Philadelphia

Satanized Offer Up Their Virginity at KFN July2

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Satanized will be headlining at KFN tonight alongside fellow local noisemakers, Drums Like Machine Guns. The demonic four-piece blurs the lines between metal, hardcore, punk and noise with pounding rhythms, scratching treble-heavy guitars, and growling vocals as they rip through complex song arrangements with such fervor and instrumental dexterity. Satanized just released their latest offering Technical Virginity earlier this week on cassette via Damage Rituals. The vinyl/CD formats of the LP will be available in September from Skin Graft Records. You can check out the track “Arnaud de Verniolle” below from Technical Virginity. Kung Fu Necktie, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 7:30pm, $8, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe
 
Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, July 1 – 4

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Explore patriotic feelings with ‘seductive…smooth-fi’ by Work Drugs this Sunday at Johnny Brenda’s. Presented by The Roots as part of their Philly Fourth of July Jam weekend festivities, the Philly-based popsmiths’ brand of chill-wave bring to mind the buzzing backbeats of Neon Indian’s debut or Golden Ages’ catchy cover of “Twin Peaks.” Arguably more minimal in their approach, the band’s sound feels airy like vacation, with swirling layers of mellow synth and subtle diction that make cuts like “Golden Sombrero” hypnotic and “Ice Warf” memorable. If Work Drug’s anthems and the red, white, and blue aren’t enough to put you in the mood, blippy tracks by CSLSX reminiscent of VHS sounds transferred to cassette just might do the trick. Provocative and undoubtedly retro, CSLSX will transport you back to the ‘90s or earlier with “Paula Abdul Drinking a Pepsi, October 17th, 1987” and the tribal vibes of “Keep On Shining.” Add in deliciously drowsy rhythms by Wrestling (featuring members of Power Animal) as well as the Smooth Sailing DJs, and you’re set for the chillest Fourth of July that you could ever dream of. Johnny Brenda’s. 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 9pm, $10, 21+ 
 
Too much shit going on…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Goodnight Lights, In Grenada, Levee Drivers, SAT The Roots Present Philly’s Fourth of July Jam w/Work Drugs, CSLSX, Wrestling
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Mr. Lif, Swift Technique, Citizen Xavier, SAT Satanized and Drums Like Machine Guns, SUN Mean Streets and Small Reaction,
MON Joe Jack Talcum
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Man Like Machine and The Defog
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Harper, SUN Pool of Thorns and Harsh Vibes
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Nicole Reynolds and Donovan Rice
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Early Ape, Toddler Kat, Satellite Hearts, Sleepover Uncle, SAT Ghosts in the Valley and Hey Angel, SUN Mr. Unloved, The Improbables, Blessed Muthas, The Slotcars, Boogie Witch, St James & The Apostles, MON Toxic Sunshine, Wolfie Burns, Kite Party
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) SAT Penrose, El Fuego, The Warhawks, MON 4th Annual INDEPENDENCE DAY BASH!!! w/ BBQ, BANDS, BANGS & BOOMS!!, Pro US-fuckin’-A Movies, + MUCH MUCH MORE!!!!
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT Breakwater
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Starskream and Drop Collective, SAT Leiana, SUN The Roots Present Philly’s Fourth of July Jam w/Da Rezarekt, Spin, The Violet Tone
 
Bookspace (1113 Frankford Ave.) FRI Catnaps and Conversations With Enemies
 
TLA (334 South St.) SUN The Roots Present Philly’s Fourth of July Jam w/Kuf Knotz, Young Gliss, Dosage
 
Voyeur (1221 St. James St.) The Roots Present Philly’s Fourth of July Jam: Philadelphia Sound Konnoisseurs w/Diplo, ?uestlove, DJ Jazzy Jeff
 
Bamboo Bar (927 N. Delaware Ave.) SUN Making Time "You’re Welcome America" Rad-B-Q
 
