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The Dead Milkmen (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, February 18, 2024)

February 20, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: February 18, 2024] The Dead Milkmen

I don’t know exactly when I first heard The Dead Milkmen.  It was obviously in college, probably when I was working on the radio station.  I think it was Instant Club Hit, which hated on all kinds of other bands that I liked.  By the time they released Beelzebubba, I was a die-hard fan.

And yet in 35 years I’d never seen them live.  True they were broken up for a chunk of that time, but still…

So, I’ve tried to see them a few times over the last few years and things always fell through.  But this time I was determined to go.  And what a great show it was.  I admit that I haven’t listened all that much to their newer records.  Although their latest album, Quaker City Quiet Pills is really good.

I thought they’d play a bunch of new stuff and a few oldies, but holy cow it was like a greatest hits night for me (although I like a lot of their songs, so I guess that would be true for any old songs, but they played songs I really like).

Opening with “Dean’s Dream,” a classic from their debut, it featured Joe Jack Talcum singing and Rodney Anonymous hiding out behind the curtain.

I had deliberately placed myself to the side of the stage as I assumed there would be a massive pit for this show.  And I was 100% wrong.  There was no pit.  Maybe some pushing, but mostly it was just everyone wanting to sing along.  But this meant that I never saw bassist Dan Stevens or drummer Dean Clean.

Oh and Kurt Vile (and his brothers) was standing right in front of me.

One of the fantastic new songs is “Grandpa’s Not a Racist (He Just Voted for One)” and that got Rodney out on the stage doing his thing.  Despite not being the young bratty punk any more, he still has a ton of charisma and knows how to get a crowd going.  And his young bratty voice hasn’t changed all that much. Continue Reading »

Posted in Flag of Democracy, FOD, Philadelphia, PA, The Dead Milkmen, Underground Arts, YDI | Leave a Comment »

Flag of Democracy (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, February 18, 2024) [THE DEAD MILKMEN]

February 19, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: February 18, 2024] Flag of Democracy

The only thing I knew about Flag of Democracy was that The Dead Milkmen song “Nutrition” ends with Rodney saying

And Mom and Dad say if I eat all of my foodI can go to the hard core show and see F.O.D

So The Dead Milkmen and F.O.D. have been friends for a long time.  F.O.D. writes intense political hardcore songs and, impressively, they’ve had the same line up for almost their entire existence:

Jim McMonagle – vocals, guitar (1982–present)
Dave Rochon – bass guitar, vocals (1983–present)
Bob Walker – drums (1986–present)

So Bob (who payed barefoot and held the sticks like a jazz drummer) is the new guy since he’s only been in the band for 38 years.

Most of their songs are 2 minutes long (except for “Aberration” (ha!) which was 5).  Even their most recent (2018) album has the same style of short intense songs like “Let’s Build a Wall” Continue Reading »

Posted in Flag of Democracy, FOD, Philadelphia, PA, The Dead Milkmen, Underground Arts, YDI | Leave a Comment »

YDI (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, February 18, 2024) [THE DEAD MILKMEN]

February 18, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: February 18, 2024] YDI

I couldn’t make the show last night, but there was no way I was missing tonight’s show.

I really didn’t know anything about YDI before this show.

I still don’t really know that much about them.  There’s very little information about the band at all.

It’s not even clear who the band members were (in one article I only saw first names).   But the summary is that in 1983 Y.D.I. (pronounced: Why-die) put out a 7” EP “A Place In The Sun” (a blistering nine-track blast of american-hardcore fury). Two years later, the band had changed to a more filthy, metallic, damaged punk. The “Black Dust” (a concoction of PCP, heroin and formaldehyde) 12”- LP in 1985 was YDIs’ final recording. Continue Reading »

Posted in Flag of Democracy, FOD, Philadelphia, PA, The Dead Milkmen, Underground Arts, YDI | Leave a Comment »

Deap Vally (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, February 16, 2024)

February 17, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: February 16, 2024] Deap Vally

My wife and I saw Deap Vally open for Garbage and Blondie back in 2017.  Here’s how I summed them up seven years ago

So Deap Vally is a duo: Lindsey Troy (guitar, vocals) and Julie Edwards (drums and vocals).  And as with many duos these days, they are able to get a huge sound out of just a guitar and drums (even during the guitar solo which can often leave a big sound feeling a bit empty).

We enjoyed their brief but loud set.  And I kind of forgot about them.  They did a project with The Flaming Lips (Deap Lips) which I knew of but have never heard.

And then a few months ago, they announced that their project as Deap Vally was coming to an end and they were going to go on their final tour.  I had enjoyed their set and thought it would be fun to see them one more time.

They were playing their album Sistrionix in full.  It also turns out that they re-recorded the album recently because their record label had the rights to it and they wanted a new version (hence 2.0).

The premise of the band is pretty simple–simple bluesy heavy rock–a few chords and occasional riff and lots of fuzz and drum.  It works pretty well, although to be honest a headlining show is a little samey.

I wonder if they weren’t playing the album straight through if there would be a bit more variety in the set.

Which is not to say that the show was bad.  None of their songs are very long and so none overstay their welcome.  Lindsey clearly has a lot of fun up there, but I feel like she might enjoy a little more freedom to walk around or, as she does from time to time, jam over by the drum kit.  But most of the songs are pretty short and there’s not a lot of jamming time.

I enjoyed the set quite a lot especially with the addition of Smashley Williams on backing vocals.  She stood in the back and kind of danced and sang from time to time and she was a fun addition. Continue Reading »

Posted in Deap Vally, Philadelphia, PA, Sloppy Jane, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

The Dead Milkmen / Flag of Democracy / YDI (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, February 17, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

February 17, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 17, 2024] Dead Milkmen / Flag of Democracy / YDI

I‘ve been a fan of The Dead Milkmen for over 30 years and have never seen them live.  I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see them in their reunion days, because I didn’t know if they’d play anything old.  But I have been trying to see them now since 2022–this was my third show that I was aware of, although I know they’ve done a number of Philly shows since 2017.

The last few times I had tickets something came up but this time I was determined to go.

And then something came up.

I was selling a car and when someone came to buy it, it wouldn’t start.  And then it seemed like it was out of gas.  And then somehow the keys got locked in the car.  It was hours long and really cold.  And when it was done I just wanted to take a nap, not go to a punk show.  So I stayed home.

But it was okay because I had a ticket for tomorrow night’s show as well (just in case).

I was intrigued to see F.O.D. who I literally only know about from the Dead Milkmen song Nutrition.

And I’d never heard of YDI.  But they have a pretty fascinating history.  Which will be included in the review of their show.

 

 

Posted in Flag of Democracy, FOD, Philadelphia, PA, The Dead Milkmen, Underground Arts, YDI | Leave a Comment »

Sloppy Jane (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, February 16, 2024) [DEAP VALLY]

February 16, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: February 16, 2024] Sloppy Jane

I was vaguely aware of Sloppy Jane before this show was announced. I didn’t realize that Phoebe Bridgers was in the band a long time ago.  I certainly didn’t know that they were a theatrical practically avant-garde sorta punk band with a front woman who was amazing.

Haley Dahl leads this band of fascinating musicians which includes a cello (Daniel Hass) two viola (one may be a violin) Ruby Wang and Isabella Bustanoby who also plays bass.

There’s also Lily Reszi Rothman on keys and flute.  Mostly hidden from my view was a drummer whose name is Kim (I couldn’t hear the last name) and a guitarist whose name is, I believe Ryan Howe.

The show began with an instrumental Overture–Haley conducted the strings and keys with some crazily wild moves, including jumping in the air.

The strings segued after some five minutes (and since I didn’t know what to expect, I thought maybe it was all like this) into “Party Anthem,” a quiet song that builds into a catchy song with lots of great backing vocals that turns into a really fun song with a lengthy “la la la” melody that everyone sang.

The song segued into the piano ballad which features the line “I pledge allegiance to Jesus and Your Living Room Floor.”  This mellow song segued into another mellow song, although this one was far from chill.  A classic murder ballad, “Judy’s Bedroom”

You cleaned the dirt from your shoes
Out of Judy Bruce’s bedroom
The gesture did not get you very far
Because when they found her dead
In the foldings of her dress there was
Fibers from the lining of your car

All with a very upbeat “la la la” section. Continue Reading »

Posted in Deap Vally, Philadelphia, PA, Phoebe Bridgers, Sloppy Jane, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

Illiterate Light / Caiola (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, February 15, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

February 15, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 15, 2024] Illiterate Light / Caiola

My wife and I saw Illiterate Light two times within a few months.  The first time was opening for someone and they really impressed us.  The next time was headlining Johnny Brenda’s.  The show was a ton of fun, although the lighting and smoke made it really hard to see what was going on.

That was four years ago and I guess I just didn’t care enough to see them again.  I don’t even know how much new stuff they’ve put out since then.

Okay, not much. One album and an EP.  They sounded pretty good, but some shows just don’t happen.

Caiola is the music of Jordan Caiola a songwriter/musician/producer based out of Philadelphia. He founded the indie rock band Mo Lowda & The Humble in 2010 and released his first solo record in October of 2020.  I am aware of Mo Lowda, but have never really been interested enough to listen to them.

He has a nice voice and sings pleasant folk songs.  He’s pretty much exactly who I’d think would open for Illiterate Light.

Posted in Caiola, Illiterate Light, Johnny Brenda's, Mo Lowda & The Humble, Philadelphia, PA | Leave a Comment »

Militarie Gun / Pool Kids / Spiritual Cramp / Spaced (First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA, February 14, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

February 14, 2024 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 14, 2024] Militarie Gun / Pool Kids / Spiritual Cramp / Spaced

I found out a bout this show a few days ago because Pool Kids was playing it. I wasn’t going to go to the Church, so it didn’t really matter who was playing.

