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Phish: Summer Tour 2023 (The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, July 25, 2023) [night 1 of 2]

July 25, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: July 25, 2023] Phish

This was my sixteenth Phish show.  I assumed I’d be seeing 17 tomorrow, but I decided to blow it off instead.

Primarily, because this trip from Prince to Philly sucked so bad,  I left work at 4:30 and parked at 7.  Yes, there was a donut run in the middle, but still.  My parking space was way back in the woods (which was actually kind of easy to get out, thankfully).  And I felt like I was surrounded by insanity.

This was my first Mann Center show where I had an assigned seat.  I thought it was balcony, but it was actually outside in that weird uncovered area.  The seat was pretty good.  Me neighbors were weird though.  Not very friendly–no one passed me anything.

I felt like the show had to be spectacular if I was going to even consider going tomorrow night.

And while the show checked off NO songs on my gotta see list and bumped FIVE songs into “now I’ve seen it four times” territory and one song into “now I’ve seen it 5 times” the show was still fun.

Really, seeing a band sixteen times and seeing a few songs only six times is stull a lot of originality, although I fell like they’ve been playing the same basic grouping of songs for the last few tours.  Or maybe playing the same venue makes them think of playing the same songs a lot.  Continue Reading »

Posted in Jimi Hendrix, Kasvot Växt, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, Phish, Talking Heads | Leave a Comment »

Remember Sports / 2nd Grade (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, July 25, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

July 25, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 25, 2023] Remember Sports / 2nd Grade

Remember Sports is a Philly band who I instinctively didn;t like because of their name.  Then I heard them and fell in love with them.  Their off-kilter indie rock and wild vocals are just so much fun.

I really wanted to see them live.

And then Phish announced that their summer shows would be that night and the following night.  When I actually wound up with a seat for the first Phish night (instead of lawn) which was the 25th, well, it was hard to pass that up.

I hope they do another tour before too long.

I saw 2nd Grade open for Charly Bliss back in April and really enjoyed their set a lot.

They are a gentle boppy indie pop band.  Super catchy and poppy with delightful harmonies and a childlike quality (as befits their name).  Most of the songs are around two minutes.

Posted in 2nd Grade, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Remember Sports | Leave a Comment »

Andi Watson, Simon Gane–Sunburn (2022)

July 24, 2023 by Paul Debraski

SOUNDTRACK: hiatus.

[READ: June 25, 2023] Sunburn

I haven’t read a book by Andi Watson in a long time.

I used to be a big fan of his indie comics and then I lost touch with him–turns out he was hired by the big guns and has been working with Dark Horse for a pretty long time.

This surprises me, because his stories were usually very quiet and introspective.  Like this one.

It also surprises me that Simon Gane did the art for this book because I was especially attracted to Watson for his drawing style.  However, Gane’s designs are quite excellent and work really well for this story.

The story starts out pretty simply.  Rachel is a sixteen year old British school girl.  Her parents are typical, with her dad giving her a hard time because she doesn’t like eggs.  And making dad jokes.

Then her mom comes in the kitchen and says that Peter, Rachel’s dad old friend, has invited Rachel out for the summer holidays.  Rachel is mortified at the thought of spending the summer with her parents’ friends–ones she doesn’t even remember–is horrifying.

Until her mom says that they are vacationing in Greece.

Greece is lovely–so much more beautiful than rainy England.  Peter is an older gent and is super nice, but it’s Peter’s wife Diane who is full of ebullience and life.  She swoops down, gives Rachel a huge hug and tells her to make herself at home.   She gives her regionally appropriate clothes to wear (British swim suits are very different from Grecian ones) and even lets her have some wine with dinner.

That first night they go out to a grown up (boring) party.  Fortunately, there’s a local boy, Benjamin, who is very nice to her and they begin hanging out. Rachel teaches him to swim and he provides her with her first kiss.

But things seem a little off.  Or if not off exactly, then maybe uncomfortable.  Benjamin says that everyone knows everyone else at these parties.  There’s no secrets.  “I know who cheats at backgammon and I know who’s gobbling pills by the handful just to make it through the day.”

It turns out that everyone at these parties also knows about Ben and Rachel.  One day Diane warns her to be careful to not bring home “anything unwanted.”  She is offended by the lectureand is upset when Ben doesn’t act the way she thought he would.  He basically says that no one cares about what they do, but it sounds a bit like he means he doesn;t care what he does either.

Things grows tense.  And then even more tense when an actual secret comes out.  I was rather surprised by the secret myself.

But it’s also nice that Rachel grows from the experience.

