DRGN King is back in Philly after a tour of the northern middle states. Although the band hasn’t released anything new since its debut LP, Paragraph Nights, the group’s frontman, Dominic Angelella, recently did a stripped-down cover of The Dead Milkmen’s classic, “Punk Rock Girl”, for Root Down in The Shadow’s Cover Club. Hopefully he’ll unleash a more raucous rendition tonight with a full band at Johnny Brenda’s. They’ll be sharing a bill this evening with New York City’s Porches, a band that specializes in dark, slowed-down rock with an undercurrent of world beats; however, their music contains a subtle light, hopeful lilt that keeps its songs from weighing to heavy on a listener’s soul. Also on the night’s roster is another Philly act, Mumblr, playing garage-noise with plenty of fuzz. So shake off the icicles, and let the music warm you up. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Shaylin O’Connell
Philadelphia
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Revolution, I Love You EP Release Show at North Star Bar Feb. 28
Philly electropop duo Revolution, I Love You will be taking over the North Star Bar for an EP release show tonight. With their new record The Atlantic Ocean hot off the presses, you find the group channeling a more experimental but less abrasive sound than previous releases, showing off their songwriting maturation. Heavily influenced by “The Replacements, Bruce Springsteen, and Big Star as they are by the electronica and hip-hop artist,” The Atlantic Ocean proves to be the Revolution, I LOve You’s most accomplished album to date. They’ll be joined this evening by Dokument, the latest project from Jarrett Zerrer (ex-City Rain), and post-punk four-piece The One2s. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Maggie Grabmeier
Nashville
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Weekend Itinerary
Everyone and their mother seems to be having an album release show this weekend, so here’s a short list of who’s doing what where.
Friday:
Honey Locust release their new album “The Great Southern Brood” with a bang at the Stone Fox with opener Alex Baker of Dewey Decibel. 9pm
Majestico are releasing their album “When Kingdom Come” with a show at Soulshine Pizza Factory 6pm, free.
Slick releases their album “Street Lips” with Moseley and el el at The Basement, 9pm, $5.
This is also Night One of the The Delta Saints Revue. The Delta Saints take the stage at Exit/In for two evenings. Friday night includes performances by Humming House and Boom Forest. $10 in advance, $12 DOS and $17 for both nights.
Saturday:
Ri¢hie album release show for “Night Game” with Blank Range and Bully at The End at 9pm. This lineup will be like seeing a leprechaun, a unicorn, and Elvis on one stage.
Across the River, The East Room is celebrating their 1 year anniversary with The Features, Photo Ops, Babe City, Mystery Twins, and *repeat repeat.
Night Two of The Delta Saints Revue at Exit/In. Saturday night’s show includes Omega Swan and Joe Robinson in the lineup. $10 in advance, $12 DOS and $17 for both nights.
Sunday:
Find your next favorite band at Gorilla Fest at the Rutledge. Beginning at 4, an epic battle of the bands will be waged between Insane, The Turncoats, Tristen Proffitt, Everson, Take Captive The Captain, The Sweetest Sleep, Arcane Atlas, Paradise in Ruins,Hour Hands, Another Dead Saint, and others.
Supposing that you attend Gorilla Fest, you will be within walking distance of 3rd and Lindsley, where Wild Cub will be playing with Roman Candle. This event is being presented by Lightning 100, and only a precious few tickets remain, available HERE.
L.A.
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Blonde Summer releases new EP
Blonde Summer’s leading man, Chris Pope, is forever living in the 90’s, or at least his music is. His mellow garage rock sound has the feel of an everlasting winter, though it also has a warmth that places you in the dead of summer. His newest album, High Times, is Pope’s third EP installment, recorded in Ship studio with Aaron Espinoza. The EP goes through diverse selective styles, from breezy indie rock to synthpop to electroclash, with a 90’s grunge motif that brings back the musical styles that everyone knows and loves. Blonde Summer made headlines at CMJ in 2013, which I attended and unfortunately missed them perform. Forfeit yourself to his voice, drown yourself in his music and cut those ties with the 80’s – please. – Kayla Hay
L.A.
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Blonde Summer releases new EP
Blonde Summer’s leading man, Chris Pope, is forever living in the 90’s, or at least his music is. His mellow garage rock sound has the feel of an everlasting winter, though it also has a warmth that places you in the dead of summer. His newest album, High Times, is Pope’s third EP installment, was recorded in Ship studio with Aaron Espinoza. The EP goes through diverse selective styles, from breezy indie rock to synthpop to electroclash, with 90’s grunge motif that brings back the musical styles that everyone knows and loves. Blonde Summer made headlines at CMJ in 2013, which I attended and unfortunately missed them perform. Forfeit yourself to his voice, drown yourself in his music and cut those ties with the 80’s – please. – Kayla Hay
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s Year End Poll – Top Performers: Drone Ranger
Drone Ranger released their debut self-titled EP this past spring. The sound is murky, coated in a thick shoegaze-y, psychedelic haze. Yet, while it may be out there, the group finds an endearing air of warmth that engages listeners rather than distancing/alienating them. With an evolving lineup that currently sits as a quartet, the group released a pair of songs at the end of last year “The Dead Isle” and “Mutant Maze” that serve as an optimistic preview of their full-length LP that is projected to arrive later this year. In these songs, Drone Ranger exhibit a clearer, industrious vibe creating multifaceted arrangements that benefit in their ebb and flow movements. This more lively approach still embraces the band’s spacey side; however, now that drifting scenario is in better balance – a piece of the musical puzzle in lieu of being its main component. With a fresh album on the horizon and a steady progression, Drone Ranger is definitely on our radar. (You can view the rest of The Deli Philly’s Best of 2013 Emerging Artists list HERE.) – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s Year End Poll – Top Performers: Hop Along
Hop Along is the kind of punk outfit that other punk bands might not want to stand too close to. They almost tend to make intensity look a bit too effortless. Their instrumentals are fairly understated, and Frances Quinlan vocal stylings are a bit more Tegan and Sara than your typical punk outfit. Yet they take that fairly toned-down musical style and explore it with an almost incomprehensible fury. Soulful lyrics are shrieked, while mellow harmonies are shredded rather than strummed. Hop Along takes this somber little vehicle, and drives it at Mach speed. But to really get the appeal, you have to see them live. The band put out a damn good album in Get Disowned, but recordings just don’t do the group justice. Hop Along is that perfect juxtaposition of sweet and vicious, somber and energetic that you don’t get to see very often these days. (You can view the rest of The Deli Philly’s Best of 2013 Emerging Artists list HERE.) – Daniel Ludwig
Austin
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Criminal Birds Interview
They won our Year End Readers’ Poll. You know them. You love them. And so do I. Here is my interview with Criminal Birds…
D: How did you guys come together?
CB: Three of the birds (Grahm Robinson, Taylor Dondlinger, Reggie Hastings) began playing together in high school and formed their first band together, Copasetic. After a year of struggling to find a competent and dedicated bass player the group disbanded in 2010 and reformed with the addition of bassist Gunnar Ebeling in 2011. The group is now known as Criminal Birds.
D: What’s the story behind your band name?
CB: One evening we were "brainstorming" what we’d like to call ourselves. In that process we came up with more jokes than actual names. A very close friend of ours blurted "Criminal Birds" and initially we laughed, thinking that was his input to the "Who Can Come Up With The Most Ridiculous Name" game. This story ends with a text telling him that the name stuck and us asking for permission to use it.
D: What’s your songwriting process like?
CB: Reggie is definitely the primary lyricist, but the music is totally collaborative. It starts in the jam room, typically with just one or two elements (bass & drums, etc.) Then we add layers, alter parts, and keep chipping away at it until we have a clear idea of what the song is or could be, and then we polish it. We like to keep the sounds fresh and ideas plentiful.
D: If you could tour anywhere, where would it be and why?
CB: Europe, no question.
D: Being from Denton, how did it feel to play in Austin for the first time?
