HOT: In Grenada, Busses, New Motels At Johnny Brenda’s This Friday July 2nd

If you’re looking for a way to kick of your Fourth Of July holiday this coming weekend, you need look no further than what may be Philadelphia’s finest rock and roll venue, Johnny Brenda’s.  In one of the truly must see shows of the weekend, Bag Of Songs favorites, In Grenada & New Motels take the stage along with the the highly raved about Busses. All three bands have new cds hot off the press, with this Friday’s show being the official release party for In Grenada‘s Break. A majestic,spiritual record that is among the year’s best. Busses, described on their Philly Weekly Music Guide page as “An organic mixture of ’60s singer-songwriters, ’80s post punk and drunk-in-the-basement ’90s indie rock” just unleashed their self titled disc in early June, while New Motels recently delivered their own gem in Tilbury Sweat, picking up where the brilliant power pop of their Domestic Life EP left off and upping the ante for another classic. A night of rock and roll fireworks you don’t want to miss, see you there.

In Grenada – Keep That River Running Home
Buy Break
[MYSPACE]

Busses – House Fire
Buy Busses
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

New Motels – (My) My Radio
Buy Tilbury Sweat
[MYSPACE] [FACEBOOK]

In Grenada CD Release Party
Busses
New Motels

Friday July 2 @ 8PM $10 Tickets
Johnny Brenda’s
Frankford & Girard Ave Philadelphia PA

PHOTOS : Weathervane Music Fundraiser Concert 11.12.09

Breaking the long lull in posting with a few photos today from this past Thursday night’s first annual fundraiser show for the Weathervane Music Organization. If you havn’t heard of Weathervane it’s a non profit organization cofounded by Philadelphia’s own Brian McTear to work with and support independent artists in this challenging new era for working musicians. You can learn more and get involved by lending your support here http://weathervanemusic.org/. Thursday night started off in the amazing space at 2424 Studios with a special solo show by Scott McMicken of Dr Dog at a special VIP pre-show party. It then moved over to Johnny Brendas for a show by all of the artist’s Weathervane had worked with on their 2009 Project Series, {{{Sunset}}}, East Hundred, Danielson and BC Camplight. A perfect way to cap off 2009 and set the anticpation high for Weathervane’s 2010 projects.

 

 

 

 

 

From Langhorne, With Love

[photo by crackerfarm]

Well, he’s more like New York City Slim these days, but here’s a brand new one from the man that shares a hometown with Bag Of Songs, the one and only Langhorne Slim. I Love You, But Goodbye is the first taste from his new album Be Set Free and sports a soulful, jazz inflected, folk vibe that kind of reminds me of  Van Morrison or early Springsteen.

The album is out September 29th on Kemado Records and Langhorne Slim‘s embarking on what looks like a pretty extensive coast to coast fall tour in support of it that wraps up right here in Philadelphia at one of my favorite venues anywhere, Johnny Brenda’s.

Langhorne Slim – I Love You, But Goodbye
Buy Be Set Free (Available Sept 29th)

Upcoming Shows
10/15 – Bell House – Brooklyn, NY
10/17 – TT The Bears – Cambridge, MA
10/21 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
10/22 – Blind Pig – Ann Arbor, MI
10/24 – High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI
10/25 – 400 Bar – Minneapolis, MN
10/26 – Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
10/28 – Jackpot – Lawrence, KS
10/29 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO
10/30 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
11/02 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
11/03 – Media Club – Vancouver, BC
11/06 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
11/08 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA
11/09 – Rhythm Room – Tempe, AZ
11/11 – Mohawk Outside – Austin, TX
11/13 – The Basement – Nashville, TN
11/15 – Cats Cradle – Carrboro, NC
11/16 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA
11/17 – Rock N Roll Hotel – DC
11/19 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA

[MYSPACE]

HOT !:TONIGHT ! As In RIGHT NOW ! Adam & Dave’s Bloodline CD Release Party @ Johnny Brenda’s

I’m a little behind in getting this info up but it’s not too late to save yourself from melting into the couch for the night on this somewhat gloomy evening and getting on down to Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia for the CD release party for Adam & Dave’s Bloodline‘s kicking new disc Boycott Classics. I’ve had the privilege of listening to it the past few weeks, and Adam & Dave and the band have made a record that truly combines the depth of their diverse influences, from punk rock to motown to new wave and all points in between, with the raw power of their live shows. If you’re digging things like Gaslight Anthem or The Hold Steady you’ll want to check out this one. I’ll unabashedly proclaim it one of 2009’s great rock and roll records.