Posted in Andi Watson, Donkeys, Drinking, Graphic Novel, Greece, Humiliation, Image Comics, Romance, Simon Gane, Vacation | Leave a Comment »

Anthony Berkeley–Jumping Jenny (1933)

July 23, 2023 by Paul Debraski

SOUNDTRACK: hiatus

[READ: June 6, 2023] Jumping Jenny

I tend to receive unexpected books at work.  The most recent shipment included a couple of “Classic” mysteries.

This book is from a collection called British Library Crime Classics.  I enjoyed the book and thought I’d look for more from this series although I see that there are at least 100 books in the series, so that’s gonna take awhile.

The book opens at a costume party.  The fascinating theme is “famous murderers and their victims.”  Honestly I had to wonder how anyone knew what any of these people looked like.  Can you dress like a murderer?

In celebration of this party, the host, Ronald Stratton, has erected three gallows on the roof of his house.  He has put stuffed dummies in each one.  And if you are wondering about the title:

“In times gone by, a hanged man was sometimes colloquially referred to as a ‘Jumping Jack'” -Martin Edwards in the introduction.

And as such, a hanged woman might be called a Jumping Jenny. Continue Reading »

Posted in Anthony Berkeley, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Sexism, Sherlock Holmes | Leave a Comment »

The Struts / Mac Saturn (The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

July 22, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 22, 2023] The Struts / Mac Saturn

The Struts opened for Foo Fighters when my wife and I saw them.  Sadly, we missed their entire set.

They have a retro look and feel and I like the way Louder Than War describes their:

knack for writing and performing unapologetically direct, catchy, feel-good original songs that somehow sound like long-lost rock classics. It also shows the singer’s ability to connect with crowds.

Moving with all the grace and poise of someone who, as a child, imitated Michael Jackson in front of a mirror, he fully commits to one tried-and-tested rockstar move after another. It works. His repertoire — above-the-head clapping, raised jazz hands, reaching out with microphone in palm, cupping hand to ear, come hither gestures, running hands over torso, and stationary hands-on-hips poses — forms a direct, almost primal, connection with the audience. With just the flick of a wrist he can get 2,000 people to sing louder, cheer harder, clap faster, or jump higher than they already are.

Luke Skinner sang a song with Foo Fighters and I can attest to his charisma.

This would probably have been a fun show, honestly, but I wasn’t all that inspired. Plus, I had a show the night before, so it seemed like too much.

According to Michigan Daily,

Detroit’s Mac Saturn is best known for its explosive rock ‘n’ roll shows, filled with ’70s rock mystique and flair. The six-piece is made up of frontman Carson Macc, drummer Angelo Coppola, guitarists Mike Moody and Nick Barone, bassist Jive Moses and pianist Evan Mercer on the keys. Mac Saturn became a staple of the Michigan music scene in 2020 and has since released 2022 single “Diamonds,” funk rock EP Until the Money Runs Out and “Plain Clothes Gentleman (Live)” — an electrifying start to a promising career.

I’m getting a funky Steely Dan vibe from them.   In fact, now that I’ve listened to a few of their songs, if you told me the songs were lost Steely San songs I’d believe you.

Posted in Mac Saturn, Philadelphia, PA, Steely Dan, The Fillmore Philadelphia, The Struts | Leave a Comment »

Blondshell / Hello Mary (PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA, July 21, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

July 21, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 21, 2023] Blondshell / Hello Mary

Blondshell is a new buzz band.  The creation of Sabrina Teitelbaum, who had been making pop music as BAUM, she debuted Blondshell right around the pandemic.

I’ve liked what I heard from her so far and I was looking forward to seeing her at PhilaMOCA before she really took off in the next year or so.  She’s got that retro 90s female singer thing that I likes so much down perfectly.

I’m a little bummed that the non-musical event that I really want to go to is the same night.  As I’ll never see her again at such a small intimate show.

I’m actually more bummed that I’m missing opener Hello Mary who I like even more.

The New York trio’s self-titled full-length debut, out March 3, is a blast of distorted chords, sunny harmonies, and all-consuming angst that will renew your faith in the hopelessly dated and/or timelessly classic sounds of alternative rock. Hello Mary is an instant contender for 2023’s most bracing entrance to the stage, sharp and self-assured. Oh yeah, and the band’s two founders — singer-guitarist Helena Straight and bass player Mikaela Oppenheimer, both 18 — just graduated from high school this summer.

I have since listened to the album and I love it.  I sure hope they tour soon, maybe as a headliner.

 

Posted in Blondshell, Hello Mary, Philadelphia, PA, PhilaMOCA | Leave a Comment »

Nanna / Indigo Sparke (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, July 21, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

July 21, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 21, 2023] Nanna / Indigo Sparke

Nanna is the main singer (and creative force) behind Of Monsters and Men.
I was intrigued by the announcement of her solo tour, but i wasn’t sure if I wanted to see her.

