San Francisco

Album review: For Fear The Hearts Of Men Are Failing

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Artist: For Fear The Hearts of Men Are Failing
Album: City Music

City Music, the new release from the homegrown alt-country/folk group For Fear the Hearts of Men Are Failing (FFHMRF) is an enjoyable traditional country and bluegrass-inspired romp. FFHMRF bill themselves as the "longest-named East Bay folk group," and while the name does seem to drag on forever, the record never does. It sounds like it could have been recorded on a summertime front porch in Appalachia. Twangy vocals are punctuated with rolling banjo and guitar interludes. The tracks "Whippoorwill," the mostly instrumental "The Dialog/Elzic’s Farewell," and "The Death Song" stand out from the rest. If you like Punk rock jugbands like Blackbird Raum or traditional folk songs and bluegrass (a la Folkways and Alan Lomax depression-era recordings) you’re sure to like FFHMRF.

Check out their set at Mama Buzz, March 19th, 8pm.

-Natalia Cooper

Portland

Spotlight: Reporter

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Oft rocking Portland basements and warehouses, art spaces and rooftops, Reporter is a trio of cosmic groove makers, booty shakers, and bouncing rockers.

Crunchy electronics mesh with space-y smooth synths and Alberta Poon’s airy, spectral vocals. Reporter is a hot, sweaty mess. Fervent dance parties roar, pony tails get mussed, and spandex gets stretched every time they pack Holocene or house venues.

The drums kick, the guitars swing and soar while the samples are triggered. Rumbling, reverb lows and glittering, starry highs make Reporter’s rife, extended dance jams float endlessly into the nether universe and beyond.

Formerly the indie-punk Wet Confetti, the trio has spawned some amazing spin-offs including the dreary-dreamy May Ling (featuring singer Alberta Poon and Italian Stallion, beatmaster Dan Grazzini). But the most important thing you need to know about Reporter: Drummer Mike McKinnon is your Potato Champion! 

You can catch them on Friday, March 12th at Dance Class with Copy, Push-n-Play, and DJ Maxx Bass.

– Chris Young

San Francisco

Noise Pop 2010: A B & the Sea

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In San Francisco, merely uttering words that suggest you perhps don’t care for A B & the Sea is akin to cheating on the perfect boyfriend in high school who brought you stuffed animals as presents and called just to say he loved you [ok, I didn’t have one of those boyfriends either but you get get the metaphor, yes?]. Why, why would you do that? Koley O’Brien might just be that boyfriend, or at least that’s what A B & the Sea’s lyrics would have you thinking. With songs like "Yellow Haired Girl" and "We Can Ride Our Bikes to the Beach," A B & The Sea brought some sweet and innocent surf rock back to California via Wisconsin last Sunday night [does that sound strange to anyone else or just to me?]. A B & the Sea are what my co-editor Ada likes to call "nice guy rock." Where their lyrics lack in depth, their music makes up for in catchy-ness and musicianship. Their Noise Pop show at Bimbo’s was tight and energetic and the crowd was certainly in love. A B & the Sea made mama proud that night.

-Nicole Leigh
words and photo

San Francisco

Noise Pop 2010: The Northern Key

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The Northern Key is the side project of Andrew Galluccio, bass player for the San Francisco band The Red Verse. Andrew’s haunting indie folk compositions started off an eclectic evening of music at Bimbo’s for one of Noise Pop’s final eveings of shows. Joined by the multi-instrumentalist Christina Platter on cello and keys as well as Danny Sullivan on drums, the trio helped wind down the weeks back to back days of happy hours and dancing. With somber lyrics and an overall sound that is very reminiscent of Iron & Wine with a slightly less solitary feel, The Northern Key’s set at Noise Pop was quite enjoyable.

The Northern Key released their self titled LP on Tricycle Records earlier in February.

-Nicole Leigh
words and photo

Philadelphia

Ape School, Grandchildren and The Armchairs at The Ox March 6

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I saw the sun today, and I didn’t know how to handle it. Things were going so well between us then BAM, gone, no note, no bread train, not even a pair of panties to remember her by. This morning she woke me up though, and I knew it was a sign of spring. Another tell tale sign came when I found out that feel good rockateers Ape School are coming to The Ox tonight. If you are into breezy melodies, laser show-ready synths and charged guitar riffs then this elephant 6-style outfit will fit just right. This show gets even more stacked with the addition of electro-folk wunderkinds Grandchildren. They combine an exciting mix of acoustics, live and produced drums, and crisp samples to create spastic and enamoring pop tunes. Their style recalls the summery jams of Panda Bear and D.C. crew Le Loup. These guys will hopefully blow up soon, but are definitely one of Philly’s best-kept secrets. But wait! There’s more! The proverbial whiz on this fine cheese steak is newly initiated Punk Rock Payroll’s The Armchairs. Their live show rides high on quickie gems that leave you both scratching and bobbing your head. It sounds like a really bizarre indie circus with Gordan Gano as the right leader. Make sure not to miss out on what will be a truly fun evening! The Ox, 2nd and Oxford St., 7pm, $5 donation, All Ages – Adam G.

 

Portland

Cheetah Finess TONIGHT at the Parlour

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You know how there are some people when you are around them you suddenly feel underdressed and drab? That is how I feel around local singer/DJ Cheetah Finess.

She radiates style, confidence and a huge glowing smile. And if being gorgeous wasn’t enough, the girl has mad skillz. She single handedly does the synth/segmentor/samples/vocals and keys for her own one-woman show. A mix of hip-hop beats, experimental grooves, girlie vocals and a slew of electronics, makes Miss Finess more than a DJ and makes her music hella fun to dance to.

