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Mannequin Pussy (Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ, September 27, 2024)

September 28, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 27, 2024] Mannequin Pussy

After I saw Mannequin Pussy in May I was certain that I didn’t need to see them again.  But when they announced that they were playing in Asbury Park with Margaritas Podridas opening, I knew I had to go!

Margaritas was fantastic, but I couldn’t get over how crowded the place had gotten for Mannequin Pussy.  When I saw them in Philly, I knew that they would sell out (three shows!).  And I know that Asbury isn’t that far from Philly, but sometimes the shows don’t really translate.  But wow, it was packed.

I moved to the higher level (which I didn’t even realize was open for shows).  And that’s where the ADA section was.  So I grabbed a high stool and could see the stage perfectly.

One thing I’ve always noticed about me though is that if I’m not in the mix on the floor, I tend to not get fully involved in the show.  So even though the band sounded great I was mostly thinking about how I saw them first in 2018 when they opened for Japandroids.  They were pretty unknown at the time and didn’t have much of a stage thing going on.  But now, they were like rockstars.

Marisa Dabice’s hair was flowing, she was wearing a fancy crop top (that she must have known couldn’t hold her breasts since she had tape on the nipples.  The stage looked great and it felt like a big show. Continue Reading »

Posted in Mannequin Pussy, Margaritas Podridas, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

The Get Up Kids: 25 Years of Something to Write Home About / Smoking Popes (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, September 27, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 27, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 27, 2024] The Get Up Kids / Smoking Popes

Back in 2022 I wrote

My friend Al got me into The Get Up Kids back in the early 2000s.  “Mass Pike” is a frequently played song on road trips.  My Get Up Kids album is Something to Write Home About.  I never really got that into Four Minute Mile.  So, even though this show could have been fun, it wouldn’t quite have been for me.

And here they are two years later touring for that very album.

But it was the same night that I was going to see Mannequin Pussy and Margaritas Podridas, who I was really excited to see.

So, once again I missed The Get Up Kids.

Smoking Popes seem like an unlikely opening act.  I didn’t even know they were still a band.  I enjoyed their Born to Quit album quite a bit.  And the one after that was pretty good too.  Apparently at some point in their career, someone in the band became a Christian and the band broke up.

Then they reunited about twenty years ago (!) and have put out a few records since.   I’m sure it would have been fun to hear the old songs again.  Maybe I’ll bust them out on Spotify.

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Smoking Popes, The Get Up Kids, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Margaritas Podridas (Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ, September 27, 2024) [MANNEQUIN PUSSY]

September 27, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 27, 2024] Margaritas Podridas

I’m not sure how I first heard about Mexico’s Margaritas Podridas, but as soon as I did I wanted to see them live.  They had yet to play on the East Coast of the U.S. but they did open for Mannequin Pussy on the West Coast, so I was pretty excited that they were at least playing in the U.S.

When they were announced as the support for Mannequin Pussy in Asbury, I had to get tickets even if I had just seen the headliners in May (and really I was happy to see them again so soon).

The band came out as a trio (they are listed as a quartet in all their promo material) and proceeded to rip the house down.

Margaritas Podridas does play some shoegaze, but at this show they were in full on rage mode (as their newest singles have indicated).

They opened with a killer 2022 single “No quiero ser madre” (I don’t want to be a mother), and bassist Carolina Enríquez demonstrated that in addition to having a lovely singing voice, she can strip paint off the walls with her screams.

The rowdy Asbury Park crowd responded immediately.

Going forward, she introduced every song with the English translation of the title, playing the two songs from their 2023 single Corazón and Muñeca (Heart and Doll)

The song “Vómito” (no translation needed) even featured her retching.  That song from 2023 and “Tornillo” (Screw) are from a 2023 single.

They slowed things down for the middle section with the shoegazey “Wow” and the starts-as-shoegaze but then gets really intense “Parabrisas” (Windshield).

Then it was back to the heavy, grungy “Margaritas” (Daisies).  At this point the crowd started a small mosh pit–a rarity for an opening band, but the crowd was totally into it.

Things got even more intense (with lots more screaming) on “Agujas” (Needles) and “Pólvora” (Gunpowder).

They played one song in English (their first album was all in English) called Malign, and then ended  the set with a blistering “Filosa ” (Philosopher).  When the song ended, the band jut exploded with sound, with feedback galore and Carolina scratching her bass against the mic stand.

By then the pit had pushed me pretty far away from where I started, and I feel like the band really appreciate the crowd’s energy.

I would happily see them again.  Such a great energy.  I also enjoyed that they were really happy to be in New Jersey because they love My Chemical Romance.

2024 Asbury
No quiero ser madre Ø
Corazón ♥
Muñeca ♥
Vómito ⊗
Tornillo ⊗
Wow ∪
Parabrisas ∪
Margaritas ∪
Agujas λ
Pólvora §
Malign λ
Filosa ⊗

§ single (2024)
♥ Corazón de Muñeca single (2023)
⊗ single (2023)
Ø single (2022)
∪ Margaritas Podridas (2021)
λ Porcelain Mannequin (2018)

Posted in Mannequin Pussy, Margaritas Podridas, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Sigur Rós performing with Wordless Music Orchestra (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, September 23, 2024)

September 23, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 23, 2024] Sigur Rós performing with Wordless Music Orchestra

The first time I saw Sigur Rós back in 2001 is still one of the most memorable and moving shows I’ve ever been to.  So it’s shocking to be that I’ve only seen them four times in total.

When they announced  this Wordless Orchestra tour last year I wanted to go, but decided it wasn’t worth going into Manhattan (and paying the huge ticket prices).  So I assumed I’d miss this show.  Then they announced a Philly show.

I bought cheap seats far from the stage thinking that it was an orchestra, what was there to really look at.  And it was the right choice aside from the horrible people sitting near us.  I’m just going to get this out of the way.  This couple a few seats down from us talked through the whole show.  Sometimes whispering but always loud enough that you could hear her.  I even know she felt better after going to the bathroom.  I mean, for fucks sake.

But enough, focus on the greatness of  the show. Continue Reading »

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Sigur Rós, The Met Philadelphia | Leave a Comment »

Los Bitchos / Faux Real (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, September 23, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 23, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 23, 2024] Los Bitchos / Faux Real

Back in 2022, Los Botchos opened for Belle & Sebastian.  And at the last minute we weren’t able to go to that show.

But I had listened to them and was really interested:

Los Bitchos is a four piece from London.  The band consists of Serra Petale (guitar), Agustina Ruiz (keytar), Josefine Jonsson (bass), and Nic Crawshaw (drums; percussion).  They predominantly play instrumental music in the style of cumbia from the 70s and 80s.  And they are a lot of fun.  Sounds like a great opening act.

I would have really enjoyed this show (and I love getting to see a band that is doing, in this case, six dates).  But it was the same night as Sigur Ros, who would definitely win out.

Faux Real sounds like a fascinating project:

Visionary art-pop duo Faux Real’s long-awaited debut album “Faux Ever” is a self-described “11-piece symphony for head-banging and longing.”

They sound campy and amazing, frankly.

Posted in Faux Real, Franklin Music Hall, Los Bitchos, Philadelphia, PA | Leave a Comment »

Jinjer (Starland Ballrom, Sayreville, NJ, September 20, 2024)

September 22, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 20, 2024] Jinjer

I’ve seen Jinjer twice.  Last time, after the show I wrote:

Now that I’ve seen “Pisces,” I don’t think I need to see Jinjer again.  In fact, I’m probably not going to go to too many more metal shows.  I think I’ve seen everyone I wanted to.

Pisces was the song that introduced me to them and Tatiana Shmailyuk’s incredible voice.  She can sing beautiful soaring melodies and then on a dime turn into a scary growling monster.  It’s fascinating on record but it is mind blowing to see live.

So I wasn’t really sure I wanted to see them again, but I was inspired by the opening band Hanabie to go see them again.  And I’m so glad I did. This was the closest I’d been to them and it was great being that close to Eugene Abdukhanov on bass. The previous tow times, I was on guitarist Roman Ibramkhalilov’s side but I’d really admired the bass work on these songs.  So it was very cool to see just how complicated his bass rhythms were.

Ibramkhalilov has a great sound–shifting from quiet picking to heavy chords, but it was a little lost on my side of the stage (I noticed it more on some of the recordings I took).  Drummer Vladislav Ulasevich also adds wonderful fills and stops and starts to add drama to the songs.  He was even louder than the last time I think–I needed to put the earplugs in deeper toward the end. Continue Reading »

Posted in Hanabie, JInjer, Sayreville, NJ, Starland Ballroom, Ukraine | Leave a Comment »

Stars (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, September 21, 2024)

September 21, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 21, 2024] Stars

I have been a fan of Stars since about 2004.  I finally got to see them on their Christmas tour of 2022.  Singer Torq said that they would definitely be back for a Christmas tour the following year (they weren’t) and they didn’t do one in 2024 either.  But instead they did this: a 20th anniversary of Set Yourself on Fire, the album that introduced me to the band and which I love.  So yes, I was going to this one, too.

No surprises in the setlist then.

Instead it was a great band playing a great album

Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell sounded great and their onstage rapport is always amazing together–like (sometimes jilted) lovers (although they are not).

The rest of the band has remained the same for 20+ years.  Last tour I learned that bassist Evan Cranley and guitarist Chris Seligman are the main composers of Stars’ music. They repeat a riff or tune until something develops, and then Campbell and Amy Millan write lyrics.  (This according to Wikipedia).

