Philadelphia

Musical Unity w/Univox at JB’s June 26

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Philly’s own Univox will be the direct support for LA’s Hanni El Khatib this evening at Johnny Brenda’s. The quartet plays wild bluesy punk, moody rockabilly, Beatles-inspired boppy vintage pop, and heavy-hearted alternative rock. Exactly. This band can rock your face off, get your feet moving, or pull at your teenage heartstrings so bad your chest will explode. In the vein of White Denim, this foursome explores the great expanse of musical genres, and succeeds at every attempt. A true alliance, Univox members all play, sing, and write, and have proven themselves as masters of each and every one of their crafts whether it be White Stripe-y wailing electric axes, contemporary Airborne Toxic Event motorcycle punk rock, or sad and angsty 90s grunge, like lead track “Pi” written by Univoxer Joseph Bonaventure III at age 16. Come by JB’s and check out a rocking display of musical union and versatility! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Jules Friedland
 

Philadelphia

Griz CD Release Party at J.D. McGillicuddy’s Pub June 25

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Affectionately known as Griz (a.k.a. Chris Grunwald), the gentle bear-like musician has lent his talents to a multitude of songwriters on the local music scene. Well, tonight he steps out into the forefront to lead his full band in celebrating the release of his latest album The Secret in the Garden. His melodic folk-tinged tunes are warm, introspective works of self-discovery that gives a feeling of hope to its listeners. Griz will also be surrounded by plenty of his peers and friends this evening at J.D. McGillicuddy’s Pub where you’ll be able to have a special dinner and a meet-and-greet before the entertainment starts. Joining him on the bill will be Cowmuddy, The Spinning Leaves, Ryan Tennis, and Jaclyn Marie as well as plans for an all-star open jam session to close the night out so expect special guests. J.D. McGillicuddy’s Pub, 473 Leverington Ave., 6pm, $10/$15 (w/CD), 21+ (Photo by Lisa Schaffer) – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

40th Street Summer Series Kicks Off in University City June 25

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There was always something prolific, radical, and poetic about the late Sun Ra. His futuristic and provocative work as a multi-instrumentalist jazz maestro and bandleader of the Arkestra, which he formed in the mid-1950s, spoke volumes about the never-ending possibilities of sonic innovation. It’s an eclectic and influential spirit that has lived on with Sun Ra Arkestra since his death in 1993. Under the direction of Sun Ra collaborator and all-round genius Marshall Allen for the last two decades, the local ensemble will bring their cosmic avant-garde symphonies to the 40th Street Summer Series, presented by the University City District, The Rotunda, and the University of Pennsylvania. Kicking off tonight with the Arkestra and the fantastic, Dornetta Gary-led West Philly drill team Elegant Cavaliers, the free expanded 2011 music cycle will take place every fourth Saturday until September on the field behind the Walnut Street Free Library. Along with complimentary, first come-first served Rita’s Water Ice provided during performances, City Tap House at the University City Micro Center will offer special deals and outdoor eating in conjunction with the Summer Series—that’s burgers, hot dogs, grilled sausages and $3 Yards draughts, (plus other drink steals) while you soak in some modern tunes. Can’t check out the Arkestra at the two-hour inception? Then pick up the 20-disc box set The Eternal Myth Revealed Vol. 1, out July 18 on Transparency Records. Compiled with Sun Ra Archive Director Michael D. Anderson’s assistance, the collection will feature 400 rare tracks from 1933-1959 and a 100-page paperback. Seriously, get it. It’ll blow your mind. 40th and Walnut Sts. Field (Behind Walnut St Free Library), FREE, 6-8pm, All Ages –Annamarya Scaccia

Philadelphia

Live the Park Life at the Clark Park Music & Arts Festival June 25

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Summer Solstice brings out a lot of special occasions in Philadelphia. But one of the best might just be the 40+ year tradition of University City’s Clark Park Music & Arts Festival. And today’s fest, taking place from noon to sundown, will be extra special—it’s the first to come to Clark Park since the June 16 reopening of the north section between Baltimore and Chester Aves, which underwent major renovations for most of 2010 & 2011. But it’s also unique because it’s the first to see Cloud Entertainment stepping in to help out with booking duties. As a result, the event will see the return of veteran Clark Park Festival bands including Samsara, Serpent Throne, and Dangerbird, as well as plenty of eclectic newcomers. Kicking off that list will be the wistful yet somber pastoral folk of Lion Versus, and, after Samsara injects a metal massacre, Early Ape will swerve things towards some old school indie alt-rock with a melodic pop-experimental twist. Toss in the metal-infused post-punk beats of Psychic Teens, the vintage rock ‘n’ roll swagger of Mountjoy, the lo-fi, reverb-soaked girl-wave smacks of DJ Maria T. Sciarrino’s killer basement DIY project Bedroom Problems, and the catchy indie tunes of Arrah & The Ferns, and it looks like it’s gonna be a beautiful day for some park life—especially when you add in the usual mix of over 40 vendors, artists, and non-profits that the fest manages to attract. Clark Park, 43rd St. & Chester Ave., FREE, Noon-Sundown, All Ages – Bill McThrill




Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, June 24 – 26

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Feed your head this Saturday night at Johnny Brenda’s “FOR PIZZA’S SAKE!: Help Pizza Brain Buy An Oven!” Headlining the benefit will be Neutral Milk Motel, a Neutral Milk Hotel cover band with Aaron Weiss and Greg Jehanian from mewithoutYou, Brian “Brain” Dwyer (ex-Papertrigger), and some of their other musically-inclined pals. They’ll be performing the classic In the Aeroplane Over the Sea in its entirety as well as a few forgotten gems from the band’s catalogue. As The Roots 4th of July festivities are quickly approaching, you can get your fine self ready with Pattern Is Smoothment which will be Pattern Is Movement and friends throwin’ down some of your favorite R&B hits. You’ll also be treated to the new experimental pop project Auctioneer from talented multi-instrumentalist Craig Hendrix (ex-Aderbat, Mammal of Paradise, Birdie Busch) as well as Pizza Face (“an alternate reality where Splinter taught the Turtles to thrash instead of fight”) and The Flying Lasagna Brothers (“two show-off chefs juggle their way through another grueling day in a hot, greasy lasagna kitchen”). Is anyone getting hungry? Well, come to the benefit so Pizza Brain can buy an oven to make you some slices! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+   
 
Other things to keep you entertained after the heat breaks this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SUN Univox
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SUN The Gerunds and The Silence Kit
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SUN Side Show Prophets
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI (All Ages) Ecomog and Attack Slug
(Late) The Fallen Troubadours, House Bat, Music Box Dynamo, SAT Andrew Jude, Former Belle, SUN El Fuego
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Streaks of Light, SAT Ports of Call
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI The Friggs and Explosive Heads, SAT Film Star, Gold Crowns, Girls Dressed As Girls, SUN Mi Hed Ur Hed
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI The Slotcars, SAT June Divided and Alright Junior, SUN Parachuting Apostles
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) FRI Son Step, SAT Future is Feminine, Holy Ghost, Sir Bacchus, SUN Bookslave, Snowing, Slingshot Dakota
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Surgeon, SAT Killshot, SUN All Crazy and Finding Fiction
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Sunny Ali & the Kid and Sherman
 
The Station (1550 McKean St.) FRI Thee Nosbleeds and Samsara
 
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) FRI Dirk Quinn Band, SAT The Cold Roses
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St. Philadelphia) FRI Spacin’, Motorcycle Maus, Stacian, Swimmer’s Ear, SUN SGNLS and Population
 
Bookspace (1113 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Amy Bird Going away Party w/Hezekiah Jones, The Spinning Leaves, Wes Mattheu, Reverend TJ McGlinchey, Ryan Williams and More
 
Pterodactyl (3237 Amber St., 5th FL) SAT Your Children is Beautiful, Manor Lady, The New Heaven and New Earth
 
High Wire Gallery (2040 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Newton
 
40th Street Summer Series (40th & Walnut St.) SAT Sun Ra Arkestra
 
The Olive Garden (Please contact one of the acts for details.) SAT Dirt Farmer and Point Breeze
 
House Party (Please contact one of the acts for details.) SAT The Deuce-Tre Collective, A.F.G., Theodore Grams, Emmet Drueding, Community Service
 
Clark Park (43rd & Chester Ave.) SAT Clark Park Summer Solstice Festival w/ Lion Versus, Arrah & The Ferns, Mountjoy, Early Ape, Bedroom Problems, and More
 
Philadelphia

Hair Rocket Releases New Album Punishment Cookie!

