Philadelphia

Video Footage from Dock Street Music Festival

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Below is video footage from this year’s Dock Street Music Festival that celebrated the end of Philly Beer Week, which was filmed by Drink Philly’s Inside Brew. We were happy to be asked by our favorite West Philly bar/restaurant to help present the event with special guests Bardo Pond, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, Da Comrade!, and Citywide Specials. It was the best turnout for the fest so far – good times, fine beers, tasty pizza, and great music! Looking forward to next year. Cheers! (Photo by Brandee Nichols)
 

Philadelphia

Heavy Medical & Bubonic Bear Show Moved from The After School Special to Black Actor House Aug. 9

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Heavy Medical and Bubonic Bear have been known to frequent the basement scene adding headbanging sets to every bill. Today they’ll be playing off each other at Black Actor House (show moved from The After School Special), which will be an early show. Philly smudge two-piece Bubonic Bear are polished members of the Philly house show scene with drummer Dustin Khebzou as a resident and booker at The Olive Garden. The duo remains steadily involved in national touring and was even featured in this past year’s Two Piece Fest. Noise duo Heavy Medical (formerly of Nervous Sex) will tear through audiences with their bludgeoning reverb and feedback. These two acts are sure to melt some faces this evening with their aggressive ear piercing vocals and thick bass beats. (BTW: Bubonic Bear will also be performing this Thursday at the benefit show for sludge metal band Sadgiqacea “because they got their gear stolen and it fucking sucks.”) Black Actor House, (Please contact one of the acts for more details.), 6pm, Donation, All Ages – Emma Branson
 
Philadelphia

WrittenHouse Open for Nas & Damian Marley at The E Factory Aug. 9

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With so many tours and shows bundled in exclusive package deals by big agency booking agents (definitely one of the many problems with the music industry), it’s always nice to see local acts getting their opportunity to support and shine in front of larger audiences when big name artists comes through town. Tonight WrittenHouse will be opening for the legendary Nas and Damian Marley. The Germantown outfit of old buddies consisting of producers Chris Conway, Kush Shalimar and emcee Charlie K (with hypeman Somerville Sleeves during live performances) will get their chance to win over some new fans with their jams which are heavily influenced by hip hop’s golden era. It’s just a shame that you can’t find the group’s name (as well as Solomonic Sound System) anywhere on the Electric Factory’s or Ticketbastard’s websites. Well, get there early and show a little hometown love by making plenty of noise for the locals. Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th St., 8pm, $39.50 (plus fees), All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

Rebel INS by writtenhouse

Philadelphia

Purling Hiss Announce Fall Tour in Europe and U.S. Dates w/The War on Drugs & Carter Tanton

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Purling Hiss just announced a hefty fall tour which includes a jaunt through Europe and U.S. dates with local pals The War on Drugs and Carter Tanton from the band Tulsa (Park the Van). You can check out the dates that have been announced so far below. Purling Hiss’ next Philly show will be on August 20 at Johnny Brenda’s with Pearls & Brass and Serpent Throne. (Photo by Tim Bugbee)

Purling Hiss Fall Tour Dates:
09/28/11 Berlin DE – Monarch
09/29/11 Prag CZ – Final Club
09/30/11 Leipzig DE – TBA
10/02/11 Freiburg DE – The Great Rang Teng Teng
10/03/11 Geneva CH – Kab De L’usine
10/05/11 Paris FR – Point Ephemere Bonnes Manieres w/ Sister Iodine
10/06/11 Evreux FR – L’abordage
10/07/11 Hasselt BE – Kunstencentrum Belgie
10/08/11 Newcastle UK – TUSK Festival
10/09/11 London UK – The Lexington
10/12/11 Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle Tavern*
10/13/11 Atlanta, GA – The EARL*
10/16/11 Houston, TX- Fitzgeralds*
10/17/11 Dallas, TX – Bryant Street Tavern*
10/18/11 Austin, TX – Emo’s*
10/20/11 Tucson, AZ – Plush*
10/21/11 San Diego, CA – Soda Bar*
10/22/11 Los Angeles, CA – Satellite*
10/23/11 San Francisco, CA – The Independent*
10/25/11 Portland, OR – Bunk Bar*
10/26/11 Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern*
10/27/11 Spokane, WA – A Club*
10/28/11 Nampa, ID – Flying M*
10/29/11 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court*
10/30/11 Denver, CO – Hi Dive*
11/01/11 Lawrence, KS – Jackpot*
11/02/11 Columbia, MO – Mojo’s*
11/03/11 Bloomington, IN – The Bishop*
11/04/11 Cincinnati, OH – Mayday Northside*
11/05/11 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern*
11/09/11 Wooster , OH – College of Wooster
11/10/11 Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
MORE TBA…
 
