Philadelphia

The Dude Hates Cancer Afterparty at JB’s Aug. 28

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Nihilists, Jackie Treehorn, and keeping Walter in line aren’t the only things that The Dude has a problem with. Because for another year Tim Maxwell and his friends, the people behind The Dude Hates Cancer, are organizing an epic bowling tournament that donates it proceeds towards spreading awareness and finding a cure for leukemia and lymphoma. But as soon as the final pin hits the ground, it’s time to take the show over to Johnny Brenda’s for The Dude’s afterparty. Headlining are the funk, soul brothers Swift Technique who have been busy hitting the road, and are doing double duty today since they’ll also be playing Temple University’s Welcome Back Week at the Liacouras Center with Wale. Also on the lineup is modern indie folk extraordinaires Oso who will be bringing their melodic and soulful pop tunes to the stage. Jeremy Hollis, who has been a regular of The Dude Hates Cancer After Party in some capacity or another, will bring his elaborate songs to the stage. And rounding out the lineup will be Philly Folk Parader’s The Spinning Leaves, who most recently earned some praise for their performance at this year’s Philadelphia Folk Festival. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford St., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

The National Rifle CD Release Party at KFN Aug. 28

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The National Rifle have always been one for breaking big in a DIY Fashion. Some of their biggest shows have been within the confines of loft parties, billiard halls, and venues like Danger Danger Gallery. But their music and artistic style has always been delivered in ways that go beyond the typical DIY aesthetic, and there newest album Vanity Press does so in ways that their ambitious albums of the past haven’t. “Jazz History of the World” hammers out pounding drums, impressive piano work, and sounds like Morrissey with more of a punk rock edge. Meanwhile “She’s a Waste” has the ska influence of The Clash dished out on amped up synthesizers. An album this enjoyable deserves a memorable celebration, and that’s exactly what the band plans to do at Kung Fu Necktie tonight before they set out on a huge September tour. Thanks to Makeshift Media everyone in attendance will also have a shot at beings a part of The National Rifle’s next music video. If that’s not reason enough to attend, then the Goodnight Lights will give you more with their hook laden catchy indie anthems that have become even more ambitious since their last album Electric Spark was released. Also on tap to play is The New Connection who will be bringing their melodic craftsmanship. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7:30pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

Big Art Show at Pterodactyl Aug. 28

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First and foremost the Big Art Show is a celebration of original works of art. It gives you the chance to view unique pieces and screen prints from local artists, and even purchase some items. But as an added attraction, it manages to host some pretty exciting concerts, and since partnering up with Pterodactyl, they have been able to put together some pretty sweet lineups. The Great Vibration will be bringing their mad soulful crooning skills and piano laden pop rock sensibilities to the show, while pop folk newcomers Flat Mary Road will be entertaining the crowd with songs like “Saving the Stray Bird”. The melodic sibling songbirds of Philly, Sisters 3, will be playing the pretty indie folk from their album Star Spangled. Maybe they can collaborate with the brothers Murphy of Penrose, who will be rockin’ the crowd with their classic rock guitar hooks and drum beats. And finally exciting band on the rise, CowPals, will be previewing songs from their upcoming full length. So get ready for the “Hot as Hell Party”! Pterodactyl, 3237 Amber St., FL 5N, 8pm, $5, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, August 27 – 29

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The weather is going to be fanfuckintastic this weekend (finally)! And as we come towards the end of summer, I’m sure a lot of people are heading out of town for your last chance to hit the beach. Good! Because while you’re heading back in traffic from the Jersey Shore on Sunday after your weekend of watching “The Situation” and “Snookie” wannabes fighting and doing body shot off of each other, we’ll be eating and drinking as much as humanly possible at the Black Landlord 2nd Annual BBQ while watching Maxx and the crew battle it out with the Philly Roller Girls in volleyball as well as listening to kick ass acts like our hosts, Bardo Pond, Gildon Works, Ben Dickey and Drew Mills of Blood Feathers, BC Camplight, Naked Hearts and many more. Hehe…we wonder if Black Landlord will have their suits on for the game. If you’ve ever been to one of their live performance, then you know Maxx isn’t afraid to go skins, but obviously, we’d prefer the honors going to the Philly Roller Girls. We went to the inaugural event last year and thought that it was pretty damn awesome, and this year actually looks even better so we already have our wet naps ready for some juicy ribs. It’s also for a good cause (The SalvationArmy Foster Care Program) so if you’re not at the Festival Pier for MMJ, then we better see you drunk, full and getting’ down at the Uke Club! Uke Club, 847 N. Franklin St., 12pm, $25, All Ages
 
If you have to go indoors, here are some places to chill…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Arc in Round and Busses, SAT The Dude Hates Cancer Benefit Afterparty w/ Swift Technique, Oso, The Spinning Leaves, SUN The Mural & The Mint
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Live Not On Evil, SAT The National Rifle Album Release w/ The New Connection and Goodnight Lights
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Common Enemy, SAT The Groovement, Flux Capacitor, High Kick
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Spirit and Dust
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Goodnight Lights
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Organ Blues, SAT Pet Primitive and Kitten Disaster
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) FRI Pissed Jeans and Hot Guts
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT Gillian Grassie
 
Highwire Gallery (2040 Frankford Ave.) SAT Birds of Maya
 
Pterodactyl (3237 Amber St.) SAT Big Art Show w/ Grandchildren, Oh! Pears, Cheers Elephant
 
Greenline Café (4239 Locust St.) SAT Variety Show featuring Oh! Pears
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN Animus
 
The Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Philadelphia Slick
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI New Pony
 
Pubb Webb (1527 Cecil B. Moore) FRI The Lawsuits
 
Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St.) SAT Swift Technique
 
NYC

Deli Show with Naked Hearts, Jacob Vanags and Teletextile

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Hey Nu Yorkers,

Together with Ascap, The Deli is sponsoring a rather mind blowing show at The Studio on 08.26, with Deli May 2010 CD of the Month Naked Hearts, Deli-Band-of-the-Year-Featuring-a-Harpist, Teletextile (in the picture, yes we made that up just now, but hey, how often do you see a harpist in a rock band?) and pop expert Jacob Vanags. It’s going to be a lot of fun, we hope to see you there!

Here’s the line-up:
8.30 Jacob Vanags
9.30 Teletextile
10.30 Naked Hearts

The Deli’s Staff

P.S. Living Days (originally scheduled as headliners of this show) had to cancel at the last minute because of a bike accident involving the singer. Nothing serious fortunately.

Philadelphia

Attia Taylor Releases Sophomore Album for Free Download!

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Attia Taylor releases her sophomore effort Short Stories & Small Glories today. You can download the seven-song album for FREE here. The local lo-fi experimental pop princess is the first breakout from the supportive Girls Rock Philly program. (Well, the first that The Deli has been digging on, but we look forward to hearing more from future graduates of GRP.) You can also download Taylor’s debut album Dear Universe for FREE here. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff

Did I Look Like Myself? by Attia Taylor

Chicago

Last Minute Plans: Blane Fonda @ Darkroom

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It’s been a fairly quiet summer of writing new songs and such, but fall is looking much busier for Blane Fonda.

Tonight, Friday August 27, we have a show at Darkoom, which, in Blane’s humble opinion, is one of the better, more underrated clubs to see and/or play live music in Chicago. (We’ll be celebrating the birthdays in our rhythm section—David and David. In fact, saying the words “Happy Birthday David” to the door guy to gets a fellow or a lady $2 off the ticket price. If the door guy happens to be named David, and Friday is his birthday… well that would be ideal.)

Also, this past Wednesday, we stopped by Fearless Radio. Last time we went, we talked mostly about the apocalypse and narwhales, but we’re probably like way more mature and sophisticated now.

Speaking of narwhales—if you enjoy Blane’s artwork, there is more of Mark’s stuff over at Grobblings. – Charlie Nadler

Philadelphia

Album Review: Busses – Busses

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The self-titled debut from Philly trio Busses succeeds by wandering through various realms of rock. This Fishtown group, consisting of guitarist/vocalist Dave Brett, drummer Nick Apice and multi-instrumentalist Jason Bachman, creates a sound much larger than the pieces themselves. Besides enlisting the help of a few horn blowing friends, these guys have compiled an expansive seven track album that is built on walls of sound that are constantly broken down by calming or haunting interludes. 
 
The album may not be the flashiest or most refined, but the loose, crescendo instrumental break of opener “Foundation Myth” highlights the bands wavering yet focused style. The song recalls Built To Spill not only in the vocals but the comfortable relationship between band members musically. The dynamics of the album shift quickly to a more subdued sound that hints at crescendo without fully delivering until the unhinged back portion of the song that leads to the psychedelic “House On Fire” in which Brett displays his impressive faux-classic wail. “Safe Vacation Destination” continues in the same vein with an eerie Bollywood vocal meditation before it evolves into a blissed out jam with strong Mars Volta vibes coming through. From there, the album settles down becoming more conventionally song driven while still exploring various sounds and musical interplay. The slow reggae style guitar line of “Gaurded and Safe” is a surprising and welcome change of pace. Finally, the Sea and Cake-esque “Time/Place” saunters on a staccato guitar line before blitzing out in the last minute. The band never settles into one sound which requires the listener to stay on their toes, which can be at times annoying and other times rewarding. This time it is the latter. The album climbs and dives sonically and manages to create a compact and dense piece of work.
 
Busses will be opening tonight for producer extraordinaire Jeff Zeigler’s Arc in Round at JB’s. Zeigler also engineered and mixed Busses’ debut self-titled album.
 
– Adam G.
 
Nashville

Girl In A Coma @ The End, 9/4/10

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Here’s a Labor Day Weekend treat for ya…San Antonio rock trio, Girl In A Coma, who has toured extensively with Tegan & Sara aaannnddd Morrisey, will be stopping in Nashville on their tour to promote their upcoming album release.

Before they lay the smackdown, there will be sets by Sacramento-based band Agent Ribbons, whose sound has been described as "garage-rock-meets-three-penny-opera." Local acts will be The Billy Goats, and Erin Manning. Dooooon’t miss it!–Deli Staff

NYC

Weekly Feature #216a: (The) Tony Castles

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Tony Castles (with or without the The, your choice) hooked up at Skidmore College, Connecticut, before making the trek, like so many before them, to Brooklyn, just some two years after they graduated. It’s a familiar tale, but these guys aren’t just another artsy student band. Sure, their music has some world beat flavors that somewhat reflects the direction indie pop has taken towards (read: Vampire Weekend), but Tony Castles are anything but familiar. Just check out their track ‘Pirates’ that’s been circulating the web for some time now. It’s a delicious, six minute spaced out jam. Apparently it’s a demo, which suggests these guys could be scarily good, and hugely successful. According to drummer Gabriel Wurzel, this means plenty of red wine and Apple technology. – Read Dean Van Nguyen’s Q& A with the band here.

San Francisco

TONIGHT: Kata Rokkar Presents Snob Theater @ The Dark Room 9:30pm

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Tonight Kata Rokkar will be presenting their fifth, and what is promised to be their most exciting, Snob Theater with yet another host of comedians and musical performances. This evenings Snob Theater will feature acoustic sets by Ash Maynor (Ghost and the City) and Jonah Matranga (Far, onlinedrawing), and comedians Sean Sinha, Katie Compa, Chris Garcia, Ray Molina and special guest Kris Tinkle. Once again at the Dark Room, this looks like a wonderful way to spend your Friday night.

 

–Ada Lann