Just heard from Creepoid that they’ve been recently added to Making Time tonight with Warpaint. Creepoid will be performing some new material in the Ruby Lounge from their upcoming full length Horse Heaven that they’ve been working on in the studio with Kyle “Slick” Johnson, whose engineering and producing credits include Modest Mouse, Wavves, Fischerspooner, Cymbals Eat Guitars, and many more. Horse Heaven is due out in January on Ian Records. Creepoid will also be performing at The Deli’s Pipeline Series on December 16 with the nasty instrumental avant-rock of the Notekillers. Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Q.D. Tran

 

It’s not surprising that John Francis has a song titled “Johnny Cash on the Radio”. The lonesome troubadour has never hid his love for the musical outlaw. The last time I heard about Francis, before the fact that he moved to Nashville, was a hilarious story where he had gotten his car booted (thanks to the PPA) and attempted to drive off with the boot still on. The story gets vague because I was listening to it in an inebriated state (and I’m guessing Francis was too when he had that bright idea) and laughing pretty hard. Like the vision that I had that evening, I recall to endings to this legendary tale. The first was that he rode off and was able to pop the boot from his tire while driving (which is an impressive feat in my opinion, but imagine the damage that was done to the car). The second was that the police happen to come upon him while he was attempting to do so, and he managed to get away on foot. Either tale embodies the rebellious spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. And I am sure would get a toast from Mr. Cash himself. Well, you should swing by the Tin Angel tonight where he will be celebrating the release of his sophomore album The Better Angels out on Dualtone Records. Catch him before the Philly cops do! Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 10pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

 

Warmhearted and straightforward, Philly popsters When I Was 12 turn themes like lost loves and regret into lively cuts like “Crow”. Jangly and semi-acoustic, “Crow” plays out endearingly stark with a fresh sense of smartness often lost in indie pop. Confessional like a journal or an ex’s Tumblr posts, the honesty of “Vanilla Vodka” is as sweet as its namesake. From intoxicated kissing to the daydream scenes of “Tuxedo”, vocalist Adrianne Gold’s lyrical charm goes hand-in-hand with dazzling harmonies. A quick listen to the first lines of “Make Believe Hearts” will insight multiple replays thanks to the relatable romantics of Gold’s whimsically delivered, “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours, but first let me finish my laundry”. Practical, passionate, with the heart of a dreamer, When I Was 12 makes the most of ordinary instances, recasting them into loveable treasures like Dear Eskimo.  Fall for your next band crush tonight in West Philly. Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Avenue, 8pm, $5-10, All Ages (Photo by Kate Kell) – Dianca Potts

 

Tonight we will be at Johnny Brenda’s with WKDU, Golden Ages, Tadoma and the Pink Skull DJs to help celebrate the release of Arc In Round’s newest EP Diagonal Fields (you can check out our review of it here). It’s been a while since we’ve heard new material from our local noise-pop/shoegaze crew, and we are very happy that there will be more to come with plans of a new full length and touring already set for 2011. We had a chance to catch up with the always busy Jeff Zeigler and Mikele Edwards so check out where their minds are here. (Photo by Kristie Lee Krause)

 

The internet was all abuzz yesterday with the news that Mike Cera joined Mister Heavenly on stage in Seattle as their bassist. Well, it looks like that wasn’t just a one-and-done thing. Check out footage below of Cera once again joining the indie supergroup in Portland, OR at The Crystal Ballroom (which is a sweet venue that has a spring-loaded dance floor). We’re pretty psyched! Shit sounds badass with Honus Honus and Nick Diamonds trading off on vocals. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff

 

Night Train, the super hip event at Kung Fu Necktie that features hot dance tracks and some of the city’s best bands, will no longer be happening very soon. However, you can’t say it’s not going out with a bang. Just when you were wondering what’s happening with Prowler, they’re returning with a brand new album entitled Wooly Mammoth, which they will celebrate at Night Train tonight. If Isaac Brock fronted LCD Soundsystem, you might have something like Prowler, who are ready to impress with their funky, polyrhythmic beats, post-punk guitar, and delirious vocal delivery. And of course, DJs Ian St. Laurent and Wolf.fang will be present so count that on the list of reasons to dance to the point of passing out. Fans of indie-dance-funk-punk and cheap drinks…rejoice. Fans of insomnia, there’ll be just one more Night Train after this. So get there while you still can! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front Street, 11pm, Free, 21+ – Joe Poteracki

 

With the surging start of “Wasting Time”, Prism Eyes’ opener is awash with jangly riffs, catchy drums, and crisp cymbals. Lo-fi lovebirds Rob Garcia and Sarah Everton croon out a synchronized chorus in crystallized calm optimism. Evocative of acceptance or some form of humble wisdom, “Wasting Time” feels therapeutic, falling somewhere between the extremes of apathy and melodrama. It’s honest, to the point but sweet. Its lack of lyrical complication leaves each line cohesive to its backbeat and harmonized brilliance. The smoothed-out feel of Prism Eyes begins with the duo’s first track. Easily detected by Mystical Participation diehards or devotees, Reading Rainbow’s latest plays less rough around the edges in comparison to their debut without altering the band’s penchant for washed out pop. Polished yet still lo-fi, Garcia and Everton’s efforts remain sincere, just enhanced and more refined. “White Noise” slightly heightens the album’s tempo with a pinch of dissonance through garage meets surf pop riffs. Vocals settle above chords and drumbeats, leaving listeners to lose themselves in the band’s layers of fuzzed out sound. “Animals Take Control of Me” brings to mind buzz bands like Beach Fossils or Surfer Blood. Slow, steady and mellow, the album’s fourth track eases in gradually, hitting its peak towards the 2-minute mark by way of stunningly fashioned vocals, specifically on Everton’s part. Ending with ah-ah-ahs, “Animals Take Control of Me” gives way to “Underground” and its upbeat brisk duration. The overt romance of “Let’s Dream Tonight” is sugary sweet and (thankfully) easy to stomach due to the saving grace of its honesty. Brave enough to showcase their feelings without a stitch of irony, Reading Rainbow is straightforward without apology. The piece-by-piece start of “Must Be Dreaming” feels fresh with purpose and an easily danceable backbeat while the jangly pop of “Always On My Mind” instantly charms. “Cut In Two” rocks harder than its preceding tracks with driving riffs and a solid gritty tempo. Closing with the album’s title-track followed by “To My Gemini”, Reading Rainbow’s sophomore effort is vibrant and full of charm. You can purchase Prism Eyes via Hozac Records.

 

Below is their new video for “Always on My Mind” by Amanda Finn, which was inspired by 60’s new wave French films ala Jean Luc Goddard. Also check out their interview with Elle Magazine here. Haha – what fashionistas!

 

– Dianca Potts

 

Party Photographers just posted a new track from their upcoming 7” currently scheduled to be release on vinyl in January via Ian Records. It will feature the songs “Children Of Men” (which you can check out below) and “Negative Space”. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff

 

Man, Philly fuckin’ rules! There are way too many good shows tonight and somethin’ for everyone’s flava. For all you hip hop heads, The Blockley has plenty of what you are looking for, and it’s for a good cause – InnerCourse World AIDS Day Awareness. The Roots’ Black Thought will be taking the stage tonight with his new side project Money Making Jam Boys, which features Dice Raw, Truck North, P.O.R.N. and Atlanta transplant STS (Sugar Tongue Slim). Check out their new debut music video for “Judgement Day” below, which was directed by Samuel Rogers. They’ll also be joined by local natives Kuf Knotz (all recovered from emergency dental surgery) and Germantown’s Writtenhouse as well as North Carolina’s Big Pooh (from Little Brother). Now, that’s a stacked bill. Glad to see that the local hip hop community is finding their way into more Philly venues (still not enough though – in my humble opinion). The Blockley, 3801 Chestnut St., 9pm, $7 adv/$10 door, 21+ (Illustration by Eric Jordan) – H.M. Kauffman

 

 

Listening to Birds of Maya incites a certain spontaneous, enthusiastic splendor that can only be matched by their vigilant, fervent worship of protracted blues-soaked hard rock epistles. While this three-piece crafts complex slow-burners that drag like a Marlboro Red, their sound is anything but lackluster. In fact, it’s balls-to-the-walls rock – a bedlam of crude electric vibrations and trouncing garage kick starts that drapes rightly as the backdrop to what will be the best (or, at the very least, wildest) night of your life. But don’t forget to warm up first with bill mates Taco Leg and Watery Love, otherwise you’re just gonna be aching in the morning. You shouldn’t snooze on this one because with the growing interest in Mike Polizze’s Purling Hiss, you never know when Birds of Maya will pop up again. (Bummer – looks like Home Blitz dropped off the original lineup.) Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St, 8pm, $6, 21+ – Annamarya Scaccia

 

From laying down home recordings on four tracks to doing freelance music writing for Philadelphia Weekly & the Inquirer and utilizing everything from acoustic guitar to children’s toy xylophones in his songs, Bill Ricchini has lead a long and eclectic music career. After generating buzz in Europe and the U.S. for a self-released album which was named “Best Unreleased Album” by Salon, he was signed to Megaforce/Transdreamer Records, where he released two albums that managed to stay true to the sounds from his influences such as the Beach Boys. After a bit of a hiatus, Ricchini is back with a new project titled Summer Fiction. The self-titled opus was recorded inside everything from studios to church basements, and features a cavalcade of classical and rock musicians that even includes members of BC Camplight and Buried Beds. The celebration of the album’s release is tonight at JB’s, and will also include In Grenada, who have been receiving plenty of praise for their home recorded debut Break as well as psychedelic folk outfit Yellow Humphrey. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill