L.A.

Halloween Swim Team completes their EP trilogy

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Halloween Swim Team

As a precursor to the next full-length release by Halloween Swim Team, the band is tantalizing fans with a 3-part EP series called ANTENNAAA.ep. Parts one and two were released earlier this summer with the last installment released yesterday, September 25th, at the band’s Echo Curio show.

The trio highlights tracks from the upcoming album ANTENNAAA on each EP, as well as bonus remixes, live recordings, and other studio experiments. With all members on synthesizers, Halloween Swim Team creates a wide spectrum of buoyant, intergalactic moods. The ANTENNAAA.ii EP contains a spoken word track called "They Got Computers.i" and label mate Michael Nhat raps over beats that sounds like they are going through a time warp on "Make Them Die Slowly."

The members of Halloween Swim Team are known for their DIY ethics as well as starting Los Angeles’ Vermont House, host to rising bands such as Crystal Antlers, Abe Vigoda, and Japanther. Halloween Swim Team are scheduled to perform at the Manimal Festival on October 2nd along with The Like, Swahili Blonde, Afghan Raiders, and Love Grenades. Never a dull moment, the band contributed a cover of "Look Back In Anger" on the new David Bowie tribute album released by Manimal Vinyl.

Get a free download of the moody "Science Fiction"

-Karla Hernandez

L.A.

Mad Planet’s new album “All Elephants” and upcoming show

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Mad Planet

I’m continually surprised by how much talent and musical variety is bred by LA’s co-ed duos like Passion Pit and the previously mentioned Loch & Key. It’s a good thing Cooper Gillespie and Greg Gordon of Mad Planet are more than keeping up with the competition thanks to their debut LP All Elephants.

Conceived in early 2009, All Elephants dives deeply into the genres of trip-hop, alternative rock, and jazz — a surprising departure from Gillespie’s and Gordon’s time spent in bands like Bang Sugar Bang and Nervous Return. The album was recorded through the course of a year in the duo’s Silverlake apartment with album art supplied by comic artist Nathan Hamill, son of Star Wars actor Mark Hamill.

I was a bit interested to listen after hearing them name Portishead and Massive Attack as strong influences for their album. "I Live Alone" and "Love Addict" are shining examples Gillespie’s smooth alto, trip-hop influenced, vocals; her lyrics taking on themes of loss and healing. It’s not until "Danger Danger" do things really pick up with a slightly industrial feel and Gordon’s strong up tempo break beats. Introspection is a strong theme throughout the 12 song collection, coming to a head with the closing track "Watch", it’s noisy oscillations fading into silence.

If you’re looking to see Mad Planet live, their next show is Wednesday, September 29th at the Viper Room.

-Angelo Lorenzo

Philadelphia

Philly F/M Fest – Final Day

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Feeling pretty spent yet? No, either you didn’t take advantage of all the events going on this weekend in Philly or maybe it’s just time to take a Xanax and come down a bit. Well, you can wind down at Yard’s Brewery for the closing party with Choice Tasters Selectors, tag team DJ partners Dr. Rick and Jersey Dan (who will also be spinning hot tracks at The Deli’s Anniversary Party on Oct. 15 at JB’s w/The Extraordinaires, An American Chinese and Power Animal). Other events that you might want to swing by are the On Tyme Marketing showcase at Club Risque, Panic Years with The Revere and Austin’s The Tiny Tin Hearts at The Blockley, and The El Bar with The Midnight Beat and Thee Nosebleeds. If the rain holds out, grab some Ishkabibble’s cheese fries or a Jim’s cheesesteak and The Peace Creeps’ set. I know – lounging around on a rainy day watching football sounds damn tempting too. – H.M. Kauffman  
 
Portland

Relapse in the Rose City: Red Fang the Latest PDX Metal Mashers to Sign Big Deal

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Portland’s grimy sludge shredders Red Fang, whose 2009 self-titled debut is literally superglued into my subconscious, has announced that they’ve signed with metal monolith imprint Relapse Records. This makes them, along with Rabbits (post below), the latest scouted entities in our cozy metal metropolis. Is this the beginning of a major label-lead Hessian-rock headlock descending onto our sleepy stoner metal scene? If so, it’s well-deserved, even if Relapse is still relatively underground. Few, if any, local bands have put as much spirit and dedication into their outfits as this reporter’s seen in the local metal scene.

Plus, I don’t know if anyone’s really arguing that Red Fang is probably the best heavy band in Portland. Anyone lucky enough to have attended the Fourth of July outdoor show at East End can attest to the majesty of Red Fang’s "Prehistoric Dog." And what’s more, the band has just finished recording for their Relapse debut with producer Chris Funk of the Decemberists. The yet-untitled-album was mixed by Vance Powell (The Raconteurs) and will see an early 2011 international release date. The band had this to say about their recent signing:

“We are f’ing stoked to sign a deal with RELAPSE. We had a great time recording with Chris Funk, mixing was finished back in February / March and now we are ready for it to hit the streets. We’re still brainstorming a title for the unnamed beast.  …and holy shit, get ready for new videos!”

As for older videos, check this gem out for "Prehistoric Dog," set in the band’s kitchen in a Southeast location this reporter would be remiss if he didn’t confess to having spent many drunken nights within.

 

In addition to all this madness, Red Fang are about to embark on a three-week US tour next month alongside Valient Thorr. The band will join up with the tour starting October 7 in Seattle, WA. A free digital tour sampler is now available at this location along with a chance to win tickets.

– Ryan J. Prado

– Photo Courtesy of Relapse Records and Whitey McConnaughey

Portland

Rabbits Among Wolves

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Portland’s hybrid metal/genre escaping band, Rabbits, has recently signed to Relapse Records, which should finally give them the exposure they deserve. Much like many heavier bands from the northwest, Rabbits create and noise that draws heavily from other genres but somehow manages to create a sonic palate all their own, like a middle frequency doom band morphing hardcore into psychedelic noise filtered through water and smoke.

Their upcoming inclusion in the Fall Into Darkness Festival at Berbati’s Oct. 7 – Oct. 10 should further cement their ascent into the pantheon of N.W. heavy. They are also playing East End on Halloween.

Here’s the lineup for the Fall Into Darkness Festival:

Thu 10/7 – Black Cobra, Witch Mountain, Stoneburner, Wizard Rifle

Fri 10/8 – Fauna, The Need, Rabbits, Embers

Sat 10/9 – Krallice, Deadsea, Fell Voices, Worm Ouroboros

Sun 10/10 – Earthless, Danava, Wildildlife, Via Vengeance

– Chappy

Philadelphia

Philly F/M Fest – Day 3

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With a slew of Philadelphia Film and Music Festival shows going down today, you have no excuse to keep your ears idle. But where should your Philly F/M Fest journey begin? At the Crane Arts Outdoor Stage of course! Starting at noon, the free, all ages Crane Arts showcase will feature a full afternoon of local slaptastic, high-fivin’ music, including indie up-and-comers and set closers Toy Soldiers.The folk-blues collective, who just released their MAD Dragon debut, Whisper Down the Line, this past May, put a urban spin on classic Americana pop, hammering out Southern barnyard rock ‘n’ roll sermons (“Hard Times”), dirt roads and backwoods roots rock (“When I Tripped Into You”), and climatic ragtag-meets-bluegrass gospel choir anthems (“Which Way Waltz”). They’re zealous revival music (even if only in spirit) is worth seeing the whole show through. And while you do, check out label mates The Swimmers,who took a turn in the right direction with their breakout 2009 sophomore effort, People Are Soft, takes hopeless romantic to a whole new, sweeter level with their chugging guitars, handclap-esque percussion, infectious twinkles, thumping build ups and starry-eyed persistence. They’ll also play tonight Johnny Brenda’s with Brooklyn’s willowy art-pop sweethearts Asobi Seksuand Philly’s Like A Fox,who will bring their brand of ‘60s AM radio-loving psych-pop to the Crane Arts gig early in the set. Also on the lineup are dance-rock fashionistas East Hundred, vintage rock troupe Blood Feathers, folk-country fanciers Frog Holler and indie pop show openers Audible. 
 
