White Fence, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s 0518

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bands to watch, Drag City Records, indie music, johnny brendas, live music, live philly concerts, Los Angeles, R5 Productions, Spotify link, white fence, white fence band, woodist records

White Fence is one of Tim Presley’s stunning projects hailing from the sunny left coast.  In addition to The Strange Boys, Hair,  and Darker My Love, Presley delivers a garage sound that culls upon tones from an era gone by, namely the late 60’s, while concurrently sounding grounded in 2010’s garage folk punk revival (now we are making genres up). This was the second time we have caught his act at Johnny Brenda’s and we dare say it was even better than the last.  His current effort Family Perfume volumes 1 & 2 is chocked full of sturdy tracks and is an amazing listen.  It would seem there is no stopping the waterfall of music being produced.

++ White Fence on Spotify ++

White Fence played a sick set of tracks that laid out the red carpet for two tracks he would play with Ty Segall in their Hair project.  Since it is impossible to really overshadow ones-self, we simply point out that which was better was irrelevant.  White Fence alone made the show worth every penny and more.  We had been following the project since its eponymously titled debut in 2010 and our liking has only grown with each release – now on number three.  As such, we are proud to present several videos from that May 18th performance performance at JB’s in Philly.  Do yourself a solid and go see him shred:

Widowspeak, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s 0412

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brooklyn, captured.tracks, johnny brendas, live music, live philly concerts, R5 Productions, widowspeak, widowspeak band

This was our second time catching Widowspeak and it was as delightful as the first. What was rendered the evening of April 15th 2012 was certainly a more honed and confident performance indicative of the extensive touring that had taken place in the interim.

There was also one additional member; Pamela Garavano-Coolbaugh.  This afforded a more dynamic sound and the volume of people on stage matched that of the performance’s auditory depth.  All of the original three, Molly Hamilton, Rob Thomas, and Mike Stasiak are still in the group and sounding better than ever.  Molly still has her enchanting voice, Rob is still killing it on guitty, Mike is still holding it down on drums.  Every bit as personable as the first time we caught them on their inaugural Philly performance,  Widowspeak replicated on and off stage impressiveness.  We hesitate at gushing, but shit, we just did it.  And this band truly deserves it.

Check out some videos from the evening below and dig the guitar solo in Nightcrawlers – boss.

Xiu Xiu, Live @ FUC

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concert video, first unitarian church, first unitarian church concerts, fuc, indie music, polyvinyl, R5 Productions, xiu xiu, xiu xiu band

The decade old project of Jamie Stewart, Xiu Xiu, played a fresh set at FUC in Philly on the third of May 2012.  This avant-garde experimental indie group has existed as a solar system of artists with one star.  The current orbiter (since 2009) is Angela Seo.  The history around Xiu Xiu is deep and saving a regurgitation of this, we simply point you to wikipedia for many paragraphs on the subject.

We can state unequivocally that the performance was moving and energetic.  Coasting in between soft and hard sounds, Xiu Xiu created an atmosphere that held gravity in a state of influx allowing those in attendance to ebb and flow with the metaphorical currents;  quiet interludes pulled at the feet while  soaring guitar solos and haunting vocals pulled the listener up off the ground.  Percussion sounds added to the visceral feel that was manifested and we were happy to be in attendance for yet another stunning performance at FUC for Xiu Xiu.  We have a few videos for you below and apologize in advance for the partially obscured shots:

Work Drugs, Live @ Kung Fu Necktie

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bands to watch, concert video, kung fu necktie, live music, live philly concerts, Local Philly Band, Work Drugs, Work Drugs band, Work Drugs Set List

Playing their first set in hometown Philly since February 2012, Work Drugs blew off steam in the form of solid, upbeat chillwave sounds all wearing stone-cool shades and invigorating the crowd.  Highly danceable tracks showed the deep skill set of the band who earlier in March had a great showing at SXSW.  Work Drugs is fronted by two and supported by many.  Tom Crystal on vocal and guitar noises with Ben Louisiana on vocal, key, and synth noises design a self-described sedative-wave, smooth-fi sound proving once again, genres are simply a means for unnecessary classification.  Word Drugs is a golden local musical blend, universally listenable,  that everyone can get behind.  We simply love their sound.