CB: It felt a bit like home. The show was a success, we had an excellent crowd, saw some old faces, and met several new ones. It was also our first ever road trip with our new band wagon, so now it feels almost nostalgic to play in Austin.
D: There seems to be a burgeoning music scene in Denton, in your experience, how does it compare to Austin?
CB: In the past we’ve heard a lot of people try to put Denton and Austin in this sort of contest as if one is better than the other. Both scenes are teeming with talent, and have both produced numerous nationally and internationally successful acts, which to us speaks volumes. Naturally we tip our hats to our hometown, however the music fans and show goers in Austin have exceeded our expectations of the scene over the past year.
D: How stoked were you to hear you won our Readers’ Poll?
CB: Like any competition, we were excited to win, but we were especially pleased to win this given Deli Magazine’s track record and popularity. The credit really goes to our fans who voted and helped spread the word.
D: What’s on the horizon for Criminal Birds?
CB: We will be releasing our sophomore EP in April followed by touring. We intend to really focus on Texas this time around. Which means we’ll be stopping by to hang out with you guys quite a bit this Spring.
D: Long term goals and dreams?
CB: Like any aspiring musician, we’d all like to make the band a full time endeavor. Being able to book longer tours and eventually quit our day jobs is the main goal. Touring overseas would be pretty badass as well.
D: Anything else you’d like to say?
CB: Thanks to the reader for taking time and interest in us and what we do. Thanks to Deli and our fans for making this all happen. Just, thanks.
D: You’re welcome. Best of luck to you guys. — Interviewed by Charise Sowells
Chicago
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The Irenes
The Irenes (Max Loebman and Stef Roti of Yoko & The Oh No’s) recently released their first demo, a track called "Drag". The duo is working on a EP which should be released later this year. On "Drag" the duo is clearly influenced by surf, garage, and noise pop.
The Irenes are participating in the next Young Camelot recording session with The Thons, ZKPR, and others on March 7th. If you haven’t already you need to check out all of the amazing live recording that Young Camelot has released over the last five months via bandcamp.
NYC
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The Deli’s SXSW Issue 2014 is online!
P.S. 10k free copies of this issue hit the street of Austin during SXSW Music week!
NYC
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NYC Artists on the rise: Del Water Gap plays Muchmore’s on 03.07
Holden Jaffe began writing poetry in 2009, and soon after started using the moniker Del Water Gap for the musical interpretation of his words. His debut EP – created in a gentrified storage closet somewhere in upstate New York – was brought to life in 2012. Shortly after, Jaffe packed up and relocated to the East Village when he joined with bassist Will Evans and drummer Charlie Schlinkert to form the project’s live incarnation.
The band’s songs move patiently along with a combination of heartfelt lyrics, softly strum guitar, beautiful harmonies and a voice that sits somewhere between those of Kurt Vile, Alexander Ebert and Kristian Matsson (The Tallest Man on Earth). This beautiful compilation of songs tells moody stories of dimly lit rooms and various romantic encounters.
See Del Water Gap when they play Muchmore’s in Brooklyn on March 7th – Brescia Mascheretti
Philadelphia
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Creepoid Record Release Show at JB’s Feb. 27
I really can’t believe that it’s been three years since the last Creepoid release. Part of the delay had to do with logistics with guitarist Pete Joe Urban spending most of last year living in San Antonio, TX, while his girlfriend attended school, coupled with the ridiculous amount of time it can take to write and record new material as well as the natural volatility of the band. It’s a lot to deal with, and at times, the band and I weren’t exactly sure if a new release would see the light of day. Towards the end of last year, drummer Pat Troxell asked me if the world really wanted another Creepoid album. My response was "DEFINITELY!" So now, here we are as the grungy psych-rock four-piece are finally back together in the same city and ready to unleash their long-awaited self-titled full-length album to the world via No Idea Records. And it was well worth the wait – just listen for yourself below. Come out this evening to Johnny Brenda’s for the gang’s record release show, and experience the intensity of a Creepoid live performance – something that few bands can match! They’ll also be joined by Philly music brethren Far-Out Fangtooth and Ecstatic Vision. Label it as a must-attend event! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Q.D. Tran