Her songs “Quit It” and “The Hue is You” make you want to slap on some leg warmers, a headband and work out some aggression on the dance floor. Reenact your own Flashdance scene tonight with Cheetah Fitness (I mean Finess) at 8 p.m. at The Parlour on 2628 SE Powell. $4.

My advice is to keep an eye on your man!

– Denna Uutela

NYC

The Beatards’ new video – live at Beauty Bar NYC on 03.10

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NYC’s hip hop party-crashing kings The Beatards are back with a brand new video! "Get Lite" is the B-side off their latest single "Don’t Step On My Sneakers" and gives a taste of what to expect on their upcoming self-released full length "Worldwide" which will be coming out later this spring. You can catch them live at the video release party Weds March 10th at Beauty Bar NYC (show at 11pm) or at SXSW (peep the myspace page for show details). – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

 

Chicago

Rockie Fresh

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Before Rockie Fresh heads to SXSW to take part our Music Tech Mashup event, he will perform Battle of The Midwest at Wild Hare on March 7th. Rockie is the latest in long line of emcees to come out of Chicago in the last few years. Last December Rockie released his mixtape called Rockie’s Modern Life and this mixtape has allowed Rockie to gain radio play and notoriety. If you haven’t heard the mixtape you can download it here.

My favorite Rockie Fresh has to be the Justice-based “Do The Dance”.

Chicago

Like that of the Coral

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Occasionally, you come across a musician that is honestly trying to accomplishment something unique, create something that is different. Warren Buckler, an experimental singer/songwriter, has tried to create his own sound and in many ways succeeded. He starts with a beautiful base of folk music, and adds a touch of technology. He does this by manufacturing his own accompanying instrumentation with a synthetic sophistication. The mixture has so many possibilities and on his debut album Like that of the Coral he explores many of them. What is most exciting about this self-released album are the layers of sound that he builds. It took him a while to complete, but this debut is stunning, complex, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Warren Buckler will be performing at Uncommon Ground on March 26th.

L.A.

Beyond the Cerebral: Nosaj Thing, Jogger and Daedelus Live at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC

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Ever worked out almost to the point of exhaustion and experienced runner’s high? Been in the presence of someone you could’ve swore was your soul mate? Lay within the gentle glow and breeze of a perfect, 75-degree day? Or baked in an 180-degree sauna for 20 minutes? Then you probably already know the feeling: “I have left this world and am floating amidst the clouds, sun, and trees.”
 
With one swift wave of his hand on Feb. 20 at NYC’s sexiest, swankiest spot Le Poisson Rouge, L.A. breakthrough beatmaker Nosaj Thing shot out electrical shock waves of meditative nirvana. Buddhists say all our suffering is caused by desire. If so, Nosaj’s set was the antigravity vacuum where desire dissipates into oodles of undulating, blissful indifference. What helped was wordlessness, an absence of reason and the cerebral. As technologically advanced as Jason Chung’s music is, his zeroes and ones are purely emotive, free-flowing and visceral.

NYC

NYC bands ready to conquer the world: Ninjasonik

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Like their friends Matt and Kim, Ninjasonik have been building their fan base through incessant DIY action, mostly based on a super fun live show involving a highly danceable brand of electro-punk-hip-hop. The band is finally about to release their debut album in the spring, and everything seems to indicate that these Ninjas will soon be conquering lands and ears beyond the NYC limits. "Art School Girls" (this is the CD’s promising title) features guest appearances from Matt and Kim, Team Robespierre, and Vivian Girls. If this wasn’t enough to give credibility to the project, what about this? Their next NYC show is at The Museum of Natural History (with The Very Best) on March 13. Electro-punk-hip-hop at the Museum of Natural History??

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, March 5 – 7

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Man Man can be a little intimidating to the uninitiated. That bizarre cocktail of Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, and God-knows-what-else makes no apologies for its total bombast, and for its ecstatic refusal to settle down and take itself too seriously. With three albums under their belt already, and now part of the Anti Records roster, they’ve already secured themselves as one of the most unique (and most popular) Philly bands of the last few years. Most will tell you the best way to experience them is live. Their setup consists of all band members packed in really tight, all sorts of percussion and odds and ends splayed out, ready to be wailed on with a stage presence talked about, but rarely seen. So go see them, and have bragging rights! They’re returning to their hometown this weekend, playing The Troc with special guests Javelin and the Skin Cells. The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch Street, 8 p.m., $14, All Ages myspace.com/wearemanman
 
Other things that might entertain you…
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore St.) FRI Post Post

North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Jason Ager and Up the Chain, SAT Matt Davis Aerial Photograph

The Khyber (56 S. 2nd St.) FRI Among Criminals and Steppin Razor, SUN McRad, Handsome Petes, Alright Junior

M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Suttercane and Workhorse 3, SAT Wissahickon Chicken Shack and The Suitcases

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Sisters Three and The Feverfew

Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Agent Moosehead, The Lizard from Mars, Mad Sweet Pangs

Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Tongue Sculptors, SUN Invisible Friends
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Hezekiah Jones, Spinning Leaves, Kevin James Devine, SAT The Rowdies and Seizure 17
Green Line Café (4426 Locust St.) SAT Patterns and Ominous Black
 
Vox Populi Gallery (319 N. 11th St.) FRI Ryat
 
The Ox (2nd and Oxford St.) SAT Ape School, Grandchildren, The Armchairs