I’ve heard of Militarie Gun, who are apparently a post-hardcore supergroup (made up of bands I’ve never heard of) that draws major inspiration from the melodic post-hardcore of the ’90s as well as more alternative-leaning acts.  They formed in 2020, so haven’t been around as long as I assumed for how much I’ve heard their name bandied about.

Their new EP has duets from Bully and Mannequin Pussy.

I feel like I should like them, but I’m not sure yet.

The whole reason I would have gone to this show was for Pool Kids.  I’ve seen them twice and they are amazing live.  They’re one of my favorite bands right now and I’d definitely want to see them again (although preferably as a headliner).

I hadn’t heard of Spiritual Cramp and given the other bands on this tour, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.  They’re kind of all over the place genre-wise, which is kind of fun.  They seem to veer punk but are more new wave.  And this little bit from a Pitchfork review seems really apt:

Spiritual Cramp are among a wave of bands, including Militarie Gun and Turnstile, who emerged from hardcore backgrounds and broadened their palettes to include softer, artsier flourishes. [Like] when the Clash realized the natural alliances between punk and reggae, filtered through a hard-sashwaying garage rock lens. Spiritual Cramp integrate dub, spiky guitars, and oi-like crowd-starters, all with a kitschy wink rather than flatly imitating their predecessors. The music is ecstatic rather than enraged, semi-ridiculous rather than self-serious.

I’ve listened to a bunch of their songs and the latest one sounded like The Hives, so they can please (or upset) everyone.  I’ll bet they are really fun live.

Spaced is (despite the visuals of their albums) a hardcore band with a pretty traditional hardcore vibe.  They are from Buffalo.  The big difference for me is that the singer is female and her growling angry voice adds a new tone to the somewhat overdone format of growling angry men.  I liked what I heard

Lexi Reyngoudt – vocals
Joe Morganti – guitar
Donny Arthur – guitar
John Vaughan – bass
Dan McCormick – drums

Posted in First Unitarian Church, Militarie Gun, Philadelphia, PA, Pool Kids, Spaced, Spiritual Cramp | Leave a Comment »

Kazu Kibuishi–Amulet: Book Nine: Waverider (2024)

February 14, 2024 by Paul Debraski

SOUNDTRACK: hiatus.

[READ: February 2, 2024] Amulet: Waverider

It has been SIX YEARS since the previous book came out.  This has been a hotly anticipated release around our house as I got my wife into it and she has gotten a bunch of her students into it.  It’s crazy to think that the students who were reading the books in fifth grade are now in high school.

This book follows Emily as she combats the evil Ikol.  I had assumed that Ikol was the inverse of Loki, but later in the book he explains that it is an acronym–the Intelligent Kinematic Operations Laboratory (the place he was born).

But Emily’s plan is to undo all of the wicked things that Ikol has done to the citizens of this world.  Mostly that involves getting people to look inside of themselves and see their true nature.

Meanwhile Trellis and the elves are heading bac into their own territory.  They are smuggled in as sick prisoners suffering from (I love this) Empathitis.  When they get to the castle, it turns out that Gabilan is in power.  He expects a fight from Trellis, but Trellis says no, he is there to serve the rightfully appointed king.  Everyone is shocked. Continue Reading »

Posted in Aliens, Alternate Reality, Children's Books, Completed Series, Death, Dystopia, Ghosts, Graphic Novel, Kazu Kibuishi, Mystery, Outer Space, Robots, Supernatural, Superstitions, Technology | Leave a Comment »

Arthur Conan Doyle–“The Red-Headed League” [The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes] (1891)

February 13, 2024 by Paul Debraski

SOUNDTRACK: hiatus

[READ: February 4, 2024] “The Red-Headed League”

The third story in this collection is one that I have heard of and that I know is significant in the canon.  But I didn’t know anything about it, which made reading it even more fun.

Like most stories, it starts with Watson coming over to Holmes’ place while he’s just meeting with a client.  He says he’s quite puzzled by this one.

Jabez Wilson is a man with red hair.  He owns a pawn shop and is not terribly busy these days.  He has a man working for him and the only way he can keep the man is because he accepts half pay.  The employee brought to Wilson’s attention an ad in the paper about the red-headed league.

The league has an endowment and they are looking for a new member to replace one who has left.  For 100 pounds a month, all you need to do is work for a few hours a week.  The line for interviews is very long, but Wilson has the perfect flame-red hair that gets him the gig.  His job is to copy the encyclopedia every day from 10-2.  He is not permitted to leave during those hours and he cannot miss a day or the gig is forfeited.

Pretty weird. Continue Reading »

Posted in Adventure, Arthur Conan Doyle, Banks, Fraud, Mystery, Robbery, Sherlock Holmes, Short Story | Leave a Comment »

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