Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s September Album of the Month: Junior Violence – Ape School

Posted on:

Ape School’s Junior Violence can’t decide what album it’s going to be. It takes on several different genres during its eleven tracks. At first, it’s a bit Apple-ad hipster – the deeply ironic sense of jubilance on opener “A New Low! It Sucks Itself!” would fit well next to The Envy Corps and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah on a Fuck Yeah, Denim! playlist – but then grows into this gorgeous sort of acid-beach record – what Surfer Blood might have made with a bit more adventurousness and lot more pot. Also, it’s briefly as unabashedly direct as an old Wilco b-side before things start getting distinctly darker, and then it’s bright once more for a last hurrah. Junior Violence sounds like it could hang with different, albeit pretty elite peers at various times, and for good reason. It is this way because mastermind Michael Johnson knows what he wants it to be.
 
With about decade of music making, a rotating door of collaborators, and a list of influences that covers everything from Prefab Sprout to Van Halen to Scott Walker, it seems Johnson’s project has resulted in a band less dedicated towards a singular artistic vision so much as they’re dedicated to the integrity of their songs. When Junior Violence switches up on a dime, it admittedly jars momentum, but in the act, Ape School chooses to not be pigeonholed, and a vision begins to form a picture of a band that would not have their songs any other way. It’s easy to imagine how another act might have just clothed everything in warm reverb to make the album feel more continuous, but with the way these songs are, such a choice would’ve been superfluous and distracting. It’s enough that a track like “Ready For Duty” owns what it’s doing – a decidedly open folk-twang – that it needs not sonically connect to the drug haze of its preceding front-side.
 
Johnson consistently evokes a sense of weight, lending it to foggy fuzz, synth-phase Bowie homage, and British-schoolboy sneer-punk alike. This means that Junior Violence, even if it calls up a variety of references, never feels like a compilation of several bands. It is by Ape School, a band whose deep love of music and the ability to evoke unease, tension, and heart ties the whole smorgasbord together. You can purchase Junior Violence via Hometapes Records. – Adam Downer

Philadelphia

The Extraordinaires’ Jay Purdy Added to Tuesday Tune-Out (Sept. 18) & Classic Video Footage

Posted on:

We just wanted to announce that The Extraordinaires’ Jay Purdy has been added as an opener to our Tuesday Tune-Out on September 18 at PhilaMOCA with Arrah and the Ferns. Also while searching for videos on YouTube for a guest post that will be over later today at The Key, we got a kick out of and wanted to share with you footage that we discovered of a very youthful-looking Purdy performing an Extraordinaire fan favorite “Neighborhood Watch” for the first time ever. Classic! We also provided you with its official album version.

Philadelphia

Satellite Hearts Here to Stay at Dobbs Sept. 2

Posted on:

Satellite Hearts is a group constructed on the classic blueprint of a power trio. J. M. Pellechia’s distinct, raw lead vocals and in your face guitar playing fit rather naturally with the heavy thud of Lucas Rinz’s bass and the smashing percussion styling of Keaton Thandi. This band doesn’t knock on the front door. It kicks it in and dares you to question their authority. With an unabashed psych rock mentality that is balanced by catchy lyrics and a knack for finding the workingman’s groove, Satellite Hearts will force their way in, but once you’ve heard what they have to offer, you’ll invite them to stay. The Legendary Dobbs, 304 South Street, 9pm, Free, 21+ – Michael Colavita
 
Philadelphia

Get Carried Away w/Neighborhood Choir at KFN Sept. 1

Posted on:

Bennett Daniels creates whimsical pop songs in his project Neighborhood Choir. Performing tonight at Kung Fu Necktie, he will be accompanied on stage by Laser Background bandmate Andy Moholt, Michael Chadwick (ex-Armchairs) and Paul Sukeena of SPACIN’. Daniels does a terrific job of crafting material that drifts the listener on a pillow cloud with its multi-dimensional calming atmospherics that are often built from a simple guitar riff or drumbeat and transformed on its path upward to a complex yet peaceful conclusion. Neighborhood Choir will be opening for JRG, the relatively new project from Arches’ Julien Rossow Greenberg. Kung Fu Necktie 1250 N. Front St., 7:30, $5, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, August 31 – September 3

Posted on:

