Philadelphia

Grandchildren and Pink Skull Bring Their Circle of Life to JB’s Feb. 17

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JB’s is hosting a bill that should have your head spinning and your ass moving. Grandchildren, runner-up of our recent Best of Philly Emerging Artist(s) Poll, with their bombastic sound that slips and slides into ethereal moments that might be found “the day after” nuclear devastation, will be opening for local DJs turned full fledged band Pink Skull, whose time travel electronica will get survivors of Grandchildren’s set dancing towards a new world. But before this apocalyptic event and rebirth, Brooklyn’s Dinowalrus will bring you the feelings of chaos and acceptance that ensue before such momentous occasions. Survivors will be rewarded greatly! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran
Philadelphia

Kurt Vile Comes Home to The Barbary Feb. 17

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Philly’s “childish prodigy” Kurt Vile will be hitting up the Barbary tonight. He’ll be bringing along his steadfast companions The Violators and hopefully that great looking hair. Vile delivers noisy, deliberate pop-rock tunes compared to folks like Tom Petty and The Boss, but his sound is not at all stuck in the past. On his newest album, Childish Prodigy, out on Matador, his arrangements are intricate, entwined and washed in distortion. His deep, lazy drawl nicely compliments the psychedelic tunes. Kurt Vile and The Violators will be swinging home for the evening along with his Canuck tour mates Fucked Up before continuing their travels up North. The Barbary, 951 N. Frankford Ave., 7pm, $12, 21+ myspace.com/kurtvileofphilly – Adam G.
 
Philadelphia

Conversations with Enemies and Eat Your Birthday Cake at JB’s Feb. 16

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Conversations with Enemies and Eat Your Birthday Cake will have you dancing your pants off Feb. 16th at Johnny Brenda’s. Indie-pop at it’s best, these emerging Philly artists will definitely put on a good show that you shouldn’t miss. What else could you be doing on a Tuesday night? Get ready to hear songs about youth, summer, zombies, love triangles, and everything in between. Also, watch for Conversations with Enemies full length album (complete with a graphic novel!) dropping this spring! – From The Deli’s Open Blog
 
Philadelphia

The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape Returns Next Friday to The Bellevue!

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Next Friday, February 26th The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape returns to The Bellevue, and we are happy to present performances by August Lutz (from Levee Drivers), Death Panel (a.k.a. Sir Charles Latham) and Lion Versus (a.k.a. Hilary White)!
 
Levee Drivers’ frontman August Lutz will be making a rare solo acoustic performance before he joins his bandmates later that evening to rock out Johnny Brenda’s. We are also very thrilled to welcome southern transplants and first-time Deli showcase performers Death Panel and Lion Versus! Death Panel’s witty, quirky lyrics are sure to bring a grin to your face even though one rarely comes to his, and Lion Versus’ sultry Georgia peach vocals and dark poetic verses become more captivating with every listen. This show will certainly be a most excellent start to your weekend! So join us next week for some great music and good eats. – The Deli Staff  

 

Philadelphia

Blood Feathers Get Enchanted Under the Sea at 2424 Studio Feb. 13

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Even though we try our damndest to forget, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. This year instead of staying home alone watching bloodbath horror movies or taking your honey out to an overpriced prix fix bring yourself over to the first ever Enchantment Under the Sea dance party at 2424 Studios. That’s right, Back to the Future style baby! We can’t promise that there will be a clock tower or Delorean, but you can dance like Marty McFly to the rock ‘n roll sounds of the Blood Feathers. With their string of shows at Johnny Brenda’s over, the best thing for their 60’s and 70’s style tunes is to play at an adult prom. What more could you want from a band, Blood Feathers offers catchy harmonies and sparkley melodies that you can sing along to. So break out your 80’s gear, we know those scrunchies are still around, and come on out to Studio 2424 for a great time. Studio 2424, 2424 E. York St., 9pm, $10 Stag/$15 Couples, 21+ myspace.com/bloodfeathersrockandrollband – Meaghan McCafferty

 

 
Philadelphia

TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb Inciting Revolution at KFN Feb. 12

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Am I drunk? I mean, I don’t think I am. I may be, it’s been kind of hard to tell lately. Anyway, that’s not really the point. The point is that I should be. I’ve been listening to TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, and man do I wish there was a saloon around. I guess my Mad Dog and player piano will have to suffice. But if I had any sense and a snowplow, I would get myself to Kung Fu Necktie tonight to check out the whiskey-soaked ramblings of TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb. This folk rock trio with their dueling guitar and banjo and blitzed-out drums create high-voltage laments like they could detonate any second. Their rustic debut EP, The Hinterlands EP, brims with energy behind Dan Bruskewicz glass-chewing growl reminiscent of Mr. Waits. I know many aspiring crooners who’ve spent years mangling themselves for a voice like that, and all they got was lung cancer. I guess if you’ve got it, you’ve just got it. The trio is rounded out by utility player Joshua Willis and Dan Martino on the skins. The bill will also include Deepak Mantena’s Junk Culture, Brooklyn’s woozy rocking The Silent League and uber-hyped blog heroes Phantogram. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/kongandthebomb – Adam G.

 
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, February 12 – 14

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If you don’t know Jack Rose, it might help to know that he had been a part of music here in Philly for well over a decade. A virtuoso on the twelve-string, his curiously Eastern-tinged folk and blues experiments have lit up the Thrill Jockey roster for quite some time now. Sadly, he passed on last year from a heart attack, much too early at the age of 38. But the only thing left to do is celebrate the man and his legacy in any way possible! In the case of the folks over at the Latvian Society, they have a huge show set up, not only as a means of commemorating his life, but also his forthcoming, posthumous album Luck in the Valley. As well as some really heavy-hitters (Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth), there’s the wispy folk stylings of Espers‘ Meg Baird, who will be joined onstage with guitarist Chris Forsythe, Megajam Booze Band, and many, many more. It’s a real event, one you’d be insane to miss. The Latvian Society of Philadelphia, 531 N. 7th Street, 7 pm, $18, 21+ myspace.com/jackrosekensington
 
Other places to go now that you can…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Philly Opry w/ Birdie Busch, Scott Pryor, Esposito Bandito and Sneaky Cheese, SAT Ghetto Songbird
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Brown Recluse, SAT TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Toy Soldiers, The Great Unknown, Orbit To Leslie, The Circadian Rhythms, SAT Slo-Mo, The Hustle, Spinning Leaves, SUN A Tribute to "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band" w/ Cheers Elephant, Oso, Canadian Invasion, Toy Soldiers and more.
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, SAT Patterns

The Khyber (56 S. 2nd St.) FRI Big Terrible, SAT Welcome to My Face and 722, SUN McRad, The Boils, Necktie

M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Biodiesel and Sonic Spank, SUN Liz Fullerton and Johnny Miles
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) SAT Sgt. Sass, Homophones

2424 Studios (2424 E. York St.) SAT Enchantment Under The Sea Dance w/ Blood Feathers

 
Philadelphia

Rumpelstiltskin Grinder Ready to Destroy at North Star Bar Feb. 12

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Living For Death, Destroying The Rest has been an epic album for old school metal revivalists Rumpelstiltskin Grinder. It helped make them the headliner of this year’s Philly Thrash Fest, and was recently named one of the top metal albums of last year by metalsucks.net. And since they just announced tour dates with the likes of DRI, Obituary, and Deceased, it looks like 2010 is shaping to be a fine year for them. But before they hit the road their going to hit North Star Bar tonight for an old school metal show that will have your head banging and your arms flailing. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/rumpelstiltskingrinder – Bill McThrill

 
Philadelphia

Brown Recluse Keeps It Chill at KFN Feb. 12

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Ambient, lo-fi, and calculatedly atmospheric, Brown Recluse is a laid-back six-piece band specializing in modernizing the music your parents used to listen to. Shimmering, bright guitars lay down a fantastic backdrop, with upbeat drums and bass topped off by the occasional loose brass section. Casually witty lyrics float on this wave of dreamy pop sound, the vocals creating a dreamscape of their own, beautiful and oddly haunting for a group of such cheerful stature. In September 2009, they released a 7” EP titled The Soft Skin on Slumberland Records. Brown Recluse will be performing at Kung Fu Necktie tonight with touring Irish retro-pop band So Cow. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 6:30pm, $8, 21+ myspace.com/brownreclusesings – James Sanderson

 
Philadelphia

Birdie Busch Is Hosting a Philly Opry at JB’s Feb. 12

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The seed of an idea was long simmering, something discussed excitedly over coffee between Johnny Brenda’s booker Brandy Hartley and musician Birdie Busch. Brandy, inspired by a night of music she used to attend while living in Chicago called “Devil in the Woodpile” and Birdie by old television variety shows like that of Johnny Cash’s and Dick Cavett’s in the 70s, made plans to have a night at Johnny Brenda’s that brought a lot of their co-conspiring to light. Thus we present the inaugural unarguable Philly Opry on Friday, February 12th, the night of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and the kick-off for all St. Valentine weekenders with their dance cards eagerly in hand. Hosting and performing the night with her band will be Birdie Busch, and joining her as featured acts will be local songsmith Scott Pryor and the traveling honky-tonk harmony-tastic Sweetback Sisters. Tying them all together like the fine embroidery of a nudie suit will be Esposito Bandito and Sneaky Cheese weaving stories of Wild West Philly and other special guests. As you may have guessed, dressing up in your finest country flare is crazily encouraged and will be celebrated upon your arrival to the revival. – From The Deli’s Open Blog

