Philadelphia

Meg Baird and Birds of Maya Open for Woods at KFN Sept. 13

Posted on:

If you head over to KFN tonight, you should be prepared to be wading in varying sonic shores. The evening will open with some gentle acoustic folk from Espers’ Meg Baird which will be followed by a psychedelic blues tsunamis from shredmasters Birds of Maya. Both acts will be hosting Brooklyn buddies Woods with their upbeat psychedelic indie folk. This is a surprisingly nice bill for a Monday night! I love Philly. Just don’t expect to catch any football on KFN’s TV. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $5, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

Nico’s Gun Locked and Loaded at KFN Sept. 12

Posted on:

There’s something dapper about Philly indie rock four-piece Nico’s Gun. Tracks like “Dirty Girl” and “Modern Cool” play out like silken dancefloor pop jams with their underlying traces of disco and funk and overall sexy struts can’t help but be fetching and denim chic (or should I say royal purple chic ala Prince). And the distortion-heavy hip shakes of “City City” hint at the much beloved late ‘90s indie alt-pop of Imperial Teen and the Dandy Warhols – and we all know those two were the musical wet dreams of every slacker-hipster (slapster?). Even the stripped down, minimalist hooks of “Pink Roses” with its slight vocal echoes, sultry electric licks and calipered percussion, breathes unbridled coolness. Really, they’re super hip almost to the point of nauseating, but truly danceable. Don’t trust me? Then school yourself tonight when Nico’s Gun takes the stage at KFN with Brooklyn bands, Monuments and The Courtesy Tier. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $5, 21+ – Annamarya Scaccia
 
Philadelphia

The Northern Liberties Music Festival at Liberty Lands Sept. 11

Posted on:

OK, now I know that it is going to be hard to top this year’s Black Landlord BBQ, but Maxx and the gang will still be bringing their A-game to The Northern Liberties Music Festival today. They’ll be joined by partners in crime Blood Feathers, the washed out haze from Ports of Call, the half-glass empty, bearded indie pop of Dressed Like Stolen Cars, and many others. It’s FREE and beautiful out so take advantage of it. Set times are below. The Northern Liberties Music Festival – Liberty Lands, 3rd St. (Poplar and Wildey Sts.), 5pm, Free, All Ages

 
The No Libs Music Fest Schedule:
5:00 – 5:30pm Ports of Call
5:45 – 6:15pm Dressed Like Stolen Cars
6:45 – 7:15pm Baby Flamehead
7:30 – 8:00pm The Friggs
8:15 – 8:45pm Blood Feathers
9:00 – 9:40pm Black Landlord
9:55 – whenevs Northern Liberties Dance Band
 
– H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

Strapping Fieldhands and U.S. Girls at KFN Sept. 11

Posted on:

Judging by the looks of their history, Strapping Fieldhands have been one of Philly’s best-kept secrets for around twenty years now. Since the early 90s, releases on Shangri-La and Slitbreeze have gotten them on tours with the likes of legendary indie gods Pavement and Guided by Voices. So what they end up sounding like is some sort of warped version of 60s garage, like Nuggets comps filtered through the grungy haze of 80s and 90s alternative. Whimsical, almost Kinks-y, lyrics about Ulysses and young lasses named Stacey Donnelly are approached with goofy cynicism. U.S. Girls, however, takes but a few of these influences and spins them into something much darker, and more in the vein of the current lo-fi scene. Megan Remy is an always an uncompromising force on the stage, immersing the audience in a tidal wave of distortion from her makeshift sound lab. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N Front Street, 7:30pm, $8, 21+ (Photo by Dan Cohoon) – Joe Poteracki
 
Philadelphia

Ethel Cee Ready to Start a Ruckus at JB’s Sept. 11

Posted on:

Johnny Brenda’s is about to gain some serious junk in their trunk tonight when the Beats & Rhymes production and MC showcase makes it’s way to potentially turn my favorite little two-story indie venue into one when the second floor collapses from all the bumpin’/grindin’. The whole affair will be hosted by fiery female MC Ethel Cee whose laid back 808 beats and hard-hitting flow will keep the crowd entertained throughout the night. Her lyrics are dense and fairly harsh, but her smoky voice is calm and confident in a way that eases the intensity of her delivery. This will be a great opportunity too hear Philly hip hop new and old so don’t miss out! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Adam G.
 
Philadelphia

Rosetta Album Release Party at North Star Bar Sept.11

Posted on:

Sometimes it’s grueling to find the proper lexis for an artist’s sound when they’ve summed it up so nicely for you. At least, that’s the case with Rosetta. The Philly metal four-piece, which rose out of the ashes of hometown beasts Mykado, Sundayrest, and Sense Fracture in 2003, self-describes their music as “metal for astronauts” – “a sonic expression”, as they put it, satisfying to those who’ve surpassed Earth’s atmosphere (both physically or metaphysically, of course). It’s an encumbered delineation that does my job for me. But if that’s not enough for you, I’ll give it a shot: Rosetta churns out experimental, multi-layered metal slow-burners that are canorous, gnostic and scorching (for proper introduction to the Translation Loss Records-signed outfit, download 2005’s The Galilean Satellites). They’re also almost empyrean – cosmic build-ups and penetrating breakdowns that transport you to a higher state of consciousness. It’s not post-punk, post-hardcore or post-anything (by the way, the guys “oppose” that subgenre prefix). It’s just music with a larger objective. So if you want to lose yourself in new dimension, go to the North Star tonight for Rosetta’s album release party, and maybe stay for bill sharers Caspian, Japanese Sunday and Austria’s Lehnen.North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Andrew Weiss) – Annamarya Scaccia
 
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, September 10 – 12

Posted on:

One of the most prolific hardcore bands to rise from the underbelly of Philly is set to come back for one night only. Pagan Babies are considered one of the pioneers of fusing hardcore and punk with rap and hip hop, and were also known for the graffiti style artwork that appeared on their albums courtesy of their drummer Bruce Boyd. Aside from returning to play the “Legends of Philly Hardcore” show in July of 2007, the band has essentially called it quits since 1989. But in honor of the release of their special anthology Last on drp records, the band is set to perform tonight at The Troc for one more time (but I bet that they might change their tune if Last takes off). They’ll be joined by another local hardcore legend McRad who have been a Philly music institution since the 80s and Reading thrash masters Common Enemy who have been assaulting the scene since 1998. Add in the newest project from Kermit “Hell” Lyman of Slumlord, Thee Nosebleeds, who will also be performing with legendary thrashers D.R.I. later this month. And you have a lineup that’s ready to fuck shit up! The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 7:30pm, $12 adv/$15 door, All Ages (Artwork by Bruce Boyd)

 
Other events that might strike your fancy…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Wes Mattheu and the New Way Down, Papertrees, Charlotte Littlehales, Swedeland, SAT Ethel Cee, SUN The Spinning Leaves
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Hermit Thrushes and Old Goats, SAT Strapping Fieldhands and U.S. Girls, SUN Nico’s Gun
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI The Levee Drivers and The Fallen Troubadours, SAT Rosetta Album Release Party, SUN Banned Books and The Tea Club
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI U.S. Funk Team Reunion Show w/ Kite Party
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Blayer Pointdujour, Adam & Dave’s Bloodline, Faux Slang
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Jukebox Zeros and The Slotcars, SAT Invisible Friends
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Pagan Babies Reunion Show w/ McRad, Thee Nosebleeds, Common Enemy
 
The Ox (2nd and Oxford St.) FRI Golden Ages and Prowler
 
Pterodactyl (3237 Amber St.) SAT Kill You in the Face
 
JR’s Bar (2327 S. Croskey St.) FRI Eskimeaux
 
The Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum (3819 Hamilton St.) SAT Carnivolution w/The Hydrogen Jukebox Album Release Party
 
The Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI The Absolute Zeros
 
Greenfest Philly (2nd and South Sts.) SUN Papertrees
 
The Northern Liberties Music Festival (Poplar and Wildey Sts.) SAT Black Landlord, Blood Feathers, Ports of Call, Baby Flameheads, Dressed Like Stolen Cars and more
 
Philadelphia

Golden Ages LIVE at The Ox Sept. 10

Posted on:

Golden Ages’ stylized distortion feels cinematic with swirling synth buzzing between earnest vocals and pulsing thumps. Electric, chill and trippy, “Be Cool” plays out like Atlas Sound nix the forlorn aftertaste. The opening chimes of “The Whale” ring out, rise, then settle into subdued yet dancey backbeats later morphing into fuzzed out riffs that hypnotize. The audible aftermath of Francis Tseng’s dorm life, Golden Ages’ Tradition released last April is inventive. Familiar (think Animal Collective and M83) yet unpredictable, Tseng’s surreal soundscapes are ultimately ethereal and organic. Joined by party starters Prowler and Brooklynites Dinosaur Feathers, Golden Ages will chase away the work week’s blues, christening the weekend posi with promise. The Ox.  2nd & Oxford Sts., 8pm. $5, All Ages (Photo by Jake Baumohl) – Dianca Potts
 
Philadelphia

Wes Mattheu and the New Way Down Get Down at JB’s Sept. 10

Posted on:

I’d never listened to music that came “straight from the BEARD”, as Wes Mattheu claims to produce with his own full, firey set and his twangin’ rock ‘n roll family The New Way Down. But since I’ve started listening to them, I’m team beard USA 100%, about to start my thesis in pogonology. OK, so maybe I’m being a little dramatic. But seriously, ten years in the making, Wes Mattheu and the New Way Down’s debut album Finding a New Way…The Old Way, featuring vocals from local songstress Adrien Reju, was worth the wait. With Wes singing like Uncle Dave Macon, rocking the 12-string acoustic with accompaniment by country favorites like the banjo and fiddle, and with Joe Kille on the pedal steel to stir up flashbacks of its birth in the barn dance days, you could hear their songs echoing from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, whether it be one hundred years ago or this Friday. But, luckily for us, Johnny Brenda’s has them booked to start this weekend off and they better have stocked up on plenty of bourbon and whiskey. Joining them will be fellow down-home souls Papertrees, whose constantly evolving cabaret-folk lineup has included members of TNWD, and Charlotte Littlehales, a UArts graduate with delicate acoustic vignettes to keep you warm at night while you roam the American countryside. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Scott Perryman) – Katie Bennett
 
Philadelphia

Blayer Pointdujour, A&D’s Bloodline and Faux Slang at M Room Sept. 10

Posted on:

When you unleash an ambitious new eleven-piece music project onto the world you need to put out a masterful recording that gives it proper justice. And that’s exactly what dub, big beat orchestrator Blayer Pointdujour aims to do, but he might need your help tonight when he brings the party to the M Room to raise funds for this ambitious project. The artist has been involved in the Philly music scene for a good eight years now and has been a part of projects such as Phil Moore Browne, Miss Argentina and Kid Kreyol. Pointdujour will be getting by with some help from his friends tonight. And since those friends include Adam & Dave’s Bloodline, whose indie ballads get better and more addictive with each listen and catchy krautrockers Faux Slang with their heavy synth laden compositions, it’s a good thing. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

Artist(s) Who Deserve Your Friendship: On the Water

Posted on:

On the Water is the folk side project of Da Comrade!’s guitarist/vocalist Fletcher T. VanVliet. With the help from friends, he creates achy, timeless tales with the heartfelt need to sing and blended rasp of Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. Tracks like “Cat” and “The Mind Killer Litany Against Fear” demand their very own meditative listening moments while “Tumor” evolves into the rowdy punkish spirit of bands like Brooklyn’s O’death and local favorite sons Man Man. Stephen Landis’ violin touches create moody accents lifting the intensity on each track that he appears on. On the Water is a project that may be deserved of being more than just something on the side.

 
Fletcher T. VanVliet and friends will be performing tonight at the Greenline Café.
 
– Q.D. Tran
 
Philadelphia

Album Review: Everything Under the Sun – Jukebox the Ghost

Posted on:

The new effort by Philly/NYC via DC trio Jukebox The Ghost puts a glossy sheen on their already sugar sweet pop creations and puts this rising band in the position to expand their fan base beyond indie favorites to mainstream heartthrobs. Their sound is consistent with past releases in its reactive, pogoing compositions that highlight frontman Ben Thornewill’s theatric tenor, but their second release, Everything Under the Sun, manages to musically compliment his voice more effectively than past releases. The ability to fully produce the already large sound of this power trio ratchets the emotion of the new release to more Queen performance art than snarky piano pop. 

 
The album hooks the listener with galloping “Schizophrenia” that bounces through its verse-chorus structure and introduces the bands musical skills along with its tongue in cheek wit. The life within Thornewill’s voice is endearing in its buoyancy, like in the frantic synth of “Half Crazy” with its youthful and catchy feel. The only downside is that sometimes the polished work can blend too well in mainstream radio programming potentially rendering it disposable. However, the guys do show much versatility especially in the beautifully delicate standout “So Let Us Create” where the band seems to rely less on their natural upbeat energy putting all their efforts towards the movement and feeling of the song itself. The multiple glockenspiels and melismatic refrain create one of the largest sounds on the album. There is also not a problem with a band investing itself in brisk piano confections the likes of Ben Folds, who seems to be an obvious but apt comparison, and Jukebox the Ghost does so various times in Everything Under the Sun, but none as effective as closing track “Nobody” that swings and struts to the album’s finish line with added trumpets and surprising reserve.
 
Everything Under the Sun at times seems to question and try and resolve, but at other times seems to simply concern itself with the big pop hooks. While I prefer the former to the latter, it is an album that highlights the band’s talent and shows glimpses of a unit ready to step out on the big mainstream stage. (But I’m always weary of that stage turning bright young talent into disposable pop stars.)
 
– Adam G.