Philadelphia

Cheers Elephant Live at The Khyber 21

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When it comes to psychedelic indie rock bands, Cheers Elephant are often regarded as one of the best that our scene has to offer. They’re still in the studio recording a new album, although a fancy new website, and recent video shoot at Drexel Studios could indicate that it’s coming sooner than later. But in the meantime, it’s time for the boys to do what they do best – rock out! And that’s exactly what they plan to do when they stampede into the Khyber tonight with their friends The New Connection. The lineup also features the tripped-out guitar sounds of Paper Cat, a new band that features Eric & Julie Slick from The Adrian Belew Power Trio. The Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9pm, $8, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 

 

Philadelphia

Help Stop Philly “Promoter” Bill (Bill 100267)!

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The Flyers are AWESOME! What’s not so awesome, in fact, completely the opposite of awesome is the Philly “Promoter” Bill, Bill 100267, proposed by out-of-touch councilman Bill Greenlee and Darrell Clarke. This bill will require venues and promoters to submit applications 30 days in advance to the Chief of Police proving entertainment licenses, contracts between promoter and venue, liquor licenses and security plans before EVERY show scheduled, which is ABSOLUTELY FUCKIN’ RIDICULOUS. This law will put hundreds of DIY promoters/your friends out of business and will be a devastating blow to our art culture that we’ve been so lucky to be part of. PLEASE check out this PDF file with the entire bill here. If you want to make a difference, PLEASE help spread the word about this unjust bill, and sign the petition here to stop this strangulation of our music community! Your support will be greatly appreciated by all who gather in this community and future generations. – Q.D. Tran

 

Philadelphia

True Oddity Eric Carbonara at Highwire Gallery May 20

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With the world of Philly music as wide open and eclectic as it is, you might feel that a true oddity is impossible. But just when you think there are no surprises, you happen to notice someone like Eric Carbonara, who’s been on the scene for over a decade now, playing, producing, engineering, everything. The man is a dynamo, essentially. He’s on a constant search for the purest form of "raw aural expression" and it shows. Listen to a song like "Splitting Two Into One" with its skronky drone, almost verging on doom metal, and then flip over to his newest stuff, which sounds more like a mix of flamenco and North African folk with an Eastern tint. Confused? Don’t be! All of these seemingly divergent styles are united by Carbonara’s dark, contemplative mysticism. All that you have to do is lay back and get lost in his world. Highwire Gallery, 2040 Frankford Ave., 8pm, $5, All Ages (Photo by Noah Levey) – Joe Poteracki

 

Philadelphia

The Mural and The Mint at JB’s May 20

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Give of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes a couple tranquilizers and you’ve got the sound of Michael Kiley’s musical experiment, The Mural and The Mint. Kiley coats his ditties in a thick, sweet electric buzz that makes you feel like you’re seventeen again, trippin’ on acid at some folk festival. They’ll be joined by Missing Palmer West who sounds like Jeff Tweedy in the days of Tupelo Honey. Craig Gonci’s band rocks a similar alt-country act as the still-kicking Wilco with a little less twang and a little more Howie Day (with less hair-gel and love-puppy lyrics!). And then there’s Strand of Oaks. With Timothy Showalter’s creation, all the power-pop ballads, grunge undertones, introspective-lost-20-something-lyrics, and acoustic guitar of the 90’s are back, dressed in your favorite pair of mom jeans, ripped plaid, and scuffed Doc Martens. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Katie Bennett
 

 

Philadelphia

Conservative Man Baring All at M Room May 20

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The moody and lush Conservative Man is making an appearance at the M Room tonight. Conservative Man began as the solo project of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ian McCarthy before being flushed out into a full band in 2008. Their sound is eloquent and energetic with stargazing synths and Brit-pop melodrama that brings to mind a bit less dreamy M83. Their latest EP, 2009’s Imaginary Forces, is steeped in longing melodies and ethereal lightness that allow for escape and respite. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, $8, 21+ – Adam G.

 

Philadelphia

Diplo Makes His Directorial Debut

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Diplo will be making his directorial debut with a documentary called Favela on Blast, which he co-directed with Leandro HBL. It’s not surprising to hear that the film will explore the music and the subculture surrounding the berserk Brazilian dance music subgenre known as funk carioca (or baile funk or favela funk), which he’s been championing for years. It features appearances made by scene figures Deize, Tigrona, Mr. Catra, and Duda Do Borell. On July 20, his Mad Decent label will be releasing the documentary on DVD and digital download, and starting July 9, you’ll be able to watch the movie on Pitchfork.tv for one week only. You can check out the trailer above. – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Featured Artist(s) of the Month: Univox

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We had a hectic race a few weeks back between some great bands in our poll, but in the end the mighty Univox prevailed. We enjoy preceding their name with “mighty” because they certainly like to go BIG in their live performances transporting you into their strange little world. And when they are rockin’ out and then kick into those multi-layered harmonies, there is no doubt that you are at a rock show. We had a chance to catch up with guitarist/lead vocalist Josh “the Mongolian” Jones.
 
The Deli: How did Univox start? 
 
Josh Jones: Univox was the name of a tape of experimental recordings Joe and I made. After several years exploring different musical types Joe and I adopted the name for our new pop-group featuring Kent Boersma, Rob DeCarolis and Jim Tomlinson (RIP).
 