*w/The War on Drugs & Carter Tanton
 
Philadelphia

Photo Recap: Mad Decent Block Party at The Piazza

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At the Mad Decent Block Party, the music never stopped once, not even when acts switched. Dancers bumrushed the stage to get down to their favorite performers. From the start, it was a pretty dense crowd, but once Das Racist hit the stage, the audience was a can of sardines from then on for DJ Sega and Diplo. Water guns kept people cool on this steamy afternoon, with a convenient refill station, courtesy of WESC. Overall, it was complete chaos (but in a good way, not the “flash mob” kind), and this Sunday was also the epitome of unity – whether you were squirting a stranger with a water gun, crowding around a breakdancer, or dancing on stage with Diplo. All you could do was embrace the Philly LOVE, and shake what yo mama gave ya! That’s what I did, and you can check out my pics from the gathering HERE. – Brandi Lukas
 
Philadelphia

Free Download: Clausen – Cough Cool

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Cough Cool a.k.a. Dan Svizeny (Blackhawks, Nude Beach) released a limited edition cassette earlier this year entitled Clausen via Not Not Fun Records. The tapes are sold out, but you can download the album for free HERE. Also check out below the music video (which is a nice homage to Philly sports teams) by Ben Tabas for the ultra-chill track “Stolen” from the A-side of Clausen.
 

Cough Cool – Stolen from Ben Tabas

Philadelphia

Mad Decent Block Party at The Piazza & Official After-Party at The Barbary Aug. 7

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So here’s the bad news: Summer’s almost over. Sure, it doesn’t officially end until the end of September but let’s be real for a second, right? The sunshine and beach bum parties end once Labor Day rolls around. The good news, though: You can still have a blast in the meantime. And what better way to extend a giant middle finger to the end of (summer) days? Scoffin’ down street fare, kickin’ back some tasty beers, listenin’ to phat beats, and gettin’ old school at today’s Mad Decent Block Party. Being held at the Piazza in NoLibs, Diplo‘s fourth annual outdoor bash, which also hits Chicago and Los Angeles this month (its New York stop was July 30), is not your run-of-the-mill neighborhood block shindig. In addition to the street carnival-meets-hip culture vibe, it features a sick, it-ain’t-your-momma’s lineup: among other stars, you got the Mad Decent crew (Philly’s beatmaster DJ Sega, and fuzz-meets-garage monsters POPO, Australia’s sultry poptress Kito, New Jersey sound beasts Brick Bandits, and, of course, the profilic Diplo as headliner) plus the crazy cool and always-love-to-be-controversial Brooklynites Das Racist as well as Philly-based badasses Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix mixing their dubstep-meets-sweetness LUVSTEP sound. And if you’re still pumped up when the party ends at 8pm (because parties really should never end that early), make your way over to the Hollertronix after-party at the Barbary, where you’ll dance your body dead with Mad Decent Block Party performers and a slew of special guests (it’s from 10pm – 2am; $5 cover until midnight, when it becomes $10 to get in). Looks like it’s going to be another rough Monday (for those who have to work) in Philly! The Piazza, N. 2nd & Germantown Ave., 1pm-8pm (Rain or Shine), FREE, All Ages – Annamarya Scaccia
 

Mad Decent Block Party Set Schedule:
1:00-2:00 – Luvstep (Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix)
2:00-3:00 – Kito
3:00-4:00 – Brick Bandits
4:00-5:00 – Louis Brodinski
4:30-5:00 – POPO
5:00-5:45 – Paul Devro
5:45-6:15 – Das Racist
6:15-7:00 – DJ Sega
7:00-8:00 – Diplo

 
 
Philadelphia

Mad Decent Pre-Party w/Dirty South Joe & Uncle Ron at UBIQ Aug. 6

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If you really can’t wait for the Mad Decent Block Party tomorrow, then head over to UBIQ tonight for its official pre-party with DJ sets by Dirty South Joe and Uncle Ron. There will also be FREE Heineken Light, well, until supplies last. (BTW: I actually prefer Heineken Light over regular Heineken. Does anyone else feel that way?) The pre-party is also FREE. Just a reminder to RSVP HERE for tomorrow’s main event to avoid any chance of getting shut out. Cheers! UBIQ, 1509 Walnut St., 6 – 10pm, FREE, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

