There really is something quite charming about the radio-friendly upbeat, jangly indie pop tunes of New Motels. While there are plenty of acts out there who are ready to offend for a little shock value and fame (I’m looking at you – Gaga), the Jenkintown/South Philly quartet bring you back to a more innocent time in American music where you might find yourself sitting around drinking pop with your best friends and dancing with your favorite guy or gal. While those days may seem outdated, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun recapturing the magic of those moments once again. Come find that feeling tonight at Kung Fu Necktie when New Motels open for JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound and Blayer Pointdujour and the Rockers Galore. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7:30pm, $10 adv/$12 door, 21+ (Photo by Ezgi Bilici) – H.M. Kauffman

As expected, The Extraordinaires’ Holiday Revue last Friday at Kung Fu Necktie was quite a festive occasion. The place was filled with plenty of friends and fans soaking in the good vibes. Conversations with Enemies kicked things off with a joyous romp through some of new tunes from their upcoming album as well as a Xmas classic and “ugly holiday sweater” contest. It was kind of a pre-party as they waited for frontman Josh Craft’s birthday to come at midnight which included his own celebration later on at Barcade. The Extraordinaires also treated the crowd with some new songs that they’ve been working on in the studio with Kyle “Slick” Johnson (Wavves, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Creepoid, ect.) as well as old fan favorites like “Hi Five the Cactus” and “Patent Pending,” which closed out their set. They took a very short break to make some costume changes to get ready for the surprisingly rad Holiday Revue. I only say “surprisingly” because I really don’t care much for Christmas songs, but their versions and skits were more than entertaining with pals like Man Man’s Chris Powell (a.k.a. Pow Pow) and Matt Gibson (a former Extraordinaire) helping to share in the good times. While their Scrooge-y neighbor played by Mike Chadwick (ex-Armchairs) tried to shut down the party, it simply wouldn’t stop. Not with The Extraordinaires’ drummer Evan Smoker coming out from behind the kit to bust a rhyme for the cover of Run DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis” (BTW: I wish that I had requested “Santa’s Rap” from the movie Beat Street beforehand) and Eric Slick (Dr. Dog, Norwegian Arms, etc.), Mike Harkness (Arrah and the Ferns, ex-Armchairs), and Mikey Tashjian (Dangerous Ponies) as the police bringing it drumline style-y for a smokin’ rendition of “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” a la Bing Crosby and David Bowie. It became one of those nights that you had to be there, and anyone who was – knows what I’m talking about, but you can still check out my pics HERE. Happy Holidays, yule all!

Our recent Featured Artist(s) Poll was easily the most intense one that we’ve had so far. In the end, sexy, bluesy, psychedelic alt rockers Ruby the Hatchet were able to leg out 8-bit solo artist Chipocrite, who should definitely be applauded for his valiant effort and rad tunes. But to the victors go the spoils. You can check out our interview with the hard rockin’ four-headed monster Ruby the Hatchet HERE.