Below is the latest Shaking Through episode featuring Lewis & Clarke, a project from Pennsylvania’s Lou Rogai. It was curated by Shaking Through alum Strand of Oaks, a.k.a. Tim Showalter, who lended a hand and his voice. In the emotional footage, you get such great insight into Rogai’s life as well as the process involved in putting together his beautiful new song called "The Silver Sea," which you can stream HERE. "No one should ever have to choose between music and family. Many who have made music their lives fear this moment…" (Photo by Shaking Through)
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Sheer Mag Opening for Screaming Females at JB’s Nov. 5
The three-headed lineup this evening at Johnny Brenda’s has been marked on my calendar for quite some time. The show begins with Sheer Mag, whose 7’’ is currently our album of the month and for a good reason; it genuinely rocks! The relatively new Christina Halladay-fronted group packs a decisive punch, filling all four songs with a garage-rock sound littered with saucy guitar riffs. Halladay’s snarly-combative vocals mesh well with a heavier jangly groove, which falls into place and provides a smooth shape to otherwise tough sounding tunes. Exuberant Tennessee garage-rockers Pujol, whose songs hover that threshold where grit and catchy-hooks intermingle, bridge the gap to New Brunswick juggernaut trio Screaming Females, whose live shows are a sight and sound to behold, captivating with all-out sizzling guitar shreds and a relentless hard-charging backbeat that will have the building bouncing tonight. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $13, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band Record Release Show at Boot & Saddle Nov. 5
Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band organically formed during the recording of the guitar virtuoso’s last breakthrough album, Solar Motel. Since then, the group has been pushing the boundaries of his compositions in live settings and impressing those who have been fortunate enough to be there when the four-piece merges into one cohesive unit, churning out time-bending psychedelic rock. It’s an experience well worth any exhaustion that you may feel the next morning at work. They’ll be celebrating the release of their latest triumph, Intensity Ghost, this evening at Boot & Saddle where they’ll be joined by cosmic journeyman Marshall Allen and neo-psychedelia outfit The Orange Drop. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $12, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Music Video: “Diddle Coaster” (Eric Copeland Remix) – Aunt Dracula
Freak-out psych-pop project Aunt Dracula, a.k.a. Scott Daly, is coming out with a remix LP entitled Peel Face. Here’s "Diddle Coaster," a favorite of his from the collection that was reworked by Black Dice’s Eric Copeland. It also comes with a warped music video, directed by Logan Owlbeemoth featuring "professional mask making for beginners." Aunt Dracula is definitely keeping Philly weird.
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Music Video: “Predictable Miracles” – Work Drugs
Work Drugs just shared a new music video for their latest single "Predictable Miracles." ("our love letter to chill wave, we hardly knew you. RIP") The yacht rockers will be celebrating the release of their new album Runaways with a "secret" show this Friday, November 7 at Spice House Sound with New Myths. There are very limited tickets left, which you can purchase HERE, and the event is sponsored by Beck’s so drinks will be on the house. Cheers!
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Track: “Blood Red Sun” – The Bailey Hounds
Americana rock outfit The Bailey Hounds just released the first of two singles to close out the year. "Blood Red Sun" was produced by Jon Low (The National. Sharon Van Etten, etc.) and the band at Miner Street Recordings. The Bailey Hounds currently has a couple of local area shows on its schedule – November 12 at The Ardmore Music Hall and December 12 at MilkBoy Philly.
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Track: “4th and Roebling” – The Districts
The Districts premiered a new single called "4th and Roebling," over at The Fader yesterday. The track was named after the intersection in Brooklyn where they parked their car for the band’s first show in NYC. It is off their forthcoming full-length album The Flourish And A Spoil, which was produced by Angel Olsen collaborator John Congleton. The record is slated for release on February 10 via Fat Possum. They are currently in Europe for a couple of shows in London and Paris.
Philadelphia
Posted on:
The Deli Philly’s November Record of the Month: 7″ – Sheer Mag
Relatively new outfit, South Philly’s Sheer Mag, fronted by The Shakes’ Christina Halladay, wastes no time with filler on their debut 7”. The four-track release is equal parts garage and punk bravado.
“What You Want” kick-starts the record with jangly percussion and pristinely fuzzed-out riffs. As the song’s melody unfolds, Halladay’s screamed-out, heartfelt vocals recount and flawlessly capture the dissonance of romantic antics and their aftermath. Guitar-drenched interludes and buzzing drums reminiscent of Colleen Green, circa Cujo, and early demos by Bleached render the piece memorable, while noisy shreds near the three-minute mark bring to mind the lo-fi glory of the Useless Eaters’ Daily Commute.
Sheer Mag’s “Sit and Cry” is bittersweet and abrasive. Opening with crisply executed riffage, the second track off the band’s EP audibly embodies the malaise of its namesake. Halladay’s vocals, coupled with trippy distortion, amplify the emotional nuance of the release as a whole. As “Sit and Cry” nears its end, chords morph into reverb as she croons “cry, cry.” Soon after, the satisfyingly moody “Point Breeze” begins. Starting off with a rhythmic drive evocative of Cousin Brian or Throwing Up, the undertone of “Point Breeze” captivates listeners nostalgic for Slutever’s Pretend to Be Nice. Crisp with caustic yet earnest diction by Halladay, the song is energetically catching from start to end.
The album’s closer, “Hard Lovin,” is gritty, like a mellowed-out Bobbyteens’ B-side. Shaking tambourine and whining guitar lines perfectly compliment her rowdy vocals as the song progresses. Thematically, “Hard Lovin” is a kindred spirit to acts like No Bunny or Hunx and His Punx. It’s a song for romantics with a penchant for rock ‘n’ roll. It’s an anthem.
Overall, Sheer Mag’s debut release is brief. Despite this, the four-song EP is more than enough to wet the appetites of their soon-to-be adoring fans. – Dianca Potts
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Krust Toons: “Tour Economics” by Teddy Hazard
Krust Toons: "Tour Economics" 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.
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Music Video: “Blood in the Bathtub” – TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb
We’re honestly not exactly sure what the hell is going on in TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb‘s new music video for "Blood in the Bathtub," but things definitely get intense for the cast of characters. The black and white footage was shot, edited and directed by Brian Melton. The track appears on, and is the closer to the band’s latest EP KONG.
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Split/Red Record Release Show at JB’s Nov. 2
Throughout hard-hitting art punks Split/Red‘s evolution, they have featured members of beloved Philly bands like Make a Rising, Cuddle Magic, and Many Arms. The band has been compared to the likes of iconic acts such as Jesus Lizard and The Stooges. On their latest LP Serious Heft (New Atlantis Records), you’ll find politically charged tracks that were composed during various trips to El Salvador and were inspired by freedom fighters who rallied against injustice and domestic oppression. They also cut a visually captivating music video for the song “Road to Aguilares (for Rutilio Grande),” which is dedicated to the El Salvadorian liberation theologian. Split/Red will be celebrating the record’s release this evening at Johnny Brenda’s, and they’ll be joined by synth-punk trio The Bad Doctors and Blowdryer, a new project from Bleeding Rainbow’s Sarah Everton. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill
Philadelphia
Posted on:
WPO & Mercury Radio Theater Post-Halloween Freak Out at Boot & Saddle Nov. 1
Boot & Saddle plays host this evening with a wide-reaching and varied sonic combination. The expansive Mercury Radio Theater creates a theatrical feel, developing a broad range of compositions through the intermingling of horns, strings, accordion, etc. that is increasingly jubilant and yet incorporates flourishes of creepy scenery, at these odd, timely moments. This will lay the groundwork for the steady churning eclectic Balkan-beat of West Philadelphia Orchestra, whose all-hands-on-deck sound dishes out a hypnotic dance groove. There’s a reason why they remain a staple in the Philly music scene and an oftentimes a go-to band for a good time at community events. It’s your post-Halloween freak out. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita