Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, February 5 – 7

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The classic two-piece rock band: a time-tested model that, when properly executed, deserves special recognition and admiration; not only for the boldness of performing as a duo with only one other person to rely on, but also for the unique quality that such an undiluted intimacy between musicians can produce. And to better celebrate these dynamic duos, these symbols of symbiosis, First Unitarian Church is hosting the 9th annual Two Piece Fest this Saturday. Enter +HIRS+, a beloved Philly two-piece thrash band, who combines dizzying tempos, pummeling blast beats, and throat rending vocals with a Napalm Death sensibility for song length – that is, extremely short. For good reason too, because if any of these songs ran over a minute, fingers would start flying off their joints, and throats would combust. Dialing it back a notch is Blacksalt, whose emotive melodies and weaving vocals are faintly reminiscent of a gazed-out Seam. Let’s also not forget local math-rock bad boys, The Joint Chiefs Of Math, who create head-spinningly unpredictable soundscapes full of abrupt dynamic shifts and tirelessly innovative drum parts. Out-of-towners Empty Vessels will also be in attendance to claim their share of two-piece praise with their heavy brand of sludgy hardcore. A handful of parallels can be made between them and sludge-duo legends Jucifer, but Empty Vessels has a seemingly stronger inclination toward post-hardcore dissonant melody over low-end doom-style riffage. Baltimore’s Romantic States take a different approach to duo song crafting, choosing instead to celebrate the charming minimalism inherent in a two-piece. Their pop songs are uncomplicated and jangly, but don’t lose any expressive detail for lack of members. You can check out the full lineup and set times for Two Piece Fest HERE. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 2pm, $12, All Ages. – Bryce Woodcock
 
More places to hang this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.)  SAT Philly Loves Dilla: DJ Mike Nyce, Mr. Sonny James
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT ROZES, Lockets, Bondage & Discipline
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI The Good Mess, Mr. Grimstone/Boys Club, SAT GASH/The Danger O’s, Readership, Welter, The One2s, The Escape/BlendMode, Get Up
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., Bunny Savage
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI The Underwater Sounds (Farewell Show), The Snails, Rosemary Fiki Band, SAT Ben Arnold (Record Release), The Fractals
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Pig Iron Theatre’s Annual Benefit Cabaret:  La Vie Bo-Ham
 
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI The Disco Biscuits, Darla, SAT The Disco Biscuits, Swift Technique
 
TLA (334 South St.) SAT OCD: Moosh & Twist
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI  (Downstairs) Hezekiah Jones, SAT (Upstairs) 4th Annual Winter Doldrums Benefit Concert: Matt Duke, Mutlu, Andrea Nardello, AlyCat, John Faye, The Wallace Brothers Band, Christopher Davis-Shannon, Tin Bird Choir, Chris Grunwald & Raph Cutrufello, Sonja Sofya & Ross Bellenoit, Paige Allbritton & Elspeth Tremblay, Chipocrite, Lovers League, Vilebred, Sunshine Superman, Ben Kessler, Song Dogs, The Rent-A-Cops: The Police Tribute Band, Hurricane Hoss, Allison Polans, Angela Burns, Alex & the Beggars
Vilomah project preview with Michele Lynn & Nardo Lilly, Doc Terry’s tribute to Dante Bucci
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Jesus’ Older Brother, Lakota, SAT Howlish, SUN Freshsz, Kace, Crime Children, Miles Chancellor, Ant Beale
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Whiting, SAT Screaming Rattler, BlackHand
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Sheer Mag, The Whips
 
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT (4pm) Blonde Melon/(9:30pm) DJ Deejay
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT The Deadeyes/Hired Guns Blues Band
 
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Franky’s Foxes with DJ Chris Urban
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Will Paynter and Jay Popky
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Stereoma, Momma Hankton, Jean Claude’s Damn Van, Skip Monday, SAT Pagan Babies, Shitty Friends, The Dolts
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Outer Heaven, Disgorgement
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Something Like Sound, Room For Mojo, SAT StarSkream, Pravda, Trouble in Tokyo
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI The Mad Splatter, Disaster Committee, Proof & Proving, SAT (3:30pm) Fishtown Beats/(9pm) Arc Divers, Heart Harbor, SUN Tiani Victoria, Jay Marie, Mew 3 Crew, R’Que, Malc Dat
 
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Reef the Lost Cauze, Mic Stew
 
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) FRI Moto Surf, Brackish, The Morelings, Thief, Steal Me A Peach
 
Bond Villian (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Kississippi, Hanging Hills (EP release), Howlish
 
Beach House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Uncle/Father Oscar
 
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Jim Strong Bathassaults, Kyle Press
 
Cosmos (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT (Acoustic Show) Rachel Browne, Jake Ewald, Jeremy Berkin
 
Nico Nico Mansion (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT The Guests, Vanillalord, Old Maybe, Nyxy Nyx
 
The Farm (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Jenkem, Incisor
 
Philadelphia

Hanging Hills EP Release Show at Bond Villain Feb. 5

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Folk-rock foursome Hanging Hills celebrates the release of its new EP Sewn this evening at Bond Villain. The Connecticut transplants steadily pass through open areas with instrumentation that captures an unwinding adventure. There’s a clean, loose feel – one that opens up while holding focus. Fortified with vocal harmony, crisp transitions and homespun finish, Hanging Hills hits like a refreshing breeze that can flex in gusts when called upon. The flourishing, floating sound of Kississippi hypnotically glides along, unveiling contemplative moments of sincerity. Exploring deep sonic grooves, Howlish completes this billing. Bond Villain (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) 8:30pm, $5, All Ages – Michael Colavita

NYC

Dream pop duo Tiny Deaths unveils ‘The Gardener’ from upcoming ‘Night Flowers’ EP

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Dream pop has exploded in the NYC scene in the last decade, and the feeling we have is that the genre is slowly gathering more and more attention (also thanks to artists like Lana Del Rey, not exactly an indie scene dear, but nonetheless responsible for introducing a mellow and uber-dreamy pop sound to many new music fans). Tiny Deaths, who sound nothing like Lana, and whose name is a translation of how French people call sexual peak, is a duo based in Minneapolis and Brooklyn. They released their debut, self titled EP last year, and recently unveiled a new, four track release entitled ‘Night Flowers’ (two singles streaming below). They seem to specialize in sparse, mostly electronic midtempos highlighting singer Claire de Lune’s celestial melodies drenched in otherworldly reverb. Looking forward to see them in NYC – no shows scheduled here at this stage.

We added "Ever" to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

 

Philadelphia

New R.R. Perkins Live EP Available for Streaming & Download

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Recent Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners R.R. Perkins have already put their studio time prize at Sleepless Sound to good use. The instrumental ensemble recorded a live sampling of material from their Volume II and Volume III releases. Take a listen below as the group finds its whimsical, slightly funky groove as that Theremin provides an extraterrestrial edge. (Photo by Dan Cohoon)

NYC

Westend Recording Studios Presents Amplify KC Vol. 1

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(Photo by Todd Zimmer)
 
“Heavier punk or metal is aggressive and comes from a need to tap into that primitive feeling inside of you,” says Justin Mantooth. Mantooth is the house engineer at Westend Recording Studios, a state-of-the-art recording facility tucked into the West Plaza area of town. Westend boasts professional recordings from some of KC’s most well-known rock lineage, from Shiner to Frogpond to Season To Risk, and current groups like Shy Boys, Radkey, and Making Movies. On Monday, the studio released a compilation called Amplify KC Volume 1, featuring some of the city’s heaviest acts.
 
Eleven forceful tracks make up the album, ranging from noise rock to punk to metal to hardcore, skillfully recorded, produced, and mixed by Mantooth and mastered by Mike Nolte (Eureka Mastering). Read our Q&A with Mantooth and get it as a free download here.
 
The Deli: One of the goals of this compilation was to highlight heavy-minded artists. Why do you think these artists tend to be overlooked? 
 
Mantooth: It’s not for everyone. It’s less approachable than your electro-pop hipster thing might be to a casual listener. 
 
The Deli: This compilation also showcases the production quality from Westend. Tell us more about the facility.
 
Mantooth: Westend owner Mike Miller has built a professional environment that has a vibe of a time before streaming and MP3s. A time when it was more about the music and not YouTube views. We try to push for "real"-sounding records rather than slick overly produced ones. I take full advantage of new digital tools, don’t get me wrong, but my goal isn’t to quantize performances into robotic perfection. One thing that may set us apart from other studios is that we still use analog tape often, something that isn’t really happening in most studios today. 
 
The Deli: How did you select these particular artists? Highlight a few of them.
 
Mantooth: We put the word out that we wanted to do this compilation and had bands submit to take part. From there I chose the bands I thought I could make a solid production with in a day’s worth of studio time. That wasn’t easy to narrow down! I wish I could have recorded 20 bands, but you know it’s a lot of work. I’ll just highlight the first 3 tracks on the comp because I enjoy everyone on there. 
 
Hyborian: These guys can play and write very slick songs yet keep it heavy. The mix of smooth vocals over raging guitars and big drums is just excellent. 
 
Walking Oceans: Just listen to their entire track. It is a rollercoaster ride of badassery. Instrumental music that doesn’t leave you wondering when the vocal section is going to start. Really good band. 
 
Bluehealer: These dudes are young and they play like it. With no fear at all. They throw down. Taking somewhat simple chords and ideas and just thrashing them hard. They remind me of some of my favorite bands and I enjoyed getting that sound for them. 
 
The Deli: What can we in the KC music scene do to support bands in the hardcore/metal/punk/heavy rock scene? What should bands do to get their name out there? 
 
Mantooth: That’s a good question. The biggest thing is go out and see bands live. Buy their merch. We live in a time when there are a million reasons to just stay home. We don’t have the same attendance at shows that was the norm 15 to 20 years ago. I think one good idea is having more diverse lineups at local shows. We don’t need to see 5 similar metal bands at 1 show. I played a show on NYE with Jorge Arana Trio, Sharp Weapons, Sundiver, and Bummer. All very different, but it went really well. People like to hear diversity and sometimes bills are stacked with too much of the same. And usually half of the lineup is terrible just to keep the genres the same. 
 
The Deli: Name a few must-see KC bands that people may not know about. It doesn’t have to be limited to bands on this compilation; perhaps even some that didn’t make the cut.
 
Mantooth: All of these bands are bands I want people to know about. Bummer is a must see. They always bring the beef. Hammerlord didn’t work out as far as being on the compilation, but they are great. 
 
Check out Amplify KC Vol. 1 on Bandcamp!
 
–Michelle Bacon
 

 

NYC

Show review: The Band That Fell To Earth at Uptown Theater, 1.31.16

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David Bowie is a god of artistry, performance, and music. We are all created in his ever-changing image. Cool in our uncoolness, beautiful awkward outcasts, only appreciated and understood in our circles of the same. May it be Bowie as a distorted, sexy, sci-fi, glam-rock angel, or toying with the absurdity of gender and sexuality and what belongs to it, or Bowie as a poetic confrontational storyteller, or merely the voice of a collective us who seeks guidance and shelter from the normal; David Bowie changed the world.
 
On Sunday night, Bowie fans all over the metro came to pay tribute to our god. Upwards of 850 people showed up at the Uptown Theater, some with painted faces and all ready to do their part. This show was originally booked for Knuckleheads Saloon but moved when the demand became too great for it to handle. Our local musicians leading us in praise, calling themselves The Band That Fell To Earth, played more than 2 hours of Bowie—25 songs. And still left us wanting more. Always more Bowie.
 
Michelle Bacon, editor and writer for our very own Deli along with 90.9 The Bridge and Ink, on her cooler days plays bass for The Philistines and drums for Chris Meck and The Guilty Birds. She handpicked this very talented group of her friends and peers and coordinated a masterpiece of a tribute. Ultimately presented by The Deli KC, this performance was all created from the depths of her Bowie fandom. Kansas City thanks you, Michelle.
 