Not satisfied? Then if you’re packing $40, are 21+ and really want to get loaded, head over to Yard’s Brewery after the Crane Arts daytime taster where you’ll be treated to off-the-cuff film screenings (The Cow Who Wanted to be a Cheeseburger, Dig Comics, I Am Comic, and Woodshop Film Showcase) and eccentric pastoral tunes from locals The Spinning Leaves.If you just wanted the music at Yard’s and can’t stand movies (what kind of person are you??), skip out at 9pm and stumble your way to University City’s  The Blockley Pourhouse (again shuttle buses would be huge) for WXPN’s “The Key” Blog Launch party. You’ll get to see show headliners (and Philly’s best-kept secret) Adam & Dave’s Bloodline drop their fuzzy epoch of blithe but incisive garage-pop (Jenkintown’s alt-power pop quartet New Motels,local sludgy classic rock powerhouse Bussesand Delaware’s post-shoegazers the Sky Drops also share the bill). If you are looking for a change of pace, soak in the hip hop/rock/pop triptych fix of Philly’s lap-steel guitarist Mike “Slo-Mo”Brenner featuring emcee Mic Wreckaat North Star Bar for the Authentic Records showcase (the bill also includes Des Moines-based bittersweet rock outfit The Nadas, crooning acoustic artist Benjamin Wagner, and Jersey’s folk-punk janglers River City Extension, whose lush arrangements and gang vocal lauds are better experienced live). And definitely swing by Tritone where The Deli’s favorite noise-poppers Party Photographers will ignite the stage for the SUGARTOWN showcase (hometown acoustic folk-rock haunters Baby Flamehead,UK’s gutsy and fervid rock singer Anita Maj and Princeton’s DJ Maria Tof WPRB 103.3 FM will also work it out at the South St. venue). I know. Trying to hit all these events is physically impossible, but more is still better than less (that’s what she said). – Annamarya Scaccia
 
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, September 24 – 26

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When you think of top Philly bands of the late 80s and early 90s, the Dead Milkmen and The Goats are easily two that cross people’s minds as being some of the greatest and most eclectic. One was the pop punk jokester icons of college radio scene, while the other was a pioneer of blending politically driven hip hop with funked out rock. These two iconic groups probably have never shared the stage with one another, but if they have, it might have been one of the most out of place and strangely awesome combos ever. But tonight the Philly F/M Fest and World Café Live are ready to give you the closest possible thing to that epic lineup. Ever since the Dead Milkmen hinted that they were making a comeback, they have wowed audiences during scheduled and secret shows alike. And since Joe Jack Talcum revealed that this would likely be the last Dead Milkmen show of the year, this is the one to see. Especially since they’ll be revealing some new songs that the band plans to record over the fall/winter season! As you know these days the charismatic frontman of The Goats, Maxx has been doing just fantastic! He has assembled Black Landlord, which is a polished funk machine while still remaining fun and loose, and just recently he threw another successful Black Landlord BBQ. This should be a joyous event! World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8:30pm, $28, All Ages
 
Too many options- what to do, what to do, what to do…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Blood Feathers and Creeping Weeds, SAT The Swimmers and Like A Fox
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Frog Holler, Adam & Dave’s Bloodline, The Wallace Brothers Band, SAT Slo-Mo Feat. Mic Wrecka
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Toy Soldiers, TJ Kong & The Atomic Bomb, Cheers Elephant, Cow Muddy, SAT Jawnzap 7, Icon The Mic King, Voss, SUN Shutterstone, Stellarscope
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Fallen Troubadours, The New Connection, The Sleepwells, SAT (Early) Organ Blues, Penrose, The Sobriquets, (Late) Javelina, Jail, Starkweather, Clamfight, SUN Big Terrible
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Doomed to Obscurity and Explosive Head, SAT Party Photographers and Baby Flamehead, SUN The Wallace Brothers Band
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) FRI Hop Along and Motorcycle Maus
 
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI Backwoods Payback, SAT Gholas
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Early) Emberose, Undead Talent, Eternal Essence, (Late) Philadelphia Zombie Prom w/ Young Werewolves and Live Not On Evil
 
JR’s Bar (2327 S. Croskey St.) SAT Bubonic Bear
 
Murph’s Bar (202 E. Girard Ave.) SUN The Lawsuits
 
Crane Arts Building (1400 N. American St.) SAT The Swimmers, Toy Soldiers, Like A Fox, Frog Holler, East Hundred, Blood Feathers, Audible, SUN Baby Flamehead, Hezekiah Jones, Papertrees, Slo-Mo Feat. Mic Wrecka, Hoppin John Orchestra
 
The Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI West Philadelphia Orchestra, SAT The New Motels, Busses, Adam & Dave’s Bloodline, SUN Panic Years and The Revere
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI New Pony, SAT Avi Wisnia
 
The El Bar (1356 N. Front St.) FRI When I Was 12, New Madrid Faults, Goodnight Lights, SAT Loafass, SUN The Midnight Beat, Thee Nosebleeds, El Fuego
 
