Philadelphia

Reading Rainbow Definitely More Than Just a TV Show!

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Yay – we have many words from our highly literate Best of Philly Winners Reading Rainbow! It was no contest this year by the time our jury cast their votes. The bedazzling duo Rob Garcia and Sarah Everton made winning look easy like the friendship that they’ve developed. You’ve read plenty about Reading Rainbow from us, and recently XPN’s Bruce Warren so let’s see what the champs have to say.
 
The Deli: When did Reading Rainbow form as a band?
 
Reading Rainbow: March 2008
 
TD: What is the origin of your band name?
 
RR: It’s obviously taken from the T.V. show, but we thought it would be funny/interesting to take it out of context. So it’s not only nostalgic for 80’s childhood, it has a redefined meaning that sounds pretty mystical. But we’d understand if people think it’s dumb, band names aren’t that big of a deal in the end anyway!
 
TD: What are your biggest musical influences and what bands (local/national/international) are you currently listening to?
 
RR: We’re directly influenced by early punk and 60’s psychedelic. We are obviously really into VU and just straight forward pop with lots of vocal harmonies. Currently we have been going through a huge Beatles kick. Aside from that, we’re currently listening to the 100 Flowers album, Loaded (VU), and Bo Diddley. Current band-wise we are huge into Grass Widow (San Francisco), King Khan and BBQ, and Eternal Summers.
TD: What’s the first concert you ever attended and/or first album you ever bought?
 
RR: Rob – 1st concert: B.B. King with my parents when I was 12. 1st album: Led Zeppelin – Houses of The Holy (?)
Sarah – 1st concert: one of those shitty alternative radio station “birthday bashes” (104.7 THE BUZZ!) I think Our Lady Peace and Semisonic played. I was 12. 1st album: Nirvana – In Utero
TD: What’s your take on the Philly music scene?
 
RR: There’s tons of bands and it’s hard to keep track of what’s going on! We are recluses, and when we aren’t playing shows, we are recording/practicing/chilling with our cats watching music documentaries or Strangers with Candy.
 
TD: What are your plans for your March tour and trip to SXSW?
 
RR: We are carpooling there with our good friends Eternal Summers from Virginia. We are hauling ass to get to Texas by the 16th, so we are only playing 2 shows on the way down. Our plan is to just play as many shows as possible when we are there and haul ass back to get to school and work by the 23rd.
 
TD: What are your other performances and recording plans for 2010?
 
RR: We want to keep playing Philly and NYC pretty regularly (and B-more more this year), and we are hoping to do a tiny tour with Woven Bones from Austin in May. We are going to VA to record 10 songs in February. We want to record and tour as much as possible with what Rob’s work schedule allows, and be as prolific as possible for the rest of the year!
TD: What was your most memorable Reading Rainbow show?
 
RR: One really memorable show here in Philly was the first time we played The Ox in November with Beach Fossils, Eternal Summers, and The Spooks. There weren’t that many people there but we had a drunken, self-indulgent, love-fest between the bands. SUPER FRIENDS.
 
TD: What’s your favorite order at the Deli?
 
RR: Every time we play in Brooklyn we go the Brooklyn Deli on 2nd and Bedford before we drive home at 3am. We usually get roast turkey with Swiss on wheat, and they give you a free banana with each sandwich. And they sell Kombucha. It rules pretty intensely.
 
 
– The Deli Staff
 
Philadelphia

Thanks for All Your Support!

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We loved doing this year’s poll, but we are tired and very happy to slip into something more comfortable. Now, we can go back to writing and checking out more new music to share with you. (We’re really not that good at math.) But we definitely had an amazing time putting this together. Once again, we learned so much more about our beloved local music scene through this poll. We hope that you did too, or at least, discovered a new artist that you might want to check out live or buy their album. We still have a few related interviews and top performer writeups for you to check out so stay tuned. Special thanks to our drop-dead gorgeous jury, talented local artists and all who voted! You ROCK!
 
The Deli’s Best of Philly Poll Jurors:
Grace Ambrose, Booker, Pilam
Abigail Bruley, Music Editor, two.one.five Magazine
Mikele Edwards, Booker, Silk City
Brandy Hartley, Booker, Johnny Brenda’s
Melanie Hoch, Vinyl Expert and Dancin’ Queen, Repo Records
Steven James, Booker, Kung Fu Necktie/R5 Productions
Jessica McGinley, Editor-at-Large, PopWreckoning
Ben Morgan, Booker, Millcreek Tavern
Gina Renzi, Executive Director, The Rotunda
Mark Schoneveld, Blogger, Yvynyl
Jon Solomon, DJ and Record Label Owner, WPRB/My Pal God Records
Tom Szwech, Blogger, Bag of Songs
Q.D. Tran, Associate Editor, The Deli Magazine
Bruce Warren, Program Director and Blogger, WXPN/Some Velvet Blog
Emma Zumberge, Blogger, The World in a Paper Cup
 
– The Deli Staff
 

 

 
Philadelphia

Year End Best of Philly Final Results: Reading Rainbow Rules!!!

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  ARTISTS
J
W+OC
R
TOT
  
1
 Reading Rainbow
14
 
0.007
14.007
2
 Grandchildren
6
3
0.043
9.043
3
 Free Energy
7
1
0.012
8.012
4
 Kurt Vile
5
2
0.010
7.010
5
 Drink Up Buttercup
6
1
0.003
7.003
6
 Prowler
4
2.5
0.032
6.532
7
 Cold Cave
1
4
0.011
5.011
8
 Orbit to Leslie
2
2.75
0.022
4.772
9
 Levee Drivers
 
1.5
3
4.5*
10
 Woe
2
 
2.246
4.246
11
 The Extraordinaires
3
 
1.206
4.206
12
 Dangerous Ponies
3
1
0.107
4.107
13
 An American Chinese
2
2
0.020
4.020
14
 Gang
4
 
0.013
4.013
15
 Brown Recluse
4
 
0.005
4.005
16
 Swift Technique
3
 
0.086
3.086
 17
 Pink Skull
3
 
 0.000
 3
18
 Make A Rising
2
 
0.015
2.015
19
 Busses
2
 
0.009
2.009
20
 Gemini Wolf
2
 
0.008
2.008
21
 East Hundred
2
 
0.006
2.006
22
 Birdie Busch
2
 
0.005
2.005
23
 Sweatheart
2
 
0.004
2.004
24
 I-Be4Eva
2
 
0.001
2.001
 25
 Conversation with Enemies
1
 
0.193
1.193
26
 Kevin James Devine
1
 
0.107
1.107
27
 Tough Shits
1
 
0.008
1.008
28
 Amanda Blank
1
 
0.007
1.007
29
 Oh! Pears
1
 
0.006
1.006
30
 Hot Guts
1
 
0.004
1.004
31
 Gondola
1
 
0.000
1
32
 The Circadian Rhythms
 
0.5
0.016
0.516
Legend: "J" = Jurors vote – "W+OC" = Writers vote +
Open Contest Points – "R" = Readers vote

 
Philadelphia

We’re Still Here for Ya

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Sorry Open Bloggers, we know that we keep using this excuse because it’s true. The poll hit some of our lives like a shit storm. We just checked our Open Blog mailbox so your blogs, videos, genitals…oops I mean pics and anything else you’d like the world to know about you are finally up (double sorries and my bads to any shows that had passed). We promise to check our box better in the future (that’s what she said). That being said there is a slew of new acts at our Open Blog for you to check out or write one yourself and submit it here. We look forward to learning more about you! – The Deli Staff

 

 

 
Philadelphia

Winner of The Deli’s Best Local Record Label: Punk Rock Payroll!

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It was certainly a tight race this year, but we are happy to announce that Punk Rock Payroll are the winners of our Best Local Record Label Poll which was voted on by our selected jury. They managed to edge out Siltbreeze Records by one vote, but we certainly believe that Siltbreeze deserves kudos for their years of continuous work with such interesting artists. However, this moment is about the high-quality work that Punk Rock Payroll is churning out from their headquarters in South Philly. Frede and Misty Zimmer’s adventurous spirit led by their belief in the things that they are passionate about has led them to the top of our list, and it doesn’t hurt that we love artists on their roster like The Extraordinaires and Dangerous Ponies. Congrats for seeing art in everything that you do! punkrockpayroll.com/ – The Deli Staff

Philadelphia

Levar Mother Fucking Burton Would Be Proud of Reading Rainbow!

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When I tell people that Reading Rainbow are one of my favorite new bands from Philly, they often ask me to describe what they sound like. In Reading Rainbow’s case, I can’t find the appropriate comparisons. I can’t say if you like Jesus & Mary Chain then you’ll like Reading Rainbow. But I will. Can’t say that they’re My Bloody Valentine meets The Ronettes meets Bo Diddley meets Velvet Underground is right on either, but it sort of is. My point here being that while Reading Rainbow may conjure up your own personal touchstones, they are uniquely creating their own reverb nation with lo-fi sharpness, indulgent psychedelia and to-the-point noise pop melodies. Last year Reading Rainbow’s Sarah and Rob made a great record called Mystical Participationthat you owe to yourself to buy and vibe out to. myspace.com/levarmotherfuckingburton – Bruce Warren, WXPN/Some Velvet Blog

Philadelphia

Grandchildren Definitely Running Up Strongly

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Mark my words – if the rock gods are just, then Grandchildren will be HUGE! No one on the local scene impressed me more in 2009. I was instantly drawn in with my first listen of tracks from their debut full length Cold Warrior, a project by Aleks Martray three years in the making. He changed what might have been your average acoustic singer-songwriter material into something accessibly drenched with layers of the most interesting sounds coming out of our local music scene. He also performed a Herculean task of bringing together a group of Danger Danger Gallery talented misfits into a six-piece mind-blowingly dynamic live band. With Cold Warrior scheduled to be released this spring on Green Owl which was responsible for 2009’s critically acclaimed Warm Heart of Africa by The Very Best and is owned by Benjamin Bronfman, M.I.A.’s baby daddy and son of former Warner Music Group CEO Edgar Bronfman, Jr., the stars seem to be aligning correctly for this crew of West Philly’s finest. myspace.com/grandchildren – Q.D. Tran
 
Philadelphia

Free Energy Always Honorably Mentioned

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Free Energy was the local band that seemed to skyrocket from nowhere this year. They went from being Dave P’s fun-loving neighbors with a band to the torch carriers of classic rock ‘n roll who found themselves in the studio with LCD Soundsystem mastermind James Murphy. With more hooks than the opening day of fishing season, they are making big guitar riffs, tight pants and having a good time a prerequisite for all their shows. This year was their coming out party with DFA Records, but expect the full monty when they release their first full length album Stuck on Nothing on Astralwerks this February 23, 2010. myspace.com/freeenergymusic – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

Artist(s) Who Deserve Your Friendship: The Spooks

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The Spooks play unabashed garage/surf rock with guitar riffs that come from somewhere below the waist and vocals that could scare you into loving them. Their raw, punkish energy might possibly have you playing air guitar with some serious ferocity by the end of the night. Recently back from a tour down South in support of their EP Sea Monster, the boys should be well-practiced and tight when they join The G next Sunday night at Kung Fu Necktie. myspace.com/spooksquares (Photo by Megan Trosclair) – Q.D. Tran

 

Philadelphia

Northern Valentine Feelin’ Fuzzy at Green Line Cafe Jan. 23

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Northern Valentine, the name and the band, captures the essence of the most remote corners of the earth, from expansive vistas to the depths of the ocean, and occasionally straight up through the stratosphere. A little over-dramatic perhaps, but it’s quite appropriate for an instrumental band who evoke post-rockers like Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai, but also embrace more shoegazey influences, like Flying Saucer Attack. Interestingly, all of the sweeping guitar symphonics and fuzzy drone soundscapes are created primarily by just two people, husband and wife team Robert and Amy Brown (along with a rotating cast of helpers and collaborators, of course). So while the band can weave epic build-ups just as well as any of their type, there’s something about them that feels much more intimate. If you’re looking for an ambient trip to get lost in, look no further than the Green Line Cafe, where the group is playing with CJ Boyd, The New Heaven and The New Earth, and Sensory Whore. Green Line Cafe, 4426 Locust Street, 7p., All Ages myspace.com/northernvalentine – Joe Poteracki
 

 

Philadelphia

Do You Need the Service? at KFN Jan. 23

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Before forming Do You Need the Service?, Mark Sconyers and Justin Hallman made up the rhythm section of The Vanishers. When that ended they became a rhythm section for hire, while creating songs of their own. They also found the time to collaborate with people like Ken Brune and Michael Tramontana of Black Landlord. They also managed to create music that’s a jazzed out psychedelic trip that will easily unfold when they play the early show at Kung Fu Necktie. They’ll be joined by percussion heavy ghost rock legends Northern Liberties, who haven’t played a show since they shook the foundation of Code Space during the release of their 7” split album with Lesser Known Neutrinos on October 10th. So this show should be action packed. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7pm, $5, 21+ myspace.com/doyouneedtheservice – Bill McThrill
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, January 22 – 24

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The Spinning Leaves will be celebrating the release of their vinyl record entitled LOVE on Rope A Dope at newly re-opened MarBar this Saturday. A pleasant trip down folk lane, this boy-girl duo is a minimalist’s delight, utilizing their few elements and producing a surprising amount of force and emotion. The vocals presented by both Michael Baker and Barbara Gettes mix splendidly – the right touch of tragedy and hope. Sweet lyrical melodies are reinforced by horns, piano, and other miscellaneous instruments that are lent to the record by special musical guests. One such guest is Hezekiah Jones a.k.a. Raph Cutrufello who will also be performing in support of the release. He leads a ragtag crew of talented musicians full of veterans from the Philly folk scene. Well, they are really family so just call them the Joneses. In addition to both of these amazing groups, one of our personal favorites in Philly lately, The Great Unknown, are scheduled to make an appearance. If you haven’t checked out The Great Unknown yet, now is a pretty good time to start listening. MarBar, 200 S. 40th St., 9pm, $7/students $5 also $20 entry + record, 21+ myspace.com/thespinningleaves
 
More stuff to do…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Toy Soldiers, The Great Unknown, TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb, SAT Bo Bliz and Emynd, Reef The Lost Cauze

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Do You Need Service?, Northern Liberties

MarBar (200 S. 40th St.) FRI Steppin Razor
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Infinien and Oud Blues

The Khyber (56 S. 2nd St.) FRI Le Fits

M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Acres of Diamonds, SAT Fooling April

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Sam Friend

Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Long Walk Home and The Quelle Source

Green Line Café (4426 Locust St.) SAT Northern Valentine and Sensory Whore

Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Absolute Zeros, Parsnip Revolt, Dani Mari

 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI (Early – All Ages) Kevin James Devine (CD Release Party)