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Thursday presents Full City Devolution / Chris Conly (Union Transfer, Philadelphia PA, April 1, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

April 1, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 1, 2026] Thursday / Chris Conly

I have seen Thursday twice.  Both times they opened for My Chemical Romance.  The first time was in the Prudential Center.  The second time was in Giants Stadium.  Both times the sound wasn’t great and while i knew them a little better the second time, I felt like I couldn’t really appreciate them at all.

So while I don’t know their music well, and don’t know the album Full City Devolution any more than any of their other albums, I thought it would be a great opportunity to actually see the band properly.

But then my daughter was going to Minnesota and so I missed all for the shows this week.  Luckily I was able to resell this show, so no loss for me.  And maybe Thursday will headline again soon–I mean they sold out this time, so they know there’s interest.

Chris Conly is a Brooklyn musician,  I listened to two of his songs and hated them both.  He reminds me of George Thoroughgood, and the last thing we need is another George Thoroughgood.

Posted in Chris Conly, Philadelphia, PA, Thursday, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Joseph / The Man, The Myth, The Meatslab (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, April 1, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

April 1, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 1, 2026] Joseph / The Man, The Myth, The Meatslab

My wife and I saw Joseph back in 2018.  She didn’t really know them but I was fond of their tight harmonies.  They were great and they played everything I wanted to hear.  I didn’t feel like I needed to see them again.  A few years ago one of the sisters, Allie, left the band and they are now a duo (with backing musicians).  That was one more reason I didn’t need to see them.  I’m sure they’re still really good, but it’s not the band I liked and the memory of that show is enough for me.

The Man, The Myth, The Meatslab is a new project from Jamie Clarke (I don’t know what his old project was).  He gets credit for a bizarre name, but boy I did not care for his lo-fi downer folk.  He reminded me of Hayden but less compelling.

Not sad about missing this one.

Posted in Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, Joseph, The Man The Myth The Meatslab | Leave a Comment »

The Teeth (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, March 28, 2026)

March 29, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: March 28, 2026] The Teeth 

Two years ago, 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 on bass.  I was intrigued by them and was even more intrigued when I saw that they were going to open for Dr. Dog on their tour last year.  From their images and the few songs I’d heard, I assumed that they’d be a weirdo band.  And I wanted to see them.

So I was pretty happy to have grabbed a ticket for this show.  While the show was starting, I met a guy who was born in Norway but who moved to California when he was three.  He had found The Teeth a few years ago (via Dr. Dog who always praised The Teeth) and fell in love with them.  He was very excited to be seeing them for the first time.  When he asked me how I knew them, I told him the above story.

I was very amused by their stage backdrop which was a bunch of hand drawn and cut out images stuck to the Johnny Brenda’s curtain.

After the comedian, it took some time before the band came out.  And what was so much fun is that they came out of the door upstairs!  They walked through the crowd, all while Herb Alpert’s Behind the Rain played, came down the stairs and climbed onto the stage.  And that’s when I realized how normal these guys were (except for Brian Ashby’s amazing mustache). Continue Reading »

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Purples, The Kinks, The Teeth | Leave a Comment »

Lucius: A History Worth Repeating: Songs and Stories (McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ, March 27, 2026)

March 27, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: March 27, 2026] Lucius

My wife and I saw Lucius 10 months ago and we really enjoyed the set (she didn’t really know them and became an instant fan after the show).  When they announced a show in Princeton, I grabbed a ticket immediately.  Even if it was going to be the same show,  I wanted to experience it again.

Bu it turned out that this was an entirely different show–a retrospective of songs and stories.  Just like Taylor Swift, or more in my orbit, just like Guster.  When Guster did their We Have Eras Too tour, they created a narrative, telling stories between the songs and acting out little skits.  Lucius did basically the same thing (with no skits and a bit more melancholy).

The stage was spare but interesting.  There were three sections–a couch, a piano and a microphone and behind the instruments was a series of (I assume) the various costumes that the woman wore over the years on mannequins.