Michelle with her shiny hair, tight red pants, and perfectly played funky bass lines, wasn’t the only star onstage that night. Stephanie Williams was the other half of the rhythm section; she and her beautiful bangs play drums in Katy Guillen & the Girls. Kyle Dahlquist, of The Hardship Letters and Amy Farrand and the Like, took care of the synth and keys. Alex Alexander of Drop a Grand and SquidsKC melted faces with his lead guitar. Rich Wheeler, who plays with The People’s Liberation Big Band and Son Venezuela, was the brass section. Betse Ellis and Clarke Wyatt of the folk duo Betse & Clarke were the string section. Andrea Tudhope, Lauren Krum (The Grisly Hand, Ruddy Swain), and Rachel Christia (Hearts of Darkness) were personality and backup vocals. The main vocals were handled by Nathan Corsi of Not a Planet, Michael Tipton of Kodascope, and Steve Tulipana of Roman Numerals.
 
Besides the talent, the key to this tribute was the huge video screen behind the band (provided by XO Blackwater). It played clips of videos and live performances that went along perfectly with the set list all night. It gave us a needed tool to fully reminisce. It allowed us to compare dance moves between Bowie and whoever was taking on the vocals at the moment, which was a very fun element. The screen started the show with the “Lazarus” video—it sobered the crowd right up and we all remembered that we were in mourning.
 
The Band That Fell To Earth started their first set with “Let’s Dance.” The seats cleared and I became fully aware of what a special night this was going to be. Steve Tulipana carried the brunt of the lead vocals. I have been lucky enough to catch him in a couple of tribute projects, one being a Joy Division tribute. He became Ian Curtis that night and blessed us with the transformation into David Bowie on Sunday night. Steve brings icons back to life, just for one day. His moves, his vocals, and emphasis were captivating. He was David Bowie and the crowd loved it.
 
“Heroes” has been such a covered and loved track for so long. I’ve heard it recorded and covered live so many times. But something felt different about it on Sunday. This anthem, professing love and proclaiming individuality and how truly heroic these things are, is who David Bowie was. It is an anthem to me. It means so much. And Rich’s horn during this song was everything. Bless him and his contribution to this project.
 
Popular favorites “China Girl,” “Young Americans,” and “Modern Love” turned the crowd into a dance party. Old and young dancing and singing every lyric wildly at each other. But the real shock was the last song of the first set, where Nathan Corsi captivated the crowd with his vocal interpretation of “Life on Mars.” No one around me spoke. Some had tears in their eyes. Dressed in suspenders with his beautiful brunette mane, Nate was not Bowie. He was a fan. He was paying tribute. His voice represented how we all felt. He left his crowd blown away. We all needed an intermission to gather ourselves.
 
We came back from intermission with “Fame” and the stripper moves came pouring out. Michelle and Kyle became Nine Inch Nails on “I’m Afraid of Americans” and I cannot stress enough how spot-freaking-on this was. During “Suffragette City,” the screen above showed clips from Labyrinth and everyone took notice.
 
“Sound and Vision,” which is one of my personal favorite tracks, was done justice by Kyle on the keys. He was a vision (see what I did there?). “Space Oddity,” was taken on by Nate and Andrea. Andrea was center stage and ready to do her part to pay homage with Nate to her left. I felt nervous as these vocals felt like maybe they would be a stretch for anyone to take on. I was so wrong. They, along with the string and horn section, took us to church and made us all believers. It was one of many “WOW” moments of the show. But, not to be outdone, “Moonage Daydream” produced its own stars. Alex seemed to have been taken over by some sort of rock guitarist demon and Clarke broke his bow. Now THAT is rock ‘n roll.
 
The Band That Fell To Earth played an encore of “Rock n Roll Suicide” and “Under Pressure.” Michelle began the last song of the night with that bass line we all know so well. We prepared ourselves for the grand finale. The backup vocalists danced. All performers of the night graced the stage. David and Freddie took over the screen and we all celebrated, together.
 
David, thank you. Thank you for the music. Thank you for the courage. Thank you for instilling the belief that we are all ok as we are, no matter what that might be. Thank you for changing us and the world. RIP.
 
—Jess Barrett
Haver of sweet dance moves and stealer of t-shirts
 

 

L.A.

Adult Books release video for “Suburban Girlfriend”

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 Fuzz pop trio Adult Books are set to release their debut full-length, Running from the Blows, on March 4th through Lollipop/Burger Records. they’ve just released a video for the insatiably catchy "Suburban Girlfriend", which features the band playing around in the suburbs as if they’ve regressed to their younger selves.  

