Philadelphia

Show Recap: Unannounced War on Drugs Performance w/Kurt Vile at JB’s

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This past Friday, as the evening approached and the week’s end commenced, a buzz surrounded Johnny Brenda’s unannounced show, which hung in the balance as a wildcard. And as time moved forward, word came out that the unnamed act would be The War on Drugs, and there was much rejoicing.
 
The crowd filed into the friendly confines on the corner of Frankford and Girard with an atmosphere of excitement, and they were not disappointed. With a set heavily weighted upon songs from their latest album Lost in a Dream, including the set opener “Burning,” they sweetened the surprise treat even more with former War on Drugs member Kurt Vile lending his axe wizardry throughout the set, elevating celestial songs like “Arms Like Boulders” and “Eyes to the Wind.” Clicking on all cylinders, the audience was naturally caught up in their hazily powerful set, initially and appropriately concluding with “Lost in a Dream.”
 
This memorable blur of a night was capped off by an encore, where Vile reemerged joining the Granduciel-led crew on the apropos “Brothers,” accenting why Philly is such a great music town. (Photo by Nikki Volpicelli) – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia

Hop Along Opening for Dr. Dog at the Mann Center Sept. 13

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Tonight, a pair of hometown favorites is set to hit The Skyline stage at the Mann Center. Bookended by the sibling combination of Frances and Mark Quinlan, Hop Along runs home-hitting, relatable, narrative lyrics, delivered through Frances’ unique breathy vocals and lilt, while reaching back for raw earnest force when its contextually called upon. When those vocals meld with an energy-filled charge of instrumentation, the songs are given a powerful mode of movement. Speaking of movement, Dr. Dog insights just that, layering melodies, harmonious vocals, and the omnipresent infectious groove. When all those elements react together, throwing in chunks dual-lead guitar ferocity and a touch of the psychedelic, the results are an ear-grabbing groove, inducing good times. Mann Center – The Skyline, 5201 Parkside Ave., 6:30pm, $20-$35, All Ages – Michael Colavita 

Philadelphia

Weekender Opening for Mo Lowda & The Humble at Bourbon & Branch Sept. 13

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Huffington Post’s new favorite band, Mo Lowda & The Humble, carry on their monthly residency at Bourbon & Branch tonight. But who you might want to pay close attention to for this edition could be up-and-coming act Weekender. Derek and Nic Sheehan have played with different combinations of musicians over the years, but they might have just found their best when paired with Emily Cahill (Gypsy Death And You) and Tom Anthony (Bleeding Fractals). And when they won studio time with producer Kyle “Slick” Johnson (Creepoid, Bleeding Rainbow, Cymbals Eat Guitars, etc.) in a Deli Philly Giveaway, they used it well to record their debut EP Spanish Peaks. Since then the band has went on to open for the likes of Future Islands and The Growlers, and received their first taste of big festivals this year at Firefly Music Fest. They’ll also be joined by lo-fi rockers Roof Doctor and blues-folk rock artists Midwestern Exposure. Bourbon & Branch, 705 N. 2nd St., 8pm, $8-$10, 21+ – Bill McThrill

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, September 12 – 14

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Non-profit youth music education program, Rock to the Future, hosts its 2nd annual Rally For Rock Fest fundraiser today. Last year, it took Liberty Lands Park by storm with sweet sets by The Dead Milkmen, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Break It Up, and more. And this year, it looks to do the same at Franklin Square with an interactive kids area, craft vendors, and a Yards Brewing Company-operated beer garden. It will also feature a great lineup of music that will include beloved folk crooner Hezekiah Jones, a.k.a. Raph Cutrufello. Ever since releasing instrumental tracks for the multimedia book Slice of Life over the spring, it’s been business as usual for Cutrufello as he has started performing out with a new lineup that features the likes of Brad Hinton and Kevin Killen. He’ll be in his element inside one of Philadelphia’s oldest squares, and will be joined by dynamic emcee and songwriter Kuf Knotz, who is getting ready to release his next album, A Positive Light. Rounding out the lineup will be Philebrity’s Joey Sweeney and the Long Hair Arkestra, along with a performance by the Rock to the Future house band. Franklin Square, 6th & Race Sts., 12pm-4pm, Free, All Ages – Bill McThrill
 
More places to hang this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Bikini Spiders
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Pete Donnelly
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Andra Taylor & Nate Dodge (Record Release)/The Flashing Thoughts, Syrrah, Golden Dorado, SAT Siamese Sundown, Jesus’ Older Brother, Drunkenesia/Eclectic
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI The Gang Age, Willow Talk, Mo Lowda & The Humble, Weekender, Roof Doctor, Midwestern Exposure
 
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.)
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Barakka SAT (Late) Weird Hot SUN Tygaton, The Roddenberries
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT The Indefatigables, Omnivox, Furthermore, Vine Street, Justin Depaola band, SUN Admit Nothing, Hate to Say It
 
TLA (334 South St.)  FRI Bold As Love – the Ultimate Tribute To Jimi Hendrix, SUN Quilly & Dollarboyz, CRMC, City Rominiecki, Natebuckkzz, Zuri Reed, Amel
 
