Philadelphia

DRGN KING & Cold Fronts Tour Kickoff at JB’s Sept. 5

Posted on:

DRGN KING and Cold Fronts will be gearing up to hit the road together for a little over two weeks. The meshing of their sounds and combining of their forces makes perfect sense to me, and I’m sure that it will to their fans as well. There will be catchy hooks and rockin’ guitar riffs aplenty tonight at Johnny Brenda’s for their tour kickoff. Also joining in on the fun are the garage-punk soul stylings of The Shakes. Good times will be had by all this evening, especially by the ladies! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman



Portland

Sun Angle MFNW Set at Mississippi Studios 9.5

Posted on:

Sun Angle, possibly the most musically diverse experimental act in town, are earning a reputation for putting on a one-of-a-kind live show. Between the driving nature of their compositions, the vivid energy they put into each movement and the amusingly disorienting content of their stage banter it’s hard to find a more intriguing performance. Indie-rock, latin jazz and punk influences intersect with a sound I can only describe as psychoactive to make songs that feel completely unique. The musicianship is admirable throughout, the interplay between the kinetic rhythms and the heavily affected melodies create an enticing result. You can catch their set tonight at Mississippi Studios as part of Musicfest Northwest, they go on at 10. – Benjamin Toledo

NYC

Talkfine opens for Emily Wildwood and Charlene Kaye at Cameo on 09.06

Posted on:

Two talented NYC female artists, Emily Wildwood and Charlene Kaye, will be performing at Cameo this Friday (9/6). Synth pop-soul band, Talkfine (pictured) will be the opening act, and their 1970’s style of singing paired with dads old casio keyboard is sure to amuse. Emmy Wildwood, (formerly of VELTA) will bring her pinup/cheerleader looks and dance-punk, pillow talk music to the stage. After releasing her solo debut this past July, Emmy is building buzz thanks to a strong live show and song that certainly don’t lack hooks. Hawaii Born Charlene Kaye will headline the bill – she’s been making waves in the music world with her vibrant vocals and upbeat-girl-power pop. Music starts at 8pm. – Sam Kogon (@samkogon)

Philadelphia

Swearin’ Opening for The Julie Ruin at Union Transfer Sept. 5

Posted on:

Grrrl power will definitely be in the house tonight at Union Transfer when The Julie Ruin, featuring Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and Kathleen Wilcox, come to town. They’ll be hosted by Brooklyn transplants and now West Philly natives Swearin’, who took the blogosphere by storm last year with their self-titled LP. With punk ethos and loud, guitar-driven 90’s indie rock coursing through their veins, the local four-piece will be getting warmed up for their big European tour next month. Also joining this evening’s bill are Plastic Hearts and Untamed, two bands that are made up of teens who found each this past August during Girls Rock Philly’s Summer Rock Camp. I expect to see plenty of rad Philly ladies bonding together and supportively cheering on all the acts! Guys, feel free to make some noise too. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8pm, $15, All Ages – Alexis V. 

Philadelphia

Our Griffins Record Release Show at The Fire Sept. 5

Posted on:

Our Griffins celebrate the release of their first full-length album, Michael Boyd, tonight at The Fire. What began as the musical vehicle of the youthful multi-instrumentalist DJ Brown has blossomed into a full band with the addition of Travis Hobbie, Luming Hao and Alex Luquet. While the self-released LP enlists Dr. Dog’s Eric Slick on drums, John Kimock now mans the kit. Brown’s penetrating pensive lyrics are balanced with a somewhat cosmic yet smooth instrumentation. The results are dynamic. His vocals are delicate, but display an authoritative strength breathing life into his words. The music is well thought out – energetic enough to provide momentum and depth, but precise enough to not distract. They will be joined by difficult to pin down abruptly aggressive Mumblr as well as Joe Montone-fronted folk indie rockers Heat Thunder, who also includes Luming Hao of Our Griffins and William Chamuris of Commonwealth Choir. Alt-folk duo Maitland rounds out an enjoyable evening of music. The Fire 412 W. Girard Ave., $7, 9pm, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Nashville

Gunther Doug Album Release Show 9.7

Posted on:

Sarasota, FL natives Gunther Doug have an unbreakable bond that shows through when playing their unique and distinctive music. The trio has since relocated to the likes of Music City therefore combining their Florida swag with some original Nashville rock features. Rising quickly to rockstar status, band members Devin Robinson (vocals/guitar), Ryan Elwell (drums), and Andréa Randaci (bass) will be releasing their self-titled debut album this Saturday, September 7th at the Nashville’s Chillin’ backyard event. The show will feature popular bands Sol Cat (our August artist of the month), Gunther Doug, Buffalo Rodeo, and special guests. You are not going to want to miss this opportunity. The concert will cost $3 at the door with music beginning at 8pm. 318 Elberta St. is going to be one rocking place this Saturday. Make sure to catch Gunther Doug at their exclusive CD release show and bring plenty of good vibes.  -Maria Hartfield

NYC

Album review: Cherokee.Rock.Rifle – Ta-Li

Posted on:
 
(Photo by Todd Zimmer)
 
There are just not enough synonyms for blistering or scalding in the thesaurus to fully describe the sonic cock punch known as Cherokee.Rock.Rifle. Beloved by many for a bursting and no-holds-barred live show—described by the band as “a high energy show leaving you with the feeling of having been gently trampled by a herd of sonic buffalo somewhere in the untamed plains”—Cherokee.Rock.Rifle has somehow managed to adequately capture their scorching volcanic eruption on Ta-Li, a six-song EP released in April 2013.
 