Wawa Welcome America 2011 (Benjamin Franklin Parkway) MON The Roots Present Philly’s Fourth of July Jam
 
Mercer Street Block Party (219 Mercer St.) SUN Bandname, Tin Horses, Conversations With Enemies, Cheers Elephant, Crills Wilson, Early Ape, Eric n Eric
 
Hope Street Block Party (1800 Block of Hope St.) SAT Seagulls, Lantern, Anal Picnic
 
The Dream Oven (Please contact one of the acts for details.) MON starcircleanatomy and DreamBQ
 
Hong Kong Garden (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI Art Show Punk Show III w/The Drunken Mariachis, Bonjour, Very Happy
 
Philadelphia

The Deli’s July Album of the Month: Punishment Cookie – Hair Rocket

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The band from the Philly ‘burbs Hair Rocket has taken a Cheap Trick-gone-to-etiquette-school route in their newly released debut LP Punishment Cookie. Out on collective indie label Mountebank Records, the follow-up to 2009’s Novelty EP is an energized collection of greaser punk glam rock power pop. The threesome, whose band is named after the act of launching locks of hair into the sky for a “subversive enlightenment through cathartic art,” has created an album far easier to grasp than their thought-provoking alias. The 11-track recording is downright catchy without compromising the band’s significant sense of distinctiveness. Hair Rocket tactfully lets loose keyed-up rock inspired by the ghosts of 60s mod (as in clap-ridden, Strokes-inspired, pop-hook laden lead single “OK Alright”), 70s punk, 80s pop and 90s cheese…without rubbing your face in it.
 
Opening track “Eyes” takes classically riffed bluesy rock hitting it with heavy low-end blows and gives it a pinch of reggae punk optimism. “Motorcycle” reminisces combat boot punk with a Tokyo Police Club poppiness where harsh, growling vocals and a shrill, distorted electric guitar make for a satisfying hit-worthy track. Yes, Punishment Cookie rocks, but it is also not void of emotion. The song that started Berklee dropout and mastermind Chris Blassucci down this path of enlightenment, “Hair Rocket,” receives a revamping for the album, but still stabs sharply with its hard-earned life lesson from his real life bizarre love triangle (though I admittedly will always favor the original demo version and its strangely sadistic video). “Home” and the early Beatles-esque “Imagining,” which made their debuts on Novelty, also linger with the emotional remnants from that painful but musically productive time period. With Punishment Cookie, Hair Rocket neatly colors outside the lines of indie pop with an eagerly creative but well thought out approach to rocking your socks off. You can purchase the full-length album HERE.
 
You can download the track “Motorcycle” below and come out to their Philly Release Party next Friday, July 8 at Bookspace with Mammal of Paradise, An American Chinese, Meddlesome Bells and Bambara which The Deli will be presenting. – Jules Friedland
 

Philadelphia

Goodnight Lights, Levee Drivers & In Grenada at JB’s July 1

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Start Fourth of July Weekend off with an eclectic mix of local area acts at Johnny Brenda’s tonight. The sparks will be flying when Goodnight Lights take the stage and unleash an explosion of pop medleys heavily influenced by 90’s alt rock. And since they recently tossed a batch of new tunes on the grill, you might just be treated to a taste this evening. While Bucks County country boys Levee Drivers might sound like their always ready for good ol’ drunken brawl with their southern-tinged rockabilly that would make Johnny Cash proud, the 50’s greaser-looking dudes are actual more of the sensitive artist types than badass drunken rednecks, but let’s just keep that as our little secret. We’re happy to have them back after they recently decided to go down to Nashville to check it out for a bit. Rounding out the bill will be the finely-crafted indie pop tunes of In Grenada. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

