Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, June 5 – 7

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Nepal was overtaken by a horrendous earthquake this past April that took nearly 9,000 lives while leaving more than 23,000 injured. This Saturday night at PhilaMOCA, R5 Productions will be holding a benefit concert with all proceeds going to Thrangu Rinpoche’s School for Himalayan Children, which offers housing, education, medical and dental care to the Nepalese mountain children. Headlining the evening will be exuberant folk rockers The Districts, who will be supported by folk crooner Thom McCarthy. Also added to the bill are the poetic pop stylings of Kississippi. The duo of Zoë Reynolds and Colin James Kupson (ex-Cyberbully Mom Club) has absolutely stolen my heart of late so definitely don’t sleep on them! PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $15 (Sold Out), All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
 
More places to get your music fix this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI CRUISR, Tutlie, Suburban Living, SAT Ross Bellenoit (Record Release), Madalean Gauze, Morgan Pinkstone, SUN Nothing
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI The Silence Kit, SAT Lou
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Night Windows, Pilkington, The Deadeyes/Howlish/DJ Lil’ Dave, SAT The Great Vibration/Line Leader, Tangiers/Sean Hearn, Jesse Tyler, SUN Weekender, Dulis/Science Club, Scatterbrain, Welter
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Nothing To Hide, SAT Mo Lowda & The Humble, Flightschool, Family Vacation
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Tango Leopard, Fake Boyfriend, Lady Parts (EP Release), SAT Space Drugs, Clementine
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Ashes of Our Sins, Salem Outlaws, Archangel, Open Wide, The Sky
 
TLA (334 South St.) FRI Lil Dicky, Eddie Madrid, Squid & Schill, SAT Beanie Sigel
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Mason Porter (Album Release), Tin Bird Choir/(Downstairs) Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute, Hmfo: A Hall and Oates Tribute, SAT (Upstairs) An Honest Year
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Mimos, Pompton Lakes, Anjuli Josephine, Baker Man, SUN Caroline Reese, Flounder Warehouse
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.)FRI Thee Idea Men, Cold Roses, SAT 1FM (EP Release), Skyline The City, Danger Club
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Voltheque, The Original Crooks and Nannies, Mr. Sampson
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Those People, The Wayside Shakeup, Post War Dream, SAT Flux Capacitor, The Royal Noise, Catallus
 
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FR DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Hezekiah Jones
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Hired Guns Blues Band, SAT Midwestern Exposure, Man About A Horse, Heavy Blonde, SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St) FRI Supreem Da Rezarekta, Supreem And The New Experience, Whitney Peyton, Big Tal & Kastilano/The Black Moons, Heavy Harold, Boy Wonder, SAT (1pm) Hellrad, Cadaveric Spasm, Doom Whore/(7:30 pm) Peace With Doubt/Skeleton Hands, Seeds of Perdition, Suicide Conspiracy, 2Fclub
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Kings & Comrades, Paul Kurrey, SAT Mesa Jane, Lapses
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Ill Dill Tha Vill, Pedro Fresco, SAT Jahlil Beats
 
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Mr. Sonny James, SUN (2pm) percussionist Josh Robinson/(9:30pm) DJ Royale
 
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Philly Madison, You Do You
 
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) FRI Darko the Super, 185668232, Visitor 10/Freddy Pompeii, Terrell Atrophy
 
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI Pushin’ It 2 the Limit, No, Easy Creatures, Goddamnit
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Sheep, Natalie Chapkis, SAT The Subtractive, American Dinosaur, Hopscotch Jefferson, Wolf Accent, SUN Duke Brothers
 
Vox Populi (319 N. 11th St.) SAT Silverton, Diane Foglizzo, Papi León
 
Eris Temple Arts (602 S. 52nd St.) FRI Whoopsy Daisy, Bathassaults
 
Black Vulture Gallery (208 E. Girard Ave.) FRI Faking
 
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Dying, Die Choking, SUN Scraaatch Shakai Mondai, Moor Mother Goddess with Abdul Kadir, Magus Monk
 
The Mitten (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Bore War, No Other
 
Great Indoors (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Socialite, The Guests, Telepathic
 
Hong Kong Garden (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Mercury Milk, Friendship Horace Mann
 
