Philadelphia

Artist(s) Who Deserve Your Friendship: Mammal of Paradise

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If you made it out this past Friday to Orbit to Leslie’s SOLD OUT CD Release Party that The Deli presented, you learned that the boys behind the indie pop flying machine known as Aderbat have a new project in the works to unveil to the music world. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Matt Taylor, drummer Todd Scheid, bassist Brad Kunkle and multi-instrumentalist Craig Hendrix will be now known as Mammal of Paradise. Check out a sample of what they are working on at http://www.myspace.com/mammalofparadise. Both unmastered tracks, “Anyone’s Song” and “Freeway” were mixed by anti-music industry producer Andrew Weiss (Ween, Akron Family, Rollins Band). “Anyone’s Song” is sure to be their debut single with its chill, groovy “Walk on the Wild Side” feel. Hopefully someone better than Marky Mark will be smart enough to sample or remix it. I had a chance to catch up with Matt Taylor after the show to talk about Mammal of Paradise.
 
Q.D. Tran: With such recent critical acclaim for your full length We Belong to the Sea and your EP Man Overboard as well as your debut full length Rabbits and Rocks, why did you feel that now was the right time to change your name?

Matt Taylor: A bunch of reasons actually, Mammal of Paradise is more of a new project for us than a name change. When we became a four piece with Craig Hendrix and started to record a new Aderbat record this past year, it felt like a new band. Our whole dynamic changed and not to mention our personal lives. It was then I first thought about making the album under a different moniker. Also, Brad, Todd and myself started Aderbat way back in 2003, so we have a long list of songs…too many really. Most I can’t remember or I just don’t feel excited about playing anymore. This gives us the opportunity to have a new set of music without feeling obligated to throw in the oldies. Its a new decade…new ideas. 

QDT: What is the meaning behind Mammal of Paradise? Where did the name Mammal of Paradise come from?

MT: As a child in this industrial landscape, it’s a way of thinking, being and escaping. It’s romanticism, its emotion and intuition over rationalism. More importantly, it’s taken directly from a book by Lord Whimsy called The Affected Provincial’s Companion Vol. 1. 

QDT: Did the new name come to you easily or was it a grueling process?
 
MT: Grueling. Making up band names can become an obsession. Drunk, high, early in the morning, I would make a list then scrap it, then do it again. I’ve got some for future projects that I’m going to start. Mammal of Paradise came early actually, but I thought we couldn’t use it until I wrote Mr. Whimsy for permission and he so eloquently said “Matthew–words are for everyone, wear it in good health”.

 
QDT: That’s pretty cool. How has the reception been with the new name from your fans and friends?

MT: Awesome, I met a guy yesterday and he asked what my band was called, I told him, and he didn’t say, “How do you spell that?” Otherwise, no one really knows.

QDT: What should we expect from Mammal of Paradise in the new year?

MT: I’m very excited for the new year. We have the Mammal of Paradise debut record presently being mixed by our friend Andrew Weiss and new songs to write. We have a couple up online now. 

QDT: Would you consider yourself a "mammal of paradise"?

MT: Absolutely, I’ve got my own exotic paradise going on right now, somehow, it’s a mystery how I do it sometimes.
 
QDT: What is your favorite thing to get at the deli?

MT: Whatever I forgot to get at the grocery store…cream, cafe bustello.

 
 
(Photo by Ed Roper)
 
– Q.D. Tran

 

Philadelphia

Gene Ween Solo at WCL Jan. 16

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If you haven’t heard of Gene Ween, you probably haven’t heard of Ween, and if you haven’t heard of Ween, where have you been for the past twenty-some years? The duo from New Hope, PA has skewered every possible genre over the last few decades, infecting everything they touch with an unequaled level of musicianship and a crudely bizarre sense of humor that borders on the surreal. Naturally, Gene Ween’s solo project doesn’t fall too far from the tree, but there is a heightened emphasis on simplicity. Lots of classic rock riffing, with creamy, distorted leads and Gene’s trademark congested crooning. Who else could pull off both the Zeppelin-like guitar lines of “Ooh Va La” and the ‘77 punk of “It’s Not Cool” and still sound totally apart from everyone else in music? No one, probably. If you’re one of those who already inhabit the goofy Ween universe, or if you’d like to try it out, head on over to World Cafe Live where Gene is playing with indie-folk man Thom McCarthy. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, 8pm, $25, 21+ myspace.com/geneweenband – Joe Poteracki

 