The Return of Mr. Lif at KFN July 1

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I’m happy to have Mr. Lif back performing again in Philly, especially on such an intimate stage at KFN. Lif has been active in the underground hip hop community since 1998, when he released his debut single “Elektro”. Since then, the dread-y emcee has released 3 full length albums and 2 solo EPs, working mostly with Definitive Jux label head and producer El-P. Lyrically, Mr. Lif is best known for his intelligent and politically charged rhymes, but he is more than just a political emcee. Aside from his more socially conscience tracks, Mr. Lif has also taken on the concept album with his first solo LP, I Phantom and its’ follow-up Mo’ Mega, which are sagas covering the main character’s birth to the apocalypse. Lif will be joined by Philly’s own Swift Technique, who shared the stage with hip hop legends Wu Tang Clan earlier this year, and Citizen Xavier. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., $16 adv/$18 door, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe
 

Philadelphia

Catnaps Kicking Off National Tour at Bookspace July 1

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It’s a long weekend, and there are a helluva lot things to do so you should get out before the forecasted rain puts a damper on things. If you’re looking for a heavy dose of cheery indie pop, then you really should swing by Bookspace tonight. Catnaps (formerly When I Was 12) will be kicking off their 6-week national summer tour. It also may or may not be a release party for their latest effort Why Don’t You Whisper. They’re waiting on the physical copies and that seems to be becoming a reoccurring theme for them. You can check out where the tour will be heading HERE, and if you can help them fill in any TBAs on their schedule, then you’ve got some good karma points coming your way. They’ll be sharing the bill with Conversation with Enemies, who will be having a busy weekend since they’ll also be hosting the Mercer St. Block Party this Sunday, as well as Maryland’s Us & Us Only (the moniker of Kinsey Matthews) and acoustic Jersey pop punkers The Front Bottom. Bookspace, 1113 Frankford Ave., 7:30pm, $7, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

Creepoid & Nothing Together Again on Summer Tour!

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Creepoid and Nothing are hitting the road together again tomorrow! You can check out the tour dates below. Creepoid will be performing next in Philly on Thursday, July 21 at Johnny Brenda’s for the Vox Populi Benefit with Reading Rainbow and Gunn – Truscinski Duo. They also just recorded a Shaking Through session that should premiere in October. Nothing just released their Suns and Lovers EP via Big Love, who is responsible for releases by Cold Cave, The XX, Young Prisms, and Ariel Pink among others. You can check out our recent interview with Nothing’s Domenic Palermo HERE. – The Deli Staff
 

 

Creepoid & Nothing Summer Tour Dates:

07/01 – Richmond VA @ Strange Matter
07/02 – Greenville NC @ The Tipsey Teapot
07/03 – Savannah GA @ 108 E 40th ST.
07/04 – West Palm Beach FL @ The Snooze Theater
07/06 – Louisville KY @ 714 E Chestnut St.
07/07 – Chicago IL @ Panchos
07/08 – Columbus OH @ Cafe Bourbon Street
07/09 – Harrisonburg VA @ The Blue Nile
 
Philadelphia

What’s This?: Instamatic

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Instamatic pleaded a good case last week for why you should always come early to shows to catch the opening acts. When I arrived at Nothing’s EP release party with Creepoid, Arc In Round, and Instamatic, I could hear outside the barroom doors of Kung Fu Necktie that the music had already started which sounded quite interesting even muffled by the glass and wood frame, and upon opening them a rush of alluring synth sounds bombarded my ears to my delight. On stage were four dudes barricaded by a wall of music equipment creating beats time-warping me back to the glory days of new wave. There was a buzz about the room from the audience and bands on the bill. “Who are these guys? Have you ever heard of them before? No. They sound great!” Those were the common statements heard during and after Instamatic’s set. I kept referring to the group as a “synth army that reminded me of New Order.” So I had to find out more about them for myself.
 