Then Blondshell announced her show the same night as this one and I decided I’d rather see her than Nanna.

Turns out we have another obligation that night anyhow, so the decision was moot.

I know of Indigo Sparke from her Tiny Desk Concert a few years ago.  She is an Australian singer songwriter and I wrote

Sparke sings a little too slowly for my liking–the kind of stretched out vocals that make it hard for me to follow the thread of the song (or maybe that you need a few listens to fully appreciate).

At the tome of that Concert, she was in a relationship with Adrienne Lenker from Big Thief.  Not sure if she still is.

Posted in Indigo Sparke, Nanna, Of Monsters and Men, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Blondshell: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, July 21, 2023)

July 21, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: July 21, 2023] Blondshell

Blondshell is a new band created by Sabrina Teitelbaum.  She has recorded music under BAUM, but wanted to go in a different direction and so created Blondshell (great name).

I’d heard a couple of songs by her and she was generating a lot of buzz.  I bought a ticket to see her (and Hello, Mary, another young band I like a lot) at PhilaMOCA.  The show sold out soon after.

And then I got invited to a party for my friend’s son. I gladly blew of the show to go to the party.  But when it was announced that Blondshell would do the Free at Noon this week, I immediately grabbed a ticket.

The band played eight songs.  I really enjoyed their guitarist playing some really noisy guitar solos especially at the end of “Veronica Mars.”

The song I know and really like is “Joiner” which sounded great.

And I was impressed that Sabrina sings mostly in a kind of low dirgey style but  that she can really belt out when it’s time for it.  She has some really strong pipes. Continue Reading »

Posted in Blondshell, Free at Noon, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live | Leave a Comment »

Mdou Moctar (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, July 19, 2023)

July 20, 2023 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: July 19, 2023] Mdou Moctar 

Mdou Moctar is one of four Tuareg musicians who I have wanted to see perform.  The others are Tinariwen, Imarhan and Bombino.

I have heard that Mdou Moctar puts on an amazing show so I pretty psyched to see him and his band at Ardmore Music Hall.

When I got to the Hall, it was pretty crowded, but I was able to get right up by the stage which was a great way to watch Mdou play (and smile).

Unfortunately, I was right in front of bassist Mikey Coltun.  I say unfortunately only because it meant the bass was too loud.  And in fact, when the show started it was WAY too loud.  It got turned down slowly over the next two or three songs, but honestly, we were all there to hear guitar, not bass. Now, the bass is absolutely essential to Mdou’s songs–the bass keeps the whole thing together, with a great pulsing rhythm and a cool melody as well.  But on record it sits there at the back guiding things along.  In this setting it was taking front and center.

This meant that I almost couldn’t hear Ahmoudou Madassane, who’s been Moctar’s rhythm guitarist since 2008.  It was only when things were quieter that Madassane’s guitar was audible to me.

But that’s also because drummer Souleymane Ibrahim was a freaking maniac!  He was so much fun to watch, playing incredibly fast fills seemingly out of nowhere and then settling back down to keep the beat steady.  Madassane and Ibrahim were both wearing traditional turbans that covered most of their face (Ibrahim took his off by the end).  Coltun and Moctar had their loosely draped around their necks. Continue Reading »

Posted in Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, Mdou Moctar, Meg Baird | Leave a Comment »

Damian Bradfield / David Sánchez–Algorithmic Reality (2022)

July 20, 2023 by Paul Debraski

SOUNDTRACK: hiatus

[READ: July 15, 2023] Algorithmic Reality

I received this book at work with a bunch of other graphic novels from NBM.  I liked the stuff they sent out–anti-corporate and promoting the underground.  And this book fits in with that ethic.

I don’t know David Sánchez’s work, but his style in this book reminds me of Chris Ware and Ted Rall.  Ware in particular because the characters look vaguely the same in every panel (on purpose) with minimal changes between panels.  Damian Bradfield is a British businessman (that’s pretty much all it says about him on the book) and he has written four tales of dystopian technology takeover.

In the first, a man goes to a store to buy a pair of shoes.  He doesn’t buy any but the employee follows him seemingly everywhere to make sure he doesn’t want them.  On the street.  In the grocery store (where the employee has photos of the sneakers).  Then he sees the employee in different outfits everywhere until finally the employee is in his house. The employee is never aggressive, just always there–like your ads on your phone. Continue Reading »

Posted in Corporate skewering, Damian Bradfield, David Sánchez, Dystopia, End of the World, Environmentalism, Graphic Novel, NBM, Outer Space, Sci-fi, Technology, The Future | Leave a Comment »

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