, Mastodon, Set in New Jersey!, Spiritbox, Trenton, NJ | Leave a Comment »

Mastodon (Cure Insurance Arena, Trenton, NJ, September 9, 2022) [GHOST]

September 10, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 9, 2019] Mastodon

This was my third time seeing Mastodon.  I have enjoyed them each time but I didn’t think I’d be seeing them again.  So it was a treat that they opened for Ghost.

I hadn’t really listened to their new album that much, so I didn’t really know what to expect.  Plus, in an opening slot, they wouldn’t get that many songs.  And I see that each show has their sets getting shorter and shorter.

The biggest surprise was the addition of a keyboard player.  Joao Noguiera stood on the same riser as the drums and had a lot of hair and a top hat (yes, like Slash).  He added a lot of atmospherics and sounds while the other guys were tuning.  But Mastodon is such a force, I’m not sure he was needed.

So they played five songs from the new album.  And then six songs that I’d seen them play before.  Most of those they’ve played at each show.

There were great visuals behind them–a huge screen showing videos.

“Pain with an Anchor” was sung by drummer Brann Dailor, who has the most melodic delivery of the band.  He and singer Troy Sanders share a lot of lead vocal duties on the new album.  And I love Dailor’s colorful drum set.  Continue Reading »

Posted in Cure Insurance Arena, Ghost, Mastodon, Set in New Jersey!, Spiritbox, Trenton, NJ | Leave a Comment »

Destroy Boys / Jigsaw Youth / Pinkshift / Softcult (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, September 10, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 10, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 10, 2022] Destroy Boys / Jigsaw Youth / Pinkshift / Softcult

This was an amazing bill for great punk.  I only found out about it after I had tickets for Neko Case that evening.  It turns out we wound up going to Lunar Faire this night anyhow.  But I would see any of these bands when they come back.

Destroy Boys play fast. lo-fi punk, but with really clear (and excellent lyrics).  I also enjoy the titles which have very little to do with the lyrics like:

“I Threw Glass at My Friend’s Eyes and Now I’m on Probation” with lyrics like

You’re ruining my life day by dayThe butterflies you give me are literally making me nauseousThis is disgusting, like seriously dudeWhat do you think you’re doing?You’re like way older than meAnd you’re gross and I don’t wanna do that

  • Alexia Roditis – lead vocals (2015–present), guitar (2018–present)
  • Violet Mayugba – guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)
  • Narsai Malik – drums (2018–present)

Jigsaw Youth is a punk band from Staten Island with a seriously heavy low end.  I listened to a few songs and liked some.  I preferred their newer stuff to their older songs.  I’m sure they would have kicked ass.

  • Maria Alvarez – bass, vocals
  • Nastacha Beck – guitar, backing vocals
  • Alex Dmytrow  – drums

I have seen Pinkshift twice and they are dynamite, both on record and especially live.  I would see them any chance I get.  And their new music is even better.

They are down to a trio now, but they always have a bass player on stage with them.

  • Ashrita Kumar – vocals
  • Paul Vallejo – guitars
  • Myron Houngbedji – drums

Softcult is the one sonic exception to the punk evening.  Softcult is a duo from Canda.  Their number one song on Spotify, “Love Song” is a soft woozy shoegaze song–it’s wonderful.  Their other songs play more with a hard/soft dynamic and grungy attitude.  The band comprises twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn who are also in the band Courage My Love (who are a bit more punk).  The three or four Softcult songs I heard were great.

  • Mercedes Arn-Horn – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, cello
  • Phoenix Arn-Horn – drums, vocals keyboards

Posted in Courage My Love, Destroy Boys, Jigsaw Youth, Philadelphia, PA, Pinkshift, Softcult, Theatre of Living Arts | Leave a Comment »

Neko Case / Sean Rowe (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, September 10, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 10, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 10, 2022] Neko Case / Sean Rowe

Two opportunities to see Neko Case, and I missed them both.

I had wanted to see Neko Case for a while.  But then a few years ago I got to see her with The New Pornographers, which was like double the fun.

