Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, Jan. 10 – 12

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It’s pretty amazing to watch how the various communities within the Philly music scene have been progressing over the last few years. In the chiptune community, you really can’t talk about what is happening locally in that genre without mentioning 8static. The monthly chip music event is returning this Saturday to the North Star Bar with a lot to celebrate. The evening will also double as Cheap Dinosaurs’ release show for their new album Triangle Trash. Started by Dino Lionetti, the group has evolved to become a collaborative effort by the 8static family, consisting of Lionetti (composer/programming/synths), Danny Tarng (baritone guitar), Patrick “Bucky” Todd (drums), Joey Mariano (guitar/circuit bending /synth), Paul Weinstein (bass), and Daniel Davis (guitar). They’ll be bringing in former Philly native and now Phoenix-based chip-hopper Mega Ran, Sacramento’s Auxcide, and Rochester, NY’s SBThree will be providing the visuals for this 8-bit freak-out. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 
Other places to escape from your home this weekend…
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI The Wallace Brothers Band, The City Wide Specials
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Watery Love, Amanda X, Taiwan Housing Project
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Mock Suns, Dreambook, Hurry, SAT JJL, Gondola
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Far-Out Fangtooth, SUN Banned Books, GG Lohan
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT New Sound Brass Band
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Tiny Cities
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI A Fistful of Sugar, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Aaron and The Spell, Black Horse Motel, SUN Amelia Scaillies, Amber Ladd, Steve Cal Band
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Dirty Soap Blues Band, Cthulhu Martini, Could’ve Been Kings, Damien Anthony, SAT Skurban Vintro, Caalypso
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Shorty Boy Boy, Minka, Marathon, SAT Flightschool, Spare Change, Dead Tenors
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Joey Sweeney, Heyward Howkins, Mark Lanky
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Next To None, Travia, Mesmeria
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Anjuli Josephine, Folly Fields, Acton Bell, SAT Paige Allbritton
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Up the Chain (Solo), Dave Steel Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Khalid Quesada, Betty Iron Thumbs, SAT Chris Rattie & The Brush Valley Ramblers, Above Connecticut
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT Goddamnit
 
Half Moon Bar (4228 Lancaster Ave.) FRI Chimpgrinder, Rubbish, Maniacs on Wheels, Village
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Andorra, Ariables, Science Club, Mikingmihrab
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Alberta’s Court, Too Hot For Sleeves, Jonathan Monument, The Donuts, SAT Matt Gauss Band, The Barren Wells, Kyle Campbell
 
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Kite Party, Gunk, Vietnam
 
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Dopestroke
 
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Benefit for the LAVA Space w/Dying, Capacities
 
West Kensington Ministry (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Tygerstrype, Meth Dad, Chiffon, Mental Jewelry
 
The Dog Morgue (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Alex G
 
Philadelphia

Village Travel the Less Beaten Path at Half Moon Bar Jan. 10

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Philly has been surely building its reputation as a place nurturing a vibrant psych-rock community with acts like Birds of Maya, Purling Hiss, Creepoid, Spacin’ and Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band helping to lead the way. Well, there’s a relatively new band that recently caught my attention with their three-song demo The Harbinger. Local instrumental four-piece Village is laying down some heavy, sludgy stoner jams that are making the local lineage proud by harkening to the days of such greats as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Like many of their forefathers, they have travelled off on the less beaten path where you’ll find them this evening performing at the Half Moon Bar alongside Chimpgrinder, Maniacs On Wheels, and Rubbish. Yup – smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em, folks. Half Moon Bar, 4228 Lancaster Ave., 8pm, $5, 21+ – Q.D. Tran

Philadelphia

New Track: “Oh Whitney” – Hurry

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Hurry, the most recent project from the mind of Everyone Everywhere‘s Matt Scottoline, recently shared an uber-catchy, fuzzed-out track called "Oh Whitney." The single will appear on the band’s upcoming LP Everything/Nothing. You can catch them live this evening opening for Dreambook and Mock Suns at The Boot & Saddle.

Philadelphia

Free Download: “Echoes Down the Corridor of Time” – Ben Warfield

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This rainy morning has us in a chilled-out vibes kind of mood so we thought that Data Garden’s latest offering from Ben Warfield called "Echoes Down the Corridor of Time" might get you in the zone for the day/weekend. It’s off his upcoming release Songs of Light & Dust due out January 21, and you can stream and download the track for free. Below are a few words from Data Garden leading man Joe Patitucci, a.k.a. tadoma, that might help put what you are listening to in context.

"For those of you who don’t know Ben, he works in a lab doing research on development of intelligent lighting environments for NASA. This, along with his interest in night-sky photography and analog synthesis make him one of the most cosmic dudes I know."

Philadelphia

Radiator Hospital Opening for Potty Mouth at The Boot & Saddle Jan. 9

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I first learned about the goodness of Radiator Hospital, a.k.a. Sam Cook-Parrott, when Chrissy Tashjian of Dangerous Ponies, at the time, suggested for him to be the opener for our collaborative New Year’s Eve party last year. Being an English grad and lover of lyrics, I was instantly captivated by his earnest, heartfelt words, but unfortunately, he was unable to perform at our soiree and now Dangerous Ponies is no longer a band. Well, I was really looking forward to finally getting the opportunity to experience Tashjian and Radiator Hospital on the same bill when her new garage-punk project Thin Lips, consisting of former DP bandmate Kyle Pulley and Tigers Jaw’s drummer Pat Brier, was announced as part of the lineup for tonight’s show at South Philly’s The Boot & Saddle. However, once again, the rock gods must be conspiring against me because I just saw that Thin Lips have dropped off the bill at the last minute and have been replaced by Le Yikes Surf Club. Well, the show must go on, and both local acts will be opening for buzzing Northampton, MA quartet Potty Mouth. The all-female garage-pop crew has accumulated much praise from major media outlets like Pitchfork, NPR and The New York Times for their latest release and first LP Hell Bent. It’s warming up, and I know that you are ready for a good night out! The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran

Philadelphia

New Track: “Patience Makes” – Bum Fashion

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It seems like Peter Helmis has been keeping pretty busy after the breakup of Algernon Cadwallader, playing in various bands around town and starting new projects of his own. Here is his latest with Brian Baksa called Bum Fashion, whose style is befittingly lo-fi slacker rock on their first original track, "Patience Makes," which was recorded at Big Mama’s Warehouse, mixed at Headroom Studios, and mastered by Ryan Schwabe at Maniac Mansion.

Philadelphia

David Bowie Birthday Bash at Howard House Jan. 8

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Kensington DIY space Howard House will be hosting a David Bowie Birthday Bash tonight. At the event, there will be a full art installation dedicated to the iconic rock star who turns 67 years old today. There will also be musical performances by Nicos Gun, who recently shared a couple of new tracks from their upcoming album Dream Vacation, rock ‘n’ rollers Black Stars, Fat Possum’s Mean Lady and I am Bowie (featuring members of i am Love), who will be covering the master’s works. Admission is FREE if you show up dressed like David Bowie. (Sidenote: I once saw David Bowie crossing the street near me and a group of friends in NYC. When one of them pointed him out, he looked at us. We all looked in amazement and jerked forward towards him at the same time. He turned quickly and took off. Being all pretty good concertgoers, we decided to give him his privacy, and stopped ourselves from chasing after him. Then, we walked a couple feet, turned and looked at each other, and started screaming with joy while we high-fived. That’s my David Bowie story. Cheers!) Howard House, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, $7 (Free if in Bowie attire), All Ages – Q.D. Tran

Philadelphia

Free Download: “Time” – Work Drugs & Announce Release Date for New LP

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Prolific Philly songwriting duo Work Drugs just shared a new track called "Time." It’s the debut single from their upcoming LP Insurgents, which will be available on March 4 via Bobby Cahn Records. According to the band, "’Time’ is a song about finding new love. Insurgents is an album about finding your place." Our question is: Where can we find the new music video that usually comes with each of their releases? You can stream "Time" and download it for free below.