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Los Campesinos! (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 17, 2024)

June 18, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: June 17. 2024] Los Campesinos!

I have been a fan of Los Campesinos! (who are actually Welsh) since their debut album.  But I have never seen them live.  I missed the 2022 show because our postponed Ben Folds concert was rescheduled to this evening.  Bummer.

I didn’t really follow them much after their first couple of albums, but their overall vibe hasn’t changed dramatically over the years.  They write funny, literate songs about loss disguised as really catchy scream along type anthems.

Singer Gareth David Paisey has a yelling kind of voice that is really fun to get behind.  (Util this year all of the band members used Campesinos as their last name, but now they acknowledge their actual names.

I had always thought they were a totally under the radar band.  But I was shocked to see how many people were at this show, in particular how many younger people were at this show. I mean, where do you hear about Los Campesinos! in 2024?  But everyone there knew all the words and shouted along.  It’s also fun to realize that most of the band has been with them since the beginning and the newer people are all in the band over ten years by this point.  Pitchfork describes their fan base

emo-curious indie adults, indie-curious emo kids, DIY scenesters and Genius annotators, avid consumers of hard cider and hard-left politics, obsessives of European football and American Football alike.

The new album All Hell is just as good if not better than their others.  The lyrics are still wordy and verbose with words like selenograph and phrases like “a cavalcade through antemortem, terminal suburban boredom.”  If these words appeal and you can imagine more or less screaming them over catchy melodies, then this is the band for you. Continue Reading »

Posted in Los Campesinos!, Philadelphia, PA, Short Fictions, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Trans-Canada Highwaymen (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, June 18, 2024)

June 18, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: June 18, 2024] Trans-Canada Highwaymen

I was pretty thrilled when the “supergroup” of Trans-Canada Highwaymen formed.  I put that word in quotes because it’s likely that some (mostly non-Canadian) people don’t know half of the band.  But I was thrilled to have a guy from four terrific bands pooling themselves together.  And the fact that they were basically covering 70s AM radio hits was just a weird bonus.

I assumed they’d never tour the States.  But when they announced a show in Philly, I grabbed a ticket immediately.  I had no idea if it would sell well (it didn’t, really), but it there was a decent crowd and the people who were there were psyched (some a little too psyched).

There was no opening act.

We had seats in the third row (there were open eats in front of us).  But the row right in front of us was filled with about eight real keen Canadians who were crazy drunk and very loud.   It’s possible only we were bothered by them but I found them more annoying than fun.

But that’s fine, because the music was fantastic.

I’ve said before that I could listen to Steven Page sing anything.  So, having him start with an old BNL song was really fun.  It started with Steven and Craig Northey (from Odds) on guitar Moe Berg (from The Pursuit of Happiness) on bass and Chris Murphy (from Sloan) on drums.

By the end of the night everyone had played drums for at least two songs. Continue Reading »

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, New Odds, Odds, Philadelphia, PA, Sloan, Steven Page, The New Odds, The Pursuit of Happiness, Trans-Canada Highwaymen, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA | Leave a Comment »

Short Fictions (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 17, 2024) [LOS CAMPESIONS!]

June 17, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: June 17. 2024] Short Fictions

I didn’t know Short Fictions before this show.

They have a similar vibe to Los Campesinos!  A kind of delightful chaos that resolves into really catchy songs.  With a trombone!  Anda  xylophone!

The band rocked in a kind of bouncy ramshackle way, singing songs with titles like “Living in Places Like These Can Be Bad for Your Health (Can’t Live Here Anymore)”

They were fun and funny, introducing “I’m Going to Kill Myself with a Gun” by saying that the singer’s mom begged them not  to play that horrible song. But what she doesn’t realize is that it’s about unfair wages and economic inequality!

Some of the songs, like “Wasting” rocked a little harder than other, but other songs are twitchy and weird but also somehow sing-along worthy.  And then a song like “Self Betterment in a Time of Loneliness” had a middle section where the band just went crazy with super fast drums and cymbals.  Jittery and punky and a lot of fun. Continue Reading »

Posted in Los Campesinos!, Philadelphia, PA, Short Fictions, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Pallbearer / REZN / The Keening (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 16, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

June 16, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 16, 2024] Pallbearer / REZN / The Keening

I’m more or less done with going  to heavy metal shows.  There are still a few bands I’ll go to see, but overall, there’s not much left that I’m curious about.