This is your older brother’s dirty, unapologetically STD-laced riff rock still rolling after a weekend bender on the good shit, the stuff that even Lemmy would think is too strong. The guitars hit harder than any of that indie crap you’re SOOOOO into right now. The rhythm section of Brett Southard and EvanJohn Mcintosh somehow stakes the burgeoning cavalcade of guitars to the ground. Singer/wailer/screamer/guttural-hellfire-screecher Dutch Humphrey bends your ears over like a skanky White House intern.
 
If you know much of Cherokee, the lead track “Loose Talk/Noose Talk” seems almost like a joke at first. Slide guitar, a barely distorted, almost cowboy sound, rim shots? However, fear not troopers, as after a few minutes of slow and careful dynamic build all is put back in its rightful place with a trademark Cherokee ground-zero detonation of rock ‘n roll around the four-minute mark.
 
The other five tracks are much more straightforward outbursts of angst and grit. Doug Nelson, Scott Reed, Southard, and Mcintosh keep the blazing wildfire formula just varied and interesting enough to make you want to strap the gimp mask on and take another round of the switch. Humphrey continually shreds his vocal cords apart with slivers of glass and flaming sandpaper to pound the stories home. “Burn” stands out as the single of the bunch, but it would probably kick my ass for saying that.
 

The music Cherokee.Rock.Rifle presents on Ta-Li is not fancy. It’s not overly clever or new. But it will run your Prius off the road, pull you out of the driver’s seat and unmercifully thrash your skinny ass to a pulp before peeling out in a 1978 Mustang with a “My Kid Knocked Up Your Honor Roll Student” bumper sticker. And to think, their live show is even better.

You can bear witness to Cherokee.Rock.Rifle’s live show tomorrow night, September 5 at The Riot Room. The band will be partying with Coward (Columbia) and Austin’s Not In The Face!. Show starts at 9 p.m. with Coward. Facebook event page. You can also catch them at Crossroads Music Fest next Saturday, September 14 at The Brick. They will be the last act of the fest, playing at 1:30. You can buy tickets in advance at this link for $15, $20 at the gate.

–Zach Hodson
 

Zach Hodson is a monster. He once stole a grilled cheese sandwich from a 4-year-old girl at her birthday party. He will only juggle if you pay him. I hear he punched Slimer right in his fat, green face. He knows the secrets to free energy, but refuses to release them until "Saved by the Bell: Fortysomethings" begins production.

He is also in Dolls on Fire and Drew Black & Dirty Electric, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects.
 
 

HTML Hit Counter

L.A.

Artist to Watch: Dante Elephante

Posted on:

Santa Barbara quartet Dante Elephante combine that youthful middle finger waving skate punk energy, with a firm grounding in surf rock that at times borders on bubblegum. Their recently released EP “German Aquatics” on Lollipop Records, is an exuberant collection of well-crafted pop songs clocking in it at just under 20 minutes. Showcasing their intricate guitar work, radio worthy hooks, and delicate harmonies, it reminds you to take life a little easier. The beach lifestyle that brings such authenticity to their project as a whole is reflected both lyrically and musically – see: the “Wipeout” intro to “Kogi”. Dante Elephante are The Beach Boys with looser fitting trousers, and the longer I listen, the closer I’m getting to jumping in my car and blasting these tunes all the way to the coast. Perk your ears to stand out track “All The Time” below and then stream the whole EP over on Bandcamp. – Jacqueline Caruso

Portland

Mackintosh Braun MFNW Set at Mississippi Studios 9.4

Posted on:

Ian Mackintosh and Ben Braun have their roots in Rip City, coming together to create sweet-synthed electro-pop as Mackintosh Braun. Their two albums The Sound, and Where We Are are full of ultra harmonized charm. There is a degree of comparison to Hall & Oates, aside from the combined last names. Braun’s father was a long-time drummer for the aforementioned duo, and sometimes lays down heavy beats to gravitate Ian and Ben’s atmospheric style. There is a glint of new wave, contrasted with vivid, snappy club notes. Strong hooks and flowing melodies can cause closed eyes and closer dancing. They take the spot as local openers for Rush Midnight and Gold Fields tonight at Mississippi Studios, with tracks to share from a third album on the way. – Brandy Crowe

NYC

Grooms release “Infinity Caller” LP + play Glasslands on 09.16 with Clinic

Posted on:

A few weeks ago we posted Grooms‘ single "I Think We Are Alone Now" from their new album "Infinity Caller," and hearing it again in the video below made us realize that… it’s a great tune! Led by Travis Johnson – whose day job is building stompboxes at A Place To Bury Stranger’s pedal company Death by Audio – Grooms is a staple of the Brooklyn scene, and has been delivering quality guitar rock tunes since the mid aughts. The band is scheduled to play three US dates with legendary British group Clinic, including a show at Glasslands on September 16.

Grooms – "I Think We’re Alone Now" from stereogum on Vimeo.

San Francisco

Congratulations to The Shape for Winning the Deli Magazine SF’s Artist of the Month Poll

Posted on:

The poll is complete, and the fans have spoken! Congratulations to The Shape for coming out triumphantly and winning The Deli Magazine San Francisco‘s Artist of the Month Poll. This experimental psychedelic garage rock band’s music is just as innovative and sonically appealing as it is tripped out. It’s no wonder the Deli readers chose them as the winners! We sincerely wish The Shape the best of luck on their future endeavors! Congrats again!