Yeah, you probably know that Jay-Z and Budweiser’s “Made in America” is taking over Ben Franklin Parkway this weekend. While the lineup full of mainstream, big name acts might cause some music media outlets to get a little wood, the fact that it is the first time that something like this on the Parkway isn’t free to the public leaves me rather limp. I’m guessing that this type of corporate bullshit probably leaves a bad taste in most of our readers’ mouths like the swill that they’ll be hustling within the fenced-in area. (They really could have made this a free show with all the money that they’ll be making from food, drinks, etc.) Like a lot of the smart peeps that I’ve talked to, I’ll be staying far away from this clusterfuck because honestly, it’s Philly, folks, and I can’t imagine that there won’t be any incidents of flash mobs bumrushing the gates or other stupid shit happening at some point this weekend, though I hope not for the general safety of everyone. Just save your money to support some lesser-known local acts this weekend. If you really want to catch some of the performances, then you can always check out “Lame in America” on YouTube HERE or Pandora HERE, if you feel like doing so. OK – just needed to get that off my chest.

Now, to our Weekend Warrior pick, Johnny Brenda’s has a nice local lineup of up-and-coming acts tonight that you should come out to support. Heavily buzzed-about Work Drugs will be bringing the smooth 80’s dance vibe that will provide some good times. They’ll also be supported by the pumped up electro-pop of City Rain and the anthemic pop-rock of Cold Fronts. Combined with plenty of beers, shots and whatever else you choose to consume for the evening, your summer will certainly be on its way to ending on a high note. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Brandi Lukas) – Q.D. Tran

 
Other things to help you close out summer this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) MON Mark Feehan
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT JRG, The Neighborhood Choir, MON Slutever, Ghost Light
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Crills Wilson, Thee, Idea Men
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Willy Green & the Wishful Thinkers, KC Jones, SAT 9 Crown Monarch, Rollin’ Loaded
 
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) MON Nona
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI John Salamone Band, The David Grauel Fusion Project
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Toy Soldiers, SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Jackson Rider and Friends
 
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) SUN J Rag, Nino Breeze
 
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) SUN Deceiverion, Ashencult
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI The Big Empty, Suns of Krypton, SAT LightPoint, Looseleaf Trio, SUN Satellite Hearts, Golden Spiral, City Rain
 
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) SAT Damn Right!
 
Ortlieb’s (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Steve Onpoint, SUN New Bold Breed
 
Rebel Rock Bar (100 Spring Garden St.) FRI Squalor Folk, Buddy Leezle, Johnny Popcorn, Aaron Livingston, Bloody Guts, SAT Vintage Kicks, Levee Drivers
 
Vox Populi (319 N. 11th St.) FRI Leather
 
Goldilocks Gallery (723 Chestnut St.) FRI Kite Party, Luther, Captain, We’re Sinking
 
Little Berlin (2430 Coral St.) SAT Jakie Paper, The Interest Group
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Song Dogs and the Night Jar, The Late Ancients
 
Double Deuce (Please contact one of the acts or the venue for more deets.) SAT Cavities
 
Nacho House (Please contact one of the acts or the venue for more deets.) SUN Bad Doctors, Le Yikes Sports Club
 
Philadelphia

Leather Opening for Double Negative at Vox Populi Aug. 31

Posted on:

Leather may only have a handful of punishing-yet-complex recordings to their name, but there’s absolutely nothing ephemeral about them and the reputation they’ve crafted. This Philly band’s muscle-bound, crazed-circle-pit-inducing hardcore has been hailed as the heir to the throne left vacant by the Cro-Mags, and they’ve kept themselves uppermost in the minds of hardcore enthusiasts by staying aloof: tantalizingly doling out as few solid hints about their upcoming album as possible without their more frantic fans beating a path to their door. They’re showing up tonight to the sweaty lair in the summertime that is Vox Populi with Raleigh tour-mates Double Negative, who bring with them an unparalleled pedigree (members have played in Erectus Monotone and Polvo), and Long Island’s Brain Slug. With a forecast of high temperatures, savage loudness and apeshit windmilling, this show is going to be painful in all the right ways. Vox Populi, 319 N. 11th St. – 3rd Floor, 8pm, $6 – $8, All Ages – Alyssa Greenberg

Philadelphia

Album Review: Everyone Everywhere (2012) – Everyone Everywhere

Posted on:

The new self-titled album by Everyone Everywhere finds the band about 5 years older, similarly jaded and existential, noticeably more confident in their “sound,” but eagerly expanding on their expounding indie rock. The group sticks with their buoyant lead guitar noodles, cacophonous crescendos, and nonchalant tenor, but the subtle additions not as present in their last album are what bring this one to life. The nine-track album is, if you focus on the lyrics, a fairly heavy affair. It recalls a man trying to paint a landscape while sitting in a windowless basement. 
 
The tattered opener “I Feel Exhausted” is pretty emotionally deflating, but the music, which starts quietly, and at a distance, approaches with fervor and blooms declaratively.  The songs continue to accelerate until its abrupt ending. While a “single” isn’t what it used to be, “$1,000,000,000” was the lead single for Everyone Everywhere. It is a yearning narrative, kind of a love song, though a rather dystopian one. 
 
This album, in our opinion, is rather back-loaded in terms of standout tracks. This includes the skittering, straight-forward rock tune "Turn & Go & Turn” that has an awesome, gnarly, manipulated guitar solo that squeals its way into your heart, and makes the song a highpoint in the album. A similar song-making moment occurs on the following track “Fervor and Indifference in the Bicameral Brain” (good luck introducing that song drunk). The song is built on an acoustic guitar line, but is by all accounts rocking, especially when the tremolo lead is included. That being said, the song includes a breakdown, which is hinted at earlier, but later flushed-out with a sauntering banjo and woozy horn arrangement, all accompanied by singer/guitarist Brendan McHughs anxious theorizing about the helplessness of ones existence. It’s all quite romantic really, but also pretty depressing. If one was lulled into a daze from the previous song, Everyone Everywhere do their best to wake the listener up with the pulsing, fuzzed-out bass and drums intro to “No Furniture.”  The uncharacteristic chorus is built on an Explosions In The Sky-esque guitar opposed by McHugh’s weary voice and lyrics. Often camouflaged by upbeat music, McHugh’s words, once focused on, become even more tender given the contrast.
 
The album closes with the adventurous “Wild Life.” It is restless, tender and youthful.  Lyrically, it yearns to relate on a broad spectrum. The self-titled LP is filled with unanswered questions, not with the intent of answering, as much as finding new things to question. The band may prefer to play on a stage, if they are given the chance, but this new record finds the group on the same level of their listeners, not singing at them, but with them. You can purchase the album HERE. – Adam G.

Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners: Roof Doctor

Posted on:

What began as a solo project for Mark Harper to get through “a strange and difficult period” in his life has expanded to a five-piece ensemble for the DIY space Maggot House proprietor. His band Roof Doctor recently won our Featured Artist(s) Poll with a little help from social media and the mighty one himself, Jesus M. Christ. They’ll be performing next in Philly on September 11 at North Star Bar. Check out our get-to-know-you interview with Harper HERE.

Philadelphia

Sore Saints & Psychic Teens Opening for Metz at KFN Aug. 30

Posted on:

There’s no doubt that it is going to get LOUD at Kung Fu Necktie tonight. Crawling out from Philly’s DIY basement scene and opening the evening are promising noise-rockers Sore Saints. Having hit the road earlier this summer with Come, the aggressive quartet is simply doing what comes naturally to them and have already caught the attention of national rag Alt Press with their early demos. Look out for the band’s debut EP. Gothic post-punkers and Deli faves Psychic Teens will also be ready to scare away the weak as both acts team up to support way rad Toronto punk/grunge trio Metz, who recently signed to Sub Pop. You definitely don’t want to miss this one. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., $10, 8pm, 21+ – Alexis V.

Philadelphia

Beanie Sigel Arrested for Drug & Gun Possession

Posted on:

Oh man, Beanie Siegel just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Just a day after his latest album This Time dropped via Ruffhouse Records the local rapper was busted this morning and charged for gun and drug possession following a traffic stop on I-95 in Tinicum Township. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the news release stated:

Around 3:14 a.m., troopers pulled over a Ford Fusion driven by Gerald Andrews of Philadelphia for following another car too closely and swerving out of his lane.

According to the news release, the passenger in Andrews’ car was identified as "Dwight E. Grant AKA famous hip hop rapper ‘Beanie Sigel,’ of Philadelphia."

During a check for weapons, troopers found numerous prescription bottles, several pills wrapped in plastic bags in a cigarette pack and a small amount of marijuana on Andrews, the news release said. On Sigel, police said they found a bottle of codeine syrup with the label scratched off and $4,650 in cash.

Both men were taken in to custody and when police searched the vehicle, they found a gun in the center counsel, according to the release. Both Sigel and Andrews are convicted felons who are not allowed to possess firearms, police said.

Sigel is already scheduled to start serving time on September 12 for his recent conviction of tax evasion. You can read the rest of the article HERE.