The Mann Center (5201 Parkside Ave.) SAT Dr. Dog, Hop Along
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Jackie Paper
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.)  FRI Final Showcase, Could’ve Kings, Liberty Tribe, SAT Burke the Jurke, 30 And Over League, J.O. The Last Man
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Orange Drop, Drone Ranger, SAT Basstrap (20th Anniversary Show), Cardinal Arms
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Heat Thunder
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.)  FRI Working Class Villains, Paulette Branson & Mixed People/The Hvddle, Cardigan Terrace, The Strange Heat, Eastside Vibe, SAT Benefit Show for Tina Schwartz: Under The Influence, Mach22, Tony Mecca & The Heavy Metal Gypsies, The Ozzman Cometh/Wiggz and Wooten, Blake Winters, Scott C, Jamall Anthony, Stephon Amir, Wonder and Fury, SUN (Early) Mike Liberatore/ Fame Black, Iona Lake, Loretta Allen/ Whole Kids Benefit Show; 9 Crown Monarch, American Evil, Corners of Sanctuary
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Dylan McGuire Band, SAT Pissgrave Sun Please, Ghost Ghang, XXSTIANBEAUTY
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI CassAnova Wanzel SAT BlackCarpetMusic/BCM/DEZZY SUN RC
 
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) SAT Jenkem, Incisor, Crack House
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) Fri No Outlet, SAT Electric Who?, Terra Voz, Dirt Dirt, The Good Mess, Man Full of Trouble
 
Ardmore Music Hall SAT Splintered Sunlight, The Royal Noise
 
Grays Ferry Skatepark SAT NO
 
The Gentlemansion (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Moroder, Kralizeec, Leg Boy
 
Chill Collins Art Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Robins, Vivre Sa Vie
 
Golden Tea House (Please Contact one of the acts or venue for more info) SAT Outer Heaven, Manbeast, Hell to Pay, Wet Fetish
 
Philadelphia

The Orange Drop Will Get You (High) at MilkBoy Philly Sept. 12

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Tonight, MilkBoy Philly will be a psych-rock-fueled intuition, as a pair of local acts specializing in the comforting drifting airs will lead the hazy charge. Last month’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners, The Orange Drop, seep into your ears placing an accessible comforting fog, supported through searing drone guitar with a backend propelled heartbeat that peaks through the clouds, creating a fluidly absorbing sound. Developing a tripped-out, astral, noise-psych combination through soothing steady-handed synth–guitar interplay navigating the cosmos will be fellow up-and-comers, Drone Ranger. They’ll be opening for Canadian Hindie-rockers, Elephant Stone, incorporating the eastern toned sitar into a perpetual groove. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., $12, 8:30pm, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

New Track: “You Aren’t the Same” – The Lawsuits

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Straight up – The Lawsuits‘ Vanessa Winters has a beautifully sexy voice! And on their latest single, "You Aren’t the Same," which just premiered at The Village Voice, she takes the reins, guiding you through her heartbreak. However, for us, it’s the last 30 seconds of the song that we find most intriguing because it had us envisioning what Winters would sound like on an experimental, lo-fi project. Someone needs to make that happen – just putting that energy out there into the universe. The Lawsuits have a new EP Tumbled coming out soon on September 23, and they’ll be celebrating its release on Friday, September 26 with DRGN KING and Tutlie.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Autumn Leaves” – Revolution, I Love You

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As we inch closer to the official start of fall, Revolution, I Love You creeps up on us with its latest track "Autumn Leaves." It’s the first single from their upcoming album Black Feathers, which is slated for release in 2015. For some reason, we envision this song to be something that you’ll find on the soundtrack for the remake of The Lost Boys. Come on – you know that they’re going to eventually bastardize that movie too!

Philadelphia

Feel Something w/Mark Lanky at Ortlieb’s Sept. 11

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If you’re feeling depressed, Mark Lanky’s music might sound like an old friend who knows just how you feel, or it might serve as the catalyst that pushes you over the edge. Either way, his earnest, baritone vocals and realist lyrics will stir up something inside you. He’ll be a lone man with his acoustic guitar vulnerably on stage tonight at Ortlieb’s opening for Whitey Morgan and The 78’s. Come experience how Lanky will make you feel! Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3rd St., 8pm, $10, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

New Mumblr LP Available for Streaming

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Fuzz-rock quartet Mumblr just made its forthcoming LP Full of Snakes available for streaming in its entirety over at Impose. The album, whose name is derived from drummer Scott Stitzer’s phrase for how he felt after a heavy night of drinking, is the bands most polished and interesting record to date. Full of Snakes is set to be released on September 16 via Fleeting Youth Records, and the band will be celebrating its release on September 19 at Golden Tea House.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Kidnap Me” (Single Version) – CRUISR

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Earlier today, HillyDilly premiered CRUISR’s (now sans “e”) reinvigorated version of “Kidnap Me,” which you can take a listen to HERE. This new take is a part of their iTunes single that is available September 23rd. With an increased vibrance, this “Kidnap Me” is the type of song that holds on for the last few weeks of warm weather and offers a preview of what to expect from the group now that they are part of the Vagrant Records family. (Photo by Chris Sembrot)

Philadelphia

Shape Breaker Opening for Watery Love & The Young at The Boot & Saddle Sept. 10

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Lo-fi outfit, Shape Breaker, released a split 7" last January, along with Dublin’s Fuck Mountain, and what came from it is the super rad, dark and twisted "Spellbound," a track that’s four and a half minutes of spacious, fuzzed drums, metal mentality guitar riffs, and reverby as fuck vocals. By cross-checking the group’s 2013 release, Wide Eyes, I notice length isn’t the typical concern that passes through the guys’ minds. Aside from the last track off of the eight-song album, their psych-punk power pushes typically stay under the four-minute mark. 
 
Why am I obsessing over the length of these songs, written by Philadelphians Pat Hickey (vox/guitar) and Piotr Szpunar (drums)? Because I could see them spilling out into crazy live jams, with no one in the audience willing to open their eyes to see it end. Yes stoners, this will be your kinda gig, and you can catch them tonight at The Boot & Saddle, alongside local punk outfit Watery Love (featuring ex-Clockcleaner Richie Charles) and Austin’s The Young. The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Nikki Volpicelli