San Francisco

Band to Watch: Vollmer

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We’ve heard that there are a lot of great country and folk bands swarming this town, but there is nothing like the stark, garage country band Vollmer. Created as a homage to the slain second wife of William S. Burroughs, Joan Vollmer, this band opens every live performance with a simple vigil, and the intention of bringing awareness to the imbalance and injustice famous artist’s female partners endure, and Joan’s story in particular.

Their laid back California drenched Haight st. personas can’t hide their small town drawls and deeply embedded country ties. We like them because they’re a guilty pleasure and completely different than the noisy, gazey and washed out counter culture bands we’re used to (and love a bunch as well). Drawing from influences like The Silver Jews, The Rolling Stones and Johnny Cash, Jonny Moon, and the entire band (who all sport the last name Moon, making the entire situation a strangely fitting family affair), brings a gutter punk glam to country music.

Anything that is an acquired taste, any band that has the ability to totally be themselves and swag onto a stage quoting anti folk bands like The Moldy Peaches while singing with chewing tobacco in their cheeks is a-okay with The Deli.

They’re in the midst of recording their new album, which will be completed whenever they see fit. Vollmer will be playing a Deli Magazine Sponsored Event with our friends Spider Heart and The Janunting Martyrs (who will be playing their first show since March) at El Rio on August 20th. Don’t miss it! –je

NYC

Recommended Show: Loser Cruiser at 1.21 Gigawatts Festival

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Slacker meets surf rock on Loser Cruiser’s first single, "Girls Night".  The song features our favorite jangle-chorus effected guitar mastered by bands like Total Slacker and Diiv, something us Brooklynites have been mostly associating with dark bedroom pop vibes.  Yet the track faithfully follows a Beach Boys, surf-rock song structure; a welcome addition to the toned down slacker rock aesthetic.  Naturally, the only other release by the band is a cover of The Turtles’ Classic, "Happy Together."  Sometimes I forget that New York has always been planted on the beach, a trip that I’m sure you haven’t made enough times this summer (I know I haven’t).  Hit up Loser Cruiser at the third day of the 1.21 Gigawatts Festival tomorrow 1:45 PM.  -Jake Saunders

NYC

Recommended Show: Twin Vision at Holy Mountain, July 23rd

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 Twin Vision sounds like a modest blend of The Strokes and The White Stripes. Being that Twin Vision was only formed last year, we speculate whether the band has something new to incorporate into the ever transforming sound of garage rock. Labeled as "manic-psych," this band is definitely one to keep an eye on as they evolve their aesthetic. After listening to their two albums on band camp, the diversity in style is already evident.  Their first release in particular, Three Songs to Tickle Your Fantasy, but also their recent release called, Ice Cream, a nonstop powerhouse of anthemic blues to grunge rock songs. Catch their raucous show on July 23rd at Holy Mountain featuring Black Pussy and stream Ice Cream below. -Rebecca Blandon

 

 

NYC

Recommended Show: Twin Vision at Holy Mountain, July 23rd

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 Twin Vision sounds like a modest blend of The Strokes and The White Stripes. Being that Twin Vision was only formed last year, we speculate whether the band has something new to incorporate into the ever transforming sound of garage rock. Labeled as "manic-psych," this band is definitely one to keep an eye on as they evolve their aesthetic. After listening to their two albums on band camp, the diversity in style is already evident.  Their first release in particular, Three Songs to Tickle Your Fantasy, but also their recent release called, Ice Cream, a nonstop powerhouse of anthemic blues to grunge rock songs. Catch their raucous show on July 23rd at Holy Mountain featuring Black Pussy and stream Ice Cream below. -Rebecca Blandon

 

 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, July 18 – 20

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After being victims of a hit and run this past Sunday, Nothing was forced to rent a van to finish out the rest of their tour, which obviously is an expense that few smaller-scale bands can afford, so any merch purchases or donations (PayPal at Nickymoney@gmail.com) would be greatly appreciated when they stop home this Saturday at the First Unitarian Church. The hard-rockin’/livin’ shoegaze outfit will be co-headlining the bill with badass California progressive hardcore crew, Matador Records’ Ceremony. They’ll also be joined by locals Bad Side, Iron Lung, and Anxiety Hammer so be prepared to get sweaty and feel bodies smashing against you in the steamy basement of The Church. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 7pm, $14, All Ages – Alexis V.
 
Other things to enjoy this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Bel Heir, Cruiser, Dangerous Creatures
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Bonzai, Sunburster, Carved Up, Faking, SAT Plow United
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St ) FRI  Screening “EVERY EVERYTHING: THE MUSIC, LIFE & TIMES OF GRANT HART” (w/cover sets afterward including Mumblr), SAT Adult Swim Burlesque w/Schoolly D
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Moonshine Social (Album Release), Moibus Trip/ Nearest, Spectral Lines, SAT Burnout Star/ Magnificent Shit Hawks, Cavities, Black Friday Death Count, SUN (Upstairs) Sonnder, Acid Wolf
 
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Cheerleader, Cheers Elephant, Toy Soldiers, SAT Circa Survive, Ecstatic Vision
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Spank Rock, Prowler, Mumblr
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) Fri (Downstairs) Dave Watson, (Upstairs) Lily Mae
 
The Barbary (951 N. Frankford Ave.) SUN Harm Wülf
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.)  FRI Carl Crossfade, Traverse, Rhythm HB,H.I.M. Lee, Russ Tate, Rachel Tension, SAT Adlib, Godilla, J.O. The Last Man, SUN Shelf Life
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Tweed
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT The Slot Cars
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Underwater Country Club, Billy Roach & Political Theatre, SAT Next to None
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Raleaf
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Adam Travis & The Soul, The Great Enough
 