Watch the video below, and make sure to catch their residency at The Echo throughout the month of February. 

Toronto

FRANKIE & JIMMY: LIVE AT THE BALTIMORE HOUSE – HAMILTON!

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Demento blues…ever heard of it? Well it’s time you got a lesson on how it’s done. Frankie & Jimmy are a demento blues duo from Hamilton. They released their album "Scream the Blues" in 2014 and it’s full of traditional blues tracks done in a very original way. Frankie rips the slide guitar while Jimmy wails on the mic and harmonica. It’s in your face and dirty as well as beautiful and unique. More recently these fellas have lined up a full band. They’ve also released some new tracks with music videos such as "My Harley". The best part about Frankie & Jimmy is their own brand of signature hot sauce. It’s called "Burn the Blues Away" and as Jimmy says "it won’t ruin your day but it’ll ruin your next ten minutes." I’ve made my special hot wing sauce with it before and it was unreal. Frankie & Jimmy along with Torque Hound open up for Flamingo Báy at their Tape Release Party Friday Night (February 5th) at the Baltimore House in Hamilton. Sweet venue, sweet tunes and spicy sauce! Go.

NYC

Boston’s Celebrity Look-Alikes play Middle East on 2/6

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Back in September, Boston "psych dance-rock" quartet Celebrity Look-Alikes released its unabashedly mellow self-titled EP. Starting with the bass-zipped “Gargoyle” (streaming below), its loose yet controlled keys as chimerical as its titular beast, and ending with the swirling guitars of the existential musing “Revolving Door,” the effort shows a young, undeniably talented band searching for meaning while having fun along the way. Celebrity Look-Alikes play at Middle East in Cambridge MA on Saturday (2/6). – Zach Weg

Philadelphia

New Track: “Hong Kong (Lady of Love)” (Feat. Ariel Pink) – Lushlife

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Nearly a year ago, we had chance to hear Lushlife‘s collaboration with Ariel Pink, called “Hong Kong (Lady of Love),” when he performed it live for the first time opening for Kool Keith at Kung Fu Necktie. Well, we are very happy to get to share with you the studio recording of the single, which will be found on Lush’s forthcoming LP Ritualized. The record was produced by CSLSX, and will be out on February 19 via Western Vinyl. On the track, Raj Haldar’s vocals emerge from the dark undercurrent of synth, leading the rush that is surrounded by the polish of Pink’s sensual chorus. It’s sharp-tongued and silk-adorned.

NYC

Bands playing Market Hotel: Show Me The Body, Uniform, and LODRO

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Now that Brooklyn’s Market Hotel is back, we can finally have a clear picture of which local artists in the NYC DIY circuit have the necessary following (or whatever you want to call it) to play a venue that’s considerably larger than any other "DIY" venue. We used quotes when referring to DIY because it must be noted that the term has lost most of its original meaning, since most of these places, from Aviv to Palisades, and also Market Hotel, are perfectly legal venues: we guess DIY, today, is all about attitude, all ages shows, DIY decor, and – most imprtantly – about the style of the bands booked, veering from punky to psych to experimental or wildly creative, but never over produced. Maybe they should just rename this the "no frills" Brooklyn scene.

Anyway, not that many bands – besides DIIV (too big for us to cover) – are playing Market Hotel in the next few weeks, but we dig the few ones that are. We blogged quite a lot about Show Me The Body and their insane blend of Post Hardcore, Noise Rock and… Hip Hop maybe? Stuff that won’t climb the charts, but that might very well be remembered as what was relevant and new in Brooklyn in the mid ’10s – they are playing the Bushwick venue tomorrow February 5th.

We’ve always been big fans of Lodro, a noir, tense as f**k  trio that will be opening for DIIV’s second show on March 3rd.

A band we never covered before, Uniform (pictured), will perform on Saturday February 13th as an opener to SF electro post punkers The Soft Moon. The Brooklyn duo’s music also blends electronic sounds (drum machine and droney bass synth) with punky and industrial elements. Definitely a band to see while wearing earplugs and your good old mosh pit shoes on – oh, right you wear those all the time… you are good to go then!