Philadelphia

The Extraordinaires’ Holiday Revue This Friday at KFN!

Posted on:

We just wanted to give you a heads up about a uniquely rad show this Friday, December 9 at Kung Fu Necktie. The Extraordinnaires will be hosting their very own Holiday Revue that you don’t want to miss! After the eccentric five-piece and show opener Conversations with Enemies perform sets of their original songs, The Extraordinaires will transform KFN’s stage into a cozy living room inviting you into their holiday celebration. It will be presented as a live television show so prepare yourself for a Pee-Wee’s Playhouse-esque performance of classic holiday tunes and entertaining skits with guest appearances from members of Dr. Dog, Man Man, The Armchairs, and more! This will certainly be an unpredictable evening of fun. (BTW: You should also expect a new release in the near future from The Extraordinaires who recently hit Fancy Time Studio with Kyle “Slick” Johnson.) Please grab your tix in advance for this holiday extravaganza!

Philadelphia

Free Download: Live At Glassland – Lantern w/Dirty Beaches

Posted on:

Check out the live recording of local psychedelic garage rock trio Lantern collaborating with Dirty Beaches (a.k.a. Alex Zhang Hungtai) from Glassland Gallery on May 13, 2011. You can download the EP Live At Glassland, which also includes a cover of Tom Waits’ “Goin’ Out West” (from Bone Machine), for free below. (Photo by Brett Wingen)
 

Philadelphia

Pet Milk Homecoming at Little Bar Dec. 5

Posted on:

Noise-pop outfit Pet Milk (featuring members of Brown Recluse, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Paint It Black, etc.) has been trekking around on tour for the last week and a half in support of their new EP Philadelphia Punklife (which you can listen to and purchase HERE). The band made a live appearance on Drexel’s WKDU last night. They will also be celebrating the end of tour tonight at Little Bar. They’ll be joined this evening by Syracuse garage punk trio Shoppers and French electronic duo Death Rattle. Little Bar, 738 S. 8t St., 8pm, $6, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

Wigwams and Moon Women Opening for Gauntlet Hair at MilkBoy Philly Dec. 4

Posted on:

This pre-winter chill is a total drag. Not only do you have to wear more layers than you’re comfortable with, but you have to shell out more scratch to the man just to keep your digs warm-enough (damn you, PGW). But you can catch a break at MilkBoy Philly tonight, where Wigwams will douse you in their post-new wave dance pop sermons and Moon Women will assault you with their swollen, rampaging, daring post-punk rhythms. That means you get a chance to shed the layers and break into an inexpensive sweat which will also be assisted by Dead Ocean’s buzzing experimental pop duo Gauntlet Hair. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 8pm, $8-$10, 21+ – Annamarya Scaccia
 
Philadelphia

Travel Along the Minimalist Spectrum w/On the Water and Auctioneer at KFN Dec. 4

Posted on:

If there is one word to describe On the Water’s Anchor EP (which is our December Album of the Month HERE), it would be disquieting. As On the Water, Da Comrade!‘s guitarist/vocalist Fletcher VanVilet creates soundscapes that are sparse and vast, consuming and tumultuous, making the moniker all the more appropriate. It’s acoustic folk that’s entirely beautiful in its shaky simplicity. He’ll fit in well with fellow hometown outfit Auctioneer tonight at Kung Fu Necktie, where they’ll be performing in support of New York’s Pearl & the Beard. For both Philly acts, the gig will be a demonstration of two sides of the minimalist spectrum: where On the Water songs are gritty and brutal; Auctioneer is a bit more polished and reserved in their haunting scarcity. You’ll be entranced watching that pendulum swing. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Annamarya Scaccia
 
Philadelphia

Rising from the Ground Up at JB’s Dec. 4

Posted on:

It only feels like yesterday that we posted Ground Up’s Open Blog entry for their track "Turn Around" to our main page and soon after their interview for winning our Featured Artist(s) Poll. At that time, they had only just recently started performing out live. Since then, the team of emcees Azar & Malakai and producer Bij Lincoln (a.k.a. Bijan Houshiarnejad, Malcolm McDowell, and Alex Azar) have opened for hip hop heavy hitters Rick Ross, Chiddy Bang, The Nappy Roots, Meek Mill, Gucci Mane, and Chris Webby. Tonight Ground Up will be making their debut on Johnny Brenda’s stage opening for Grieves & Budo and K. Flay. Come join another underground Philly hip hop crew on the rise! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10 – $12, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman 

Philadelphia

Phonographic Arts’ Gods and Queens Benefit Show at Little Bar Dec. 4

Posted on:

I just wanted to reminder everyone about Phonographic Arts’ benefit show for Gods and Queens tonight at Little Bar. Translation Loss/Brutal Panda’s Fight Amp was recently announced as the special guest for this evening. They will be joining Ladder Devils, Carved Up, SGNLS, Ominous Black, Exemption, and Tile. There will also be a raffle for prizes from R5 Productions (3-day pass), Beautiful World Syndicate, Living Out Loud Tattoo, and more. And don’t forget about today’s metal brunch with tunes provided by Arthur Rizk. Little Bar, 738 8th St., 6pm, $10, 21+ – Alexis V.