No Excuses Summer Series Continues at D!D!G Aug. 6

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As the summer continues to heat up so does the No Excuses Summer Series at Danger! Danger! Gallery, which goes into its 3rd show of the series tonight. The band who has organized the series, Penrose, will be stepping back on the stage again after hitting the road for the first half of their Trifecta Tour that culminated with the Caravan Music Festival in Maine with plenty of their local music pals. So tonight will be a great chance to see the Brothers Murphy play for free before they head out on the road for the second leg of their tour! Joining them this evening will be the charismatic country boys Levee Drivers, who will be delivering an impromptu hoedown with their boozy, bluesy rockabilly ballads, and Flamingo, the Joe Reno and Julia Rainer fronted blues rock outfit. Danger! Danger! Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave., 8pm, $5 (free before 9pm), All Ages – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, August 5-7

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Yes, we all know that the Mad Decent Block Party is on Sunday, another Piazza party not to be missed, and we’ll be there too so it’ll be another busy weekend of debaucherous fun. Philly rules! But we’re also really psyched to see the Troc’s all local bill this evening. Man Man will be headlining with special guests and fellow brotherly lovers West Philadelphia Orchestra and Grandchildren. The comedy-tragedy zombie pop rockers Man Man haven’t had many local shows lately so take advantage of this opportunity as they promote their new album Life Fantastic (you can read the review of our May Album of the Month HERE). So soak it all in before front man Honus Honus has to split his promotional duties with his badass new collaboration consisting of Nick Thorburn (Islands/Unicorns) and Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse/The Shins), Mister Heavenly (check out our review of Out of Love – The Deli’s August Album of the Month HERE). And speaking of collaborations, Man Man will also be sharing some stage time and performing a couple songs with West Philadelphia Orchestra, the army of brassy Eastern European big band gypsy klezmer. Their other West Philly pals, Danger! Danger! Gallery originators, and all-around DIY proponents Grandchildren will start off the evening’s festivities with their ever-rotating, vast display of instrumentalism and euphorically exotic electro-rock. Cancel your other plans and go to this show because you’ll still be able to make it in time for Cold Cave too. The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 8pm, $14, All Ages; The Piazza, 1001 N. 2nd St., 3pm, FREE (w/RSVP), All Ages
 
Once again too many rad things to do in Philly…
 
Voyeur (1221 St. James St.) FRI Making Time w/Cold Cave
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Atomic Square
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Anthony Green, SUN Gods & Queens
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Original Haze, SAT Tweed and The Violet Tone
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Former Belle and Bear Quest, SAT (All Ages) Ron Gallo, (Late) Bleed Radio Bleed, SUN The Plastic Traps
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI The Gerunds and Ghosts in the Valley, SAT The Shondes and Sgt Sass, SUN Toni Washington
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI (Early) Laura Cheadle, (Late) North Lawrence Midnight Singers, SAT (Early) Afferent Cue, (Late) Modzilla
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT By Surprise, SUN Adalie
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) SAT No Excuses Summer Series w/Penrose, Levee Drivers, Flamingo
 
Mill Creek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI Bleeding Fractals
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Mach 22, Defy, Travia, SAT Starskream and Rites of Ash
 
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) FRI Infinien and Cavemen
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St. Philadelphia) FRI Chernobyl Collective Arts Presents PhilaMYTHOS
 
JR’s Bar (2327 S. Croskey St.) SAT Mean Streets and The Lopez
 
The Barbary (951 N. Frankford St.) FRI SUN The Holy Mess and Laugh It Off
 
The Station (1550 McKean St.) SAT Thelonius Krunk
 
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Philly Love Party featuring ?uestlove
 
Liberty Lands Park (913 N. 3rd St.) SAT Phreak N’ Queer: Gay As a Picnic Basket! w/Joe Jack Talcum, Lust2Love, Geppetta, Bell’s Roar, Teddi Tarnoff, and More
 
Arrow Swim Club (1031 Germantown Rd.) SUN Trophy Wife
 
Cha-Cha’Razzi (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI BODYNIGHT w/The Cutbacks and Emmett Drueding
 
The Mitten (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI Norwegian Arms, Netherfriends, Eww Yaboo
 
DBAJ House (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI Amputee and Nothing Is Over