Despite an eventual festival forfeit, the 2nd Street Festival was smokin’ hot for most of its run. Local music, dogs, and beer tickled all the senses, while vendors outlined 2nd Street from Germantown to Green. 

Philly’s own Man Man lured a plethora of face-painted fans, as they headlined the festival on the Piazza stage, with copious amounts of colors by way of drum kits, feathers and personalities. And in case any avid Olympics watchers attended, a large screen sat just above the performance area with plenty of women’s volleyball action. Lushlife and The Great Unknown each took their turn warming up the Piazza stage for Man Man, and they had the audiences singing along to rhymes and smooth vocals, respectively. 

Before and after the Piazza stage performances, music was divided among three other stages, giving Philadelphians and out-of-towners a taste of the city’s locally grown and imported artists. Baltimore’s Secret Mountains got to finish their set before the ominous clouds rolled in and it started to pour. Shortly after, the crowd either ran for cover or danced in the streets with their pooches.

Regardless of the eventual rain, the festival had a great turnout. Let’s all just cross our fingers and hope that the skies for the first Sunday of August next year will be completely clear so we don’t have to miss another group of fine acts. You can check out our photos from the 2nd Street Festival HERE.

With a name like Dong Johnson, you better have a set of balls to go with it. And the local punk outfit consisting of lead singer Opal Rock (5 Points Of Logic), drummer Chris Wilson (Ted Leo and The Pharmacists), guitarist Joshua K. Cicetti (Gildon Works, The Midnight Sounds), and bassist Tracy Stanton (Blood Feathers) are not afraid to lay them on stage for all to admire. Pulling together elements of hardcore, metal, surf rock and even funk, the band makes you feel like you’ve been brutally assaulted by gang of thugs, or you are running for your life in a nightmarish high-speed chase. Expect to feel some brotherly shoves tonight at Johnny Brenda’s where they’ll be headlining for the first time with support from Oklahoma’s Broncho and Colorado’s Bad Weather California. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Alexis V.

Megan Reilly started the music-filled night at North Star Bar last Wednesday rather simply as the Memphis resident and her backing band showcased a series of songs from her latest release The Well. The set was a combination of singer/songwriter style material with up-tempo, twang-infused guitars and a complimentary rhythm section. The highlight of the set was “Old Man and the Bird” a duet performed with John Wesley Harding in which Reilly and Harding’s vocals captivated the audience.

Opening their set with the neo-retro-sounding “Lonely Lonely Night,” Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang took no time to fall into the accustomed groove. Demonstrating their knack for combining chunky guitar licks with naturally smooth vocal harmonies, Stens and company played at a relentless pace without breaking a sweat. As the song began casually amid a simple riff, a swaying bass line and crisp vocal harmonies added texture to the already multi-faceted song. A guitar solo appeared to sneak into the equation, and the group seemed to gel – clicking on all cylinders.

“When Fire Burns Out” demonstrated the polarity of the group’s sound. On one hand, dual guitar leads with a classical feel and unabashed percussion set the stage for a serious tone as did lyrics such as “Like a ghost without a soul.” However, while in the depths of its intensity, the groove took over and somehow lyrics that earlier seemed dark and heavy took on a new air which was light and energetic. Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang do share similarities to his previous venture as the drummer for Dr. Dog. Yet those similarities are basic ones: high-energy levels, a group of musicians who work together to form a powerful cohesive unit, and the ability to tap into elements of rock ‘n’ roll and reinvigorate them. Once this band gets up to speed, the ride that follows is a real joy.

Canadian indie rockers Zeus closed out the gig maintaining the bar, which had been set by Stens and the gang. The band brought a hard edge to pop-rock and as the musicians frequently switched hats throughout their performance impressively splitting duties on various instruments from guitar, to bass, to keyboards. Their set included earlier material like “I Know” and a rollicking cover of Genesis’ “That’s All” to songs off this spring’s release Bursting Visions such as “Stop the Train” and “Love in a Game.” Their musical aptitude and attention to detail made this evening a night of musical glory. (Photo by Mike LaVancher) – Michael Colavita

Mr. Eric Slick had quite a collaborative day this past Sunday. While at Pickathon 2012 with his band Dr. Dog, he had a chance to hit the skins and sit in on sets with Violent Femmes’ Gordan Gano and Cass McCombs. He also shared his first collaboration with prolific, eccentric songwriter R. Stevie Moore. Slick is featured on two tracks off Moore’s 55-song album LUNATIKFRINJ (which you can listen to in its entirety and purchase HERE). Below is the records opener “Main Theme from Love Clumsy.”

Levee Drivers play country music. It could be put that way, yes, but digging deeper you’ll soon realize they reign over their own country with August Lutz’s mesmerizing, soulful baritone vocals guiding you along the rough and rugged terrain. Listening to their songs provide the feeling of drifters who’ve seen a lot of places, met a lot of people, and put all those elements and any emotions that go with it into their music. The good ole boys will be performing tonight at North Star Bar along with local favorite folk-blues outfit Toy Soldiers, and headlining the night is Virginia-raised musician and Deer Tick associate Jonny Corndawg. Rural tunes are a-comin’ to the urban jungle this evening. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Maura Filoromo