Philadelphia

Photo Recap: BITBY Xmas Party at Little Bar

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Bands in the Backyard and Phonographic Arts presented the BITBY Xmas Party this past Saturday night at Little Bar – complete with a five-band lineup, DJs, plenty of booze, and Santa! We were also sponsors for the event along with Sixpoint Brewery. Starting off the evening were Streetwalkers with their ultra-cool lyrics and underlying raw indie rock sound. BITBY’s founder Kyle Costill also strutted his stuff in a festive holiday Snoopy t-shirt while tapping the keys for only his second official live performance with the band. They were followed up by Brooklyn’s PC Worship who supplied some sludgy, psychedelic rock while their drummer sported a Santa ensemble – complete with a real beard and sunglasses. Spirit Animals (now with a “s”) were both festive and reflective of their music. Mindy and Robin wore holiday-appropriate outfits of bright red, while also showcasing feathers. Before Break It Up took the stage, the BITBY crew hung a sheet from the ceiling and projected their December Episode #5 featuring the upcoming trio. The band threw down in Costill’s decorated backyard while sporting plaid and ugly sweaters to keep warm during the performance. Break It Up’s set was fast-paced and fun. Casey Bell’s agility on the drums and big blue eyes wooed the men in the crowd. Their impressive, merrymaking rock hooks left the listeners incessantly chanting for an encore. Last up was Psychic Teens. They were loud. Very loud. Like rock should be played in the South Philly venue. Throughout the set, the bass was majorly bumping. Psychic Teens brought its own lighting, including an often-occurring strobe light, which created a very suiting vibe and illusion for their music, but probably not good for people prone to epileptic seizures. The set raged the way a closer should. In addition to the live music, DJs John Vettese (XPN2/The Key), Attia Taylor (Lady.Bang.Beat.), and others spun some tunes between the live sets. It was a wonderfully fun night of rock with a holiday spin and booze to warm your bones. You can take a look at our pics from the evening HERE.
 
Philadelphia

Recap & Photos: The War on Drugs w/Sun Airway & Ape School at Union Transfer

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 his past Saturday night at Union Transfer was certainly a local family affair with The War on Drugs, Sun Airway, and Ape School filling the stage with some of the areas finest musicians as well as having them behind the scenes manning the sound. Ha…as predicted by R5, the Fishtown community was definitely in the house as well as the rest of Philly who came out to support on an evening filled with plenty to do in town.

 
Ape School rolled into the venue seven-deep with Michael Johnson leading the gang of performers that included Dr. Dog’s Eric Slick, The Extraordinaires’ Zach “Scooter” Poyatt and Adam Ravitz, and many others. We got a taste of new material from Johnson’s upcoming album Junior Violence, which is planned for release in late spring 2012, and its title gives us a hint of the aural assault that we’ll find on the record. The hazy, woozy folk of Ape School’s self-titled album seemed to have been left behind in the wake of the noisy rock band that showed up to open the evening. They were much more impressive than the version of the band which we had experienced at one of our Deli-presented showcases a while back.
 
Sun Airway followed, and we’ve seen them live multiples times this year, but we are always happy to do so. They were missing a guitarist which we’re not sure is a permanent thing now. However, our 2010’s End of the Year Emerging Artist Poll Winners still sounded as comfortable on the big stage as they did at this year’s POPPED! Festival. Their setlist consisted of mostly songs from their debut album and the A and B-sides of their latest single with a new song called “New Movements” thrown into the mix. The band definitely wrapped up 2011 on a high note with their final performance of the year.
 
Finally, The War on Drugs took the stage after a bit of time setting up, but it was understandable since they had extra gear for Drugs alumni like Kurt Vile, Kyle Lloyd, and Mike Zanghi to join them on stage so we knew that we’d be getting some of our favorite classics from past albums. Their current four-piece lineup consisting of Dave Hartley on bass, Robbie Bennett on keys/guitar, Steven Urgo on drums, and of course, Adam Granduciel on guitar/vox has had a lot of time on the road this year to work on their chemistry, and it certainly showed at UT. The band sounded the tightest that we’ve ever heard them over the years, and their comfort level also allowed for a looseness in their playing which led to plenty of experimentation and extended jams on most of their tunes. Their set was about a hundred and five minutes long with only fifteen songs. The show highlight for us was the monstrous jam in “A Needle in Your Eye #16” with Vile and others to close out the set. While the stigma of being called a “jam band” might be frowned upon these days after the flooding of such bands into the music scene in the nineties and early aughts, it is pretty obvious to us that a resurgence of “jam bands” is inevitable and already here in one form or another with rising and established indie bands finally being less afraid to admit that they grew up on a healthy dose of The Grateful Dead and Phish. So it wasn’t surprising at all that the first of the two encore songs was a cover of The Grateful Dead’s “Touch of Grey,” which we already knew that The War on Drugs had whipped out earlier on this tour. After a raucous evening of intense jams, the band mellowed things out with “Black Water Falls” sending the satisfied crowd on its way with something to lament over as the New Year approaches. You can check out some of our photos from the evening HERE.
 
Philadelphia

The War on Drugs w/Sun Airway & Ape School at Union Transfer Dec. 17

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The War on Drugs will be wrapping up what has certainly been a breakthrough year for mastermind Adam Granduciel and crew with a hometown show tonight at Union Transfer. The band released earlier this year the long-awaited follow-up to critically-acclaimed LP Wagonwheel Blues giving music critics another full-length album, Slave Ambient, to sink their teeth into and talk about. Their latest offering managed to snag “Best New Music” honors from Pitchfork and made the staff’s list of Top 50 Albums of 2011. It also garnered numerous emphatically positive words from other major music publications and blogs. (Ha…yes, we liked it too. You can check out our review of the September Album of the Month HERE.) The War on Drugs spent much of the year on the road touring with indie darlings like Destroyer and NYC’s Caveman. They also just headlined the majestic Bowery Ballroom and followed-up the appearance with a performance the next evening at the legendary Beacon Theatre opening for The National. And 2012 already shows signs that the four-piece road warriors won’t be stopping anytime soon with confirmed spring dates where they’ll be returning to Europe and spending time on tour in the U.S. with Sharon Van Etten and White Rabbits. The band will be making their late night television debut on January 10 with Jimmy Fallon. Since performances in Philly will be coming few and far between in the upcoming year, you should definitely make it out to UT this evening. They’ll be joined by 2010’s Deli Philly End of the Year Emerging Artist Poll Winner Sun Airway and Ape School, who will be playing some new material from their upcoming album Junior Violence coming out in late spring 2012. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8pm, $14, All Ages – Q.D. Tran

Philadelphia

Holiday Office Party at PhilaMOCA Dec. 17

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I have never actually worked in an office, but if tonight’s festivities are any indication of what it is like, then I need to quit this bohemian lifestyle and get behind a desk asap. The Holiday Office Party of note is the one being held at PhilaMOCA which includes a stellar local lineup and possibly a copy machine (?). Sign me up. You’ll find local favorites Dangerous Ponies, so you know this party is going to include at least one instance of ballroom dancing along with infectious pop gems and killer outfits. Also performing is Hop Along, who have been keeping pretty quiet recently, but will be in full force playing their skittering and angsty tunes that are propelled by frontwoman Frances Quinlan’s otherworldly voice. Headlining the affair is Algernon Cadwallader, the Midwest emo revivalists to end all Midwest emo revivalists. Their noodling, shouting sing-alongs will certainly get the crowd moving if they somehow are not already. Also rocking the bill are Banned Books and Ecce Shnak. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 7pm, $10, All Ages – Adam G.

Philadelphia

TivaTiva CD Release Party at MilkBoy Philly Dec. 17

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TivaTiva will be celebrating the release of their new album Music for Interior Castles tonight at MilkBoy Philly. The four-piece is led by the emotive vocals and haunting cello work of frontman Daniel de Jesús. Their songs have an intimate quality that takes the listener on a journey with the band towards some sort of understanding and enlightenment of oneself – pretty and sincere. Come get swept away with them this evening. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Independent Craft Market at 2424 Studios Dec. 17

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As the holidays come upon us, it’s time once again to get ready for another fun-filled shopping experience as The Philadelphia Independent Craft Market hits 2424 Studios today. While you enjoy PBR Sponsored refreshments, 45 vendors will be selling plenty of artworks, vintage items, and handmade treasures. But it will also be a day of good music courtesy of four local favorites. Longtime friends and Philly Folk Parade members Hezekiah Jones and The Spinning Leaves will be breaking out their entertaining side project Hezekiah Leaves & the Spinning Joneses. Sisters3 will be harmonizing tunes from their latest album Coruscate at the Meadow Gate. Add in the whimsical Americana of The Great Unknown and the booze and blues-tinged rockabilly of Levee Drivers, and you have a reason to start the party a little early today. 2424 Studios, 2424 E. York St., 12pm – 7pm, $2, All Ages – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, December 16 – 18

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Our friends over at Bands in the Backyard have had a great year of capturing candid moments such as the Blood Feathers serenading a couple before their marriage proposal, Shorty Boy-boy crooning a passerby outside of Milkboy, and Dangerous Ponies sharing some laughs over their setlist during our anniversary show at Kung Fu Necktie. And they have filmed intimate backyard sessions that have featured the likes of Oh! Pears, Streetwalkers, Arc in Round, and Faux Slang. To celebrate their fifth episode featuring indie rock trio Break It Up, the BITBY crew will be joining forces with Phonographic Arts and us to throw a holiday party at Little Bar this Saturday night. The event will feature DJ sessions from music enthusiasts Attia Taylor and John Vettese, drink specials from Six Point Brewery, free pictures with Santa Claus, and plenty of good music. Along with Break It Up, Psychic Teens will be performing some post-punk chaos-filled tunes from their latest album Teen. Spirit Animal will be pitching in some gnarly punk-meets-metal-meets-psych rock sounds. And Streetwalkers will be playing their second Philly show with BITBY’s Kyle Costill behind keys. Add Brooklyn’s PC Worship into the mix and you have more than enough reasons why this XMAS Party should be part of your weekend destination. Little Bar, 728 8th St., 8pm, $7, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
Plenty of other things to keep you entertained this weekend…
 
Little Bar (728 S. 8th St.) FRI Birds of Maya, Tin Horses, True Gold
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Summer Fiction, Pink Skull, Attia Taylor, SAT Frog Holler, The Wallace Brothers Band, Manatawny Creek Ramblers
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Dressed Like Stolen Cars, Josh Olmstead, Robai, SAT Limecell, Jukebox Zeros, The Slotcars
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Modern Colour, Music Box Dynamo, Slow Dance Chubby, The Graveyard Shift, SAT Andrew Lipke, The Heat Run, The Codes, SUN Alright Junior
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Beako, SAT (All Ages) Griz, Jesus Older Brother, Dream Job, SAT (Late) The Papashangos and Only On Weekends
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Hamburger Hunt, SAT Minor Arcana, Joshua Park, David Cope, Ross Bellenoit
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) SAT Buddhafest 48 w/Baffle The Cat, Soundwavves, The Poet-Lariats, and More, SUN Free Range Folk
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT (Early) Don McCloskey, (Late) Rausch, SUN Shannon Pelcher
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Eyes Wide Shut, St. James & The Apostles, Blood Rhythm, Flying Sutra
 
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Long Miles and Sonni Shine
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI The Original Rays, SAT Rhodes Trio, SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Downstairs) Peek-A-Boo Revue, (Upstairs) American Babies
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Fat City Reprise, Chalk & The Beige Americans, Juliet’s Vice, SAT Wizard Eye, Last Hour Battle, Mach 22, John & Brittany, SUN 1 Year Anniversary Show w/ Suregeon, Last Flight Out, Dive, Bong Hits For Jesus, Soraia, The Persnip Revolt, and More
 
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) FRI The Absolute Zeros, The Way Home, Sabrosa
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St. Philadelphia) SAT Algernon Cadwallader, Dangerous Ponies, Banned Books, Hop Along, Ecce Shnak
 
JR’s Bar (2327 S. Croskey St.) FRI Thinking Machines and Cannons, SAT Inquisition, SUN Night Fall and Mauser
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Underwater Window Garden, Griz, The Yuzh
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Atomic Square, Panic Years, Ages, SAT TivaTiva CD Release Show w/Lost In Company and Josh Schurr
 
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT The War On Drugs, Sun Airway, Ape School
 
Theater Of Living Arts (334 South St.) SAT Firm Taqtics, Willpowerless, Pale Autumn, The Jackson Rider, The Mighty OV
 