According to their Bio section on Facebook, they are “4 guys, 9 synths, 3 drum machines, 1 computer, 3 PAs, [and] speakers, speakers, speakers…” Instamatic is comprised of TJ Adams, Steven Haslam, Rick Mitchell, and Phil Schorn. I later found out that they have been together for almost three years now. Haslam, Mitchell and Schorn have been playing together in bands since high school – first in Gosh Darn and then in The Harps. Schorn was in Midiron Blast Shaft and Gunna Vahm (with some of the guys from Creepoid), and Mitchell was in The Clocks, S PRCSS, and The Yah Mos Def (who Adams deejayed for when they performed live). Mitchell and Adams also deejayed and produced as Crimp Yr Hair! remixing for Crystal Castles, Matt & Kim, Hail Social, Yelle and Pink Skull. Instamatic had previously only given away a few tracks on blogs which included their songs remixed by Weird Tapes (one of Dayve Hawk’s pre-Memory Tapes alter egos), Pink Skull, and DJ Apt One. The band just released their debut EP Turning Into Straight Lines last week with contributions from Thomas Kee (Designer Drugs), Matt Coogan (Solus), Mike Robinson (Robai) and Rose Luardo (Sweatheart), and you can download it for FREE HERE (however, donations are greatly appreciated but not required). That’s the skinny on Instamatic, and I hope that you enjoy every delectable note that bounces off your eardrum. – Q.D Tran
 

Philadelphia

FREE Curly Castro Performance at Rogues Gallery June 30

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Tonight socially conscious emcee Curly Castro will be performing a FREE show at Rogues Gallery sharing the bill with grimey dubstep DJ/producer Starkey (a.k.a. Paul Geissenger). Castro’s fearless rebel cry sets him apart from the assembly line of rappers that continue to flood the oversaturated hip hop genre with endless rivers of mixtapes. The former Brooklyn native released his debut solo effort Winston’s Appeal at the beginning of this year, which is available to be downloaded for FREE HERE. The sample heavy album manages to find a perfect balance between thought-provoking inspirational verses and bumpin’ lounge grooves. He also has collaborative releases under the name 5 O’Clock Shadowboxers with partner in crime Zilla Rocca (who sequenced and produced several tracks on Winston’s Appeal and will be at his side on stage). Castro and company will be joined this evening by Radiohead-lovin’, genre-mixing bilingual spitter El Malito who may have you breaking it down and chanting along to words and phrases that you never thought would come out of your mouth. Be prepared to dance and have your mind expanded! Rogues Gallery, 11 S. 21st St., 9pm, FREE, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
 

Philadelphia

Pink Skull Live Set Gettin’ Warmed Up at M Room June 30

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A heavy dose of live, auditory manipulation is in store from the gentlemen in Pink Skull. Fronted by Julian Grefe and Justin Geller with local comrades added to their live set to assist in their strategic aural assault, Pink Skull’s mind-warping blend of beats and genres is bound to leave the M Room’s audience sweaty and their minds whirring with delight. This evening should be a nice warm-up for the hallucinogenic-friendly crowds who will be making the trek with them to Upstate New York next weekend for the notoriously debaucherous Camp Bisco. Pink Skull will be joined tonight by Portland, Oregon’s sci-fi electro four-piece The Dangerous Boys Club, Nathan from The Gossip! as DJ Nightschool, and Philly electro rock natives Hott Tubb. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 8:00pm, $8, 21+ – Brandi Lukas
 
Philadelphia

The Deli’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners: The Day Life

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Founding members of The Day Life, Alex Markovitz and Jason Oller might have met during little league, but their journey to adulthood certainly veered off in different directions as many childhood friendships tend to do. But after years of isolation and dreams of rock stardom, the two found each other once again (without the help of Facebook), and began a new journey that lead to the duo becoming a trio with the addition of learned drummer Carl Bahner. Their demos eventually managed to grab the attention of Grammy Award winner Scot Sax, who produced their latest EP Pick Me Up. Well, good fortune continues to shine on the fledgling band with their recent victory in our Featured Artist(s) Poll, and we had chance to catch up with The Day Life’s Alex Markovitz to get to know the up-and-coming band a little better HERE.