NYC

The Pioneers of Seductions land April residency at Fontana’s

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The Pioneers of Seduction sure have a sense of humor – but also some (truly) kick ass punky tunes played with flair (which is as important as the kick ass part…). Some songs make us think of a less compromising, MUCH dirtier version of The Strokes, with a guitar sound reminiscent of early Foo Fighters (without slipping in the neo-grunge trap), while others like "Kurash" come across more like exercises in reinventing punk-rock. We are particularly enjoying "I want to wake up beautiful" (another witty title!), with its tense verse in spoken word and even tenser one note chorus. Minimalistic, but effective, like all the best punk tunes. Their record (produced by Steve Albini) sounds just right. You may want to check these guys out at Fontana’s in the LES – they’ll have a residency there in April on Wednesdays, for dates see here.

P.S. I know Steve, I said you produced the record, and you hate that, because with false modesty you like to say that you are just an engineer… well, you produced this, liar!

NYC

Teen Rock’n’Roller from NYC: Jack Skuller

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“The Mini Jack White” is what the New York Post has termed Jack Skuller, which we find a little misleading, but improvable by adding the words "…playing Rock’n’Roll in his teens". Skuller’s EP, "Love Is A Drum," is a catchy, energetic and lively collection of old style rock’n’roll songs (also covers) that have the potential to charm pretty much everybody from babies to grampas (probably not NYC’s hipsters though). Skuller’s cover of “Get Rhythm” is fresh and vibrant and his original song “Love Is A Drum” (which could have been written in 1957) shows that the boy can write songs. To allow comparisons with Mr. White, though, we need some "evil" thrown in the mix – considering Skuller’s young age, there’s definitely time to develop it.- Leah Tribbett

Portland

This Week’s Menu: The Deli Portland’s Show Picks April 4-10

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I really thought the sun was going to stick around for a minute. But what am I thinking? It’s only April. As they say: "April showers, bring more showers, until it’s August, then it’s sunny for another couple of minutes, maybe." Or something like that? On our plate this week to fight the drear:








Monday April 4: Electronic music drum circle? Worth checking out! Battery Powered Music @ Backspace. 8pm, $5

 

Tuesday April 5: Do yourself a favour and go to this show. Tuesday is the perfect day to be melted into the floor by way of carefully soaring vocals. Hosannas new album has been on repeat at my house for the past week and a half and it’s as glorious as you’d expect from these brothers. Just go to The Rumble with Hosannas, Hello Electric, and Vanaprasta @ Holocene. 8:30 pm, FREE!

 

Wednesday April 6: Guidance Coulselor, Ghost Animal, Blast Majesty, MSG, Invisibly Boy @ Holocene. 8:30 pm, $5

 

Thursday April 7: Ghost Animal, Vacant Fever, Cousins, Duzheknew @ Ella St. Social Club. 9pm, $3

 

Friday April 8: Typhoon, And And And, Brainstorm @ Doug Fir. 9pm, $12

Saturday April 9: RAA came through town a while back and destroyed Backspace with their own brand of subdued choral awesomeness. I doubt they won’t do it again. Not to mention Lord Huron and Aan. There is no question as to where you should be tonight. Rural Alberta Advantage, Lord Huron, Aan @ Doug Fir. 9pm, $12

 

Sunday April 10: A definite toss up (for me at least) – Lightning Bolt @ Holocene for $12, or Pigeons @ Mississippi Studios for free. I’ll flip it, you call it!

 

Austin

Rayon Beach!

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Beginning with the legacy of The 13th Floor Elevators, Austin’s keeping a stronghold on their empire of psychedelic rock and bands like Rayon Beach are testament to that reign. Having played last year’s Psych Fest, a fuzzed out festivus of feedback both local and national, Rayon Beach is a crown jewel in the city’s trippy crown. Rayon Beach strikes the perfect balance of bludgeoning garage rock, synthesized beach pop, and hallucinogenic ambience- a trifecta for any summer playlist. The trio’s been spacing out together since 2009 and put out Memory Teeth last year. Enjoy the title track and prepare for some serious flashbacks.

–Lucy Barber

Chicago

Jackson Bailey “Theories”

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Jackson Bailey is a new band in town, forming last year and now releasing their debut ep, Theories. The group is fronted by PJ Anderson and also contains Steven Gillis (Filter) as drummer. The band plays a very vanilla brand of Americana pop in similar vein of Hootie & The Blowfish. What redeems the project are Anderson’s earnest lyrics. The five track ep is a journey in love and loss and the conflicts in between. Is that enough to redeem the project? Possibly, I’ll let you decide. You can stream three of the tracks on the ep at bandcamp.

Jackson Bailey will celebrate the release of Theories on April 8th at The Bottom Lounge with Molehill, Facing Winter and Nathan Kalish & The Wildfire.

NYC

Best of NYC #99b: Twin Stumps

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We keep covering one by one all the artists that made our Best of NYC Emerging Artists 2010 Poll here.

Dense and heavy, Twin Stumps won’t make you think of tree stumps at all, but rather massive, moss-covered (evil) trees. The kind of trees that, were they to ever swing fists, would rule the forest – as if the Lord of the Rings’ Ents had joined Mordor instead. Drenched in fuzz, vocals scream over the grinding pulse. Gleefully dark and pounding, Twin Stumps channel hardcore and industrial with a post-punk sensibility — there is method to this madness, although we may not know what it is. We just have to take the chance and trust where the path leads us, even if it is into an seemingly sinister wood. – allison levin

Philadelphia

The War on Drugs Open for Destroyer at FUC April 4

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The War on Drugs will be making a hometown stop tonight at the First Unitarian Church. They’ll be opening for Dan Bejar’s much-buzzed-about Destroyer. He’ll be performing with a full band. This evening’s show is part of their month-long U.S./Canadian tour. I hope to hear some new songs from The War on Drugs’ upcoming full length that the band completed about a week before their current tour started. But I certainly don’t mind hearing the oldies but goodies that I know and love. (Below is one of them, “Arms Like Boulders”, from The War on Drugs’ sold out release party for Future Weather at Kung Fu Necktie in December.) This should be a fine show, but don’t count on being able to get tickets at the door. According to a tweet by R5 yesterday, there are only about 50 tickets left. You’ve been warned. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8pm, $13, All Ages (Video by pilgrimsprogress) – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

Pics from Slutever Record Release Show

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This Friday was filled with surf-y riffs riding high on waves of reverb at Hong Kong Garden. Named after a Banshees song, the makeshift space housed its biggest show yet. Critically-acclaimed Nashville duo JEFF the Brotherhood was in town and helped the sisterhood of Slutever celebrate the release of their Pretend to Be Nice 7” with Dry Feet and The Eeries. The warehouse was packed with people from all over the Tri-State Area. Originally scheduled at the OX, it was nice to see residents from the much-beloved space roaming around looking stoked for the show. Like I said, it was packed so I couldn’t see SHIT by the time JEFF the Brotherhood hit the tiny space designated for them. Here are a few shots of Slutever and the fuckin’ sea of heads that I couldn’t see over…ha. – Emma Branson

 
 
Philadelphia

FREE Pissed Jeans UNPLUGGED Performance on Record Store Day at Beautiful World Syndicate!

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So Record Store Day (April 16) is less than two weeks away, but we wanted to give you a heads up about Pissed Jeans doing an UNPLUGGED performance at Beautiful World Syndicate on Passyunk Ave. Intrigued? Yes, we certainly are too. They’ll be joined by The Men (Sacred Bones) and Leather (Jade Tree).  It’s a free show, and there will be free beer – even better! (Photo by Morgan Keuler) – The Deli Staff

Philadelphia

The Powder Kegs Record Release Show at KFN April 3

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From bluegrass through the streets of New York to the indie pop fusion sound that they have honed with the release of their Empty Side EP, The Powder Kegs are a band who aren’t afraid to explore and evolve. With their newest effort, The Amanicans, you find a bit of an edgier outfit letting loose on tracks that still remain radio-friendly. The album was produced by Philly producer/engineer Jonathan Low (whose engineering credits include Dr. Dog, Twin Sister, and Sharon Van Etten). Tonight The Powder Kegs will be celebrating the release of The Amanicans at Kung Fu Necktie. They’ll be joined by another band that keeps getting better and better with age in Busses and infectiously sexy, tripped-out synth outfit CSLSX, who will also be delivering a DJ set after the performances. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Bill McThrill

Philadelphia

Sweatheart & Andrew Jeffrey Wright Bringing the Fun, Fun, Fun at JB’s April 3

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Common sense should tell us there’s a demand out there for songs about getting drunk and finger bangin’, and Sweatheart are very happy to fill that void. It makes even more sense that these pastimes should be communicated via high-octane riffs and sing-along choruses in the vein of all the ‘70s hard rock favorites your parents probably danced to. The benefit this time around is that Sweatheart isn’t, you know, serious. Their ridiculous live show (in which you might get humped by the band members) is all about thrills, chills, and drunken laughter that might end in crying. Also dishing out the bombast tonight is Andrew Jeffrey Wright, the visual/performance artist who’s helped to make Sweatheart the over-the-top experience it is, and whose talents include a comedy act that he’s used to open for everyone from Lightning Bolt to Fred Armisen. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 9pm, $10, 21+ – Joe Poteracki

Philadelphia

Evil Weevil Records Presents “Road to Ruin” at The Fire April 3

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Local area label Evil Weevil Records is having quite an all ages showcase this afternoon into the evening at The Fire. The event is being presented as “Road to Ruin” and will feature an abundant amount of the label’s artists from different eras. Those gearing up for tonight’s showcase will be hometown crews Everyone Everywhere, The Eeries, The Holy Mess, Dry Feet, Restorations, Lighten Up and West Chester’s Spraynard while Richmond’s Sundials and Brooklyn’s Big Eyes and Big Soda will be imported to add fuel to the fire. It’s early, and it’s sunny, but I doubt many of those rays will make it into the room with all those bands and fans. However, I’m guessing that’s just the way they’ll like it. The Fire, 412 E. Girard Ave., 3pm, $10/$12, All Ages – Alexis V.