2424 Studios (2424 E. York St.) SAT Philadelphia Independent Craft Market Holiday Show w/Hezekiah Leaves & Spinning Jones, Levee Drivers, Sisters 3, and The Great Unknown
 
Digital Ferret (732 S. 4th St.) FRI My Parasites and The Psychological Masquerade
 
Highwire Gallery (2040 Frankford Ave.) FRI Cuddle Magic
 
Voyeur (1221 St. James St.) SAT Making Time $2 Holiday Freakout w/Spank Rock

 

Philadelphia

Relieve Some Stress w/Birds of Maya & Tin Horses at Little Bar Dec. 16

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It’s the weekend before the holidays officially begin, which means it’s the last weekend of sanity before the family feuds start up–in other words, you need to pack this weekend with as much stress-relieving debauchery as you can. Start it off at Little Bar tonight with the blues-drenched, cigarette-in-my-whiskey sermons of Birds of Maya, who will sweep you away with their crassly complex and naughtily deliberate rifftastic rhythms, and the tortured, layered beauty of Tin Horses‘ Americana-meets-noise-meets-anti-hero calls, much of which drives their buzz-worthy debut, American Radiance, which dropped in March. Also on the bill is South Philly’s True Gold. Think of this as the musical equivalent of a booze float. Little Bar, 738 S. 8th St, 9pm, $, 21+ (Birds of Maya Video by Tiffany Yoon; Tin Horses Video by Joe Burns) – Annamarya Scaccia
 

Philadelphia

Photo Recap: The Homophones & Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. at JB’s

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This past Tuesday at Johnny Brenda’s The Homophones were the sole opening act for a sold out Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. show. The stage was packed with balloons and decorations from both bands. The Homophones fearlessly experimented with a bunch of new tunes for the big show. They proved to be a great warm-up to get the crowd excited for the headlining act. What really impressed us the most about the Detroit-based outfit was Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.’s work ethic and desire to entertain. After chatting backstage with one half of the core duo, Josh Epstein, we learned that they had just performed earlier in the day at a radio station sponsored showcase in Annapolis at Rams Head and were djing at Kung Fu Necktie after their set. (They were impressed by Philly for coming out to represent on a Tuesday night.) The band’s hard work showed in their performance with a tight set of ten originals and three covers, which were The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” Gil-Scott Heron’s “We Almost Lost Detroit,” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” one of the encores and personally a song that we could’ve done without mainly because we watched plenty of MTV during the time its video was popular so there were unwanted flashbacks. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. closed out the evening with a fine performance of their fan favorite “Nothing But Our Love.” You can check out our photos from the evening HERE.

Philadelphia

The Key Studio Sessions Live w/Attia Taylor, Pink Skull & Summer Fiction at JB’s Dec. 16

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Make sure to RSVP in advance HERE for a night full of delightfully echoed lady vox, electro flows, and smooth acoustic jams from local natives Attia Taylor, Pink Skull, and Summer Fiction. They’ll be part of the WXPN presents The Key Studio Sessions Live showcase at Johnny Brenda’s tonight. Attia Taylor will start the night off with her seductive psych pop. The siren’s intimate sound is bound to hypnotize the audience, while Pink Skull picks up where Taylor is leaving off with their full-bodied futuristic soundscapes. They’ll be opening for Summer Fiction, who will transition the crowd from dark grooves to a calm and soothing state with Bill Ricchini’s serene indie pop tunes. This evening’s music will be providing you with a warm, fuzzy sweater of sound to keep the chilly night air at bay. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9:00pm, Free, 21+ – Brandi Lukas
 
Philadelphia

Last Cannons Show Before Brief Hiatus at JR’s Dec. 16

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Local party rockers Cannons are throwing down for one last time tonight at JR’s before taking a brief hiatus in 2012. “They have received a federal grant to research the drinking and migration habits of the North American yak and will take the next 2 ½ months figuring out what to wear.” Actually, they’ll be finishing up work on a new EP entitled Sharing is Gangsta while drummer Ian Kiesel heads to Hawaii on a vision quest and guitarist Adam Riggar and his wife have their first child. Cannons will be joined this evening by Thinking Machines and Hello Radio. JR’s, 22nd and Passyunk, 8pm, $5, 21+ – Alexis V.