Pallbearer are a doom metal band (a subgenre I find myself drawn to more than other subgenres), but they mix in elements of prog metal as well, which is a major draw for me.  I’ve never seen them, but I would very much like to.

I dithered about this show because I had a few other shows around it and wasn’t sure if I wanted to go out on a Sunday night.   Then about two weeks before the show I realized that this was Father’s Day, and I certainly wasn’t going to go to a metal show by myself on Father’s Day.

REZN is a band I didn’t know, but when I checked out a few songs I really liked them.  Angry Metal Guy describes

 an esoteric brand of psychedelic doom that finds unique ways to incorporate each member’s talents. Synth maestro Spencer Oulette boasts credits for piano, sax, and flute, and bassist Phil Cangelosi even busts out a rainstick to set the mood.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Pallbearer, Philadelphia, PA, REZN, The Keening, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

An evening with Lloyd Cole (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, Jun 15, 2024) [CANCELLED]

June 15, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[CANCELLED: June 15, 2024] Lloyd Cole

I’ve never been a huge fan of Lloyd Cole, but I like a bunch of his songs.

My memory is really shaky on how I found out about him. I was certain that a friend of mine got me into him, but years later when I mentioned Lloyd Cole to her, she had no idea who he was.  Someone clearly introduced me to him, and I feel like I can picture the room that we listened to him in, but obviously I was wrong.

I haven’t really given Lloyd much thought over the last few years.  I wasn’t planning on going to this show (I mean, it was the same night as Man Man), but I was intrigued that he had cancelled the tour (as did Man Man–which made me briefly nervous that they knew something bad was happening).

But Lloyd’s reason were personal:

April 26, 2024

I’m taking some time away from music.I was sick on tour in Australia, I was sick on tour in Scandinavia, I’m sick again in Portugal. I have some kind of virus. This time my mental health has been impacted.I’m fine, for now, I’m on antibiotics. I have people to talk to. The plan is to get the seven Portuguese shows done. Then I’ll fly home early May.I need to address the root of the issue. I’d rather not go into details here. Honestly I don’t know exactly what’s going on but I’m pretty sure some major changes are needed in my lifestyle and work schedule. I’ll be consulting my MD and we’ll figure a plan. Most likely I’ll be in some kind of treatment facility for while, hopefully like The Magic Mountain.I’ve cancelled the US East Coast shows that were scheduled for June. I’m keeping May, June and July free to heal/recover. I look forward to some golf in Ireland in late August and then September solo shows in the Ireland and the UK. We’ll reschedule the cancelled US dates as quickly as we can.I’ll see you all in the Autumn.Sincerely,LC.

Posted in Lloyd Cole, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA | Leave a Comment »

Man Man (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 15, 2024) [TOUR CANCELLED]

June 15, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[CANCELLED: June 15, 2024] Man Man

I was pretty thrilled to hear that Man Man had a new album out and that  they were touring it–June 15 at Underground Arts!

And then one day the show wasn’t listed anymore.  And when I went to Underground Arts for a different show, they told me it was cancelled.

It took a few days, but on May 23, they finally posted

Sorry to everyone who was looking forward to our upcoming US @manmanbandband tour. We’re gutted by the postponement. unforeseen circumstances took control of the wheel. Hopefully we’ll wrestle it back in the future. Our album still drops on June 7 & and we are so goddamn proud of it.”

So no explanation for the cancellation, but at least  thy acknowledged it and (one hopes) they will reschedule for next year.

Posted in Cancelled, Man Man, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

Kim Gordon and the Collective (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2024)

June 15, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: June 14, 2024] Kim Gordon 

I could have seen Kim Gordon a couple of years ago but didn’t get a ticket (and then we went out to something else that night anyway),

I’m not sure what that show was like and I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect for this show either.

I hadn’t really listened to her new album and I’m not entirely sure that I needed to, because I feel like her live band transcended the beats-n-effects of the album.

Kim’s band was fantastic.  They all looked like they could have been teenagers (they’re not) and they made an exquisite noise that was not like Sonic Youth in any way but spirit.  And yet, it was noisy and delicious, with guitars that didn’t sound like guitars, snyths that spanned the gamut of sounds and a drummer who bashed and bashed.

I loved watching guitarist Sarah Register (who was in my sight line while I looked at Kim) play…everything.  She played chords of course, but also played shapes and sounds and scrapes and everything.  It wasn’t like watching Thurston and Lee, it was far more controlled.  But it was awesome.