Philadelphia

Riffs a Plenty at Millcreek Tavern Feb. 12

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Shred masters Jail have a heavy guitar laden sound that will appeal to just about anybody. Well, anybody who likes to feel assaulted by their music. It’s heavy on the Motorhead style riffs and metal instrumentals. But also has a drunk and dirty country twang, and psychedelic grind. And when they play Millcreek Tavern tonight with Gondola, they’ll be joined by their perfect match. Gondola is still fairly new to the scene, but have previously wowed audiences with the tripped out psychedelic rock sounds they dished out while playing shows with Nebula and The Asteroid #4. They’ll be warming up their chops for their upcoming mini Mid-Atlantic tour in March. Rounding off this head banging lineup is Lancaster County’s Electric Horsemen, who are getting ready to put out a new full length album. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 9pm, $8, 21+ ( Photo by Dan Argots) – Bill McThrill

 

 
Philadelphia

Interview with The Deli’s Label of the Year: Punk Rock Payroll

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We figured since the city was basically shut down we might as well join the rest of the crazies yesterday at the bar for a little social lubrication and random body-sledding on the way home. Well, we’re back with The Deli’s Label of the Year, Punk Rock Payroll. We had a chance to catch up with PRP’s godfather Frede Zimmer to toss him a few questions that you should definitely check out.
 
Frede Zimmer: First of all, everyone involved with Punk Rock Payroll would like to thank everyone who voted for PRP, it is truly an honor to be voted The Deli’s Label of the Year in Philadelphia.
 
The Deli: What are your feelings about the Philly music scene?
 
FZ: I love it! I think that at this point we have all the right components to become bigger and better. Recently I was tour manager for The Extraordinaires for a few dates with Gogol Bordello, and everyone we met on the road was telling us how much they love bands from Philly and how nice everyone from Philly is. It made me realize that the reputation Philadelphia bands are carving out for themselves outside of Philly is a very positive and innovative one, and I’m happy to be a part of it.  
 
TD: Will your headquarters always remain in South Philly?
 
FZ: I can’t say that it will always remain in South Philly. After 5 years of Punk Rock Payroll functioning out of a cramped two bedroom apartment at 9th and Jackson, we just moved in to our new, much more spacious headquarters at 18th and Moore about a year ago, and we have no intentions of going anywhere. Now we’re located in a section of South Philly called Newbold that’s South of Washington and West of Broad. Everyone at the label, and the bands that are signed to the label, pretty much live around this area now, so we definitely feel a sense of community. The area south of Washington is completely malleable right now. It’s a new frontier for artists and musicians to start to shape into a brand new area that’s not already defined by established venues and pre-conceived notions about what kind of music or art comes from the area.     
 
TD: We love your innovative packaging/marketing ideas. Any cool things that we should be looking out for? Any releases that you are excited about, or new artists that you have or are planning to sign?
 
FZ: Thank you. There are definitely some new packaging designs and new artists and releases that we are very excited about at the moment, but it would be a bit premature to let the cat out of the bag at this point. We’ll be making a few big announcements on the Punk Rock Payroll website very soon.
 
TD: Your history is well-documented on your website. What’s been your proudest moment so far?
 
FZ: I’m constantly proud of Punk Rock Payroll and all of the people behind the scenes who keep it running: the interns, the people who work at the label and of course the bands on the label. I feel really lucky to be surrounded by so many gifted people. It feels like I have a "proudest moment" just about every other day.
 
TD: Besides artists on Punk Rock Payroll, what local performers do you enjoy listening to?
 
FZ: I have to admit I am generally listening to the bands on the label, but I really enjoy The Armchairs, Sweatheart, Need New Body, Sun Ra, and a few more that we currently have our eyes on.
 
TD: What national/international acts do you currently listen to now?
 
FZ: The Roots, Against Me, Gogol Bordello.
 
TD: What’s your favorite thing about Philly?
 
FZ: The energy you feel just from walking down the street. Philadelphia is the birthplace of America, and I truly believe it lends itself to be the birthplace for many new and groundbreaking artistic undertakings. 
 
TD: What annoys you the most about Philly?
 
FZ: The disrespect for the city some people voice by throwing their trash all over the streets and the violence, especially the gun violence…we really shouldn’t have to watch our backs when we’re walking or riding over to a friend’s house to hang out. At some point, this behavior became the norm, and that definitely annoys me.   
 
TD: What’s your poison?
 
FZ: BRUNIC’S ! It’s my favorite diner hang out, and it happens to be at 17th and McKean, which is only a few blocks from our new spot. It seems to be the underground hub for all things South Philly.
 
TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?
 
FZ: Hmm…it definitely changes from day to day, but today I would have to say veggie/cheese hoagie. 
 
– The Deli Staff