Kat Frat (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Free Cake For Every Creature
 
A House Named Virtue (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Shakai Mondai, Droid Daughter
 
NYC

Feathers + Eyes releases first single from upcoming EP

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Orchestral pop/soul quartet Feathers + Eyes have released the first single from their first and upcoming 8-track EP, ‘Beauty for Ashes’. “Haze” is a powerful handshake as far as musical introductions go. Alisha Roney’s lyrical narrative suggests influence from realms of performance poetry and R&B. Her dramatic lines ring out amidst synths, crackling beats, and patches of orchestral arrangements. When playing acoustic shows, baritone ukulele, cajón drum, and electric bass flesh out the sound. This may be the band’s first release, but they’ve been playing all around NYC for a while at venues like The Bitter End, Arlene’s Grocery, and Black Bear Bar. They’ve explained that their curious name is a reference to the cherubim depicted in Ezekiel – singing four faced angels who are covered in eyes and move like wheels within wheels; when they are overwhelmed by beauty they cover their many eyes with their many wings. – Leora Mandel

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Nancy (Be Good)” – Purples

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Purples have released a reworked take on the title track from their debut album Nancy, transforming the solemn sounding original into a rocker. The accompanying music video is quite fitting, given the song’s revitalized sense of motion. The footage provides a scenic view as you coast along a railway. The band performs next in Philly on Wednesday, July 22 at Ortlieb’s alongside Lightninging and Gladshot.

Chicago

Lil Durk

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Lil Durk released his debut album Remember My Name this week, and premiered the video for his track "What Your Life Like". The features production work from Young Chop, Boi-1da, Vinylz, Metro Boomin’ and more. The video is directed by Eif Rivera and focused life on the streets of Chicago.

NYC

LVL UP announces summer tour + plays Irving Plaza on 08.17

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Riding the wave of heavy but melodic guitar rock reminiscent of the grunge/slacker rock era, Brooklyn’s LVL UP in 2014 delivered their sophomore album ‘Hoodwink’d,’ one of the best received in this 90s inspired movement. On the heels of that release, the band has announced a summer tour that includes dates with The Sidekicks, Glocca Morra, The Front Bottoms, Big Ups, Upset, and Basement. Full dates can be found here – you can see them at Irving Plaza on August 17. Check out their recent video for single ‘DBTS,’ streaming below.

P.S. In November 2013 LVL UP released a split 7" with the band currently on the cover of The Deli: Porches.

 

Chicago

Lardo

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The trio of veteran rockers known as Lardo has released their debut album, Gunmetal Eyes, via the local label Alliterative Accord Recordings. Nick Meiers (bass, vocals), Brian Pennington (guitar), and Jim Duffy (drums) have been involved with several bands over the years including Cool Devices, Soft Jolts, and Phantom Works. The album is dark and grinding, and filled with fantastic riffs.

You can catch Lardo with many other bands at PRF BBQ on June 20th.

Philadelphia

CRUISR Go For It at JB’s June 5

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CRUISR headlines a three-pronged billing of local bands this evening at Johnny Brenda’s. The lineup, which also includes Tutlie and Suburban Living, shares the thread of easily lovable, movement-enticing music. The quartet of CRUISR serves up naturally positive bounce that bubbles over, pushed by a melodic core and sustained by a constant percussive pop and subtly sharp reinforcing guitar lines. Tutlie occupy the middle slot surrounding you in an intricately designed orchestra of sound that lifts one into the upper atmosphere, rather than weighing you down with their powerful vocal interplay. Wesley Bunch guides the heart-pumping emotive synth-pop vehicle of Suburban Living, jumpstarting your night while weaving in and out of the shadows with a combination of urgency and ease. Johnny Brenda’s 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita

NYC

Brooklyn rapper Tom Phonic releases ‘MDSMPLS’ EP

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For ten years Tom Phonic has been hitting New York with his vibey electro-funk, usually in the realm of instrumental techno. His new MDSMPLS EP is his first all-collaborative album featuring impressive vocal stylings from BK’s Jack Wilson, Seattle’s IfThen, and NY’s Vanessa Boyd. It’s a solid boom-bap release appropriate for both head nodding and reserved twerking. If this is his first step into working with vocalists, one can only speculate the dopeness he’ll drop once he reaches full stride.

Toronto

Frankie and Jimmy @ This Ain’t Hollywood

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This 2 piece plays stripped down bluesy folk tunes that come straight from the garage. They released their album "Scream the Blues" in 2013 and it’s nothing but fun to listen to. The first tune "Beautiful City" is a dirty blues song mainly utilizing a just kick drum and harmonica. It’s quick and to the point. It sets the tone for what’s to come. That’s when they fire into "Let It Rock" which is a fast paced guitar rocker that’s basically a 2 piece Johnny B. Goode. I have heard and seen the name Frankie & Jimmy around town but I had no idea their tunes were this cool. They remind me a lot of King Khan & BBQ Show which is a 2-piece garage oldies type band as well. Frankie & Jimmy hit up This Aint Hollywood on Friday. -Kris"Big City"Gies

Philadelphia

New Fight Amp Album Available for Streaming

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Local noise-rock outfit Fight Amp slugs and claws its way through its new album Constantly Off, which you can stream below. Scraping bloody fingers across steel strings while unleashing perpetual percussion gut shots, the power trio is starting to find its foothold in this fickle world of music. Constantly Off is set for vinyl and digital releases on June 9 via Brutal Panda Records.

NYC

The fiercely fuzz post-punkers Blood Candy to release debut EP “Dead Moon”

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Sweet and sanguine, the Los Angeles-raised Tara Harris might be the sister Karen O wishes she had. Too bad though; she’s already got her mates Cliff Frelix (guitar), Nicky Kamrava (bass), and Tammy Hirata (drums) in their year-old lo-fi fuzz baby: Blood Candy.

Black Tambourines and The Jesus and Mary Chain comparisons aside, Bloody Candy leaves a metallic taste in your mouth and a ring to your ears that lasts an entire weekend. In the short amount of time they’ve been together, the four have worked with Joe Cardamone of The Icarus Line, graced LA’s one-and-only Part Time Punks, and played with the likes of Tashaki Miyaki, King Woman, and The Stargazer Lilies.

Bloody Candy will support the neo psychedelic rangers The Warlocks at The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa on June 10th, and again at The Bootleg Theater on June 13th with Magic Wands. You can also catch them at Tennis System’s Echo residency on Monday the 15th. Listen to "Heart Attack" below and watch for the digital release of their debut album "Dead Moon" tomorrow! – Ryan Mo

San Francisco

Album Review: Lemme Adams – Black Flamingo

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The San Francisco based alternative surf rock band, Lemme Adams released a new EP last week. The five track album is entitled Black Flamingo and is a strong follow up to their debut album Gorilla Back.

Lemme Adams, as a band is able to incorporate horns into their dark surf rock sound in a super tasteful manner. The horns never bleed over into playing cheesy ska riffs or come off sounding overly "Mariachi", even when performing music for the Latin themed third track, Venezuela. Jordan Miller’s bassy tribal drum beats and Adams’ signature vocals make the album familiar and warm in regards to the musical style relating to their previous release. Nonetheless, Adams as a songwriter wrote more about what was going on around him while maintaining a bit of subjectiveness in this collection of songs. You can still pinpoint Adams’ perception and opinion about what he’s lyrically describing, but he’s less emotionally direct than his writing was in the last album.

Adams has the ability to write incredibly cynical songs that don’t put you off or seem unnecessarily confrontational. The title track of the album (which houses some nice faux improvised jam outs) along with the second song, Hella seem to be about general disillusionment with social popularity. Both songs talk a lot about friends, and Hella seems to point out "friends" inconsistencies and trivialness. Hella is a Californian slang term that means "a large amount of" and can be easily overused in conversation. The irony of the word is not lost on Adams in regards his parody of how many times the word can be said and heard if one is in a group of young people in Cali.

The third song, Venezuela captures the sunny feel of the South American country as Adams sings about not being able to escape the sharp sunlight. Christmas Spirit goes along with the band’s weird theme of writing and performing Christmas music all year around, and of course, Toys, the song of the band’s award winning music video has finally made its debut on a recording.

Great record. Good job! Take a listen to Black Flamingo!