Bassist Camilla Charlesworth doubled occasionally on electronics (apparently, she was responsible for the the nagging John Carpenter-like synth stabs on “Bye Bye”, although it was impossible to know who was playing what half of the time.  She played a great fuzzy almost electronic sounding low end, both on the bass and on the synths

And drummer Madi Vogt , whom I was closest to, was a machine, pummeling the drums and then pulling back when the songs got quiet.

I’m focusing on the band because I went there to see Kim and was amazed at how much I was impressed by the band.  Kim herself was pure Kim–very cool, very much in control.

She played occasional guitar and mostly recited lyrics (that I think she had written on the book in front of her).  It’s a testament to Kim that she was the least interested person on stage and yet I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, she has that much charisma.

Given Kim’s diverse recording history and tendency towards out-there avant garde, I wasn’t really sure what I’d be getting at this show.  This set was nothing that I was expecting and was far better than anything I had hoped for.  And I have since followed everyone of her backing band to see what else they get up to.

  1. BYE BYE ©
  2. The Candy House ©
  3. I Don’t Miss My Mind ©
  4. I’m a Man ©
  5. Trophies ©
  6. It’s Dark Inside ©
  7. Psychedelic Orgasm ©
  8. Tree House ©
  9. Shelf Warmer ©
  10. The Believers ©
  11. Dream Dollar ©
    Encore:
  12. Air BnB Ø
  13. Paprika Pony Ø
  14. Cookie Butter Ø
  15. Hungry Baby Ø
  16. Grass Jeans §
  17. BYE BYE ©

© The Collective (2024)
Ø No Home Record (2019)
§ Single (2021)

Posted in Bill Nace, Kim Gordon, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Lower Wolves / Coca Leaves & Pearls (Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

June 14, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 14, 2022] Lower Wolves / Coca Leaves & Pearls

Again, I don’t care much for cover bands, but this one looked kind of interesting, mostly because Chris Forsyth is in Coca Leaves & Pearls.

But the two bands together were probably a good time.  It was a slim chance that I was goingto go to this and when Kim Gordon was announced for the same night, I knew I wouldn’t be going.

But that is my favorite R.E.M. period as well.

Lower Wolves
Focusing on R.E.M.’s early period as a beloved college/alternative live act, Lower Wolves perform R.E.M. covers from the years 1982-1987. A typical set includes album tracks, singles and obscurities delivered with the energy and intensity that characterized R.E.M.’s live shows in the 1980s.

Coca Leaves & Pearls
Featuring guitarist Chris Forsyth and members of Florry and Radar Honey, Coca Leaves & Pearls is a tribute to the spirit and vibe of 1970s Neil Young and Crazy Horse, particularly offering a guided tour of Neil’s mid-1970s years in “the ditch.”

Posted in Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA | Leave a Comment »

The Musical Box (Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA, June 14, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

June 14, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 14, 2024] The Musical Box

I’ve said many times that I don’t go to see cover bands.  But this cover band who plays early, prog Genesis, was an exception.

I saw them earlier this year (my first show of the new year) and loved it.

As I said,

I’m so glad I went to this show.  And I would absolutely see them again.  It’s crazy to think that they have been together for 30 years.  A cover band that is older than most other bands!

I didn’t go to this show for two reasons.  The first was that I don’t really love Keswick Theatre.  It’s also really inconvenient to get to.  The second, later reason, is that Kim Gordon played the same night, and I wasn’t going to miss her.

 

Posted in Genesis, Glenside, PA, Keswick Theatre, The Musical Box | Leave a Comment »

Bill Nace (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2024) [KIM GORDON]

June 14, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: June 14, 2024] Bill Nace

Kim and Bill Nace toured in 2022.  Bill was also in the band Body/Head with Kim.  I saw him play in a jam session with Chris Forsyth in which he played the Suzuki Ran–an Electric Taishogoto.  When he played with Forsyth I worte

It sounded like a bunch of noise, honestly—there were some loud and wild effects on it.  It also drowned out Forsyth’s guitar.

For this show, Nace came out with this same instrument.  It has keys that you press and strings that you strum or bow.  Nace used a bow and turned the distortion and effects up to max and then played noise for about fifteen minutes.  Then he put the bow down, turned the Ran so it was more like a piano and played the same note–tapping the same key–for about 8 minutes.

I did not enjoy the set at all.  Which is a little odd since I do enjoy experimental music.  But this seemed to be more of a joke or a punishment than anything else.

Posted in Bill Nace, Kim Gordon, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

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