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave) SUN No Stayer, Weird Wolf
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) SAT Dead Horse Drivers, Gene Wildest (Upstairs) The Division, Duders, Sun Death Maschine, Generation Empty
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI The One2s, Only On Weekends, Wonder & Fury, The Hyde, SUN Hoser
 
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SAT Nothing, Bad Side, Anxiety Hammer
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Tutlie, Bondage & Discipline, SAT CJ x Evan, B.K. Friendly, Alyssa Julaine Sunny Dee Presents Female Takeover: Jacqueline Constance, Mare Floyd, Suzann Christine, Mixed People Band
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Hoochie Coochie Men, SAT Rats, Telequanta
 
Ardmore Music Hall SAT Chelsea Reed & The Fair Weather Five
 
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI Luke Goodman, SAT JDH & Dave P (FIXED), SUN Polido Social Club with Tony Modica + Jeffrey Bouchard + Ed Christo
 
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Window Liquor
 
Eris Temple Arts (602 S. 52nd St.) FRI Nick Millevoi, Eliot Klein
 
The Titan House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI I IM EYE MY, Pinkwash, Kerosene (mems/ex: Point Breeze, BBear, Hypoxia, Braille
first show)
 
Jackson House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Silverton, Porn Cops
 
L.A.

Stream: Roses, “It’s Over”

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Roses, a fairly new dream-pop trio out of LA, has pumped out two perfectly dance-worthy singles in preparation for their debut EP, Dreamlover, via Group Tightener. Their most recent single, "It’s Over" (streaming below) pays homage to 80’s disco with familiar 90’s shoegaze guitar wash. Juan Velasquez, previously of noise-pop band Abe Vigoda, sings with a half-talking drawl akin to David Byrne’s unmistakable vocal presence. The band almost sounds like a west coast Diiv, particularly in song structure, but also because of that warm chorus/tremolo effect that every slacker-rock band out of New York seems to be using these days. The EP is out on August 5th, and you can catch them live tomorrow at the Bootleg Theater among United Ghosts and A Sunny Day In Glassgow. -Jake Saunders

Philadelphia

Final Philly Hurrah for Toy Soldiers at Union Transfer July 18

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For the past 7 years, Toy Soldiers have been riling up audiences and gaining acclaim (USA Today’s Band to Watch in 2013). But after “20+ musicians, 3.4 million highway miles, 9 thousand rest-stops and a lifetimes worth of experience,” the band will be giving Philadelphia (you’ll still be able to travel with them for a couple festivals well into next month) one final hurrah at Union Transfer tonight. It’s far from goodbye though as Ron Gallo recently released his first solo effort on American Diamond Recordings (which features a few of his TS family as backing musicians), and drummer Dom Billett and guitarist Matt Kelly are getting ready to unveil their next project, Coin Purse. But for now, this will be the final opportunity to see them as a collective in the city that raised them. This evening’s show will also mark the first Philly homecoming for their longtime friends Cheers Elephant, who packed up for sunny Southern California pastures last year. Rounding out the lineup will be the buzzworthy indie outfit that started as a bedroom project between longtime friends Joe Haller and Chris Duran, Cheerleader. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 9pm, $14, All Ages – Bill McThrill

Philadelphia

Tutlie Radiating at Bourbon & Branch July 18

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Tutlie has been continually evolving since they first arrived on the Philly music scene from West Chester, but Jessie Radlow’s sultry, wispy vocals has always been the beacon of light helping to guide their musical ship. Tonight, she’ll radiate live on stage at Bourbon & Branch where Tutlie will be joined by up-and-comers Bondage & Discipline and New God. Ever since The National Rifle announced their name & lineup change to Bondage & Discipline, they have found a synth-laden new voice. And with new songs being unveiled as they work on their debut album aimed for release in 2015, it will be a perfect time to catch up on what the group has been up to lately. And if the recent single, “Firework,” from New God’s upcoming LP is any indication, then they are definitely going to be an act to pay attention to in the future. Bourbon & Branch, 705 N. 2nd St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill

New England

Boston Calling Announces Blank Canvas Contest

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A little over a week ago, the organizers of Boston Calling announced the launch of Blank Canvas, a contest inviting all interested artists to create a concept for a 36 x 60” mural that will then create and put on display during the fall festival session (September 5-7). Five winners will be chosen from the submissions, receiving $1000 cash (including $250 for supplies) and four 3-day VIP tickets to the Boston Calling, in addition to the vast exposure their designs will receive at the festival.

According to a press release, the idea for this contest came about after brainstorming different ways of trying to utilize the talents of all artists (not just musicians) in the activities at Boston Calling. “We are always seeking ways to extend our connection to the community and further celebrate the talents of the people that make Boston, and the entire region vibrant,” says Brian Appel, co-founder of Boston Calling, in the release.  “At this past May’s festival, every time we saw a blank wall, we felt we missed an opportunity to have an artist display their work.”

All interested applicants must submit their designs via an 8.5 x 11” digital document no later than August 5, 2014. A full list of contest rules and regulations–and info about September’s concert lineup–can be found here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

 

 

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Blood Boil” – Prowler

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Prowler recently came out of their lair to share a new visually-stimulating music video for the band’s single "Blood Boil." The kooky animation was provided by Daniel McCartney. Prowler will also be performing live this Saturday at Underground Arts as part of the Red Bull Sound Select/Jump Philly showcase.