Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, May 7 – 9

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Finals are done for most of you collegiate types and it’s just in time for the summer weather. There are way too many good shows for this weekend so there is no reason why you shouldn’t be extending Cinco De Mayo! Well, tonight at JB’s was originally planned to be Grandchildren’s CD release party for Cold Warrior on Green Owl Records, but the release date has been pushed back for remastering and an additional track. It’s looking like an August or end of July drop date now. Lucky, we have TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb ready to share their latest work (we think?). We received an advance copy of a few tracks, but no word on even a title. However, we did learn that they are a “cracksmoke band of scientists who found God in the middle of the night going South in the passing lane on Rt. 81.” They’ll also be joined by Ernest Jenning’s Skeletonbreath (featuring members of O’Death, Grandchildren and The Woes) and W. Philly buddies/lover of the ladies The Chimeras. We really can’t imagine this not being a good time. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+
 
More fun stuff this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka w/ Frog Holler and The Wallace
Brothers
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Leather
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Like a Fox SAT New Motels and The Rebel Yell
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SUN Flux Capacitor
 
M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Giant Mind, SUN Lillie Ruth Bussey
 
The Khyber (56 S. 2nd St.) FRI Alright Junior and Big Terrible
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) SUN Tongue Sculptors
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT Kidrockers w/Power Animal

Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Bells Bells Bells, SAT Bodega

 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) FRI Mose Giganticus
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Schoolly D
 
Mar Bar (200 S. 40th St.) SAT Prowler
 
Murph’s Bar (202 E. Girard Ave.) SAT Experience Kef
 
The Institute (1126 Green St.) SAT Block Shock Block Party w/Post Post, Swift Technique, Instamatic

 

Philadelphia

Power Animal Kidrockin’ at World Café Live May 8

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Kidrockers are back in town for their last show til the Fall. We love the idea of bringing the parents and the kiddies together for some good times and music. I’m also glad they took my advice about adding Power Animal to bill, whose People Songs was The Deli’s April CD of the Month. Too bad I neither have any children or the ability to wake up early enough for the show, but it’s a moot point since I’m writing about this show as I’m enjoying some free booze on my international flight to London. They’ll be joining Harper Blynn whose release Loneliest Generation (Baby Jackal Records) was produced by David Kahne (The Strokes, Regina Spektor, Paul McCartney) and Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris, Kaki King). J. Blynn is also a former curly-haired hometown choir boy so you’ll get a chance to welcome him back. Come on parents – this is your chance to prove to your kids that you were actually pretty cool once. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 12pm, $13/$44 family for pack, All Ages (Ages 3-13 recommended; adults must be accompanied by a kid and vice versa) – Q.D. Tran

 

Philadelphia

First Friday Vintage Bonanza at Two Percent to Glory May 7

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It’s First Friday again, and it should be damn beautiful out tonight. But do you really want to deal with the annoying yuppies in Old City as you search around for some free booze? If your answer is not really, then head over to Two Percent to Glory for their “First Friday Vintage Bonanza” where they promise a night of heavy boozing and browsing. Ryat, who did spectacularly in our most recent and fiercest poll to date, will be providing some airy electronica for your enjoyment. DJ Frosty will also keep the party movin’ into the wee hours. Don’t forget to grab yourself or a loved one a little somethin’ somethin’. Two Percent to Glory, 1817 Frankford Ave., 8pm – Late, Free, All Ages (Photo by Jackie Bayne) – H.M. Kauffman

 

NYC

Best of NYC #49: MIracles of Modern Science – at Deli Fest, 05.15, 6.10pm

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Miracles of Modern Science have been gaining popularity over the past couple of years because of their aggressive approach to a normally mellow genre: orchestral pop. MOMS’ richness of double bass and cello, rare sound of mandolin, violin, drums, and baritone vocals, combine pizzicato and slides against a drum time signature imitating war march vigor. With upcoming scheduled appearances at the Deli’s Best of NYC Fest on May 15 and a scheduled residency at Cake Shop this summer, you too might be curious to hear this colorful orchestral pop-rock band – or as MOMS better describes, “ecstatic live shows [that] have been shaking hips with instruments grandma might have waltzed to.” – Gina Alioto

L.A.

Jamie Drake to serenade the Hotel Cafe

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Local songstress Jamie Drake will be celebrating the release of her debut album When I Was Yours at Hotel Café on May 13th. The show will feature Drake with a full band that features members of The Parson Red Heads. Sally Jaye, Amanda Jo Williams and Brother Sal (one of the best piano players in the city) will play as well. Things will get started at 7pm.

 
Austin

Happy Anniversorry to the Midgetmen! + more…

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Plenty of shows on this weekend; we’ll just single out a few: The Midgetmen (above) are celebrating their 8th anniversary with The Gary, La Snacks, Ringo Deathstarr and more at the Mohawk on Saturday (5/8), they plan to shower you with FREE PBR at irregular intervals throughout the proceedings. Attend. On the south side of the lake, also Saturday, Leatherbag, Lonesome Heroes, and Till We’re Blue or Destroy will tear things up with a particular ferocity. Lastly – tonight (5/7) – at Encore, you’ve got a full lineup of local heroes helping celebrate the release of Quiet Company‘s EP Songs for Staying In (hmm- ironic), including The Rocketboys, The Eastern Sea, STEREO IS A LIE, and more…  

NYC

The Press release new CD + Video + play The Clash Bar

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The Press fits into a few different spots: they’ve got this subtle and folky warmth, a kind of cohesive thrash, a straight-forward upbeat dance grove, an in-your-face weirdness. They can touch on Primus and Grizzly Bear and The Stones and Saves the Day all at once, or completely disparately. The Beatles touchstone they cite is odd considering the band’s somewhat conspicuous lack of vocal harmony (they do have moments); but it’s also fitting in some of the ambitious turns the band makes song-to-song. Also on those vocals: the half-sung snarl reminds one of (all people) Daryl Palumbo or the more aggressive side of Isaac Brock – that is, until they make one of those hard turns and a feather-soft croon whomps you in the face with all the power of slumber-party pillow fight – it’s a good-natured kind of pain. The Brooklyn quartet is worth checking out, if only for their impressive collection of influences. See The Press live at The Clash Bar in Clifton NJ on 05.07 – DWE

NYC

DIY rootsy bill at Shea Stadium on 05.08: Roadside Graves, Gunfight! + more

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This Saturday, May 8th, fans of roots music as revisited by NYC (and NJ) hipsters can enjoy a lineup of ass-kickin’ country, punk, Americana, and good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll. The Roadside Graves (in the picture – who just played with Andrew W.K.), GunFight!, Quiet Loudly, Yoni Gordon and the Goods, Movers and Shakers (Boston), Spirit Family Reunion and Wild Harem (on tour from Austin) will perform at Shea Stadium (warehouse venue) in Brooklyn. Duke Street Blog will be on hand to document the craziness for a new web series. Doors at 8! Don’t miss it!

NYC

Semi Precious Weapon release new CD in June + keep touring

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Semi Precious Weapons (featured on the cover of the 16th issue of the Deli back in 2008) have been circling the globe on Lady Gaga’s “Monster Ball Tour” and ,in between, headlining their very own mini-tour. While this busy band might seem to have no chance to breathe, let alone record an album, the stunning four will release “You Love You” this June in time for more summer stints with Gaga. A blend of balladic and boisterous banter, SPW’s newest album bristles with their penchant for “filthy glamour” and outrageous magnetism. Sexually charged “I Could Die” bursts with shouts and driving riffs, “Put a Diamond in It" stomps, and a wild “Sticky with Champagne” bubbles with innuendo. A change of pace with canon-style “Leave Your Pretty to Me,” dramatic “Statues of Ourselves,” and romantic yet narcissistic “Look at Me” reveal the gentler side of these beautiful Brooklynites. Re-released revisions of the band’s anthems, “Semi Precious Weapons,” “Rock ‘n Roll Never Looked So Beautiful” and “Magnetic Baby” stand as staples in the band’s growing “Precious Empire.” –Meijin Bruttomesso

Chicago

The Fakeout, the Tease and the Breather

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The latest album from the thoughtful bunch known as Canasta is beautiful and complex and filled with subtle goodness. The sound is a blend of ‘70’s AM pop and sea shanties (i.e. The Decemberists). A good example of this would be “Becoming You”. The song talks about not fitting in and really not waiting to, and despite the slight references to The Decemberists this sums up the Canasta sound. They really do pave through own path and the results are remarkable. The Fakeout, the Tease and the Breather is the album the band was always meant to make and they have made it look effortless. My favorite track on the album is “Magazine (Songwriter on a Train)”. It reminds me slightly on Mountain Goats territory and is a fast paced stomp.

The album will be released on May 18th but Canasta is celebrating the release on May 8th at Schubas. They will be performing two show that night, one with Gregory & The Hawk and on with Brighton MA.

NYC

Darwin Deez enters Deli NYC Top 20 chart

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We stumbled upon this video by Darwin Deez and it became a perfect excuse to mention once again how much we like this guy (we already did in October 2009 when we "proclaimed" his album "Constellations" NYC CD of the Month). The man is currently touring the UK, but he’ll be back in NYC on June 22 with a show at Santos Party House – fans may want to look for those tickets now.

Nashville

Conestyle’s Organizer EP

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In Conestyle’s inaugural CD Organizer there are all sorts of sweet surprises. Upon first listen to the 6-track collection you’ll find a diverse and all-encompassing sound comprised of melody-driven keyboards by David Camp and frantic, unorthodox beats by drummer Weston Sparks. The record begins with "Still Des Kegels," a sample-based intro serving as an example of Conestyle’s ambient side. This easing-in process is followed by the thunderous "Conestyle," an extremely driving, fist-pumpable track. Heavily syncopated relationships between the keys and drums, covered by what sound like the shrieks of a man whose life is flashing before his eyes, flavor the title track, setting a tone for the rest of the album. 

"Shamrock Syndrome" is a fast paced number in the middle of the album, boosting it forward into "Preemptive Karma," which has elements of an 8-bit video game soundtrack matched over splashy blanketing drums that keep the pace of the song fast and the feel somewhat sporadic.

"No Go" starts with a disco-oriented beat, building at times to explosive blasts that dissolve back into the original dance-ish groove of the song, proving a capability on behalf of Conestyle to use their minimal setup not only to create ambient punk rock, but also to push out highly danceable beats. 

The EP closer "Tunguska Event" sounds at times like a funeral arrangement set to drums, with an extremely hooky melody that evolves into a somewhat prog-inspired section, ultimately signing off with an eerie keyboard solo.

As a whole, Organize is an extremely impressive offering. At times it sounds like the fully arranged sountrack to Bjork on an LSD trip. The record holds your interest from start to finish, indicative of future awesomeness.

Pick it up at Conestyle’s shows, or contact Conestyle via their myspace. – Jesse Baker