Philadelphia

Sweet Sound of Music Series Feat. Buried Beds Duo at Studio 34 Dec. 3

Posted on:

Buried Beds’ Eliza Hardy Jones and Brandon Beaver will be helping to celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Studio 34’s Sweet Sound of Music series tonight. The duo will be playing music from the whole Buried Beds catalog with help from some robots. You’ll also be treated to some new tunes from their upcoming album. They’ll be joined by Joshua Marcus and his band of ukulele misfits as well as Heyward Howkins, who will be making his debut performance. It’s an early all ages show, and they promise to have plenty of hot apple cider and comfy pillows. Keep a lookout for a Buried Beds short performance film entitled Small Stories coming in 2012. (You can check out its trailer below.) It was shot by Nate Johnson and documents the band performing a full day of music in Fairmount Park at Lemon Hill Mansion while partying with friends. Buried Beds will be throwing a big premiere party on January 20 so now you know. Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Ave., 7:30pm, $10 donation, All Ages (Photo by Neal Santos) – Q.D. Tran

Small Stories Trailer 1 from Nate Johnson

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, December 2 – 4

Posted on:

Happy-go-lucky road warriors Jukebox the Ghost will be returning to Philly this Saturday night at Union Transfer. The trio spent most of October touring Europe with James Blunt (who we wonder if “You’re Beautiful” is still getting him laid by models these days) in support of their album Everything Under the Sun touching down on the mainland. Jukebox the Ghost also recently released a new stop-motion video for the track “Half Crazy” (which you can check out below) from their LP. They’re currently doing a string of shows with The Spinto Band. They’ve also invited White Birds, former touring pals and Yep Roc lablemates (when they were in Drink Up Buttercup), to join them for their debut at UT. Expect plenty of old friends and good vibes this evening. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8pm, $12 – $14, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

 

Other things to make you happy this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI The Bigger Lovers and Photon Band, SAT The Powder Kegs, SUN Ground Up
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Toy Soldiers and Brad Hinton Band, SUN Auctioneer and On The Water
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Canadian Invasion, SAT Former Belle, SUN Red Letter Life and Se7en Heads
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Ruby the Hatchet and Strange Seasons, SAT (All Ages) Spotted Atrocious, First Things First, Adalie, SAT (Late) Johnny Never & The Solar Pimps, SUN Twelve Thousand Armies
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Jack Deezl and DJ Ruxbin
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI North Lawrence Midnight Singers and The Donuts, SAT Broken Prayers and Yeah Clementines, SUN Ottokar
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Jeffrey Gaines
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Anthony Renzulli Band and Shockwave Collective
 
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Miz, SUN Dirk Quinn Band
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Hired Guns Blues Band, SAT Consenting Adults
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Fast Car and Big Terrible, SUN Lizanne Knott
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St. Philadelphia) FRI Rock to the Future Benefit Crills Wilson, Best Westerns, Sunset Recorder, SAT The Really Cooks Album Release Carnival w/Conversations with Enemies, The New Connection, Mercury Radio Theatre
 
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Slingshot Dakota
 
The Barbary (951 N. Frankford St.) SUN Strength For A Reason and Rock Bottom
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Mean, The Silence Kit, Lady, SAT East Hundred, Val de Val, Turning Violet Violet, SUN Moon Women, Wigwams
 
Broad Street Ministry (315 S. Broad St.) SAT Pianos Becomes The Teeth and Daylight
 
Little Bar (738 S. 8th St,) FRI Harsh Vibes, SUN Gods and Queens Benefit w/Fight Amp, Latter Devils, Carved Up, SGNLS, Ominous Black, and More
 
Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave.) SAT Buried Beds (Duo), Joshua Marcus, Heyward Howkins
 
Spruce Caboose (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI SGNLS, Da Comrade, Erode + Disappear
 
International Water House (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI Nothing Is Over and Bubonic Bear
 
Nacho House (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI Sunny Ali & the Kid and Dry Feet
 
Philadelphia

“Holiday Spectacular on Ice” w/The Big Lovers & Photon Band at JB’s Dec. 2

Posted on:

The Big Lovers made their return to music earlier this year with a handful of shows and the reissue of their 2001 debut How I Learned to Stop Worrying as well as a digital-only EP of new-old tunes entitled The Little Giant Maxi Single. They’ve also decided to hookup with their old buddy Art DiFuria, who has been dormant from the music scene since moving to Savannah, GA to become a professor. But DiFuria has still been writing and recording while enjoying the weather down South. He’ll be making the trek up to Philly to reunite with the Photon Band and The Big Lovers for their “Holiday Spectacular on Ice.” It will be their fourth time throwing the seasonal event. According to the show’s poster, “If you remember the first three, you weren’t there.” So strap on your hollow leg and get ready for a night you’ll never remember. Cheers! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s December Album of the Month: Anchor – On the Water

Posted on:

“A folk collective of oddballs, loons and hooligans via West Philadelphia” – that’s the description that appears on the Bandcamp page of On the Water. Originally, the solo side project of Fletcher VanVliet, the frontman for weirdo avante-rock outfit Da Comrade! and Chernobyl Collective conspirator, has amassed members from other artistic walks of life and local music acts like TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, Ghost Light, etc. to expand to a full-blown eight-piece tour de force with VanVliet (acoustic guitar and vocals), Dan Martino (accordion and vocals), Morgan Jamison (toy piano and vocals), Barrett Lindgren (drums), Stephen Landis (violin), Robin Carine (electric guitar and vocals), Taylor Jamison (bass), and Sean Cox (banjo). 
 
On their latest release Anchor, the folk outfit chose to record all the album’s tracks live at Sex Dungeon Studios capturing the warmth and vibrant energy that you might experience from their live performances. “Goldfish” opens the EP with gentle acoustic guitar strums that morph into a unified sonic outburst before VanVliet’s raspy, slightly eerie storytelling voice states – “I woke from a dream just now where all just seemed just so” – as Landis’ violin adds old world mystery to the story. You find the protagonist of the tale battling with his own demons in his “dream world” – a place often linked to joy and escapism, but not for the song’s main character. “Some unseen torrent is punishing me. I’ve grown to love this burden, the thrill of drowning in the change.” He struggles to “put everything into its right place” though “everything is as it should be.” Coupled with the steady marching instrumentation of Lindgren’s bass drum joined by the tinklings of the toy piano, succinct plucks of the banjo, and long, languid strokes of the violin, the dream moves towards the light and hope where he knows that his love is out there just waiting for him to wake. “Goldfish” is filled with breathtaking imagery which culminates with a sing-along and a spiritual awakening on the imaginary open waters. Bravo – what an intense journey On the Water has taken us on the EP’s opening track! The band follows it up with the bluegrass-tinged, upbeat road-weary “An Elephant Memory” that plays out like a Kerouacian travelogue. “We were searching desperately for something, anything and now you’re back on the west coast, that’s where you belonged after all…So it was me and my buddy loose on the streets, we were kids again and it felt like the very first time I’d bled. Getting lost every night, too fucked up, I was blind as I watched a good friend dying.” The next track “Cat” is a swaying, lonely, touching description about a man in bed with his furry friend which honestly could very well be mistaken or actually be about a lover (now, get your mind out of the gutter). It jams and shifts into hoedown mode with a piece called “Patience” and its anthemic closing line “we are free in the most wonderful of ways.” The band keeps us buried in the Deep South as VanVliet changes his vocal inflection mimicking a hillbilly drawl in the peculiarly titled track “I’m a Boy Made of Atoms.” The album closes out with the song “Farmhouse,” but unlike the album’s opener “Goldfish” where the protagonist is asleep and knows that his love is waiting for him in the “real world.” In “Farmhouse,” he is wide awake, and it’s only in his “dream world” where he can have that love he once possessed back again. “If I can rest my head in memories, I can let myself begin again. So why can’t we let ourselves begin again?”  
 
Besides the wonderful lyrics (which I have shared plenty of them with you) and simply stellar songwriting, what stands out most to me making Anchor a beautiful piece of artwork is the chemistry that can be felt through each performance of the songs. But what may explain the somewhat intangible chemistry that I am referring to best strangely enough for me has nothing to do with the performances of the music. It’s the humorous intro of the closing track “Farmhouse” that captures the “oddball” comfortable nature of a band that truly enjoys being together and playing with each other. That’s the x-factor that you will not most likely find from any Craigslist ad or television contest making the album a must have for eccentric folk music lovers.
 
You can listen to and purchase On the Water’s Anchor EP HERE. They will also be performing this Sunday at Kung Fu Necktie with Pearl & the Beard and Auctioneer. – Q.D. Tran