When she announced this new solo tour, I thought it would be cool to see her again (even though she posted a kind of nasty message about people taking pictures at her shows).  I actually blew off a much more interesting show this night: Destroy Boys, Jigsaw Youth, Pinkshift and Softcult assuming I would go to see Neko.

But then there was a Lunar Faire and my daughter asked if I could take her and her friend.  So I went to the Faire instead (it was super fun).

Sean Rowe is an alternative folk singer-songwriter and musician.  An avid naturalist, Rowe often speaks of his fascination with the woods and his connection to the land.

I hadn’t heard of him but he sound like a good fit with Neko.  However, when I listened to his song online, I hated his deep, slow vocal style.

Posted in Jersey City, NJ, Neko Case, The New Pornographers, White Eagle Hall | Leave a Comment »

Spiritbox (Cure Insurance Arena, Trenton, NJ, September 9, 2022) [GHOST]

September 9, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 9, 2019] Spiritbox

We arrived pretty early for this show.  Early enough to get merch before the first band went on.

My son and his friend had seats (straight back and a few rows up–they said the view was perfect), but I wanted standing room on the floor.  And just as I walked down the steps to the floor, the lights went dark and I walked pretty close to the stage.

Then Spiritbox came out.  I didn’t know them at all.  But their story is

Spiritbox is a Canadian heavy metal band from Victoria, British Columbia. Husband and wife duo guitarist Mike Stringer and vocalist Courtney LaPlante established Spiritbox in 2017. The band’s full lineup comprises LaPlante, Stringer and drummer Zev Rose; former As I Lay Dying bassist Josh Gilbert currently performs live with the band.

The band plays pretty loud and abrasive guitars, but there’s all kinds of electronic effects and interesting quiet/loud elements going on.  Courtney LaPlante can growl/ scream very impressively, but she also has a pretty singing voice, adding even more to the diversity.

It’s like they combined some of the best elements of various new heavy metal sounds into a composite that sounds familiar but unique at the same time. Continue Reading »

Posted in Cure Insurance Arena, Ghost, Mastodon, Set in New Jersey!, Spiritbox, Trenton, NJ | Leave a Comment »

Earthless / Ecstatic Vision / Riff Mountain DJs (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, September 8, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 8, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 8, 2022] Earthless / Ecstatic Vision / Riff Mountain DJs

I jotted down this show as one I’d like to check out and then I forgot all about it and the bands that were playing.  So a little later I even wrote, who the hell are Earthless.

Well, this was a heavy psych/stoner rock super bill that would have been fun to see live.

Earthless has been around since 2001.  They are a mostly instrumental psychedelic rock band from San Diego, California, consisting of guitarist Isaiah Mitchell, bassist Mike Eginton and drummer Mario Rubalcaba.  I really enjoyed their overall vibe.  I also love that their second album is made of 2 20 minute songs (one with five parts).  Although they also have a song “Volt Rush” that’s under two minutes and kicks much ass.  Although I prefer the instrumentals.

Ecstatic Vision are from Philly and they continue with the fuzzy…everything.  They describe themselves as “Trance inducing raw heavy psych. Ecstatic Vision is Doug Zabolchech, Kevin Nickles, Michael Field Connor and Ricky Culp.”

The song I listened to “Astral Plane” is 13 minutes of heavy fuzziness.  Vocals come in about 5 minutes in and I didn’t really like them.  Maybe this kind of music is meant to be instrumental.

Since I’m not in the know, I can’t quite figure out what Riff Mountain DJs are.  Their Instagram profile says Philadelphia DJ Collective / All Rock / All Wax.  So I guess they spin heavy songs before and between bands?

Posted in Earthless, Ecstatic Vision, Philadelphia, PA, Riff Mountain DJs, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

Richard Thompson / Jonah Tolchin (McLaughlin Norcross Memorial Dell, Haddon Heights, NJ, September 7, 2022) [POSTPONED for RAIN DELAY]

September 7, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[POSTPONED: September 7, 2022] Richard Thompson / Jonah Tolchin

I have seen Richard Thompson more than almost any other musician.  This is largely because for several years in a row he played McCarter Theater in Princeton which felt like a short enough distance for us to go when the kids were littler.

Now that I have seen him so often, I’m trying to making him my most-seen performer (although he won’t ever beat Phish since Phish does many multi-date shows near me).

I was pretty excited to see him for this show, especially since it was free!  I had been to this location for Kathleen Edwards a few weeks earlier (what a great summer line up!).  But as the day moved on, the rain proved to be torrential.  Since Richard lives nearby, he was able to postpone his show for a week.  To a night that I wasn’t free.  Alas.

I had not heard of Jonah Tolchin.  He’s a New Jersey native–his bandcamp says he’s from Princeton.

I listened to a few of his songs on bandcamp, and I rather like them.  He’s got an interesting mix of folk with a kind of punky attitude.  His earlier stuff (when he wa sa long haired hippy) is more folkie, but his latest album (2022’s Lava Lamp) is a bit more stripped down and raw, giving it a rougher edge, maybe like Nathaniel Rateliff.

This would have been a fun double bill (even if Richard would probably only have played his biggest hits).

Posted in Haddon Heights, NJ, Jonah Tolchin, McLaughlin Norcross Memorial Dell, Philadelphia, PA, Richard Thompson, Summer Concert Series | Leave a Comment »

Arlo Parks / Del Water Gap (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, September 6, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 6, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 6, 2022] Arlo Parks / Del Water Gap

I was really bummed when I missed Arlo Parks at The Foundry (a very tiny venue).  But I was really surprised to see that her next Philly show, barely a year later, would be at Franklin Music Hall, one of the larger venues in Philly.

Arlo Parks was supposed to open for or co-headline with Clairo at the Fillmore on February 26 2022, but the show was cancelled and when Clairo came back around in July, she had a different opener (my daughter and I went to that show).

So I was looking forward to seeing Arlo (enough that I did not get Neko Case tickets, because I already had them for Arlo).  But as the show approached, I was feeling less excited about the prospect.  I listened to her album and liked it, but didn’t know if I wanted to go all the way there for it.  The Foundry show would have been fun and intimate, but I couldn’t quite picture her in the much bigger FMH.  So I decided to stay home.

Del Water Gap is a great pseudonym.  Samuel Holden Jaffe is Del Water Gap and has been making music for over ten years.  I can’t believe I haven’t heard of him sooner (with a name like that).

His music has a catchy and poppy indie sound.  His voice reminds me a bit of Andy Shauf.  The music is pleasant enough that I could see him being used in an indie film.

Posted in Arlo Parks, Del Water Gap, Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA | Leave a Comment »

Built to Spill (Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA, September 4, 2022)

September 6, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 4, 2022] Built to Spill

I know that a Built to Spill show is going to be great.  But sometimes the crowd makes it hard to enjoy.  I was fairly sure this show would be poorly attended, and yet there were a lot of (drunk) people who knew Built to Spill very well.  Are they more popular than I realize?

I had seen them just four months earlier, but the opportunity to see them again at the reasonably close SteelStacks in Bethlehem meant that I was going to see them again.  I enjoyed his new lineup.  This is the third, possibly fourth lineup I’ve seen play with Doug.  Melanie Radford is now on bass (she also plays in Blood Lemon) and Teresa Esguerra on drums.

I love that Esguerra was on the side of the stage facing the other two (that’s how his band was set up with the previous trio as well).  This allowed for Esguerra  and Radford to communicate with each other while Doug was jamming.  And they had outstanding chemistry.

I hadn’t really gotten to see Radford much during Blood Lemon, but she totally let loose with Built to Spill.  Her bass playing was great and her sound was outstanding.  She also seemed to create some of the second-guitar melodies (instead of the bass lines) to make the songs sound even fuller. And then she would jump back with her hair flying a smile on her face.

I had seen Esguerra with Prism Bitch, but she was even more impressive tackling songs that I knew.  She was fast and powerful and seemed to be the engine pushing the songs forward not just keeping pace with them. Continue Reading »

Posted in Bethlehem, PA, Blood Lemon, Built to Spill, Cate Le Bon, Daniel Johnston, Musikfest, Prism Bitch, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »