Meah!, a wild garage-funk band out of the Pilsen neighborhood, released a spastic 7” on Sophomore Lounge Records this past September. The other side of the 7” was provided the Louisville band Phantom Family Halo. Meah! contributed two tracks and the first is called Kids/Summer and it is aggressive, unpredictable, pure fun on vinyl. Meah! has been a part of the scene for the last three years, and have gained a reputation for loud and uncontrollable live sets. You can stream both tracks on Meah! myspace page.
Show Review: Junkyard Girls, December 2, 2009, @ Bong Java After Hours Theatre
Wednesday night Aaron Phipps played the debut show of his solo project, Junkyard Girls, at Bongo Java’s After Hours Theatre. His sound is bred on the keys and occasional autoharp, but for his live performances he is supported by a full band and backup vocals. Junkyard Girls is dark Baroque pop, add electronics, drop the pop.
Aaron is heavy on the drama (familiar from his days in We are the Wind); his hand gestures and extravagant burst of song accentuate solid piano riffs. Aaron rolled onto stage in ripped tights and red hot pants, a little disheveled androgynous mess, and obviously annoyed at Bongo’s 10:45 curfew. He performed the first three songs under the guise of a mustard and maroon masquerade mask the likes of which are appropriate for a Carnival.
I was expecting a six-song emotionally charged singer-song-writer set, and while I got that, he kept it diversified. Aaron’s third song, “Tell ‘em I sent ya,” which he played with an autoharp on his lap, felt more like a sexy samba than something from a writer’s night in the attic of a coffee shop. Two favorites songs were “Phantosmia,” a macabre tune about love, risk and doom, and its antithesis, “Nice to Know You, Sir,” a light melodic doo-wop-pop song.
Junkyard Girls is working on a record Aaron hopes to release in the coming year. You can catch Junkyard Girls at his next Nashville show at the Springwater on January 14 with Spider Friends. – Victoria Read
Don’t miss Javelin + Phenomenal Handclap Band at Bowery on 12.11
Javelin (in the picture, snacking) and The Phenomenal Handclap Band are two of the sweetest artists to emerge from the NYC scene in 2009. They share an electronic, creative approach to music, but their final sound couldn’t be more different. While Javelin sparse lineup of two favors experimental, quirky sounds and their shows and overall approach to life flirt with performance art, the PH Band crowded crew prefers to stick to basics of partying. Javelin just signed to David Byrne’s Luaka Pop and is schedule to release their first full lenght in early 2010. The PH Band is enjoying massive buzz accompanying their European Tour and new Deen Haan Remix of "15 to 20". Don’t miss the two bands live at the Bowery on December 11!
New to the city and worth checking out: deVries – live on 12.10
Guitarist and singer Travis DeVries’ name might ring a bell among those of you who obsess about cult shoegaze bands (for some reason shoegaze is the inde cult genre par excellence): he was the main force behind the band The Turn-ons, also nicknamed "the godfathers of the shoegaze Seattle scene". Now based in NYC, Travis has formed a new project and conveniently called it "deVries". The man has worked almost two years to deliver "Death to God" (released last week with a show at Cameo), a fine shoegaze-pop record that kept us involved from the first to the last fuzzy guitar chord. The songs on the album share an atmospheric and contemplative weft, given by the textured and hypnotic guitar sound and by Travis’ droney, reverbery melodies. DeVries’s songs create an original musical universe while giving a lingering impression that they have always existed. The ethereal "Girl in the fur skin" and the captivating "Slowing Down" could have been classic shoegaze gems from the early ’90 next to Kevin Shields’ unforgettable "Girl in the City" or The Jesus and Mary Chain’s "Just like Honey". "Darkest Summer" is a beguiling melody that flooats on a saturated orchestration and definitely has the power to linger in your mind for awhile. Don’t miss deVries’s show at Union Hall on December 10. – by Claire-Marie Le Bihan
These Things Happen
The easy comparisons here are to group like Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, and US3, but The J. Davis Trio (JDT) sound has something original and refreshing. True, Stuart bring the old school flow, but you can’t help but bop your head. It’s the Southside garage-jazz that group brings that really sets them apart from the rest. With Flav-R-Ice on bass, Benjamin Pendulum on trumpet, and The Planet on Drums, these four have constructed an album filled with soulful jazz tracks and passionate rhymes about the city we all love.
I think that’s what make JDT unique, is their perspective and entrench in the Chicago streets they are. Whether it is talking about chillin’ at The Vic (“These Things Happen” (mp3)) or DePaul or Homewood or Flossmoor or Hyde Park, JDT have created an album that is a tribute jazz and hip hop fusion, but also to Chicago. Another aspect of this album that I really enjoy is the guest appearances, from the violin of Susan Voelz to the vocals of Stolie to the rhymes of O Type Star and Luchbox Law. These Things Happen is the groups third album and it was originally released in April of 2007. They are re-releasing the album through their own label Yo Yo Smuggler Records on December 9th, and as I float through these tracks they still sound fresh and need to be heard.
Tryst Live At Nitecap
I bring to you, fair reader, a local metal act with a lot of potential. I had the distinct pleasure of getting to see up-and-comers Tryst at Nite Cap recently and was really interested in seeing what they could do. Unfortunately, in this city and with a good deal of metal scenes, it’s usually hit-or-miss with the bands you might see on any given night. This night offered up local act Tryst, who were decidedly a hit. With a sound that really runs the gamut of metal styles, it was a treat to hear a group that could really lock in on any style they wanted. As opposed to some bands that lock in on a style before developing an overall sound, this definitely boosted their appeal. Running the gamut from sludge to black to thrash metal, Tryst put on quite the show. Unfortunately for them, Nite Cap’s sound-engineer doesn’t know what he’s doing. Plagued with feedback, an inability to make out the bass-line unless standing in front of the bassist and a general muddiness of guitars, this really dampened my experience.
When audible lead singer Jezzibel gives an enthusiastic performance and lends not only her natural singing voice but her brutal scream to the overall sound. Having only heard a handful of "real" metal bands with female vocalists, I wasn’t sold at first. Jezzibel’s ability to shrug off nerves or fatigue and power through her set while engaging her audience is commendable. Bassist Tony is a real talent and was, as I found out later, sick as a dog during his set. You couldn’t tell, not once, that he was tired or anything but amped about being on stage. New member, Mario, added a good handful of shred to the band’s already overwhelming ferocity. Guitarist Phil and Drummer J-Sin were a tight rhythm section, never stopping to keep the driving melodies moving. During the close of their set they threw down with a well-done cover of Fear Factory’s "Replica" and I was suddenly 16 again. I rushed up to the stage and instantly began thrashing as hard as I could, you know, while I gingerly removed my glasses. So do keep your eye out for this wrecking crew, as they’re likely to come ripping through your ‘hood soon. – Ben Kessell
Sounds like: Walls of Jericho, In this Moment, Nightwish.
AM and Sara Lov ring in yuletide cheer at Hotel Cafe Tuesday night
AM | "Christmas Time Is Here"
Today’s "rain" is about as close as we can come to feeling the winter-y side of the holiday season. Fortunately, tomorrow locals can feel a little closer to a White Christmas by heading out to the Hotel Cafe to hear singer/songwriter AM sing selections from his holiday EP Holiday Happiness & Cheer. Sara Lov joins the wintertime bill.
FMLY changes venue (again), brings the all-ages goodness to Historic Filipinotown
Historic Filipinotown’s main courtyard will get its ass severely kicked this Saturday night with the grand "opening" of FMLY‘s new venue. 60-Watt Kid will be opening the night’s festivities, and if that isn’t enough reason to go (LET’S BE HONEST, IT SHOULD BE), read what else FMLY have to offer. It’s going to be a good one.
Paper Zoo finish tour with Roger Daltrey, would rather rock more than sleep
Paper Zoo | "Paper Zoo"
It’s not every day you hear the words "self-titled track from their self-titled EP," but, alas, today’s one of those days. Just days after having finished a long string of dates with Roger freaking Daltrey, Linda Perry-mentored and local psych rockers Paper Zoo aren’t taking a day off. Check them out this Wednesday night at the Viper Room where they’ll be showcasing new material for locals who haven’t had a chance to see their live set yet.
A Song For A Son
Starting tonight at Midnight, Smashing Pumpkins will make available the first song from their epic 44 track album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. The song is called “A Song For A Son” and it encompasses Billy’s thoughts and fears about Fatherhood and why he has not become a father yet. As he has said about the album, which will be released one song a time until all 44 tracks are out: “Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won’t have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.” Billy feels that this track is emblematic of the entire collection of music and that as whole this album is a return to the classic Smashing Pumpkins sound. You can find out if that is true or not tonight at Midnight on at the new Smashing Pumpkins website.
Messengers
Joe Pug has announced the detail of his forthcoming album, Messengers. The album will be released on February 16th and features 9 new songs along with an electric reworking of “Speak Plainly, Diana” which first appeared on the Nation of Heat EP. He also announced plans to release a vinyl edition of Nation of Heat around that same time. Joe will be touring this Spring with Justin Townes Earle, and will be playing here at Lincoln Hall on Feb. 27th. He will of course be heading to SXSW again this March.