Philadelphia

Blood Feathers Album Release Party at JB’s Jan. 16

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Blood Feathers became the first band signed to the fledgling Philebrity label this fall. We’ve been anxiously waiting for their debut label full length Goodness Gracious since November, its originally scheduled release date. Well, tonight the wait is over! Join the boys and their snarky blogging backers at Johnny Brenda’s when they celebrate this momentous occasion with eccentric piano pop maestro BC Camplight, who was dubbed “a name to become synonymous with star quality” by Time Magazine, and the vintage 70’s revival rock sound of the Josh Olmstead Band. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/bloodfeathersrockandrollband – Bill McThrill

 

Portland

Last Empire Unfurls Geek-Metal Flag at Satyricon Saturday

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Last Thursday night, I had dinner at Bar Carlo with my good friend and her one-year-old son Lucian. As the adults sat perusing over the menu, Lucian took it upon himself to bang two knives against the table and crank his head up and down, as he sang a song at the top of his lungs that only he knew the words to. This might have been annoying to the staff and other patrons of the restaurant, but for me it was an enjoyable experience watching a very intelligent child express himself. I turned to my friend in the midst of the noise and said, “Your son is so metal.” And if you think about it, what I said to my friend was completely true. What is metal if not someone pounding on the drums, head banging and bellowing lyrics that you usually can’t understand?

It is generally the high energy, screaming and testosterone that makes us love metal, not necessarily the message behind the music. But many metal bands like Manowar, Iron Maiden and Portland’s own Last Empire do have a message, and for Harry Potter nerds like myself, it is a message of heavenly geekiness.

Fantasy-metal purveyors Last Empire sing about unicorns, falcons and kings of the throne. Their sound has a definite old school ’80s feel, but mixes in a new school style and swagger. The band has received nothing but great reviews, especially for the out-of-this-world vocals of singer Brian Allen; but they haven’t quite caught on the same way in the U.S. as they have in Europe. Portland is lucky to have access to such a talented band, so you listeners out there need to take advantage of it by seeing them play on Saturday, January 16th with an all-Oregon bill also featuring Portland’s Goatsoldiers, Excruciator and Salem’s Filth-Machine at Satyricon. 8:00 p.m. All ages. $8.

– Deanna Uutela

Chicago

AM Taxi The Mistake

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AM Taxi will make their debut on Virgin Records this summer, but we have a sneak peak at the shiny punk-pop that just might make them famous. The album promises to hold a wide range of style containing sounds resembling everything from The Hold Steady and The Replacements to Wilco and Sam Cooke. However, that remains to be seen because this first single, “The Mistake (available for download here), is highly polished and filled with pop. The album is called We Don’t Stand A Chance and will be released right before the band jumps on the Warped Tour, starting June 24 through August 15.

Chicago

A Winter Block Party

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If there was one dominate form of music in Chicago it would have to be Hip Hop. There are so many different forms and characters and even superstars, but Kevin Coval may see the scene a little differently than others. He is hosting Chicago Public Radio’s Winter Block Party for Hip Hop Arts. This special event will be an exhibition of style, mash-ups, collage, and conversation, demonstrating with living/breathing examples of how hip-hop has manifested throughout these fields and why cultural vanguards are pushing us all forward. Those in attendance will see hip hop not through bling, pro nails, and spinning rims, but through Dance, Visual Art, Literature, Political Organizing, Journalism, and more. An all day event combing the various elements of hip hop is sure to be an enlightening event for even the biggest hip hop fans.

It all takes places at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater on Sunday January 17th, and you can find more information at Chicago Public Radio website.

L.A.

Music Go Music bring a neo-sort of ’70s to Echo next Thursday

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Music Go Music | "Light of Love" (Live on "Face Time)

Avant-pop outfit Music Go Music are the kind of group that you know grew up secretly obsessing over the songbooks of Abba, The Carpenters, Blondie and anyone else who dominated AM radio, but they channel back to their non-guilty influences with a dignity that leaves all chances of it being intentionally kitsch on the side. We highly recommend checking out their "Face Time" sessions on their YouTube page for a full showcase of this super faceted and mega talented group. If it tickles your fancy, check out their Echo set next Thursday night.

L.A.

Joe Sib gets mega raves about “California Calling,” comes back to Largo

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The last time we caught up with Joe Sib, he was fronting a reunited Wax at Weezer’s Palladium set a few months ago. It seems Sib has put the punk theatrics away (at least for awhile) for "California Calling," his one-man show about growing up all things punk. The debut went so well that Sib will be touring the show coinciding with a monthly Largo residency on Feb. 10, which will also feature new Deli favorite, singer/songwriter Audra Mae (of Sib’s label Side One Dummy).

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Best of Philly Poll – Vote for Your Favorite!

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Yes, this was a labor of love, and certainly heavy on the labor, but if you look over to your right, you’ll find a sweet list of nominees for The Deli’s Best of Philly Emerging Artist(s) Poll. First and foremost, we’d like to thank our always knowledgeable and attractive jury below and The Deli writers for taking the time out of their busy holiday schedules to vote. Without them, we wouldn’t have had all these wonderfully diverse bands to present to you. These jurors are just some of the people behind the scenes that we thought help to make Philly’s music scene so amazing! We greatly appreciate them allowing us to pick their brains.
 
The Deli’s Best of Philly Poll Jurors:
Grace Ambrose, Booker, Pilam
Abigail Bruley, Music Editor, two.one.five Magazine
Mikele Edwards, Booker, Silk City
Brandy Hartley, Booker, Johnny Brenda’s
Melanie Hoch, Vinyl Expert and Dancin’ Queen, Repo Records
Steven James, Booker, Kung Fu Necktie/R5 Productions
Jessica McGinley, Editor-at-Large, PopWreckoning
Ben Morgan, Booker, Millcreek Tavern
Gina Renzi, Executive Director, The Rotunda
Mark Schoneveld, Blogger, Yvynyl
Jon Solomon, DJ and Record Label Owner, WPRB/My Pal God Records
Tom Szwech, Blogger, Bag of Songs
Q.D. Tran, Associate Editor, The Deli Magazine
Bruce Warren, Program Director and Blogger, WXPN/Some Velvet Blog
Emma Zumberge, Blogger, The World in a Paper Cup
 
So check out the list (to the right) and cast a vote for your favorite local Deli emerging artist(s) before midnight Friday, January 15th! We hope that you discover your new favorite band!
 
– The Deli Staff

 

P.S.

If you want to know how this poll works, please go here.

Chicago

Last Minute Plans: The Fizzy Pops

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Are you looking for some catchy basement fuzz-pop? Do you know where Frankfort, IL is? The Fizzy Pops are the latest addition to the poorly named Throw Up Records. The show tonight at The Lighthouse is to celebrate the release their self-titled full-length album. The 15-track collection is only $6 and is a little rough around the edges, but solid at its core. With tracks clocking in at under two-minutes more often than not, The Fizzy Pops make listening fun with their rapid-fire approach.

The show tonight starts at 6:00pm at The Lighthouse (9506 Manhattan-Monee Rd., Frankfort, IL ).

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, January 15 – 17

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There is plenty going on this weekend, but the place that you have to be tonight is Johnny Brenda’s for Orbit to Leslie’s CD Release Partay with Aderbat, Grimace Federation and Power Animal! It’s a guaranteed rager! Woohoo…we’re already taking shots of Jameson to get ready, and we just chased them with a couple of Percocets. (Don’t worry, we’re law abiding citizens here at The Deli. I think that one of us has a legal prescription for their wisdom teeth.) Hope to see you sooner than later! Cheers! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, 21+ myspace.com/orbittoleslie
 
Other shows that you should miss for this one…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Blood Feathers (Album Release) w/BC Camplight and Josh Olmstead Band
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Birdie Busch, Joshua Park, Thom McCarthy
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) Fathead (Reunion Show), Blivit, Jason Fraticelli and the Wet Dreams, SAT Plastic Doves and Urban Giants
 
The Khyber (56 S. 2ndSt.) FRI Courage Pills and The Last Barabrians, SAT Surgeon and Alright Junior, SUN Sgt. Sass and Rachel Tension 
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Downstairs) The Cobbs, SAT (Downstairs) Gene Ween and Thom McCarthy, (Upstairs) The Beekeepers, SUN (Downstairs) Animus
 
M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) The Elevator Parade (Album Release) w/music.for.headphones
 
Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI The Tressels (Record Release) w/Sure Juror
 
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) Curious Buddies and Broad St. Blues
 
Green Line Café (4426 Locust St.) FRI Eliza Jones
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) Andrew Lipke, Sister3, Paper Masques, Shutters (CD Release), Cowmuddy, Chris Kasper
 

 

Philadelphia

The Tressels’ Record Release Show at Blockley Pourhouse Jan. 15

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The Tressels have worked two and a half long years on releasing their album Bourbon Legend. It was marred by technical problems and a Spinal Tap-esque rate of drummer turnover. But through it all the core members rallied together to create a solid album that stands out among their best. Since their last album, 2006’s Prison Wine, earned them a spot on the Philadelphia City Paper’s Year End Critic’s Poll, it really says a lot. Of course, this time they also worked alongside Dan Hewitt (State Capital Records) and Bill Moriarty who has worked with Dr. Dog and Drink Up Buttercup. When you work this hard on an album, it calls for a serious celebration. And that’s exactly what the band intends to do when they play Blockley Pourhouse for their record release show tonight. They’ll be joined by Sure Juror, whose fast paced indie pop is sure to blend in well with The Tressels alcohol soaked tunes. Blockley Pourhouse, 3801 Chestnut St., 9pm, $5, 21+ myspace.com/thetressels – Bill McThrill