Philadelphia

Sweatheart and Sgt. Sass Get Naughty for MEN at KFN June 26

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When Kung Fu Necktie rounds up a show that features the newest project from Le Tigre members JD Samson and Johanna Fateman, it winds up needing some bands that know how to keep the crowd hot and dirty. And fortunately it might have just put together a lineup that borders on scandalous! Whether they’re cooking up chickens with potato implants and carrot areolas for music videos or partying alongside debauched diva and friend Amanda Blank, Sweatheart manage to deliver some fingerbangin’ tunes with a twisted sense of humor. They revealed a new version of the band with the release of Tell Your Sister. And ever since coming onto the scene, Sgt. Sass have shaken the very foundation of the queer underground hip hop scene. They keep on getting more impressive with each and every show. So when these three bands come together things are sure to heat up! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7:30pm, $12, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 

 

San Francisco

Live Review: Deli SF Presents The Dashing Suns and Tokyo Raid @ The Hemlock

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Our most recent Deli SF Presents show began with a slight setback after we heard the unfortunate last-minute news that Meta would have to pull out of the line-up. In spite of that announcement, and with an air of laissez-faire for how the evening would unfold, Tokyo Raid and the Dashing Suns went on to deliver wonderful performances.

Summoning all the dark and brooding post-punk they could muster, Tokyo Raid took to the stage for an enthusiastic audience. A immensely powerful three-piece band, Tokyo Raid pounded out an impressive set that fused the pulsing drone of Joy Division with blues-inspired psyche rock. Layered with aptly placed shrieks of feedback, Tokyo Raid bludgeoned the crowd with their wall of sound that eagerly awaited dissection. An intricate tableau of tones and frequencies, Tokyo Raid is certainly a band for those with an inquisitive ear.

Closing out this fairly laid back evening were Oakland’s The Dashing Suns. Combining the power of punk rock with the youthful jubilance of 60s pop, The Dashing Suns exploded onto the stage in an exciting contrast to the preceding act. While similarities to the Kinks and The Troggs definitely jump to mind, perhaps an apt contemporary comparison would be the Austin punk band Harlem. Both groups exude an almost dangerous level of energy while maintaining something akin to childlike innocence in their sound. They have recently signed with a label in New York, and we’ve heard rumors of a new album soon to be released; lets all look forward to following the Dashing Suns on what should be a promising musical career.

With such intricate and fascinating music, this show suffered no disappointment in the face of a last minute cancellation. I thoroughly encourage you to check out Tokyo Raid and The Dashing Suns at the next opportunity you get; and stay tuned for the announcement of our next Deli SF presents show at the end of July.

 

-Words and Photos by Ada Lann

Chicago

From our Open Blog: Machinegun Mojo

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Chicago’s psychedelic folk rock outfit, Machinegun Mojo, is releasing their full length record "Souvenirs from the Other Side of Here" and have pre-released two of the tracks off the record for FREE DOWNLOAD JUST FOR YOU!!!! The record is set to be released on August 15th, but they need your help to get it completed. Check out their Kickstarter Project page and pre-order "Souvenirs from the Other Side of Here" today for just $10. You can also receive even more ridiculously awesome rewards by donating more money to the project. The boys need to raise $3000 by August 2nd, so every dollar counts and every donation is GREATLY APPRECIATED!! For every pledged donation, Machinegun Mojo has some awesome rewards lined up for you, from free CDs, to t-shirts and posters, to a personalized thank you letter and a home cooked dinner right in your kitchen by the Mojo boys themselves. Seriously, they will cook you dinner. So download the new songs, pre-order the CD, and come see the boys live on August 12th at the Double Door. Tickets are only $5. Thanks for listening and thanks for your support.

Chicago

From our Open Blog: Paskey

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Paskey makes something along the lines of new-wave alternative pop-rock. Influences orbit The Killers, R.E.M., U2, New Order and Joy Division. Imagine rhythmic programming, synths, echoing guitar lines, hushed vocals. A modern artist with a summer cottage in 1987. Just released a video for "These Saturday Nights" that was recorded on a hundred-dollar camera and edited over four evenings. For a limited time you can download the latest album, "What Goes Up," for free from the band’s website.

San Francisco

TONIGHT: Kata Rokkar Presents Snob Theater @ The Dark Room

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In places you should probably be news, tonight local Blog Kata Rokkar will presenting the second round of their series Snob Theater. Hosted by Kata Rokkar’s Shawn Robbins, at The Dark Room in the Mission (9:30 Doors), this months line up features acoustic sets by Stomacher and Judgement Day, as well as comedians Red Scott, Melanie O’Brien, Alex Koll, and DJ Real. For more information check out Kata Rokkar’s blog post. Tickets can be purchased here.