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It’s been quite interesting watching and hearing Berklee dropout Chris Blasucci, at first, pour his heart out into a demo song that eventually became the name of his band and inspired a bizarre movement that involves locks of hair and fireworks. Well, Hair Rocket just officially dropped their self-released first full-length album Punishment Cookie today (ha…you can tell that it is a self-release because it came on a Friday instead of a Tuesday). And we’re very happy to be presenting their Philly Album Release Party at Bookspace on Friday, July 8 w/Mammal of Paradise, An American Chinese, Busses, and Bambara! Yeah – check out all these acts, and you’ll know why we are stoked for this evening! You can grab your copy of Punishment Cookie HERE. – The Deli Staff
 

Philadelphia

Amy Bird Going Away Party at Bookspace June 24

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Cherished artist and friend of the local music scene, Amy Bird, is getting ready to pack her bags and head back to England. But before she does, many of her friends have gotten together to throw her one last epic hurrah at Bookspace tonight. The evening will feature plenty of great music which will be topped off by a special performance from H.O.E.B., otherwise known as MAxx from Black Landlord and Steve-Onpoint. And The Philly Folk Parade will be in full effect once Hezekiah Jones and The Spinning Leaves take the stage. Between releasing a split album for their side project Hezekiah Leaves & The Spinning Joneses and playing summer festivals (like Sun Drop Music and Arts Festival and Maysie’s Farmfest), both bands have been quite busy lately. But they’ll be right at home in this intimate setting and might even have a few surprises in store. There will also be performances from Wes Mattheu, Reverend TJ McGlinchey, and Ryan Williams as well as a special raffle for art and gift certificates, a silent auction for artwork, DJs, and plenty more so it’s sure to be one memorable going away party. Bookspace, 1113 Frankford Ave., 8pm, $10, All Ages – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

The Friggs w/Members of Bardo Pond and Explosive Head at Tritone June 24

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One of Philadelphia’s most beloved 90s all girl rock bands, The Friggs returns to their hometown stage tonight at Tritone on South Street. For those who may not be familiar with their sound, The Friggs play a raw brand of ‘60s garage punk with a hint of surf rock, covered in vocal harmonies. Rounding out The Friggs’ rhythm section will be fellow Philly legend Bardo Pond’s Ed Farnsworth on drums, along with bassist Liz Lixx from Explosive Head. The group recently released the career encompassing Today Is Tomorrow’s Yesterday, which includes all their previous vinyl releases as well as some unreleased demo tapes. Lixx’s Explosive Head are also on the bill as an opening act, featuring members of Son Of A Gun and Thee Minks. Explosive Head plays a gritty version of ‘70s rock n roll influenced by the likes of New York Dolls and the Dead Boys. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9pm, $7, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe
 
Philadelphia

What’s This?: Raise The Dead! Language

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Sean Hoots just unveiled a new project to celebrate this year’s Summer Solstice called Raise The Dead! Language. It’s a far cry from the foot-stomping, down-home tunes that you might be accustomed to hearing from him and his band Hoots & Hellmouth. With loops (electronic, vocal and found sounds), I think that the usual friend to the farmer got into his secret crop from the fields and smoked it repeatedly inspiring him to create atmospheric soundscapes that travel from ritualistic ancient tribal beats and chants to futuristic sci-fi sounds that you’d imagine hearing while floating in space (even though it would actually most likely be a silent experience). But during the extended journey, you’ll also find melodic, minimalistic grooves that might draw out the inner hippie dancer in you. Yes, it sounds like good music to listen to while doing drugs, and you should. But he also suggest activities like “long walks on the beach, yoga class, drives down desert highways, meditation retreats, slow roasting red peppers and garlic…and so on.” (However, you do know that those activities also sound like good ones to do while getting high too. Right?) You can “name your price” to download the 5-song, 50+ minute EP Volume 1 HERE. – H.M. Kauffman
 

Philadelphia

Mean Streets, Slutever & The Tough Shits Open for The Coathangers at The Barbary June 23

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Concise punk riffs by Mean Streets might just make this summer heat seem bearable. Formed in ’06 by ex-bandmates of The War’s End and Cranked Up!, Mean Streets’ fast paced anthems are pure punk glazed with a topcoat of pop. Catchy chords and concise diction make tracks like “Good Luck, Charm” friendly throwbacks to the heydays of pop punk without coming off too sentimental. Along with Mean Streets, expect onstage antics by local deviants The Tough Shits who are known to please crowds with familiar favorites like “Heard She Kisses on the Mouth” and quirky chants like “Gettin’ Healthy 4 U.” Add in a heavy serving of melodic angst by noisy darlings Slutever, who are gearing up to “do America,” and tonight’s lineup is an instant recipe for summer fun with headliners Atlanta’s bad grrrls The Coathangers. The Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 6pm, $10, All Ages (Slutever Photo by Candice Martello) – Dianca Potts
 

 

Philadelphia

Meet Me On South Street, The Story of JC Dobbs Premieres at Franklin Institute June 23

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George Manney’s documentary Meet Me On South Street, The Story of JC Dobbs, which was accepted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Library & Archives along with more of his works, will be making its premiere tonight at Franklin Institute as part of the Fourth Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director as well as live acoustic musical performances. It will include footage of artists in their infancy like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Steve Earle, Oasis and many more so music documentary buffs do not miss out. Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., 7pm, $11.50, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman