I know that a lot of you out there have been eagerly waiting for this. Tonight at the First Unitarian Church, Philly hardcore heroes Paint It Black celebrate the release of their 7” Invisible, which will contain six new tracks (we’ve already shared three of them with you over the past couple of weeks HERE). It’s been about three and a half years since they dropped their last release the 7” single Surrender so I’m sure that there will be plenty of sweaty bodies ready to give some brotherly shoves when they hear the latest material off Invisible as well as older ones from the band’s catalogue. Helping to heat up the Church’s basement for this evening’s all-ages sold-out show will be local hardcore outfits Bad Side and Congenital Death and Left Coast acts Joyce Manor and Loma Prieta. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 6:30pm, $10 (Sold Out), All Ages – Alexis V.
Artists on Trial: Dead Ven
The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
–Michelle Bacon
Plow United Record Release Show at The Barbary March 30
Plow United is back from almost a fifteen year long hiatus with their new Jump Start Records release Marching Band. Breaking up sometime in 1997, the project was left during what some would label as the height of their popularity. Resurfacing at the maiden Riot Fest East held in 2011, the band has since officially reunited performing a number of festivals and shows. After three appearances earlier this week in NYC and Jersey, Plow United is bringing their veteran pop-punk sound to Philly this evening to celebrate the release of their new album. Also joining the bill are Philly-based punk acts The Holy Mess and Ma Jolie and West Chester’s very own NONA. There should be plenty of hours filled with raspy vocals, catchy hooks, and the expected societal dissidence. Philly shreds or updapunx or whatever you kids say nowadays, it’s happening at The Barbary tonight. The Barbary, 951 N. Frankford Ave., 5pm, $10, All Ages – Ed Newton
Eric Slick Solo Performance at PhilaMOCA March 30
Eric Slick, the man who plays a part in a fistful of local indie projects (Dr. Dog, Norwegian Arms, Ape School, etc.), makes a rare solo appearance tonight at PhilaMOCA. Slick brings an experimental element to his playing as some may have experienced at his Tuesday Tune-Out performance, whether it’s on keys, guitar or his more customary drumming/percussion – given his jazz background. And with psychedelic capsules that he performs with, anything remains on the table. Similarly, Lux Perpetua, Justin Wolf’s creative endeavor, has a universally open appeal. With one foot in the door of spacey psych-pop and another in grimy grunge, he lifts you into an ever-darkening stormy cloud. However, there’s always light. Also headlining the evening is Chris Cohen (ex-Deerhoof). PhilaMOCA 531 N. 12th St., 8pm., $7 – $10 Donation, All Ages (Photo by George Miller III) – Michael Colavita
Weekend Warrior, March 29 – 31
The good vibes will be flowing into MilkBoy Philly tonight for Dangerous Ponies’ EP Release Party. If you checked out our interview yesterday with frontwoman Chrissy Tishjian (which you can read HERE), then you should already know how excited the band is about this evening, as they get ready to unleash some new tunes for your listening pleasure. They’ll also be joined by bratty garage duo Slutever as well as Brooklyn psych-pop gals Starlight Girls and Provo, UT pop outfit Desert Noises. Come out and take in the sweet sounds of spring! MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9:30pm, $8, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Video: inc., “Black Wings”
The Aged brothers, the duo behind the understated, but soulful, inc., have released the video for “Black Wings” off their LP ‘no world’ which came out earlier this year on 4AD. Watch the brothers as they swing chains around an abandoned farm. Let them soothe you with their mildly sinister, yet sultry melodies, as they sit around a bonfire at night…swinging chains. I have to admit this video seems reminiscent of something from the 90s that you thought was super sexy and cool when you were 13, but if you watch it now it’s confounding and most likely hilarious. I also recognize that was probably the point. I’ll leave it up to you whether their brand of skinny white guys whisper singing r n’ b over repetitive guitar riffs is worthwhile. But in the meantime, I’m going to keep this video on repeat, because there really is something mesmerizing and appealing about it all. – Jacqueline Caruso
Weekly Feature: The Great American Novel
"A band of staggering depth" – this is the kind of self-defined superlative that The Great American Novel freely applies to themselves. Indeed, I’ll admit I am quite jealous of their tremendous confidence. You can’t really blame them though. A band whose biggest problem is girls like "Holly" who can’t be convinced that their relationship should be more than just a friendship, is certainly bound for bigger things. Their new record Kissing covers these issues over the kind of jukebox rock ‘n’ roll you might imagine your parents listening to when they first met. – Check out the band’s recent single "This Song Will Make You Love Me" streaming below, and Read Tracy Mamoun’s Q&A with the band here.
Free Download: Gold Rush III – STS
Check out STS‘s dope new mixtape Gold Rush III below! You can also download it for free. Enjoy!
DRGN KING Opening for Low Cut Connie at JB’s March 29
It’s good to have a comfort zone, know what you’re good at, and perfect it. But DRGN King refuses restrictions, pushing out of comfort and into experiment. Their most recent album, Paragraph Nights, spans genres – from lo-fi psych rock with lots of feedback to pounding anthems for nonconformity. The songs don’t flow into one another; they evolve from one style to the next. Lead vocalist Dominic Angelella is no newbie to the Philly scene. A renaissance man, his involvement in a myriad of groups throughout the years has not only refined his musical palate, but broadened it, creating an insatiable passion for expression evident in his resonant lyrics. Partnering with experienced hip-hop producer Ritz Reynolds just added to the possible spectrum for Angelella, bringing to the table multi-layered beats and a unapologetic sampling mix. The duo found compliments to their live performances in later members Steve Montenegro on bass and effects, Brendan Mulvihill playing guitar and sampling, and Joe Baldacci on drums. Sharing the stage is Low Cut Connie, a band with roots in Philly and a sound that’d definitely taken a trip or two in Doc Brown’s DeLorean. Fueled by bluesy piano riffs, the band does not shy away from the past. Their current release, Call Me Sylvia, harkens back to the style of dance hall swing with a bit of rockabilly twang. Members Adam Weiner, Dan Finnemore and Ian Vos have seen an influx of popularity of late, their track “Boozophilia” was named one of Rolling Stone’s top 50 songs of 2012. But to the listener, it just seems like these guys are all about having fun and playing what they love – good ol’ foot-stomping, hand-clapping rock ‘n’ roll. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $12, 9:30pm, 21+ – Shaylin O’Connell
NYC’s The Middle Eight’s video for ‘Latter Days’
If you’ve ever watched Gumby and wondered aloud why this show ever went off the air, you need to watch The Middle Eight‘s new video (streaming below).
Latest LP ‘Strange Loop’ brings the band’s penchant for classically arranged pop grooves to a new level of sophistication. In addition to some pretty insane kaleidoscopic artwork, new tracks ‘Love; Pass It On’ and ‘Everyone is an Addict’ portray the group in a deep-thinking, socially-conscious state of affairs. The band’s just released their video for ‘Latter Days,’ containing clay animals, monsters, and audio speakers that simultaneously destroy and rejuvenate, animated by director Matt Christensen (Bjork), you’ll want to play with clay all over again. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Charmaine’s Names Opening for Jamaican Queens at House of Hayes March 29
A Lull “Try Anything”
A Lull has released a new single called "Try Anything", and it is available for free download on soundcloud or itunes.