 

–Ada Lann

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, June 25 – 27

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Buried Beds are back with their sophomore album Tremble the Sails. We’ve been having flashbacks lately to a time when you couldn’t pickup the weeklies without seeing something about Buried Beds, Espers, The A-Sides and The Capitol Years. Well, we don’t think you’ll find the word “Appalachian” to describe their latest four year endeavor that was mixed by The Spinto Band’s Nick Krill. Instead, you will discover that they’ve created pop songs with taut, almost bouncy energy. The arrangements are crisp and calculated, but still achingly beautiful when appropriate. However, they do promise to up the ante even more by "summoning the chaos and energy of Rock and Roll". If you take a trip to the Tremble the Sails release party tonight, you’ll also be treated to piano pop god BC Camplight and Dr. Dog‘s Scott McMicken! We think that there will be good vibes all around. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 9pm, $10, 21+
 
For all the city dwellers who hate the feel of sand between their toes…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Toy Soldiers
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Robotique w/King Britt, SAT Sweatheart and Sargent Sass, SUN McRad
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Infinien and The Fractals, SAT Kuf Knotz, Fat Daddy Has Been, Swift Technique
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI (Early) Da Comrade!, (Late) Agent Moosehead SAT Restorations, SUN Kite Party
 
M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) SAT The Synth Sircus, SUN The Wallace Brothers
 
The Khyber (56 S. 2nd St.) FRI Body Hammer, SUN Losing Gravity
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Post Post and Filmstar
 
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI Backwoods Payback
 
Mar Bar (200 S. 40th St.) SAT Masculine Feminine
 
Pterodactyl (3237 Amber St.) SAT One Year Anniversary Party w/Mount Joy, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, Oso and more
 
Highwire Gallery (2040 Frankford Ave.) SUN Extreme Fishkin
 
 

 

L.A.

Duo Jenny and Johnny giving away 7″ before hitting the road.

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Jenny and Johnny is the new project from Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice. You can now download a free song “Scissor Runner” from the upcoming album We’re Having Fun Now here: www.jennyandjohnnymusic.com. Since you are in LA, be the first to get a very limited ‘Scissor Runner’ 7” available for free only at Rudy’s Barbershop in Silverlake this Saturday, June 26th from 3pm to 5pm. Rudy’s is located on 4451 West Sunset Boulevard. They go on a national tour in September and arrive back in LA to open for Belle & Sebastian Oct. 3 at the Palladium. 

NYC

Bluegrass survives between skyscrapers: Punch Brothers

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The NYC Deli rarely covers bluegrass artists – maybe because there aren’t THAT many in this bustling city. But when we stumbled upon musicians of the caliber of Punch Brothers, we felt compelled to write about them. The rootsy combo just released their second full length album "Antifogmatic" – named after a type of 19th century alcoholic drink that was meant as a cure for the effects of fog and other inclement weather. Of choosing the title, singer Thile notes, “Antifogmatic is an old term for a bracing beverage, generally rum or whiskey, that a person would have before going out to work in rough weather to stave off any ill effects. This batch of tunes could be used in much the same way, and includes some characters who would probably benefit mightily, if temporarily, from a good antifogmatic.”

Philadelphia

Robotiques with King Britt at KFN June 25

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Congratulations! It’s Friday. You survived another week. Dance it up and keep it classy with Robotique. Dusting off singles and disco faves, DJs Billy Werner and Ryan Todd continue their weekly tradition of heating things up on the dancefloor. Disproving the stigma of disco while reviving its funk, Werner and Todd are pure dynamite. Since ‘07 Robotique’s finesse continues to please crowds, easily resulting from the sick beats they spin. Paying tribute to The Loft, these Friday night residents are set to team up with local native DJ/producer King Britt. Aside from his fame in the ‘90s, Britt’s discography showcases over a decade of decadent backbeats meshed with clipped cyclical sounds. Layered with minimal vocals, like Santogold’s “Anne”, King Britt is practically regal when it comes to DJ cred. Add in the prospect of cheap vodka drinks plus $2 beers and you’ve got a night totally worth the hangover. Kung Fu Necktie. 1250 Front St., 10pm, $3, 21+ (Photo by Jason V.) – Dianca Potts
 

 

NYC

Best of NYC #29: The Drums tour the world in support of debut CD

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Singer Jon Pierce is a showman through and through, and he’s a big reason why this band is so fun to see. He bleeds confidence and oozes congeniality. Plus, there is plenty of power in his pipes. Along with Pierce (who was in Elkland), The Drums other principal player is Pierce’s longtime BFF, Jacob Graham (also in Horse Shoes). But on stage, the songwriting buds come with a crew of four (not counting a couple of female backing singers) to make their pop sound more like POP. This band just knows how to write a song that shimmers and sparkles and jingles and jangles. – it sounds like every song they play is a potential summer hit. The Drums are definitely ’80s Britpop inspired, but also are into some strange activity called "surfing," so they rock a sound inspired by that obscure marine activity too. The band released their debut self titled full length CD digitally on June 8 2010 and is currently touring the world – ohmyrockness.com

L.A.

The Deli LA introduces ‘The Weekly Special’

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Here at the Deli, sometimes it’s good to change the menu around. I’m excited to announce a yummy little experiment called The Weekly Special.

What is it? Simple! Each week we’ll be showcasing some of the tastiest tunes from the LA scene downloadable for FREE right here on The Deli LA’s blog.

Bands, submit your stuff to deli.la.submissions@gmail.com to be featured when we roll out the menu next week. Attach an mp3 (192kbps or better) along with a sentence or two and a link to your website.

If you’re hungry now, you can snack on a few of the tunes in the Open Blog