Philadelphia

A Tribute to Lou Reed at WCL Dec. 7

Posted on:
There’s only one proper way to honor the passing of a musician like Lou Reed. There’s a reason that one of the most common words used to describe him was “fighter”; the man was a wounded, furious genius who swung the very concept of rock around like a cudgel. Words simply cannot hope to convey how deeply he and the Velvet Underground have shaped the face of American alternative music as we know it; they pioneered the very concept of experimentation, and broke the mold before we even knew there was one. No, it’s really the sort of thing you can only express with a show honoring the breadth of his work. Tri State Indie will be holding a tribute concert for the Godfather of Indie Rock tonight at World Café Live, where you’ll find local up-and-comers like Dominic Angellela (of DRGN KING), Levee Drivers, The Districts, Weekender, Divers, Keepers, Our Griffins, Black Stars, Nero Catalano (of Work Drugs) and many others who will be performing their favorites from Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground’s vast catalogue of songs. Come watch a range of underground and unorthodox artists pay homage to a man that made such a thing possible. Proceeds will go towards helping local hunger charities Philabundance and MANNA. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8pm, $8, All Ages – Daniel Ludwig
 
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, December 6 – 8

Posted on:
So I’ve been encouraging the Levee Drivers to get back into the studio for years now, and after over five long years of nothing since their debut self-titled EP, they finally have a new release, which is definitely a good reason to throw down tonight. Come on out to Kung Fu Necktie, and grab your copy of Speakin’ Bourbon Coated Blues! You should buy them a shot to celebrate, or just punch August John Lutz II in the face for it taking so long. I plan to do both. They’ll also be joined good friends and music brethren The Lawsuits and Toy Soldiers’ Ron Gallo. Cheers! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran
 
More things to do instead of shopping…
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI (Downstairs) Levee Drivers Record Release Show w/Ron Gallo, The Lawsuits, (Upstairs) Mohican, SAT (Downstairs) Lesch-Nyhan, (Upstairs) School Girl, (Late) Walls, sleep in., Taking October
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Swedeland, SAT Vulcans, Mason Porter
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Moistboyz, Ammunition, Ape!, SAT Tungsten, Skeleton Hands, Hollander Crouse Duo
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Colors, Very Americans, The Fleeting Ends, Bedroom Community, SAT Supreem and The New Experience, J Pope and Funk Friday, SUN Dear Althea, Weekender, Dollys
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Alright Junior, The Escape, SAT Mock Suns
 
World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT A Tribute to Lou Reed
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Stereo Coma, Seeing Snakes
 
TLA (334 South St.) FRI The Terribles
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Cold Roses, The Quixote Project, The Defused and The Lost Will Follow, SAT Manny Slay a Verse, Nobody Yet
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Eat the Turnbuckle
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Thom McCarthy, Brad Hinton, SAT (Early) 56 Men, (Late) Ashley Leone, Aubreylyn, The Funky T
 
Field House (1150 Filbert St.) SAT Burnt Sienna
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI East of the West, Torsion, The Big Empty, SAT Midwestern Exposure, Bosom Band, John Kelsey
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Bad House, Polarbear Lars, The Blithedale Romance
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Local Smokes, Matt Gauss, Andrew Jude, Lovers League, SAT Alberta’s Court, Mike Nappi
 
Yell Gallery (2111 E. Susquehanna Ave.) FRI Jonagold, Drums Like Machine Guns
 
Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave.) FRI Ladies Rock Camp
 
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Ma Jolie Record Release Show w/Address, The Weaks, SAT Radiator Hospital, Martin, SUN Bad Side, Michael Cantor, Dark Blue
 
Motel Hell (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Braille, American Spiritual, Two Suns, Wet Food, Hypoxia
 
Philadelphia

Shadowscene’s Surreal Reality at Exit Skateshop Dec. 6

Posted on:
We interviewed photographer/DJ/musician Ellei Johndro, a.k.a. Shadowscene, earlier this year as part of our In the Indiestry segment, which you can read HERE. Tonight, she’ll be sharing a collection of photos entitled Surreal Reality at NoLibs’ Exit Skateshop. The exhibit will showcase: “A myriad of abstract portraits, fuzzy moments and blackout flashbacks. A glimpse into the forgotten moments of nightlife from midnight til 4am. You were probably there.” And there will be limited edition skate decks, prints and originals available this evening as well as free PBR. Sounds like a good pregame hang! Exit Skateshop, 825 N. 2nd St., 7pm – 10pm, Free, All Ages – Q.D. Tran
 
Philadelphia

Embrace the Sick & Twisted Rock of Moistboyz at North Star Bar Dec. 6

Posted on:
Tonight, North Star Bar welcomes Moistboyz, an offshoot project of former Ween guitarist Mickey Melchiondo, a.k.a. Dean Ween and in the context of Moistboyz, Mickey Moist. Pairing the madcap dark humor lyrics of Guy Heller, a.k.a. Dickie Moist, with the raunchy indulgent riff-tastic work of Melchiondo, Moistboyz, who are currently filled out by guitarist Stephen Haas (Mondo Generator, Queens of the Stone Age), bassist Nick Olivieri and drummer Michael Wright, last month’s release of Moistboyz V finds the group unleashing tracks that capitalize on a mixture of intentionally sleazy classic rock/metal guitar-driven songs that take the outrageous yet memorable lyrical output, which is strengthened by Heller’s unique vocal styling. It may seem a bit strange at first, but sooner than later familiarity will normalize the zany stream of consciousness lyrics as they run on loop through your head. Embrace the sick and twisted rock. They will be joined by the heavy artillery metal of Ammunition and the night will be kicked off by the assertive attitude of retrofitted raucous rockers Ape! North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $15, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

Pattern is Movement Taking on J Dilla Covers at the Barnes Dec. 6

Posted on:
If you are in the mood to get down tonight but want to class it up a bit with a taste of culture, then FIRST FRIDAY! Philadelphia Artist Spotlight at the Barnes is where you want to be. Not only will you have access to its priceless collection of artwork, you’ll also have the rare opportunity to hear soulful experimental pop duo Pattern is Movement taking on selected works by the late, great hip-hop producer J Dilla for an entire set. Will they have guest emcees? Will you see Andrew Thiboldeaux and/or Chris Ward spitting some bars in the Barnes? They were in a rap group together as teenagers so that option doesn’t seem to be off the table just yet. Pattern is Movement will also be joined by Mr. Sonny James, co-founder of the Illvibe Collective, Las Gallas and more. The Barnes, 2025 Ben Franklin Parkway, 6pm – 10pm, $12.50 (free for members), All Ages – H.M Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

Free Download: “Mama I Wanna Go Home” – City Rain

Posted on:

Below is a new track from City Rain called "Mama I Wanna Go Home," which is a sampling of the duo’s upcoming album Songs From a High School Dance that you can download for free. You may notice that this song is far from the beat-driven, hyperactive tunes that dominate the group’s catalogue. With the opening acoustic guitar strums, the band delves into the yet-to-be-seen folky side of the project, layered with the humming loop and later on a drum track, adding some finesse and delicate textures that usually get lost amid their signature booming electro-beats and knob-turning. We highly encourage them to build off this sound for their next release.

Philadelphia

Fat Possum Announce Release Date for The Districts’ New EP

Posted on:
Fat Possum just announce that The Districts’ new self-titled EP will be released on January 28 (in North America and January 27 in Europe). Below is its first single, a remastered version of “Funeral Beds.” Our readers should already be familiar with the song since it originally appeared on the band’s 2012 LP Telephone and was featured in their viral in-studio performance video with our friends/collaborators HotBox Studios. “Lyla” and “Long Distance” from Telephone have also been remastered, and will be on the Fat Possum release alongside two brand new tracks, “Rocking Chair” and “Stay Open,” which were recorded at Waking Studio this past summer with producer Bill Moriarty. The band will be hitting the road this February/March with Austin’s White Denim, and are scheduled to make a stop in Philly on Thursday, February 27 at Union Transfer.

Philadelphia

New Video: “We’ve Been Had” (Live) – The Walkmen

Posted on:

Check out what could be The Walkmen‘s swan song before going on an "extreme hiatus"! It’s a performance of their oldie "We’ve Been Had" that closed out last night’s fundraiser for the Rail Park at Union Transfer. Special thanks to Conor Meara for sharing, and you can also view the band’s set opener "Red Moon" with members of Sun Ra Arkestra on horns and the first song in the encore "138 Street" HERE.

Philadelphia

Tri-State Indie Announce Lineup for Lou Reed Tribute

Posted on:

Our pals at Tri-State Indie have put together a tribute concert for legendary rocker Lou Reed this Saturday, December 7 at World Cafe Live. They’ve tapped into Philly’s music scene to honor the "Godfather of Indie Rock." They just announced yesterday that the event will feature local favorites like Dominic Angellela (of DRGN KING), Levee Drivers, The Districts, Weekender, Divers, Keepers, Our Griffins, Black Stars, Nero Catalano (of Work Drugs) and many others who will be performing beloved works by Lou and The Velvet Underground. (You can check out the entire list of performers and more info about the night HERE.) Proceeds from the evening will go to local charities MANNA and Philabundance.

Philadelphia

Myrrias Combines Forces at Ortlieb’s Dec. 5

Posted on:
Myrrias is a new all-female project consisting of Mikele Edwards (Arc In Round) on lead vocals and keys, April Harkanson (The Downtown Club) on guitar and vocals, Emily Robb (Lantern) on bass, and Casey Bell (Break It Up) on drums. At The Deli, we’re admirers of all their bands so the combining of these forces is certainly welcomed. Unfortunately, there are no recordings of them online yet so you’ll just have to go to Ortlieb’s tonight where they’ll be headlining and hear for yourselves. How would they describe themselves? “Light as a feather, stiff as a board.” Ortlieb’s Lounge, 847 N. 3rd St., 9pm, $7, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

New Cop Problem EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

Posted on:

Cop Problem sound fuckin’ pissed on their new EP Buried Beneath White Noise, but then again, they always do. The Philly crust punks tear through the four tracks on their record like a rabid dog who gets backed into a corner. It’s either you or them. The EP was recorded, mixed and masterd by Will Yip at Studio 4. Cop Problem will be performing this Sunday, December 8 at Kung Fu Necktie.