Tracks played on this April 28th evening at Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia were off their 2011 efforts Summer Blood and Aurora Lies plus included at least one brand new 2012 single.  We captured video of one below:  License To Drive.  All songs seemed sowed together with precision – instrumentals and vocals complimented each other well live and some we found better than in studio.  Crowd engagement was well represented and we felt brought into the act.  Everything we had hoped it would be, we present to you a few videos from the set below and encourage you to give Work Drugs your attention:

SET LIST

1. Ice Wharf
2. Third Wave
3. Flying Zambo
4. Catalina Wine Mixer
5. Swimmer Girl
6. Sunset Junction
7. License to Drive
8. Blue Steel
9. Physical Acts
10. Daddy Bear
11. Curious Serge
12. Rad Racer

Allo Darlin’, Live @ Kung Fu Necktie

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Allo Darlin band, Allo Darlin', concert video, kung fu necktie, live philly concerts, London, Slumberland Records, uke

Allo Darlin’ played Kung Fu Necktie in Fishtown on the 25th of April, 2012 to a packed crowd fairly well versed in their song-book and energized at the ability to hear it live.  The band currently calls London home.  Half of Allo Darlin’ are from the UK while half are not including Elizabeth, the lead and project originator, who hails from AUS.  It is partly for these reasons the Philly crowd felt so lucky to hear her soothing voice and enchanting ukulele.   It was also due to the infectious joy with which the rest of the band played.  Paul Rains, Bill Botting, and Mikey Collins are all great musicians in their own right and the combination of the four had us grinning from ear to ear the majority of the set.

This second stop on their US tour was proceeded by an NYC engagement.  On this Philly stop the band quickly enthralled the audience and controlled the atmosphere to the point of near silence during song crescendos and quieter numbers – a rare feat at KFN.  Songs were played off both their 2010 and 2012 LPs and all were delivered on point and with magical purpose.  We were fortunate to talk with Elizabeth, Mikey, and Bill after the show and they were all as kind as they appeared on stage.  There was no act there.  A genuine group of people making genuine music.  Check out our video from the evening below:

A Classic Education, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s

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A Classic Education, A Classic Education band, concert video, Italian band, johnny brendas, Lefse, live music, live philly concerts, R5 Productions

A Classic Education were in the States and played JB’s in Philly on March 30th.  The 5 piece from Bologna, Italy brings an amazingly full live sound stemming from two guitars, a bass, drums and keys.  Comprised of Jonathan, Luca, Paul, Giulia, and Federico the band has an indie rock feel with a touch of electronica – albeit a very small touch.  There are also hints of garage rock in there.  It is quite a nice package.  The band represents a full ensemble effort fronted by Jonathan Clancyness of the solo project, His Clancyness.   We loved his work with that and were excited to see his work manifested live with a full backing band.  A let down it was not.

Currently on the Lefse record label, A Classic Education has two EPs and a Long Play out.  The LP was a 2011 release and many of the songs played came off this album.  Thoroughly an enjoyable set, we have some video for you below to check out:

Bleeding Rainbow, Live @ The Level Room

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bands to watch, Bleeding Rainbow, Bleeding Rainbow band, concert video, live music, live philly concerts, Local Philly Band, Phonographic Arts, The Level Room

This is the fourth article in a series reviewing sets from some of the best bands in Philly at the Level Room NYE2012 show produced my Phonographic Arts. This show played double duty as the last show of 2011 and the first of 2012 and was amazing.

Also on the bill was Bleeding Rainbow.   We’ve written about them before and hate to tread old ground.  To summarize, Bleeding Rainbow is .. well .. Philadelphia’s own Bleeding Rainbow – one of those local bands everyone wants to see and for good reason.  Their sound is awesome.  Their effort is legendary.  Their music is all just really good.  Live it’s the same and on NYE2012 Bleeding Rainbow brought down the house despite the efforts of an over-zealous drunk dude who thought it was funny to repeatedly jump on stage and shout shit into the mic.  Perhaps it was funny…  In any event, the band killed it from from to back and to be able to see them without a million people in front of us is sick.  Catch em before they get huge and tour constantly.  Youv’e been warned.  We got 4 Bleeding Rainbow videos for you this time:

Vivian Girls, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s

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brooklyn, concert video, indie music, johnny brendas, live music, live philly concerts, polyvinyl, R5 Productions, Vivian Girls, Vivian Girls band

Lost Show Posts:  LPC has caught some really kick-ass shows that for some strange reason never got reported on.  The Vivian Girls set at Johnny Brenda’s on September 6th 2011 was one of these.  This is the first in a series of set reports that should have been covered long ago.