So, check out Nothing To It, one of my favorites off the record and then get yourself down to Johnny Brenda’s for one hot rock show.

Adam & Daves Bloodline – Nothing To It
Buy Boycott Classics

Friday May 1st
Adam & Daves Bloodline Cd Release Prty
with Jotto and Faux Slang
9PM $10 21+UP
Johnny Brenda’s
Corner of Frankford & Girard Avenues
Philadelphia PA

[MYSPACE] [JOHNNY BRENDA’S]

The Feelies Live At Johnny Brenda’s 03.13.09

It’s been a little over 18 years since The Feelies last graced a stage in Philadelphia but Friday night’s show at Johnny Brenda’s showed that in the intervening time, they haven’t lost any of the power earned them their influential underground legend status. The band Qatsi kicked off the festivities with an enjoyable opening set of jangle pop. Then, touching on songs from all of their records plus a couple new songs, The Feelies played a finely tuned set that gradually built in intensity and culminated with the frenetic one two punch of Raised Eyebrows and Crazy Rhythms that left the crowd in a frenzy for more. They then upped the energy level a notch by kicking off each of their three encores with blistering covers of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Neil Young respectively and ending the night with The Modern Lovers’ I Want To Sleep In Your Arms.
But don’t just take my word for it, here’s a nice recording of the whole show for you to enjoy as well.

The Feelies
03.13.09 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia PA

01 On The Roof
02 High Road
03 Nobody Knows (new)
04 Let’s Go
05 Invitation
06 Deep Fascination
07 Higher Ground
08 The Final Word
09 Time Is Right (new)
10 Away
11 Slipping Into Something
12 Doin’ It Again
13 Too Far Gone
14 Raised Eyebrow
15 Crazy Rhythms

Encore 1
16 She Said, She Said (Beatles)
17 Sooner Or Later

Encore 2
18 Paint It Black (Rolling Stones)
19 Fa Ce La

Encore 3
20 Barstool Blues (Neil Young)
21 I Want To Sleep In Your Arms (Modern Lovers)

Some Photos From This Past Friday’s show with Lambchop and In Grenada

A few photos from this past Friday night’s show at Johnny Brenda’s In Philadelphia. Opening the night was Philadelphia’s In Grenada, proving that they are indeed deserving of our artist to watch status for 2009, their powerful double drumming fueled songs only increase in intensity in a live setting. Be on the lookout for their new record coming soon. Lambchop then turned an excellent, albeit somewhat mellow set that recalled the smooth rootsy sound of Bob Dylan‘s recent records.

LIVE: King Khan and The BBQ Show,Vivian Girls,Jacuzzi Boys and Love City At Johnny Brenda’s This Past Friday 11.28.08

Some photos from this past Friday night’s sold out garage rock blowout at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia with The King Khan and BBQ Show, Vivian Girls, Jacuzzi Boys and Love City. Love City has been one of the Philly bands people most often recommend that I should get out and see. I finally got my chance the see them on Friday and they more than exceeded any expections. With a sound that’s equal parts sixties psychedelic fuzz and seventies era punk rock the kicked the night off in fine fashion. Probably my favorite set of a night filled with excellent music. Up next were The Jacuzzi Boys with a solid set of heavy reverb laden psychedelia, think somehwere between The Black Angels and A Place To Bury Strangers. Then It was the girls turn, with Vivian Girls showing rock is not just for the boys anymore by turning in a fast and furious set steeped in the sound of eighties era west coast punk rock. Taking the stage dressed as a belly dancer and sheik respectively,with King Khan on guitar and BBQ as sort of a one man band accompaniment on drums,guitar and other percussion himself,they tore into and amazing,crazy high energy set that I can best describe as a cross between The White Stripes and a Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper show. The crowd which had mostly just stood and stared during the other three sets suddenly became alive, shouting along and dancing about, and turning Johnny Brenda’s into a festive party. Catch them if you can.