TD: Band names sometimes give insight into the members behind them or the type of music that we might expect to hear. How does the name Univox fit your members and/or your sound?
 
JJ: The name was originally chosen because all of the different instruments and sounds Joe and I were using for that initial recording were mixed and broadcast through a U-1061 Univox bass amplifier and then mic’d and recorded to our old TEAC 1/4" machine (RIP). One big pancake.
 
TD: What are your biggest musical influences?
 
JJ: Our biggest musical influences are Iggy Pop, David Bowie, the Who, Devo, 45’s from the 50’s through the 80’s, Sonic Youth, T Rex, Eddie Gale, Queen, Nina Simone, Clinic, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, Jacques Brel, the Kinks, Simon and Garfunkel, Motown, the Police, Dave Smolen, the Zombies, Otis Redding, Ennio Morricone, Lou Reed, Nirvana and Sun Ra.
 
TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
 
JJ: Lately it’s been Wood-land, Beach House and Joe singing from the John.
 
TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
 
JJ: The first album I ever bought was Blood/Sugar/Sex/Magic by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The first concert I ever attended was Sleater Kinney with the Butchies and the Gossip with Kent and Joe during SK’s tour for Dig Me Out.
 
TD: What do you love about Philly?
 
JJ: I love the diversity and economy of culture in Philadelphia. From block to block you find new and exciting creeps that are ready to get in your business and unhinge your peace of mind. The people are guarded, brooding yet mouthy. We fit in pretty well.
 
TD: What do you hate about Philly?
 
JJ: The only problem with Philly is how easy it is for people to get into and flee from.
 
TD: What are your plans for 2010?
 
JJ: This year we’re going to try and get people to choke on our music. Our album is out this month. Choke on it.
 
TD: What was your most memorable live show?
 
JJ: It’s hard to say which show was most memorable. I remember them all. I guess the Lycoming College show where the whole crowd got up on the big gymnasium stage with us (about 50 people) for our last number. The song, “Evil Twin”, only has two chords so I gave my guitar to some dude and took my microphone down below.
 
What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?
 
Chopped liver, tripe in dijon and vinegar-pickled cow tongue, whole. No bread, just stick it in my hand.
 
– The Deli Staff
 

 

Philadelphia

Jack Rose 12” EP to Be Released by Thrill Jockey

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Thrill Jockey Records will be releasing Ragged and Right, a 12” EP  by the late, great Jack Rose. It was recorded by D. Charles Speer and the Helix, and features Rose’s versions of Merle Haggard’s "The Longer You Wait" and the traditional "In the Pines". Release date is scheduled for June 15, 2010. – H. M. Kauffman

 

Philadelphia

Free Energy Releases Video for “Bang Bop”

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A little while back we told you about how you could be in a Free Energy video. Well, the boys released their video to “Bang Pop” today. Like always, it looks like the gang is having a lot of fun doing what they are doing and so are the people around them. Don’t be sore. We gave you your chance to be in it. We hope that you can enjoy it anyways! – The Deli Staff

 

Philadelphia

Time Travel with The Circadian Rhythms at JB’s May 16

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Last night you dreamt you were traveling through time and space, in a place where sound is a tangible force. You were confronted by 1920’s swing piano, gutteral blues groans, the sounds of breaking fiddles, and muted trumpets. The chaotic din of it all carried you through to the other side, where people hit the streets in suede fedoras and leather suspenders with bells and chimes in their belt loops. This is the place where the members of The Circadian Rhythms record the hullabaloo inside them onto some rusty antique to create portals to their world. Intrigued? You damn well should be! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Anna Troxell) – Katie Bennett

 

Philadelphia

The 2010 Art Star Craft Bazaar at Penn’s Landing May 15 & 16

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The 2010 Art Star Craft Bazaar is going down this Saturday and Sunday at Penn’s Landing. The super family friendly event will be filled with fun crafts, games, food and other basic human needs. The music that will be filling the air of this event is expansive and impressive. The lineup is fairly folk tinged with many local favorites taking the stage to put their own take on jangling acoustics, tambourines and booze soaked vocals. Highlights include the musical collective, The Spinning Leaves, whose airy tunes and warming howls are both haunting and reassuring. Also, Oh! Pears, the brainchild of Corey Duncan, former guitarist in Pattern Is Movement, is bringing his idiosyncratic orchestrations to the show. My personal favorites of the day are Toy Soldiers, who are billed as Ron Gallo (songwriter and singer) and Friends. They have a new album coming out and will be celebrating later tonight at the TLA with a stellar lineup if you like what you hear. Jack McBrearty (The Mural and The Mint, Songs for Lonesome Hearts), who was the music coordinator for this event, managed to put together way too many Philly bands to write something nice about on this show, and I am sure I could, but let’s be serious. It is already two and I am still not weeping into my mini pitcher. The lineup for the two days also include Songs for Lonesome Hearts, Arch in Round, Gildon Works, Like A Fox, The Invisible Friends, The Great Unknown, and North Lawrence Midnight Singers. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, on Columbus Blvd between Walnut St. and Chestnut St., 11 – 6 pm, All Ages – Adam G.