While The Ambulars sadly announced an indefinite hiatus back in September, they recently left a parting gift. A kind of new song, “Shaking Air,” is a polished up old demo that was retouched over the weekend. The track hovers that fine threshold between ragged energy with a catchy melodic rock feel as it jumps through the highs and lows.
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Krust Toons: “You Are Here” by Teddy Hazard
Krust Toons: "You Are Here" by Teddy Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations HERE.
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The Deli Philly’s March Record of the Month: Nightclub – Blood Sound
Blood Sound’s post-punk tracks are informed by an audible nostalgia for the dance floors and goth clubs of the latter ‘80s. Their latest LP Nightclub is a hybrid of dark wave and dream pop. Marrying synth-drenched harmonies with emotively vibrant lyricism, the subtle romantics of the band’s debut full-length fit seamlessly with the buzzing percussive backbeats of earlier cuts by Cold Cave (circa Love Comes Close) or The Cure’s “Primary” stripped bare to its core.
“TV Synth 1” sets the tone for Nightclub’s narrative with a brief yet textured prelude to “I Don’t Want.” Relatable like an antithesis of The Smiths’ “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” Blood Sound’s “I Don’t Want” personifies the complexities of yearning, desire, and loneliness. As frontman Chris Jordan croons “I don’t want the city’s lights to go down/I don’t want to find home,” guitar riffs magnify the weight of his words without casting them melodramatic. The track is a fitting anthem for the passing of youth, failed love, and transition.
The buzzing start of “L.A. Punk” explores that thin line between authenticity and commoditization, the song’s instrumentation paying homage in its own way to the early underground and its subsequent subcultures. As if channeling a sedated rendition of Peter Murphy’s tone and diction, “L.A. Punk” is as memorable as it is brooding. “Acid Summer” gives an inward glimpse at the intimate nature of grief, mortality, and memory. When Jordan sings, “The 1980s died that day,” the listener feels it in their gut. It’s undeniable. The connection between what is experienced and how that experience is remembered is amplified by the track’s thumping tempo.
“Empty” plays out like the perfect soundtrack to an inevitable breakup, coupling affection with exhaustion, with the synth framing the heart-wrenching truth of lines like “I was too in love to say/that your story was a bore/Now I gave up on bad dreams and endings/beginnings and beginnings.” It offers a viable catharsis for jilted lovers with a penchant for fuzzed-out refrains.
“TV Synth 2” precedes the lyrically minimal yet heavy “Embrace” which serves as Nightclub’s melodic memento mori. “Almost” is subdued yet gripping, slowing the momentum of the record in advanced of “TV Synth 3,” which unfolds like a VHS fever dream. “Fake Blood” is evocative, with reverb and a pulsating backbeat that swells as the song progresses. Arguably the darkest track on the album, Jordan’s diction is hypnotic, “Kill your dreams and wait for/the fake blood to pour out.”
Ending with the well-placed “Catacombs,” Nightclub’s final track encapsulates the thrill of beginnings and the way one remembers them. Set to a beat reminiscent of Joy Division’s quintessential single “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” “Catacombs,” much like the songs that precede it, is reason alone to return to Nightclub. – Dianca London Potts
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New Music Video: “Chase the Night” – Work Drugs
Though electro-pop crew Work Drugs have been taking a break from performing out live in 2015, they just announced a new show on Saturday, April 25 at Johnny Brenda’s. They also shared a woozy lyric music video for their new song "Chase the Night." It’s the first single from their forthcoming album Louisa, which is due out this summer. You can download the track for free HERE.
