NYC

La Strada release video + play Bell House on May 29.

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To celebrate their Record Release Tour of the East Coast and Canada in support of their debut lp ‘New Home,’ Brooklyn’s La Strada are premiering the first video for standout track "WASH ON BY." Good song, good video, good live show (La Strada impressed us at a Deli party a couple of years ago) – don’t miss their upcoming show at the Bell House on May 29.

Philadelphia

Carnivolution Returns to The Tiberino Museum May 14

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When we last left off in spaceship time travel theater cabaret, The Squidling Bros. were successful in rescuing Great Grandma Madoodi and Betty Bloomerz from the clutches of the notorious Mr. Commercial, and also managed to restore the flow of order to the Planet Menstralia. But the shadowy figure of a new vampiric threat loomed who promised to threaten the sanctity of the show. Such is the diversity that you can only find during Carnivolution, which is all set to return for its sixth year inside the courtyard of the Tiberino Museum tonight. During the of season, the sideshow has perfected its craft while traveling coast to coast and across the Atlantic in the European Union; and has also performed a weekly variety show at Coney Island. So through that you can expect plenty of guest performers to join the fray. And music will stay very much alive through a set from the intergalactic trio The Radarmen. And Jellyboy and Matters Squidling will pick up the instruments to perform three dance inducing sets alongside the rest of The Hydrogen Jukebox. Throw in the antics of the Perverted Puppet Show and you have the same great festival that delivers upon the unexpected. Tiberino Museum, 3819 Hamilton St., 8pm, $8, All Ages – Bill McThrill

Philadelphia

Live Not on Evil Debut 7” on Creep Records at M Room May 14

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Okay so not gonna lie, these dudes kinda scare the shit out of me. Not in the monster in the shadows kinda way, more like that kid you know who is not a very aggressive person generally, but still you are terrified to piss him off for what he might do to you. Live Not on Evil are bringing their aggressive, eerie yet melodic show to the M Room tonight. Their buzzsaw guitars and slithering lead lines are brooding yet calming. They are not Misfits horror punk rip offs in the way many bands of this genre are, but their sound does fit nicely into its niche. They don’t try to attempt too much invention, but rather execute their spooky garage punk effectively. They are celebrating their first 7” release on CREEP records. I can imagine their show is going to be loud as shit, but who says that’s a bad thing? The weather may suck so why not go all out and give yourself over to the sorrow? The horror! The horror! – M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by D.K. Barbieri) – Adam G.

 

Chicago

Young Jesus

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It’s exciting when a quality band just seems to appear, and for me that band right now is Young Jesus. They gritty hybrid sound is enticing and their debut ep Late Night Standards shows remarkable amount of skill and command. The band credits influences such as Neutral Milk Hotel, Brand New and Cursive, but I also hear a little bit of Cracker and Wilco in their sound. Their ep is now available and did I mention it is free.

Young Jesus will be performing at Lilly’s Bar on May 14th, Cal’s Bar on May 21st, and Elbo Room on May 31st.

Philadelphia

Dr. Dog Headline Electric Factory May 13

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The local favorites Dr. Dog who apparently whole-heartedly believe that they were born forty years too late will be making a jump forward when they headline the Electric Factory tonight. Their home stands have become larger and larger spectacles with each subsequent release. Recently back in December, they did two sold out shows at the TLA along with a secret show at JB’s. Dr. Dog has been making every gig seem intimate and enthralling regardless of their venue, so I have no doubt  that they will fill every corner of that monstrous hunk of a tin can venue. They have been bringing out Scott McMicken’s Golden Retriever at shows which will make even the crustiest punk’s heart beat somewhat regularly. Dr. Dog’s newest album Shame Shame is their debut for ANTI- after leaving local label Park the Van. This hometown gig will certainly be chalked full of crowd favorites, onstage banter and an impressive run through their recent new album. Oh yeah, and that really young country-skuzz fenom Dear Tick is also playing the show, so if you are into really over groomed hair and under groomed staches than maybe you will want to watch whatever he does. Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th St. (btw Callowhill & Spring Garden Sts.), 9pm, All Ages – Adam G.

 

Philadelphia

Busses Album Release Party at The Khyber May13

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It’s impossible to walk through Northern Liberties or the neighboring streets of Fishtown without crossing paths with walls bearing Busses’ name. Slightly trippy and fascinating, this three piece’s sound mirrors Nick Apice’s eloquently composed posters, lending an audible component to sentiments easily felt while face to face with each print. Mixing fuzzed-out psych with jazzy riffs and vocalist Dave Brett’s 90s vibe, Busses’ tracks sound a lot like Deep Elm’s original roster, but with less lethargy. “Foundation Myth,” with a buzzing intro growls along with the crash of drums and tambourine. Brett’s voice wavers between melodic and reckless abandon in a fashion comfortably close to early Modest Mouse. Beside the quiet start of “Stationary” and "The Socialist" the depth of
Busses’ sound is subtle yet enveloping, Enticing listeners to sway and become transformed beneath the swell of beats and chords. Set to celebrate their latest release, catch Busses with Arc in Round’s Jeff Zeigler and Oh! Pears’ Corey Duncan. Khyber. 56 S. Second St., 9pm, $8, 21+ – Dianca Potts

 

Philadelphia

The Spooks and Party Photographers at The Ox May 13

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Sure, The Ox may come across as one of the shadiest places to play in Philly. You have to ascend a dark, creepy stairwell and then navigate a couple quiet, empty corridors before you realize "Oh! There’s a show here." But once you’re in the right spot, you’re bound to have a great time! Especially when you’re about to see up-and-coming acts like The Spooks, whose brand of retro garage sound like all the best Nuggets compilations combined and then sprinkled with a bit of surf rock, and Party Photographers so be prepared for waves of  intoxicating distortion and reverb a la Jesus and Mary Chain or Black Tambourine. The Ox, 2nd and Oxford, 8pm, $5, All Ages – Joe Poteracki

 

NYC

Deli Fest Thursday: Beach Fossils, Midnight Masses, Mon Khmer

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The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest finally begins! And it does so with a spectacularly moody bill at Brooklyn Bowl that will sure attract hordes of NYC hipsters… Beach Fossils (#10 in our 2009 year end Best of NYC list for emerging artists) is one of the most loved and blogged lo-fi NYC bands right now – they will headline the bill. Before them, Midnight Masses will lull us with their beautiful songs about redemption, sin and death, and Mon Khmer – one of our favorite emerging local bands – will hypnotize crowds with their groovy, sophisticated atnospheres that build slowly but surely.