The Vivian Girls from Brooklyn, NY put on a power set for the JB crowd on September 6th.  The lineup consisting of Cassie Ramone, “Kickball Katy” Goodman and Fiona Campbell were the headliners on this evening and showed why we had heard so many good things about their live performances.  Having released 3 LP’s the band had much material to draw from but focused primarily on their new release “Share the Joy”.

We thoroughly enjoyed the energy these ladies put out into the ether.  Drawing on numerous influences including the Wipers and past tour mates Jay Reatard (RIP), King Khan and the Shrines, and Sonic Youth, the Vivian Girls have an indie/garage rock/lo-fi sound unequaled.  Their passion for playing music comes across clearly on stage and we felt it in every note and riff.  Now on Polyvinyl records, the Vivian Girls sound is getting tighter and tighter while staying true to the sound on which they were founded.

Catching the Vivian Girls live is highly recommended and their return to Philly is eagerly awaited. Check out some video from the night below:

WU LYF, Live @ Voyeur

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bands to watch, concert video, indie music, live music, live philly concerts, Lyf Recording, making time, making time philadelphia, R5 Productions, voyeur nightclub concert, voyeur philly, WU LYF, WU LYF Band

The once clouded in mystery quartet from Manchester, England – WU LYF – played Voyeur Nightclub in Philly on November 5th.  Ellery James Roberts (Vocals, Organ), Thomas David Francis McClung (Vocals, Bass, Guitar),  Evans Kati (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica) and Joseph Louis Harland Manning (Drums, Piano) incensed the crowd to frenzy with their Indie Post-Rock assault leaving no one untouched.  A show charged with immense energy from beginning to end, the WU LYF set was one for the ages and a true pleasure to witness.

Caught in a sea of people we watched as the band delivered songs as good as those pressed in studio and for some it would have been hard to tell the difference.  Whether or not this was concert-drunkenness talking we can’t be quite sure.  What we do know was that a giant WU LYF sign was perched prominently in the DJ booth.  Ellery had a sweet jean jacket on with the WU LYF detail emblazoned on the back.  They came with lights and graphics which were projected onto the screens above the main floor.  Smoke hung in the air as people lit up inside the club (smoking allowed) and was defrayed by the constantly moving beams of light from the venue’s light system.  Crazy stuff guys.  Add to that the sounds of WU LYF and this thing was classic.

We could go on about the band but instead present a series of videos we took from the pit as the masses swarmed and WU LYF dominated the stage:

Sunny Ali & The Kid, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s

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concert video, indie music, johnny brendas, live music, live philly concerts, Local Philly Band, rockaphilly event, Sunny Ali & The Kid, Sunny Ali and the Kid, Sunny Ali and the Kid Band

We finally got to witness the Lo-Fi/Country-Punk/Rock & Roll duo known as Sunny Ali and The Kid October 28th at JB’s as part of rockaphilly‘s amazing 3 band lineup.  You may not be familiar with these guys but it’s your loss if not.  You may be wondering what country punk is and what it sounds like.  For those curious, we have videos and links to the band’s material on bandcamp following the article.

Sunny Ali and The Kid have perfected their sound and look with twangy rock guitar, steady drum kit and quint essential county getup including cowboy hats.  These guys are fun to listen to.  Blending country guitar twang with punk-rock vocals and lo-fi craftsmanship, SA&TK are carving out a new direction in sound.  Reminiscent of early county-rock crossover acts, Sunny Ali delivers his slightly punk vocals while staying true to a country artist’s stage presence.  Even though the band boasts no country influences, there is still that country feel but in the most non-traditional way possible.  We love those who think outside the box.  SA&TK does just that.

Hailing from South Philly, the band spends considerable time at gigs in NY and outside the states.  Perhaps this nomad-ism is what has caused us not to have caught them before; but more importantly, it has helped shape their sound and stage  sensibilities.  Both of these are characteristics we loved.  SA&TK are one of the best acts in Philly and should you listen to country music, you will never hear it the same after hearing these guys.

 

If these videos aren’t enough, head on over to the LPC YouTube channel to check out some more videos of SA&TK from the night.