Here’s the seemingly upbeat lead single called “Clock Hands” from Exploding World’s upcoming album Reptilian Revival. It was produced and mixed by Dave Tatasciore. You can download the track for free below.
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Young Savage Headlines Summer Slam 2012 at TLA July 7
Young Savage (a.k.a. Daeshawn Johnson) will be returning to the big stage of the TLA tonight, but this time his name gets the large print on its marquee as this evening’s headliner at Summer Slam 2012. It’s quite an accomplishment, especially for such a youthful emcee that only recently emerged on the Philly music scene in 2010. Drawing influences from rising local native Meek Mill as well as megastars like Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Drake, the young Southwest Philly rapper is already proving to be one to keep tabs on. Young Savage originally refined his chops as a member of the Inner City Hustlers (I.C.H.), a crew that he has brought along with him tonight as an opening act for this one of hopefully many momentous occasions. Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St., 6:30pm, $20 (+fees), All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
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Young Statues Headline All Ages Show at The Fire July 7
Sprightly up-and-comers Young Statues are headlining an early, all ages show tonight at The Fire. The Philly, by way of Jersey, quintet creates post-puberty, pre-soul-crushing adulthood indie pop in the key of emo. The melodies and vocal delivery recall mid-aught emo bands like Days Away (who “evolved” into Good Old War) and Northstar (who “evolved” into Casino). Both of these bands journeyed from their roots into folk-country tinged acts, but Young Statues’ sound fits right in the middle of that evolution. They are not overtly emo, though the pensive lyrics and yearning tenor are notably present. (I would like to mention that when I say emo, I am not doing so in a derogatory way.) Young Statues are catchy without being terribly predictable. Yes, their lyrics could make great Facebook statuses, but relatability is not necessarily a negative – it certainly has its upside. The band is playing a couple shows this summer still riding on their self-titled debut released last year via Run For Cover Records, as well as an acoustic EP that they put out in February. Opening this show is Bright and Early, a band who is extremely comfortable in their pop-punk skin, so much so that they seem to have written a manifesto both coddling and decrying their entire “scene.” They even quote Midtown, both musically and lyrically – twice in their first two songs. Similar to Young Statues, they released an acoustic, or unplugged, EP back in January for free. The show also includes the surprising technicality of the extremely young band Edelweiss from Stroudsburg, PA. They make mathy-spacey-dark-pop-rock ready made to be eaten up by the New York scene. This is a showcase full of young talent for all agers as well as the 21+ crowd (just keep it legal y’all). The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 5pm, $5, All Ages – Adam G.
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Weekend Warrior, July 6 – 8
The ever-touring Philly-based quartet Hoots & Hellmouth will be braving the heat and making a free homecoming appearance outdoors at Morgan’s Pier this Saturday. The band brings a time-tested blend of musical styles taking cues from folk country, blues, bluegrass, gospel, etc. and combining them in a way that is reminiscent of the past while also remaining fresh. In this way, Hoots & Hellmouth prove that what once was old can be new again with Rob Berliner reinvigorating the classic sounds of the mandolin and organ, while Todd Erk and Mike Reilly provide the sturdy backbone of rhythm. It also doesn’t hurt that Sean Hoots has one beautiful down-home, soulful voice. This is the kind of music which makes you standup, stomp your feet, and joyously sing along. It’s a revival of something that truly never gets old when done this good. Morgan’s Pier 221 N. Columbus Blvd., 6pm, Free, 21+ (Deneka Peniston) – Michael Colavita
More entertainment to help you forget about this brutal heat…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Faux Slang, Royal Shoals, SAT Conversations with Enemies Album Release w/Little Black Rain Clouds, The Makes
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI JRG, The Interest Group, Hippy Johnny, SAT Toxic Life and the Underachievers, SUN Weird Hot, Los Ombres
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave) FRI American Schoolyard, Alec Stewart, SAT (All Ages) Young Statues, Case Closed, Edelweiss, Bright and Early, SAT (Late) The Kai-Yotes, Wired to Fly
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Ma Jolie, Nona
Rebel Rock Bar (100 Spring Garden St.) FRI Sunshine Acid Tabs, Wooden HEZ
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) SUN Cognitive
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Blood Feathers
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Kwesi Kankam, Paul Hocynec, SUN Rusty Cadillac
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Jason Ager & The C.O.P.O, Sweet Eureka, Christian Bitto, Nomad Clientele, SAT Finding Westerly, Neighborhoods, Heroes and Errors, Oldboy
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Rk$tdy, SAT June Divided Album Release w/Music From Another Room, Seamus Browning, SUN Mason Porter & Friends
Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) SAT Splintered Sunlight, The Bansai Bills
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI Will Amaze
Theatre of Living Arts (330 South St.) FRI Young Savage, Inner City Hustlers
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Tungsten, Dime Street Joker, Murph, SAT Coffin Fly, SUN The Frayed Coats
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) SAT Philadelphia Slick, Abstract Verses
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Acid Finger, The Tombstones, SAT Ricky Radio, Fabian Akilles, Dewey Decibel, SUN Leana Song, Gina Ferrera
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI Angel Sanchez, Sean Henry, Mark Hernandez, Antonio McIlwaine
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Sadgiqacea, Hivelords
Highwire Gallery (2040 Frankford Ave.) SAT The Horrible Department
Milkboy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Left of Logic, Impressionist, Kit Colt,
SAT Fang Fang, Polarbear Lars
The Station (1515 McKean St.) FRI The Improbables, Blessed Muthas
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) Friday – The Really Cooks, Matt Gauss Band, Tom Christopher, SAT The Yuzh, Ronald Reagan? The Actor?, Burn Switch, Catullus John Salamone Band
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Where Is My Mind?: Conversation with Enemies’ Josh Craft
Supernatural-lovin’ indie pop outfit Conversations with Enemies will be celebrating the release of their second concept album The Good Times, a prequel to Nowhere, OK, at Johnny Brenda’s tomorrow night. The pirate-themed event will be full of (you guessed it) good times as well as music, face painting and mermaids. We caught up with CWE leading man Josh Craft to talk about the new album, Rock to the Future, his upcoming nuptials, and much more HERE.
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Faux Slang Headline at JB’s July 6
Ever since putting out their self-titled EP, Faux Slang have proven themselves to be a standout band with their sound that blends post punk with 60s pop amid a cacophony of heavy synth, dynamic guitar work, and infectious drum beats. Tonight they’ll be taking the well-deserved spotlight when they headline Johnny Brenda’s. Faux Slang will also be joined by the local three-piece Royal Shoals. The band features former members of Roper, Public Record, and Dr. Dog precursor Beard. Royal Shoal’s debut EP was put together with the help of Uniform Recording’s Jeff Zeigler (Kurt Vile, The War on Drugs, etc.). Their opening performance is sure to set the tone for the rest of the evening. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by John Vettese) – Bill McThrill
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JRG Braving New Waters at KFN July 6
Arches may be no more, but Julien Rossow Greenberg is still making music. He has teamed up with former bandmate Kevin Kearney and Kevin Comly (Gold Julius) for his new project JRG, which will be performing tonight at Kung Fu Necktie. Greenberg released The Dreamers EP a few months back via his label Treetop Sorbet Recordings, and it surely deserves your ear’s attention. “Just Because” has an airy quality to it, with the vocals at times providing an Animal Collective vibe. It may just be the summer heat, but the album is a bit remindful of the ocean. Not just in terms of chilled out surf-esque music, or it having an occasional Beach House feel, but it is similar in how the ocean is murky (not entirely sure of itself), things mixing, different sounds coming together in a vast entity. It has varied tunes, but they are all threaded together. This evening’s bill will be a sort of Treetop Sorbet family affair with Hippy Johnny [which consists of Brendan Codey on guitar and lead vocals, Yohsuke Araki (BAnanas Symphony) on guitar, Dan Svizeny (Cough Cool) on drums, and Bennett Daniels on bass] headlining. It will also mark the debut performance of Araki’s new project with Marissa Lesnick called The Interest Group. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7:30pm, $5, 21+ – Maura Filoromo
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New Track: “Reunion” (Sun Airway Remix) – M83
Are you looking forward to a new album from Sun Airway? Yeah, so are we. Well, until then, here’s a remix that they did for M83’s “Reunion” to help with the wait. Enjoy!
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Trophy Wife Philly Release Show at PhilaMOCA July 5
Brace yourself for a contingent of volatile duos at PhilaMOCA tonight: Trophy Wife’s show is one of five record release concerts for their latest album Sing What Scares You (out on 307 Knox Records and the band’s imprint Meet Your Adversary Records). Their sound incorporates reverb-y noise rock, grungy metal and pitched emotional battles between Diane Foglizzo and Katy Otto into riot grrrl synergy. Evoking nineties alt and post-hardcore as much as the current crop of Relapse Records bands (I’m looking at you, Royal Thunder), the female duo has built their reputation on their shows’ intense stage interactions and lyrical clarity. They’re joined this evening by two other duos, the also female-fronted Lozen of Seattle, the effects-heavy Erode and Disappear, and the unknown quantity Xanax (the latter two are from Philly). PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, All Ages – Alyssa Greenberg
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West Philadelphia Orchestra CD Release Party at Underground Arts July 5
All-night Balkan Dance Party. Let that combination of words sink in for a second. All-Night Balkan Dance Party. Maybe that sounds more quirky than exciting, but trust us, it’s the latter. This glorious event is happening tonight at the Underground Arts as the wild West Philadelphia Orchestra plays three sets in celebration of the release of their new CD Live at Tritone. Don’t let their name fool you; though “West Philadelphia Orchestra” suggests suits, padded seating, and monocles, the WPO are far from stuffy. They’re an energetic ruckus, a collective of classical musicians playing Eastern European grooves so tight that after an evening of them, you might start waxing nostalgic about “the old country." Get to Underground Arts and jig, baby. Underground Arts, 340 N. 12th St., 9pm, $5 – Adam Downer
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Pre-Independence Day Festivities!
There’s a lot going down for a Tuesday tonight since Independence Day falls on a Wednesday this year. And hopefully you don’t have one of those crappy jobs where you actually have to work tomorrow. If you already have your dance gear planned out, then the Making Time “Your Welcome America” RAD-B-Q with Tanlines at the Bamboo Bar is where there will definitely be some hyper-ragin’ going on. And like last year, The Roots seem to be dominating both days so you have plenty of choices to get your groove on this evening. There is the ?uestlove presented PSK – Philadelphia Sound Konnoisseurs happening again this year at Voyeur with sets from Jazzy Jeff, DJ Drama, Rich Medina, DJ PHSH and J Rocc. Rising hip hop collective Ground Up is opening for the legendary Talib Kweli at the TLA so South Street should be bumpin’ along with its usual Jersey Shore boardwalk-like traffic. (Unfortunately, there will be no undercooked Lorenzo slices consumed this evening.) If dancin’ is not your thing, then rock ‘n’ roll will be represented at Johnny Brenda’s by locals Adam & Dave’s Bloodline and Jukebox Zeros. And finally, if all this shit isn’t punk enough for you, then Sickoids at Cloud City should make you feel right at home. (You’ll need to email Andy@r5productions.com for deets.) So there you have it – now sneak out of work today for an early happy hour and try not to get arrested before gettin’ some BBQ tomorrow! Cheers!
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Free Download: “Necklace” – The Suicide Magnets
There’s something rather unsettling (in a good way) about the songs of Wendy Hyatt. And the moniker The Suicide Magnets (by which she performs and releases music under) certainly doesn’t ease those feelings. But it’s that unhinged quality found in her eerie, washed-out vocals and powerful lyrics matched with Nirvana-esque minor guitar progressions in “Necklace” that hint at the possibility of a meltdown to occur at any moment – something that Fiona Apple and Lion and the Cobra-era Sinead O’Connor fans know all too well. You can download the track that we mentioned for free below as well as more of her shadowy, introspective tunes HERE. Enjoy (if you can feel that emotion…ha)!