The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Seismic Thrust
Lo-fi psych-folk outfit Seismic Thrust is made up of elementary school pals and multi-instrumentalists Zach Decker, Tiffany Harris and Galen Huggins. The trio recently won our Featured Artist(s) Poll, and though they’re busy working on becoming corporate rock sellouts and friends with Kurt Vile, they still managed to find some time to answer our get-to-know-you questions, which you can read HERE.
Free Download: “Marijuana’s on the Phone” – Ape School
Ape School (a.k.a. Michael Johnson) has found a home for his upcoming album Junior Violence at indie label Hometapes, which harbors such acts as fellow Philadelphians Pattern Is Movement and Brooklyn-based Bear in Heaven. His first release with his new label will be a 7” single for “Marijuana’s on the Phone” (which features Dr. Dog’s Eric Slick on the skins) due out June 26. It should go without saying that we need to take this call so while we do, you can listen to and download the track for free below. Enjoy!
New Track: “She’s a Buddhist, I’m a Cubist” (Remix) [Feat. Angel Deradoorian, Cities Aviv, G-Side, KDz Kenny Dennis (Serengeti), Big Baby Gandhi and Deniro Farrar] – Lushlife
Work Drugs and Grimace Federation Opening for Battles at TLA June 12
Tuesdays can be a drag. Your weekend rest is running thin, and next weekend is too far ahead. What do you need? Work Drugs. Not actual drugs (of course) – just something to help make the week less painful. In which case, the TLA might have what you need tonight. Local bands Work Drugs and Grimace Federation will be opening up for ultra-rad Brooklyn-based pop-prog trio Battles. Work Drugs has been described as part of the “chillwave” genre along with bands like Beach House. However, the group prefers the terms “smooth-fi” and “sedative-wave” (and so do we). Keeping up with the rhythmic complexity of Grimace Federation should get your mind off the work week. Though the band won’t exactly be in full-effect, a taste of their sonic assault will certainly scramble a few brains this evening leaving the audience at the mercy of Battles. I feel bad for the cleanup crew at the TLA. There will be plenty of casualties on the floor. Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St., 7pm, $15 (+fees), All Ages – Maura Filoromo
Free Download: Tape Club: Volume 1 – BITBY (Various Artists)
BITBY just made their release Tape Club: Volume 1 available for free download HERE. It features tracks from Psychic Teens, Attia Taylor, Break It Up, Oh! Pears, Streetwalkers, Faux Slang and Heyward Howkins.
New Video: “To-Do” Promo – Toy Soldiers
The Toy Soldiers crew ran into a bit trouble on the road touring back from SXSW this year with their van breaking down and having to be scrapped in the South. Well, this Saturday at World Café Live – they’ll be putting on a show downstairs to help kickstart funding for a new tour vehicle and finish up a new full-length album with producer Bill Moriarty. A portion of ticket sales will also benefit the Sophie Jane Darr Children’s Foundation, an organization that provides financial assistance to families with children affected by cancer and other diseases. To help promote the upcoming event, the gang put together a silent movie-like video using James Scott’s “Frog Legs Rag,” which you can view below.
BITBY’s June Episode Premiere Feat. Wig Wams at Silk City
Philly Beer Run & Music Festival at Dock Street Brewery June 10
Phily Beer Week closes out in style in West Philly courtesy of Dock Street Brew Pub’s Philly Beer Run & Music Festival. While runners compete in a 5k race through University City that benefits Cedar Park Neighbors Scholarship Fundraiser, attendees have the chance to enjoy fresh beer, delicious pizza, and a lineup of impressive tunes. Hoots & Hellmouth are all set to headline with their three part harmonies and their boot-stomping folk rock, and The Extraordinaires will deliver their unique blend of madcap storytelling. Streetwalkers will be on hand to preview some tracks from the cassette that they’ll be releasing on July 4, and Tsunami Rising might preview some of the jams that they’ve been working on in the studio. The evening will also feature a high energy set from Appalachian gospel punk collective and Deli NYC faves O’Death. Dock Street Brewery, 701 S. 50th St., 2pm, Free, All Ages (Photo by Brandee Nichols) – Bill McThrill
Free Strand of Oaks Performance at Aloft Hotel June 9
Strand of Oaks will be performing a free show this evening as part of the Paste Magazine presented Live at Aloft Hotel series. He’ll be performing songs from his critically-acclaimed Pope Killdragon. You should definitely take advantage of this opportunity if you are a fan of the album since you’ll most likely find him putting down the guitar and concentrating on synths more for his next release. RSVP for your free admission HERE, which will also get you and opportunity to win a VIP pre-show meet-and-greet with Oaks as well as a chance to win a one-night stay at an Aloft Hotel along with other prizes. Aloft Hotels, 4301 Island Ave., 7pm, Free (w/RSVP), All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
Blood Feathers Back in Full Force at JB’s June 9
Philly natives Blood Feathers are back at Johnny Brenda’s tonight in full force now that drummer Patrick Marsceill is on a hiatus from the road with his other band, Sun Airway, working on a new album. The core of Blood Feathers is made up of Ben Dickey and Drew Mills. The duo formed the band back in 2005 after performing in various projects throughout the ‘90s in the local music scene. With the goal of performing new material that they had written, what came to fruition is a nostalgic brand of good ole fashion American rock n’ roll deeply rooted in the blues, soul, gospel, and jazz music. Their sound can be summed up as fuzzy retro-rock guitars, backed by sixties girl group drum patterns, with the clean dual lead vocal harmonies of Dickey and Mills. Rounding out tonight’s show are fellow psych-garage rockers St. James & The Apostles. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $10, 9pm, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe