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The 4th Annual Tri State Indie Awards at WCL March 1
The good folks at Tri State Indie will be holding their 4th annual Tri State Indie Awards tonight at World Cafe Live. The event spotlights the fine work that those in the region’s music community have been doing in the past year. You’ll find local area favorites Son Little, Tutlie, Satellite Hearts and more performing throughout the evening. Of course, there will also be drinks specials and friendly faces so come on out and raise a glass. Cheers, y’all! World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 6pm-9:30pm, $20 General/$40 VIP, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
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Edelweiss Opening for Runaway Brother at Michael Jordan Feb. 28
Former Deli Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners Edelweiss will be bringing their polished post-punk/math-rock tunes to DIY space Michael Jordan this evening. The quartet recently signed to MAD Dragon Records, and will be releasing a four-song 7” in late spring via the Drexel University label. They are going into Headroom Studios next month with Joe Reinhart to record the album, and tonight, Edelweiss will be joined on the bill by Philly’s Slaughter Beach, Dog (the side project of Modern Baseball’s Jake Ewald) and Ohio’s Runaway Brother (Tiny Engines) and Heart Attack Man (Mayfly). Michael Jordan, (Please email michaeljordanhouseshows@gmail.com for more info.), 7pm, $5, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
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Weekend Warrior, February 27 – March 1
Ever since forming from the remnants of The National Rifle in late 2013, Bondage & Discipline have been hard at work honing their sound and creating material for their debut LP. They’ve also been recording with Todd McCaughey of Cambridge Sound Studios, and are slated to drop the album later this year. But the band just recently shared its third single, “First Kiss,” which is based on a discarded letter that singer/guitarist Hugh Moretta found on a train. It explores a desirous sentiment that was never shared with the person whom inspired it. It also reveals more of the bands danceable ambient electronic beats that you’ll be able to hear if you catch them during the Winter of Y-Not Concert Series at Ortlieb’s this Saturday night. They’ll be joined by Steve Goldberg’s melodic synthpop project Resistor and darkwave trio Blood Sound. Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3rd St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Bill McThrill
Other places to chill out for this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Callowhill (7” Release), Dreambook, Whisper, SAT Philly Loves J Dilla: DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Mike Nyce, SUN The Pretty Greens
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Thee Idea Men, SAT Ali Wadsworth, Bill McCloskey, Maitland, SUN Amanda X, Blowdryer
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI CaveWomen, The Plums/Skeleton Hands, SAT Kreig, T.O.M.B./DJ Lil Dave: Good Company
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI-SUN Philly Video Music Festival FRI (7:30pm) The History of the Music Video Part 1, (10pm) Name That Video, SAT (2:30pm) Extended Play Theater: Longform Videos of the 1980s, (6pm) Metal Movie Madness, (10pm) They Might be Weird: A Burlesque Tribute to Weird Al and They Might Be Giants, SUN (4pm) Life on the V: The Story of V66, (7pm) Backwards Into The Future: 120 Minutes Tribute
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Grimace Federation
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Dry Feet, Le Yikes Surf Club
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Balcony) Chartel, SUN (Balcony) Fis Geez, E-Hos
TLA (334 South St.) FRI OCD: Moosh & Twist, Ground Up
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN 4th Annual Tri State Indie Music Awards
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Foxhound, August John Lutz II, Gretchen Lohse, SAT Wade in the Water, Jake Cancer Action Man
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI City Rain, Minka, SAT Modern Suits
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI New Sound Brass Band, Something Like A Monument, SAT Bondage & Discipline, Resistor, Blood Sound
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI The Future Race (Record Release), Swarms, Witch Fist, SAT Blendmode
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI The Boom Bap, DJ Coolout SAT DJ Deejay
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI Jason Reed Band, Jessica Graae, Jeremiah Tall
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Pat Finnerty, SAT Dave Steel Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Dirty Purple, Soraia, Black Rue, SAT (1pm) Theotis Joe & The Bad Attitude Band, Felicia Punzo, Justin Aries /(7:30pm) Jackie Bobbi, Cris & Lou (Valkyrians) / We…Our War, Givethemrope
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Sparklefight, GASH, 66 Stitches, SAT Corey James & Patrick Fiore, Minerva, Black Rue, Dell-P, Sweet Eureka, Zymotic Flow, Carfax Abbey
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI King Magnetic, SAT Tommy HoGunz, John Tordini
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Curtis Jr., Keystoned, Dave Hoagie & His Heroes, Addison GroveSAT Joshua Popejoy, Alex & The Beggars
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Morse Coda, Spotted Atrocious, SAT Jacqueline Constance
El Bar (1356 N. Front St.) SAT Jantones, When Ships Collide, Dan Malloy
XO Lounge (1437 South St.) SAT Cal¡co, The Strange Heat, Witch Fist