Media Bureau (725 N 4th St.) FRI Faux Slang, Parachuting Apostles, Three 4 Tens, SAT McRad, Pinch Point, Atomic Age
 
South Street Stage (South Street Headhouse) SUN Big Blue Spruce, Sierra Hurtt, The Gerunds, The Peace Creeps
 
Yards Brewery (901 N. Delaware Ave.) FRI Cabinet, SAT The Spinning Leaves
 
Girard Avenue Festival (Girard Ave. & Front St.) SAT Roomtone, The Fractals, Turning Violet Violet, Yellow Humphrey, (Girard Ave. & 2nd St.) Avi Wisnia, CopperTonic, Little Brown Chair, Shannon Pelcher, Sonni Shine and the Underwater Sounds
 
Leigh Avenue Stage (E. Lehigh Ave. between Livingston and Belgrade Sts, Belgrade and Miller Sts. and Miller St. and Aramingo Ave.) SAT Invisble Friends, Kitten Diaster,  SUN Jukebox Zeros, Kenn Kweder, Wes Mattheu and the New Way Down, Slow and Shakey
 
The Naval Cruise Terminal at the Philadelphia Naval Yard (5100 S. Broad St.) FRI Making Time Summer of Radness Finale!
Philadelphia

Making Time’s Summer of Radness Finale w/LCD Soundsystem!

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As Making Time’s 10th Anniversary Summer of Radness comes to a close tonight to a SOLD OUT show with LCD Soundsystem, Sleigh Bells, Dave P and the Making Time family and friends, I have to wonder. Where the fuck did the time go? Well, I am way exhausted from our most excellent showcase last night at KFN w/Univox, The Homophones, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, and Hair Rocket, but it’s time to “man up” as they say. What can I say? You should know what’s up tonight by now. There’s a pre-party with FREE food and alcohol outside Urban Outfitter’s offices for the first 500 21+ ticketholders from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and an afterparty at The Ox with Simian Mobile Disco from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. which is FREE for all Making Time ticketholders and $10 for everyone else. To close things out in the spirit of your host Dave P – GET RAD! The Naval Cruise Terminal at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, 5100 S. Broad St., 9pm, SOLD OUT, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

Philly F/M Fest – Day 2

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Day two of the Philly F/M Festival kicks in to full effect tonight, and it has plenty of incredible shows that aren’t to be missed. The top show to see happens at World Café Live when two local icons the Dead Milkmen and Black Landlord share a stage together for the first time, and you will be able to read more in our upcoming Weekend Warrior section. You might have caught TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb last night when they rocked our showcase at Kung Fu Necktie. And now the boys are ready to do it all over again at The Fire. They’ll be joined by soulful roots music dynamos Toy Soldiers and psychedelic heartthrobs Cheers Elephant who are both getting ready to do double duty as part of Saturday’s Girard Festival. They’ll be joined by DC’s artistically melodic Exit Clov who are no strangers to rocking a Philly stage. Silk City plays host to a rare early evening show that features Gildon Works and Busses. Both incendiary acts have received rave reviews for past releases and have shared the same stage during some impressive shows in the past so expect them to deliver some magic or at least some nice walls of sound. Blood Feathers will be joined by melodic virtuosos Creeping Weeds, and Field Music from the UK at JB’s. The Blockley Pourhouse plays host to the Slavic soul and bohemian rhapsody of West Philadelphia Orchestra. If you haven’t seen them before then tonight is the night to catch a cultural gypsy jam session from an all star cast of Philly’s finest musicians. The El Bar is playing host to an exciting lineup that features the indie rockers Goodnight Lights, the multi-intrumental shoegaze-y tour de force of New Madrid Faults, the melodic powerpop folk of When I Was 12, and Baltimore’s Secret Mountains, who is a must see. And since other shows feature performances from the likes of Adam & Dave’s Bloodline, Faux Slang, and The New Connection, there’s plenty more to see! – Bill McThrill
 
Chicago

Chaperone’s Cripple King

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The debut ep from the five-piece Chaperone is called Cripple King and will be released next month. The band mixes lo-fi aesthetics with a strong sense of pop. The band used everything from laptops to untuned pianos to space-heaters to create a interesting texture for this ep. The ep was recorded in various spaces and at various times which it also lends itself to the lo-fi sound.

Chaperone is celebrating the release of Cripple King on October 14th at Subterranean with Dastardly, Elephant Gun, and Dylan Kloska.