Philadelphia

Sheer Mag Opening for Screaming Females at JB’s Nov. 5

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The three-headed lineup this evening at Johnny Brenda’s has been marked on my calendar for quite some time. The show begins with Sheer Mag, whose 7’’ is currently our album of the month and for a good reason; it genuinely rocks! The relatively new Christina Halladay-fronted group packs a decisive punch, filling all four songs with a garage-rock sound littered with saucy guitar riffs. Halladay’s snarly-combative vocals mesh well with a heavier jangly groove, which falls into place and provides a smooth shape to otherwise tough sounding tunes. Exuberant Tennessee garage-rockers Pujol, whose songs hover that threshold where grit and catchy-hooks intermingle, bridge the gap to New Brunswick juggernaut trio Screaming Females, whose live shows are a sight and sound to behold, captivating with all-out sizzling guitar shreds and a relentless hard-charging backbeat that will have the building bouncing tonight. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $13, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band Record Release Show at Boot & Saddle Nov. 5

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Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band organically formed during the recording of the guitar virtuoso’s last breakthrough album, Solar Motel. Since then, the group has been pushing the boundaries of his compositions in live settings and impressing those who have been fortunate enough to be there when the four-piece merges into one cohesive unit, churning out time-bending psychedelic rock. It’s an experience well worth any exhaustion that you may feel the next morning at work. They’ll be celebrating the release of their latest triumph, Intensity Ghost, this evening at Boot & Saddle where they’ll be joined by cosmic journeyman Marshall Allen and neo-psychedelia outfit The Orange Drop. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $12, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Diddle Coaster” (Eric Copeland Remix) – Aunt Dracula

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Freak-out psych-pop project Aunt Dracula, a.k.a. Scott Daly, is coming out with a remix LP entitled Peel Face. Here’s "Diddle Coaster," a favorite of his from the collection that was reworked by Black Dice’s Eric Copeland. It also comes with a warped music video, directed by Logan Owlbeemoth featuring "professional mask making for beginners." Aunt Dracula is definitely keeping Philly weird.

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Predictable Miracles” – Work Drugs

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Work Drugs just shared a new music video for their latest single "Predictable Miracles." ("our love letter to chill wave, we hardly knew you. RIP") The yacht rockers will be celebrating the release of their new album Runaways with a "secret" show this Friday, November 7 at Spice House Sound with New Myths. There are very limited tickets left, which you can purchase HERE, and the event is sponsored by Beck’s so drinks will be on the house. Cheers!

Philadelphia

New Track: “Blood Red Sun” – The Bailey Hounds

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Americana rock outfit The Bailey Hounds just released the first of two singles to close out the year. "Blood Red Sun" was produced by Jon Low (The National. Sharon Van Etten, etc.) and the band at Miner Street Recordings. The Bailey Hounds currently has a couple of local area shows on its schedule – November 12 at The Ardmore Music Hall and December 12 at MilkBoy Philly.   

Philadelphia

New Track: “4th and Roebling” – The Districts

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The Districts premiered a new single called "4th and Roebling," over at The Fader yesterday. The track was named after the intersection in Brooklyn where they parked their car for the band’s first show in NYC. It is off their forthcoming full-length album The Flourish And A Spoil, which was produced by Angel Olsen collaborator John Congleton. The record is slated for release on February 10 via Fat Possum. They are currently in Europe for a couple of shows in London and Paris.

Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s November Record of the Month: 7″ – Sheer Mag

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Relatively new outfit, South Philly’s Sheer Mag, fronted by The Shakes’ Christina Halladay, wastes no time with filler on their debut 7”. The four-track release is equal parts garage and punk bravado.
 
“What You Want” kick-starts the record with jangly percussion and pristinely fuzzed-out riffs. As the song’s melody unfolds, Halladay’s screamed-out, heartfelt vocals recount and flawlessly capture the dissonance of romantic antics and their aftermath. Guitar-drenched interludes and buzzing drums reminiscent of Colleen Green, circa Cujo, and early demos by Bleached render the piece memorable, while noisy shreds near the three-minute mark bring to mind the lo-fi glory of the Useless Eaters’ Daily Commute.
 
Sheer Mag’s “Sit and Cry” is bittersweet and abrasive. Opening with crisply executed riffage, the second track off the band’s EP audibly embodies the malaise of its namesake. Halladay’s vocals, coupled with trippy distortion, amplify the emotional nuance of the release as a whole. As “Sit and Cry” nears its end, chords morph into reverb as she croons “cry, cry.” Soon after, the satisfyingly moody “Point Breeze” begins. Starting off with a rhythmic drive evocative of Cousin Brian or Throwing Up, the undertone of “Point Breeze” captivates listeners nostalgic for Slutever’s Pretend to Be Nice. Crisp with caustic yet earnest diction by Halladay, the song is energetically catching from start to end.
 
The album’s closer, “Hard Lovin,” is gritty, like a mellowed-out Bobbyteens’ B-side. Shaking tambourine and whining guitar lines perfectly compliment her rowdy vocals as the song progresses. Thematically, “Hard Lovin” is a kindred spirit to acts like No Bunny or Hunx and His Punx. It’s a song for romantics with a penchant for rock ‘n’ roll. It’s an anthem.
 
Overall, Sheer Mag’s debut release is brief. Despite this, the four-song EP is more than enough to wet the appetites of their soon-to-be adoring fans. – Dianca Potts

Philadelphia

Split/Red Record Release Show at JB’s Nov. 2

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Throughout hard-hitting art punks Split/Red‘s evolution, they have featured members of beloved Philly bands like Make a Rising, Cuddle Magic, and Many Arms. The band has been compared to the likes of iconic acts such as Jesus Lizard and The Stooges. On their latest LP Serious Heft (New Atlantis Records), you’ll find politically charged tracks that were composed during various trips to El Salvador and were inspired by freedom fighters who rallied against injustice and domestic oppression. They also cut a visually captivating music video for the song “Road to Aguilares (for Rutilio Grande),” which is dedicated to the El Salvadorian liberation theologian. Split/Red will be celebrating the record’s release this evening at Johnny Brenda’s, and they’ll be joined by synth-punk trio The Bad Doctors and Blowdryer, a new project from Bleeding Rainbow’s Sarah Everton. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill

Philadelphia

WPO & Mercury Radio Theater Post-Halloween Freak Out at Boot & Saddle Nov. 1

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Boot & Saddle plays host this evening with a wide-reaching and varied sonic combination. The expansive Mercury Radio Theater creates a theatrical feel, developing a broad range of compositions through the intermingling of horns, strings, accordion, etc. that is increasingly jubilant and yet incorporates flourishes of creepy scenery, at these odd, timely moments. This will lay the groundwork for the steady churning eclectic Balkan-beat of West Philadelphia Orchestra, whose all-hands-on-deck sound dishes out a hypnotic dance groove. There’s a reason why they remain a staple in the Philly music scene and an oftentimes a go-to band for a good time at community events. It’s your post-Halloween freak out. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, October 31 – November 2

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Grand masters of Halloween ceremonies TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb return to Underground Arts to host their fifth annual Rock and Roll Murdershow tonight. But unlike The Revenge of Michael Myers or the Dream Child, this ghoulish sequel is set to deliver thrills and chills for all the right reasons. This edition will feature 8 great bands taking over 2 stages. With an opening murdershow performance that consists of the only orchestra to be fronted by a theremin virtuoso, The Divine Hand Ensemble will be conjuring up a set of horror movie classics. Mumblr will be making a triumphant return from tour, which was in support of their debut full-length album Full of Snakes, and Tutlie will be revitalized with its latest incarnation. Lantern‘s amped-up, guitar-fueled performance will likely reveal some new tracks from the recording session that they had over the summer. And Mo Lowda & the Humble are set to throwdown what is slated to be their last Philly show of the year. Rounding out this phantasmagorical lineup will be Northern Arms and the Bernhardt Family Band. BTW: We caught up with TJ Kong, a.k.a. Dan Bruskewicz, to ask him some festive questions that we had on our mind, which you can check out HERE. Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $15, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
It’s Halloween weekend! You should have plenty of parties to go to, but in case you don’t…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Chris Kasper, Maitland, SUN Split/Red (Record Release), The Bad Doctors, Blowdryer
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Pink Slip Daddy, Explosive Head SAT West Philadelphia Orchestra, Mercury Radio Theater, Liberty Rose
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Callowhill, The Feverfew/St. James & The Apostles, A Brood of Vipers
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI The Thrill: A Tribute to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, SAT (Upstairs) Alex Tatunchak, Shy Boyz/(Downstair) August John Lutz II, SUN (Upstairs) Sympathy & The Lion
 
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Nobody Yet, SUN A Scent Like Wolves, Colour & Codeine, Resilience
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Migraine Boy (Trackjackets and Psychic Teens) (as REM), W.C. Lindsay (as Early 2000’s Pop-Punk All Stars), The Best Westerns (as Creedence Clearwater Revival), Hit it Sideways (as The Velvet Underground),Pitter Patter (as Stone Temple Pilots),The Really Cooks (as The Blues Clues Experience), SAT The Bul Rey, Verbatum Jones, ¡alive
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.)FRI Black Stars (as The Rolling Stones), The Better Half (as Pearl Jam), Kate Frank & The Pheromones (as Tom Petty), Wild North (as Neil Young)
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Air is Human, SAT New Sound Brass
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Among Criminals, SAT Chalk & The Beige Americans, Blue Hippopotamus, Halfro, The Ill Fated Natives
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) SAT Adam Travis, Kenny Ferrier
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI John Train, SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.)  FRI Generation Empty, Murdersmile, Steve Haley Scars Of Bourbon/Pravda, Palaceburn, Dead: Stop, SAT Dick & The Deer Gutters, Headstone Oneeighteen/Native Maze, Suburban Sensi, SUN Christopher Davis-Shannon
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, Josh Hey
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT The Underwater Sounds, Swift Technique, Montoj, SUN Ley Joans
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Moonstriker, Brokehead, The Formless Form, Thick, A Day Without Love, SAT Reef’d, Rowboat Casino, Overcoming Gravity/(2nd Floor) Andrew Jude
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT Modern Colour, We Are Fauna
 
Ardmore Music Hall FRI Bare Knuckle Boxers
 
The Red Barn (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Creedence Clearwater Revival – (Members of Sheer Mag, Bad Side, Low Charge, and Gunk), Chumbawamba 8-piece! (Members of Kill The Man Who Questions, Policy of 3, R.A.M.B.O, Atom & His Package, and Ted Leo & The Pharmacists), Pantera  (Members of Congenital Death, Armalite, Roughed Up),
Crass Records (Members of Bad Energy, Fuck SS, The Stasi, and Dark Thoughts),
The Distillers (Members of Congenital Death, Backslider, Crybaby, and Past Tense)
 
Toby’s Purgatory (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Mumblr, Cool Points, Disinterest, Cold Foamers, Cousin Brian
 
Chill Collins Art Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Kralizeec
 
Lava Space (4134 Lancaster Ave.) SAT Ordinary Lives, Soul Glo, Dinner Break
 
Mile High House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Community Service, Blankbook, Scuzbot, Hoser
 
2nd Empire (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT The Stasi, Low Charge, Blankspell, Sheer Mag, Anxiety Hammer, The Holidays, Latex, Aseptic, F**k SS, New Crime