Three dudes wearing silver masks with sleeveless black hoodies, effeminate by a rad and sexy post screamo, blonde bombshell demon-chick – Nashville’s Five Knives have an erotic aesthetic that fuses industrial power chords, hip hop undertones and a chemical pool of synthetic low fi swagger, upstaging the Yeasayer show downstairs. Many ticket buyers left Yeasayer sluggish midway into their set, filling the outdoor smoking porch to the brim and many eventually ditched, catching the second half of the raging Five Knives set upstairs in the newly renovated High Watt or meandering toward the Johnny Cash cover band Cash’d Out in Mercy. Birthday boy and High Watt manager, Brandon Jazz, struggled at the start of his performance earlier in the night and even dodged a cup of ice or two before Cherub‘s Jason Huber, who was also celebrating a birthday, joined him for a version of “In the Air Tonight” that miraculously brought the crowd in. After waiting around expecting one of the Yeasayer guys to step up to the DJ booth for a set upstairs, most of the crowd had grown tired of the night’s attempts at shock value. The only thing not shocking about everything was Yeasayer, who have barely been able to re-master the energy of the tours following their 2007 SXSW breakout performance. – Dh Wright
Nashville
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Umphrey’s McGee at Bonnaroo
Citone Photography
Leaning back in a pair of shaded wooden chairs outside the press tent at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn, guitarist Jake Cinninger and bassist Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s McGee relax before the band’s late night set that would start around 2 am and last till 6 am. In 2002, to promote their first studio recording, Local Band Does OK, the band signed up to play Bonnaroo. Since then, they have returned off and on again for seven out of the festival’s 11 years. “Festivals are a great way to connect with fans, especially Bonnaroo,” Stasik says. For the first time ever, Umphrey’s will be playing the Ryman Auditorium on September 21.
Umphrey’s have been the band leaders of a festival circuit that have always thrived on eclectic acts uniting to share music and entertainment. When the music industry went digital, bands like Umphrey’s accepted this newfound volatility with a focus to define themselves as a live band. To them, value is in the performance.
With services such as iTunes, Spotify and Grooveshark offering streaming options for free music, Umphrey’s are relying on their live performance to gain audiences over new listeners.“For us, coming to these festivals is a great chance to put yourself in front of an audience that may not have been able to see you otherwise,” Cinninger says.
Using social media applications, the band has begun to interact with fans right up to the moment of a performance. They receive advice about songs, solos and lighting effects from fans, with the most voted on ideas put into the show.
Check out the band’s website for more information about tickets to the Ryman show and get details about how you can contribute to the next Umphrey’s McGee performance. – Dh Wright
Philadelphia
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Let Ghost Light Set You Free at JB’s June 24
There is always something happening in summer. It is a time of infinite choices and less rigid structures, which can become overwhelming. Ghost Light’s songs convey that feeling of freeness, but also the sadness of not knowing what to do with that time. What started out as a solo project of Barrett Lindgren has evolved into a full band currently on the Single Girl Married Girl label. His rich voice sings of angst that he feels but has accepted with lines like “even though you are a rich kid with the poorest excuse for problems, I really thought you needed me to solve them.” Don’t let that bum you out. Ghost Light is a joyful depression, a welcomed sadness. The band will be opening tonight at Johnny Brenda’s for Saddle Creek Records’ Mynabirds, the electronic bluesy music of Laura Burhenn that is filled with primitive beats. Also on the bill is Sean Bones who shares some of the summer vibes, but with a more dazed out feeling and tinted with the sounds of surf and reggae. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Maura Filoromo
Philadelphia
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Arc in Round Album Release Party at JB’s June 23
Arc in Round will be celebrating the release of their new self-titled LP (due out June 26 via La Société Expéditionnaire) a little early tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. There is a sense of continuous forward progression in their sound as the futuristic tunnel vocals meld with electric guitar, bass, synthesizer and drums in a chaotic quantum leap of musicality. The individual pieces when isolated also have a unique quality: the pulsing synthesizer, the rapid-fire hailstorm on metal roof percussions, and the guitar ringing in a far-out place. However, the combination fits together like a jigsaw puzzle where odd pieces somehow meet at awkward angles to create a perfectly streamlined picture. It will be a packed evening of sonic experimentation as pals Tadoma, Pet Milk, Beige and Pink Skull (DJ sets) help make Arc in Round’s album release party a memorable occasion. Johnny Brenda’s 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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Permanent Wave Philly Benefit for the Ladies of Pussy Riot at Cha-Cha’Razzi June 23
When Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot staged an impromptu protest performance against the election campaign of Prime Minister Putin, they were sent to jail for “hooliganism” and could face upwards of 7 years imprisonment if found guilty. Feeling that their charges are a gross violation of human rights, the ladies of Permanent Wave Philly have risen to create a benefit for their defense fund. They’ll be hosting a concert in support at Cha-Cha’Razzi tonight. Donating their time and talents will be riff heavy rockers Dear Althea, the disturbingly beautiful lo-fi sounds of The Suicide Magnets, and delightfully quirky Single Girl Married Girl artist Kate Ferencz. Also added to the bill after City Feral dropped off at the last minute is The Pretty Greens. Cha-Cha’Razzi, (Please contact organizers or acts for more info.), 7pm, $7 – $10 donation, All Ages – Bill McThrill
Philadelphia
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Free Grandchildren & Free Energy Show at Morgan’s Pier June 23
Break out your tambourines, hand-drums, castanets, maracas and good old-fashioned hand-clapping for this Saturday’s R5 free concert series at Morgan’s Pier featuring Philly’s own Grandchildren and Free Energy. Grandchildren’s singular brand of head-contusion-pop, distinct in its complex layering of rhythms and unexpected, powerful percussive notes promises to seamlessly complement those drifts of (hopefully) cool air rising from the Delaware River, just as Free Energy’s light-hearted melodies and youthful lyrics will have you skipping down the sidewalks of summer nostalgia. Both bands create music that is quite danceable. Free Energy is heavy on the guitar power chords, and lead singer Paul Spranger’s voice is straight-forward and melodic, while the voices of Grandchildren pour in from all sides like last night’s rain. Get there early, and get ready to sweat out some of these red-hot summer blues! Morgan’s Pier, 221 N. Columbus Blvd., 6:30pm, Free, 21+ – Sarah Allard
Chicago
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Different Sleep “Be My Center”
Different Sleep is the work Rafa Alvarez a San Diego native now based in Chicago. His latest track is lush and beautifully constructed. He is firmly rooted in what now thriving downtempo scene.
San Francisco
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Live Preview: Giraffage and James and Evander
San Francisco-based producer Giraffage is co-headlining with Oakland electronic duo James and Evander at The Milk Bar on July 5.
Giraffage is a solo electronic producer that converges glitch with hip-hop glossed over hazy synthesizers. Though his experimental and eclectic sounds may seem scattered, Giraffage constructs a rich and raw atmosphere that is out, open, and not a bit overcrowded. Get a feel for his persona sound Audyssey + Yours Truly’s The Neighborhood Series video below.
Giraffage shares the bill with James and Evander, two producers from Oakland who embody the new electornic sound coming from the East Bay. James and Evander flawlessly execute tidy tracks with flashy synthesizers and effervescent electronics, as heard on its LP Bummer Pop, released in May. Young Pharaohs and Astronautica will be open and close, respectively.
–Leah Roh
The Neighborhood Series: Giraffage from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
NYC
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2012 US Air Guitar Championships
A unique cast of characters will roll into the streets of Westport tonight. Performers yielding stage names like Magic Cyclops, Mean Melin and Thunderball will aim their talents at the 2012 US Air Guitar Championships being held at the Beaumont Club.
One winner from this competition will win a trip to Denver on July 21 to compete in the National Finals. The winner of the National Finals is crowned The 2012 US Champion and will win a trip to Finland in August to compete in the Air Guitar World Championships, where he or she will represent the United States of America against national champions from 25 other countries all around the world.
The rules are simple. Each performance is played to 1 minute of a song. During the first of two rounds all parties participating will choose a song of their liking. Survivors of that round reconvene in a second round in which the song is unknown to them. The participant with the best overall score after two rounds is the champion of the event.
Scores for the event are placed on a scale between 4.0 and 6.0. A panel of judges determine scores based on three key points; technical ability, stage presence, and airness.
The first of these three criteria, technical ability, is based on the manner in which a performer’s gestures match the music. The more concise a person is with their riffs and where they place their fingers on beat, the higher a score is likely to be.
Stage presence is the second factor to be scored. This is determined by the participants ability to present a realistic picture. The more believable a performance is the higher the likelihood of a quality score.
Lastly, the participant is judged on airness. This is the total package. Airness is the moment when the imitation of playing guitar stops and the art of being an air guitarist begins. When a person has the ability to get a room of a hundred people on their feet and into the event without actually playing a single note, they’ve achieved airness.
For example, check out Mean Melin and Thunderball achieving airness as they rock out in the face of the Westboro Baptist Church protesting a Van Halen concert outside of the Sprint Center in Kansas City.
For a closer look at those two and a collection of others, be sure to make your way to the Beaumont Club. Doors open tonight at 9. Rockstar high kicks start at 10. You must be 18 years old to attend this event.