The lights went dark and Holly and Jess began talking.  I assumed it was a recording because there were no lights but I was pretty sure I saw them walk to the piano.  The narration was done as diary entries (we wondered if they were the actual dairies or a cotemporary edited version (not that it matters)).  They told us about how they met (Berklee) and how they got the band name (Jess’ dog was called Lucius–which leaves out why the dog was name Lucius, of course).

They told about how a friend suggested they sing at the same time (their signature sound) and how they wrote an early EP called Songs from Bromley House.  They sang a song called Shenandoah (Not the traditional one) and played piano.  It was spare and lovely.

Then they introduced the two guys who would be playing with them that night.  Guitarist Peter Lalish and bassist Solomon Dorsey (that’s right, no drums).  They sat at a couch and played the Bon Iver song “Skinny Love” and talked about the apartment they were living in in NYC.  Continue Reading »

Posted in Bon Iver, Joni Mitchell, Lucius, McCarter Theatre, Pink Floyd, Princeton, NJ, Roger Waters, Wilco | Leave a Comment »

The Teeth / Lindsey Noel (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, March 27, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

March 27, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 27, 2026] The Teeth / Lindsey Noel

It was nearly two years ago that I first heard of The Teeth when they played Johnny Brenda’s and sold out before I even knew who they were.  But this year I managed to score a ticket for their second of two nights.  For this show that I didn’t go to, they had Lindsey Noel opening for them again.

Here’s what I wrote in 2024.

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 on bass.

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: Continue Reading »

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

Mae Martin (Kimmel Center/Miller Theatre, Philadelphia, PA, March 27, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

March 27, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 27, 2026] Mae Martin

I decided I would like to see my favorite Taskmaster contestants if they came to the United States.  I have seen a few of them already and Mae Martin was a favorite contestant for me.  But we had recently watched Mae’s TV show Feel Good and it was funny but very dark as well.  I didn’t really investigate any of Mae’s standup, but I kind of got the feeling that it was all kind of dark and I didn’t think I wanted to go to that kind of comedy show.

It turned out to be on the same night as the Lucius show that I was super excited to go to, so it was a moot point anyhow.  I might reconsider if they come back around–but I will have to see just how dark the show gets before I commit.

Of course I have just watched a few clips and it looks very funny and not dark at all, so what do I know?

Posted in Mae Martin, Philadelphia, PA, Taskmaster | Leave a Comment »

Wanda Sykes (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, March 27, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

March 27, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 27, 2026] Wanda Sykes

Whenever I think about comedians that I like, they’re usually British.  Because I receive ads for comedy clubs, I feel like there are hundreds of American comedians and I don’t know any of them. So I forget that there are quite a few American comedians who I really like.  And Wanda Sykes is one of them.  I don’t know much about her standup, but she cracks me up whenever I see her.  I didn’t hear about this show until recently and we had had tickets to Lucius for quite a while already.

When I looked at the tour poster I saw that she was only doing six dates!  And Philly was one of them.  That makes me think she doesn’t tour very often and I’ll have to keep an eye out in case she comes back any time soon.

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, The Met Philadelphia, Wanda Sykes | Leave a Comment »

Orcutt Shelley Miller (Solar Myth, Philadelphia PA, March 23, 2026)

March 24, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: March 23, 2026] Orcutt Shelley Miller

When I saw Thurston Moore about a decade ago, Steve Shelley was drumming for him.  I thought it would be fun to see each of the Sonic Youth members since I never got to see the band.  Then I saw Kim Gordon a few years ago.  And while I saw Lee Ranaldo decades ago, that doesn’t feel like it counts for various reasons.  But heck, an opportunity to see Steve Shelley again is not to be missed.

I didn’t know who Bill Orcutt was (and shame on me, I guess–he is best known for being in the band Harry Pussy).  I thought I didn’t know who Ethan Miller was, but then I realized I had seen him with Heron Oblivion about 8 years ago and I loved that set and I loved watching him.  But yes, the main draw of this trio for me was Steve Shelley.  Then I listened to their album and I loved it.

Bill Orcutt plays a loose, but great-sounding guitar.  It was fascinating to see that he has literally one pedal in front of him.  A small box which he stepped on from time to time.  I couldn’t really tell what the difference was after he stepped on it (maybe more distortion?), but overall the sound was great.  He played some wild solos–some seemingly on the verge of just nonsensical noise and yet he never let the sound get away from him.  But he also held back when there was a chance for Miller to play some soloing stuff.