Drummer Pat McGee and lead guitarist Chris McCarron were joined by a violin and sax player for some of the songs. Continue Reading »

Posted in Christine Bougie, Lydia Persaud, Philadelphia, PA, Stars, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Hanabie [花冷え。] (Starland Ballrom, Sayreville, NJ, September 20, 2024) [JINJER]

September 21, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 20, 2024] Hanabie

I have seen Jinjer twice.  I didn’t really think about this tour until I checked out the opening acts.  I hadn’t heard of Hanabie, but when I looked them up I was blown away and was really excited to see them live,

I actually assumed that they would go on first since they are so much newer of a band than Born of Osiris.  But I was delighted to find out that BOO was on first so we could relax and enjoy the fun.

Hanabie [花冷え。] is a Japanese band known for combining loud and heavy music with contrasting 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 sings in an incredibly high almost cartoonish 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 also sings and has a lovely clean vocal style.  The three of them together are a dynamic force.

Drummer Chika is the only new member (they’ve had several drummers over the years).  I couldn’t see her at all because she was positioned on the far side of the stage/  Which was quite a bummer.

But Yukina, Matsuri and Hettsu were certainly enjoyable enough to watch.  They ran back and forth between stations, completely engaging with the crowd.  The few times that Yukina came over by us, you could see her making faces at people in the crowd.

Their set was so much fun–full of energy and excitement.  I particularly liked that they had so many high sounds–in a genre that is usually devoted to low frequencies.  Between the high vocals and some of the electronics it really made for a dynamic show.  I’m not sure how they all are (mid 20s, I guess?) but they had so much energy, bouncing and jumping around the stage.

And 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.

2024
Metamorphose! §
Ware Amatou ⊗
Reiwa Matching-sedai ⊗
O•TA•KU Lovely Densetsu §
NEET GAME ♥
Kotoshi koso Gal~Shoka ver.~ ♥
GIRL’S TALK §
Tales of Villain ♥
TOUSOU ♥
Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu ♥

§ single (2024)
♥ Reborn Superstar (2023)
⊗ Girl’s Reform Manifest (2021)

Posted in 花冷え。, Hanabie, Japanese Music, JInjer, Sayreville, NJ, Starland Ballroom, Ukraine | Leave a Comment »

Lydia Persaud & Christine Bougie (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, September 21, 2024) [STARS]

September 21, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 21, 2024] Lydia Persaud & Christine Bougie

Back in 2022, I saw Stars for the first time (on their Christmas tour) and loved them.  The opening act was Lydia Persaud (& Christine Bougie).

I believe that they both play together in a lot of things.  Lydia has been a member of The Soul Motivators, The O’Pears and Dwayne Gretzky and she and Christine are part of the the Queer Songbook Orchestra.  

They played a jazzy set of remarkably sad music.

When Stars announced this new tour for Set Yourself on Fire, I was super excited.  And, they announced some interesting opening acts along the way (including Dears, a band I could have seen before the pandemic but missed them and they haven’t been back since).  Continue Reading »

Posted in Christine Bougie, Lydia Persaud, Philadelphia, PA, Stars, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Born of Osiris (Starland Ballrom, Sayreville, NJ, September 20, 2024) [JINJER]

September 20, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 20, 2024] Born of Osiris

I’ve seen Jinjer twice and I didn’t really think I needed to see them again.  But they announced this show at Starland Ballroom and I was intrigued by one of the openers, Hanabie.  I hadn’t heard of Born of Osiris.

Turns out Born of Osiris is a metalcore band that’s been around for over fifteen years.  Interestingly, the band’s first two records were more or less created and played by the band’s mastermind and drummer, Cameron Losch.

Their set was very loud–so loud that it was hard to distinguish anything.  I wasn’t really all that interested in anything they played.   There were a few moments that included some electronics but mostly it was just bludgeoning and intense metal.

I found it kind of dull, actually.  It amused me that the singer kept trying to get people really psyched–I’m assuming that they have played headlining shows in the last fifteen years.  But every time they pointed the floodlights to the crowd, it kept showing an empty floor.  Part of the problem for them was that the website said they were going on at 7:30, but they went on at 7:10 and Starland is notoriously bad about slow entry.

There were some people who enjoyed it, but compared to the dynamic nature of the next two bands, they seemed really rather plodding.

This was the setlist from a show a few days later.  I assume it was the same.

 

2024
Open Arms to Damnation §
Bow Down §
Elevate ¥
Empires Erased §
Abstract Art §
Angel or Alien ♥
A Mind Short Circuiting ¥
In Desolation ¥
Machine ⊗

¥ single (2024)
♥ Angel or Alien (2021)
⊗ Tomorrow We Die Alive (2013)
§ The New Reign EP (2007)

Posted in Born of Osiris, Hanabie, Japanese Music, JInjer, Sayreville, NJ, Starland Ballroom, Ukraine | Leave a Comment »

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