–Josh Hammond
NYC
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Motopony Play Neumo’s July 7th
Seattle quintet Motopony, who just released their self-titled debut last month, will headline a show at Neumo’s on July 7th. They will play with two other Emerald City locals, Smokey Brights and Cumulus. Motopony’s sound is a winning combination of Grateful Dead-esque folk music and the funky and soulful voice of frontman Daniel Blue. Listen to one of the album’s highlights, “Seer,” below. – Josh Johnson
Chicago
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White Mystery @ Cobra Lounge
There is a lot news, as usual, coming from the White Mystery camp. The band released an app yesterday that will keep you up-to-date on their tours, video, photos, etc. You can grab that here. Also, They will be premiering a new video on JBTV on June 27th.
In tour news they will be hitting the road with Shonen Knife this summer for a tour that includes a show at Empty Bottle on August 2nd.
You can catch White Mystery at Cobra Lounge tomorrow, June 23rd, with Netherfriends and The Henry Clay People.
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, June 22 – 24
Yeah, it’s uncomfortably hot so if you’re looking for some AC and badass jams, then we highly recommend that you swing by PhilaMOCA tonight for Blues Control’s album release show. The avant-garde duo made up of Lea Cho and Russ Waterhouse have been hiding out in the Lehigh Valley working on their craft, and their latest offering Valley Tangents continues to take us on their unpredictable musical journey. (You can read our review of their album HERE.) They’ll also be joined by heavy blues-infused psych-rockers Birds of Maya and ambient experimental outfit Slow Tongued Beauty. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., $7 – $10 donation, 8:30 pm, All Ages – Alexis V.
Other things to help take your mind off the heat…
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT 2nd Annual Found Sounds Fundraiser w/ Mountjoy, Rebecca Way, Exit Hoods
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Turning Violet Violet, SAT Arc in Round Album Release w/Tadoma, Pet Milk, SUN Ghost Light
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI (Early) Wigwams, FRI (Late) Heartwell, SAT Crozet, Lifestyle, SUN Alright Junior
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave) FRI Old Rival Hope, Morning River Band, The Miners, SAT (All Ages) Chet Williams, Eye on Attractions, Whackbat, SAT (LATE) The Dogs, Native Sky, Without Rick, SUN Salsa Shark, Conor and the Grits, Reachin’ Out,
Rebel Rock Bar (100 Spring Garden St.) FRI SideArm
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) SAT Free Energy, Grandchildren
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI QuilWill, Gnarly Head
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Zombie Beach Party w/The Shark Skins, The Slot-Cars
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Swift Technique, Close to Good, SAT West Philadelphia Orchestra, World Town
Theater of Living Arts (334 South St.) FRI Cheers Elephant, SAT Give me Gravity, Mach 22
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Cris Valkyria, SAT Sunshine Superman
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Sun Cinema, Psychic Teens
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT Frank Cervantes Band, Liat, Cayetano, SUN Kuf Knotz Presents the Boombox Collective w/The Rebel Yell, Liv & Chuck Treece, Darry Miller & The Veil
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Zymotic Flow, Welter, Flat Mary Road, Elwood James Band, SAT Enstride, Great Neck, Half Past Seven
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) SAT UB313
Highwire Gallery (2040 Frankford Ave.) SAT RL3
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SAT Plow United, The Orphans, Spraynard
Cha-Cha’Razzi FRI Post Sun Times, SAT Pussy Riot Benefit w/Dear Althea, The Suicide Magnets, City Feral, The Pretty Greens, Kate Ferencz
Milkboy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Psalmships, Divers, Lauryn Peacock, SAT Rone, Don McCloskey, Nikki Jean, Ang & The Damn Band
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) FRI Travis Woodson Music for Three Guitars, SAT (Early) Ceasar Live Soul, CNE Music Group, Mek 46 ST, Jack Drummond, Udini Lavoz, South Philly Sheed, and L from Philly, SAT (Late) Shakey Lyman
Little Berlin (2430 Coral St.) SAT Daniel Bachman
The Station (1515 McKean St.) FRI Phantasm, The Parachuting Apostles
Torrent Collective (938 S. 8th St.) SAT Mighty Paradocs, Blayer Pointdujour, Revolution I Love You, Leiana, Smoker and the Rollers
The El Bar (1356 N. Front St.) SUN Mindless Attack, Window Liquor
North Shore Beach Club (1031 Germantown Ave.) SAT YIP Summer Jam w/Swift Technique, Conversations with Enemies, Mirk
Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum (3819 Hamilton St.) SAT Discordianalia Summer Solstice Celebration w/Radio Eris, DV Nikt, the Temple of Bon Matin
Magic Gardens (1020 South St.) SAT Laser Background, Buffalo Stance, Folklore
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Ripping X-Ray, Kill the Broadcast, Winston’s Dog, Hierosonic, Todd Bailey, SAT Modern Colour, Shadow Play, End of an Era, Joe Nicastro, High Olives