Ethan Miller plays a small violin-shaped bass (a Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass) and the sound he gets from it is fantastic.  Unlike Orcutt, he has a bunch if gear.  He’s got some pedals that he messed around with and, in a moment of technological genius, I saw him turn on his phone and hold up a photo of his amp so he could set the dials to the exact specifications.  Miller is the only person who spoke (it must be 9 o’clock) and he seemed to having a really good time.

But not as good a time as Steve Shelley.  He smiles through the whole set, just seemingly thrilled to be playing drums.  It was such a treat to watch him.  And while his kit is pretty sparse, he really conveys a lot.

It was cool to watch Bill check in with Steve with a nod or glance that it was time to change tempo or end the songs. Continue Reading »

Posted in Orcutt Shelley Miller, Philadelphia, PA, Solar Myth, What is New | Leave a Comment »

Gogol Bordello / Puzzled Panther / Boris and the Joy (Union Transfer, Philadelphia PA, March 24, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

March 24, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 24, 2026] Gogol Bordello

I saw Gogol Bordello at Union Transfer almost exactly ten years ago.  I re-read my post about it and I said that I had a ton of fun, but my memory of it was that it was chaotic and crazy.  I haven’t really wanted to see them again even though I have a lot of respect for the band and I know that they live shows are amazing.

It was kind of a busy concert week so I didn’t even think about going.  It sounds like this show was all about their brand new album which I hadn’t listened to.  But I really should try to see them again one of these tours.

Puzzled Panther are from New York City.  Their debut EP was produced by Eugene Hütz.  The band is Led by Gen Z rockers Victoria Espinoza and Kay Bontempo, and often play as a duo (not sure if they were a fuller band for this tour).  Their bio says they are

generating a new wave of infectious blissed-out psychedelic mix of Madchester with the danceable frantic attack of New York post-punk

I don’t really hear that–they seem more of a simple punk sound.  It doesn’t really grab me, but maybe they’re more fun live.

Boris and the Joy is Boris Pelekh guitarist from Gogol Bordello who has a side project of indie-folk-electro-pop band Boris and the Joy.

Boris, the Ukrainian/Russian singer, composer and guitar player has toured the world as the guitarist of gypsy-punk band Gogol Bordello for a decade and fronting his own unit Hey Guy. His life’s journey and the philosophy of joy are the fibers of the emotionally colorful Boris & the Joy.

It’s pretty mellow–a stark change but probably a nice warm up.

Posted in Boris and the Joy, Gogol Bordello, Philadelphia, PA, Punks, Puzzled Panther, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Hanabie (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, March 21, 2026)

March 23, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: March 21, 2026] Hanabie

I saw Hanabie [花冷え。] a year and a half ago when they opened for Jinjer.  They were great and they blew me away with their heaviness and with their mixture of heavy growls and J-Pop moments.

Hanabie [花冷え。] cpmbines loud and heavy music with Harajuku aesthetics in a style self-described as “Harajuku-core.”  They have been around since 2015 (when they started as a Maximum The Hormone cover band).  They have clean vocals and unclean vocals and the most fascinating thing is that singer Yukina does both!  She can sing in an incredibly high pitched voice and then shifts to a growl that would impress anyone.

Guitarist Matsuri also sings–and has a lovely voice.  She often sings super catchy chorus and bridge parts while Yukina adds to them.  Bassist Hettsu sings too and she has a lovely clean vocal style.  The three of them together are a dynamic force.  Drummer Chika is the newest member (they’ve had several drummers over the years).

Last time I wrote: Their fashion sense was pretty great too.  They were a great opening act and I would absolutely see them again–I hope as a headliner.

And here they were headlining.   They said it was their first time in Philadelphia, and Philadelphia was ready for them!  They had sold out the show and the crowd was 100% into it–pits and crowd surfing galore. Continue Reading »

Posted in Enterprise Earth, 花冷え。, Hanabie, Nekrogoblikon, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of Living Arts | Leave a Comment »

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