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) SAT Cultureal, Paulette Branson & Mixed People, George Urgo Band
Eris Temple Arts (602 S. 52nd St.) FRI S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., Buster, Spirulina
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St. Suite 76) FRI Quit
Everybody Hits! (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Mannequin Pussy, Hound, Sean Plays the Drums
Ardmore Music Hall FRI Swift Technique
Girard Hall (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI The Spirit of the Beehive, Kerosene
The Nest (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Walking Distance (Tape Release), Balloon Boy, Mumblr, SUN Direct Effect, Liam Betson, Marge, Clique, Constraint
Hazzard Hall (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Cranes Are Flying (Release Show), Ruby Buff, Problems, Curve
3rd & Girard (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT In Place, Little War Twins
Safety Meeting (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Hello Shark, Liz & The Lost Boys, Matt Holden (Legs Like Tree Trunks)
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Eleby, Water Polo
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Dirt Queen, Harsh Vibes, Legendary Divorce
Little King Trash House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Alps Head, Chad Avery
Michael Jordan (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Slaughter Beach, Dog, Edelweiss
The First Banana (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Blau Gemacht, Hypoxia, Tourism
502 South (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT The Sixties, The Good Excuses, Welter, Proof and Proving, Leadership
Second Empire (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Dronez, No
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Callowhill 7″ Release Show at JB’s Feb. 27
Tonight, the relatively fresh formed four-piece Callowhill celebrates the release of their eponymous debut on 7” via Exotic Fever Records with a headlining performance at Johnny Brenda’s. The band, which includes Katy Otto of Trophy Wife, seems to find a middle ground between ironed out melodies and heavier unforgiving instrumentation. As a result, a bridge is built meshing the two, establishing songs guided by the constant propulsion of clean thudding bass lines, snappy percussion, and zigzagging guitar riffs with strong yet soothing vocals. However, despite a polished edge, the band retains a punk rooted core capable of elevating the intensity at any given moment. This evening, the dark, melodic shoegazing outfit Dreambook makes an appearance with a new bassist in tow, dishing out a sonic meal that simultaneously soothes and jars as you drift along. Pop-punk trio Whisper will be kicking off the night. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
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City Rain Opening for Leisure Cruise at MilkBoy Philly Feb. 27
Noteworthy Brooklyn duo Leisure Cruise is stopping into Philly for part of their tour, but it isn’t the only reason to head down to MilkBoy Philly tonight. It will also be a good chance to catch City Rain, who had a great 2014 with the release of Songs For a High School Dance. Tonight will be the electronic outfit’s first show of 2015, and it will also be their first full band show as three-piece where they’ll be introducing new drummer Ross Robey (formerly of Cold Fronts). They also might just debut some new tunes from their upcoming album that is slated to drop in the spring. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9pm, $12, 21+ (Photo by Reji B.) – Bill McThrill
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New Music Video: “Undertow” – DRGN King
Below is a new black and white music video from DRGN King for their track "Undertow." Directed by Dan King, the band is filmed performing at Ruba Club Studios for a cast of dancing zombie characters that is made up of former bandmates (Brent Reynolds, Steve Montenegro, and Joe Baldacci) and local music pals (Laser Background‘s Andy Molholt, Dream Safari‘s Chris Coulton, and W.C. Lindsay) among others. DRGN King is currently on an extensive U.S. tour, and will be home again March 28 at Everybody Hits. (Photo by Caitlan McCann)
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New Track: “Go For It” – CRUISR
“Go For It,” the latest single from CRUISR, is the type track that can really break the ice. With a loose infectious energy and a tightly compacted sandy groove, the song is a great way to shake off that chill and transition over to warmer weather. “Go ahead, now go for it.”
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The Kickoff Party to the First Annual Philly Video Music Festival at PhilaMOCA Feb. 26
Tonight is the kickoff party to the first annual Philly Video Music Festival, which will be running at PhilaMOCA from February 26 through March 1. This evening’s program will consist of all local submissions with a few select ones, whom were invited. I am honored to be part of the selection committee that also consists of PhilaMOCA/Philly Video Music Fest co-curator Eric Bresler, The Key/WXPN’s John Vettese, WXPN DJ Robert Drake, and City Paper’s Emily Guendelsberger. You’ll also find fun events the rest of the week like Name That Video!, a throwback game show for the music video obsessed, a burlesque tribute to Weird Al and They Might Be Giants by Miss Rose’s Sexploitation Follies, retro video dance party, and much more. (You can the full festival schedule HERE.) It’s going to be a rad time, and get there early tonight because there is a good chance that it will sell out! PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 7pm, $10, All Ages – Q.D. Tran