 

This Past Friday Night’s Show with The Swimmers.Missing Palmer West and Bitter Bitter Weeks @ Johnny Brenda’s

Some photos from this past Friday night’s all local show at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. It was a packed house from the get go as Bitter Bitter Weeks kicked off the night with an excellent set that focused on the more rock side of their catalog and left the quieter numbers at home this time for a high energy set that recalled at times the southern jangle sound of early REM or Let’s Active. Up next was Missing Palmer West, a band who I somehow managed to have not seen until now, let me say I will be correcting that mistake go forward. Their keyboard driven, cello infused blend of indie pop is excellent. They have a new EP in the works and it is one I will be on the watch for. BOS favorites The Swimmers closed the night and threw a bit of multimedia effects into the mix this time out as they played while a film rolled on to the giant screen behind them. Their set was a blend of brand new songs and old favorites and also included a blistering cover of David Bowie’s Star.

Big big thanks to my new friend and fellow music fanatic Phil Appenzeller for all of the photos.

Bitter Bitter Weeks


Missing Palmer West

The Swimmers



[All Photos By Phil Appenzeller]

Live This Past Thursday 11.06.08 : Shaky Hands, Cheers Elephant, The Chimeras @ Johnny Brenda’s

If Philadelphia is one of the hottest music cities on the east coast right now, with the abundance of amazing bands emanating from Portland, Oregon it surely must be one of the hottest scenes on the west coast. This past Thursday night it was east meets west at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia with The Chimeras and Cheers Elephant representing the east and Portland’s The Shaky Hands on deck for the west. My apologies to The Chimeras as I arrived too late to see their set which by all accounts was excellent. Cheers Elephant mixed a bunch of new songs into their set that show they have no intention of relinquishing their place anytime soon as one of Philadelphia’s best up and coming bands. The Shaky Hands closed out the night with a solid set of their melodic rock, a band I had never seen or heard before but will be sure to catch again. Here’s a few photos.

Shaky Hands


Cheers Elephant


The Chimeras – Good Friday
Buy Party Of God
Cheers Elephant – Here We Are
Buy Here We Are
The Shaky Hands – We Are Young
Buy Lunglight

The Chimeras Upcoming Shows
Jan 17 2009 The Khyber Philadelphia PA w/Zelazlowa

Cheers Elephant Upcoming Shows
Nov 15 2008 8:00P University of the Arts Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dec 5 2008 9:00P The Note West Chester, Pennsylvania

The Shaky Hands Upcoming Shows
Nov 8 2008 8:00P Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Nov 9 2008 8:00P DC9 Washington DC, Washington DC
Nov 10 2008 8:00P Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Nov 11 2008 8:00P The Basement Nashville, Tennessee
Nov 13 2008 8:00P Club Deville Austin, Texas

LIVE: 09.29.08 Robert Pollard’s Boston Spaceships,The High Strung @ Johnny Brenda’s

A couple photos from this past Monday night’s incredible sold out three hour show by Robert Pollard’s Boston Spaceships at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia. Detroit’s The High Strung opened with a great set of their sixties tinged garage rock, showing that a three piece guitar, bass, drums combo can still bring the rock. Robert Pollard and band, including Tommy Keene on guitar took the stage at 10pm, just after a full cooler of beer on ice and a bottle of tequila were placed on stage, and proceeded to live up to their reputation as one of the hardest onstage partying bands going. I lost count of the number of beers they had consumed by the end of the night and the bottle of tequila was gone, helped along by a couple passes through the crowd with numerous audience members getting a taste. By the time they left the stage for the night just after 1:00AM, by my guess they had played somewhere around 40 or so songs, new, unreleased, old Guided By Voices, and more. The encore opened with a blistering version of Cheap Trick‘s Hello There and the already overexcited and well oiled crowd was worked into a frenzy, prompting some to start throwing glass pints of beer around like they were in plastic cups. It was at this point I relinquished my front and center spot leaning on the stage for a safer spot near the side bar to watch the action. At one point, I actually saw a glass shatter on the balcony and fall into the crowd below. One unlucky person had his face covered in blood at the end of night having been hit by flying glass and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were quite a few more. One of the best shows I’ve seen this year and craziest nights I’ve ever witnessed at Johnny Brenda’s that’s for sure.

The High Strung

Robert Pollard’s Boston Spaceships

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