Bass Drum of Death, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s

Tags

bands to watch, Bass Drum of Death, BDoD, indie music, johnny brendas, live music, live philly concerts, Mississippi, R5 Productions, Spotify link

Circling in a tight orbit of incendiary sound, Bass Drum of Death alters gravity in the most pleasing of ways for garage rock enthusiasts.  John and Colin create a music of great proportion and interest to those satiated by the genre.  The Mississippi-based BDoD has released their debut LP to positive reviews and we were excited to hear it performed live at JB’s in Philly June 10th, 2012.

++ Bass Drum of Death on Spotify ++

Most every track was covered on the new LP, GB City as was the song White Fright off their tour only DZDR split.  On this evening the band was three strong and the sound was more voluminous from it.  Haunting in their distortion, vocals pierced through the  sludgy electric guitar, bass and drum beat.  BDoD killed it and we are stoked to hear more output from these guys.

Five videos await your viewing pleasure:

DZ Deathrays, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s

Tags

Australia, bands to watch, concert video, DZ Deathrays, DZDEATHRAYS, DZDR, indie music, johnny brendas, live music, live philly concerts, R5 Productions, Spotify link

Listening to the DZ Deathrays album as I peck out this review makes me press the keys with extra ferocity.  The whole delivery is a sonic boom at 1,000 feet and their live set exceeded this.  The Australian band took the stage at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia dispatching a dense fog of drum beats, guitar chords, and effortless vocals.  A clear Death From Above 1979 influence permeate some tracks – the comparison is meant to commend the sound DZDR’s delivers as DFA1979 is one of our all time faves.  Their efforts are finally garnering Pitchfork attention at a time when the sirens have already lured in so many.

++ Spotify Link to DZ DEATHRAYS ++

Immaculate execution on numerous tracks off 2012’s Bloodstreams, DZDR’s left us wanting an encore.  Bones rendered in electric garage punk rock, Shane Parsons and Simon Ridley delivered a thrashed first performance in Philly and one that everyone in the room should remember for a time to come.  Dig some videos we took below:

Via Audio, Live @ Kung Fu Necktie

Tags

brooklyn, concert video, indie music, kung fu necktie, live music, live philly concerts, Sidecho Records, Spotify link, Undertow Music Collective, Via Audio, Via Audio band

Via Audio made a semi-rare performance, as of late, at Kung Fu Necktie on May 15th, 2012.  The Brooklyn-based band has been on somewhat of a hiatus recently but put forth an energetic and fun performance on this night.  This break is to be short lived as a new album is due out this year and will add to their existing catalog of two LP’s and one EP.  Comprised of Tom Deis on Vocals and Guitar, David Lizmi on Bass and Synthesizer, Jessica Martins on Vocals, Guitar and Synthesizer, and Adam Sturtevant on Drums, Via Audio constructs a lauded (see Pitchfork, Tiny Mixtapes, Spin, Alternative Press) amalgam of indie pop sounds.

We like these guys because the enjoyment they receive from playing is clearly evident in their stage presence.  Guitar work and synths drip with catchy cords.  Vocals compliment these nicely and bass and drum work round out the sound perfectly.

++ Via Audio on Spotify ++

Supporting Via Audio is easy – give a listen and maybe you will be hooked.  Pick up their merch and catch one of their shows.  Via Audio does not disappoint and they are as friendly as can be to boot.  Check out a few of our vids from the evening below:

White Fence, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s 0518

Tags

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:

Xiu Xiu, Live @ FUC

Tags

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:

Mayer Hawthorne, Live @ Union Transfer

Tags

concert video, indie music, live music, live philly concerts, Los Angeles, Mayer Hawthorne, Mayer Hawthorne & the County, Mayer Hawthorne and the County, Mayer Hawthorne live, R5 Productions, Spotify link, Stones Throw, Union Transfer

Once Upon a time, Mayer Hawthorne was the DJ for the hip-hop group, Athletic Mic League and was known as DJ Haircut.  Evolving from this professional start, Andrew Mayer Cohen has honed his chops into the current neo-soul format.  Seen, heard and signed by Peanut Butter Wolf of the Stones Throw imprint in 2008, Mayer Hawthorne has developed a full live band format for tours and a few recorded pieces called The County.  Together they delivered a crowd moving multi-dimensional performance.

++ Mayer Hawthorne on Spotify ++

Mayer Hawthorne and The County’s April 18th set at Union Transfer in Philadelphia was indicative of their typically intimate design.  Crooning from a lush retro-stage setup replete with leather study chair, 50’s-esque lounge decor and illuminated MH and heart logos affixed against the stage back, Mayer Hawthorne brought the crowd into his performance.  The County did the same.  The Mayer Hawthorne compliments consisted of bassist, guitarist, electric pianist and drummer.  All dressed to the nines, The County provided a great soundtrack to the vocal and guitar prowess of Hawthorne.

Highlights of the evening were an audience member using an iPad at the stage front and being called out for it (we caught that on video below), crowd photo opps provided by the band, hearing most every song in the MH catalog, and Hawthorne’s red shoes.

We videoed a few songs at the begning of the set and have those for you below.  Enjoy:

Reptar, Live @ Kung Fu Necktie

Tags

Athens, bands to watch, concert video, indie music, kung fu necktie, live music, live philly concerts, Reptar, Reptar Band, Spotify link, Vagrant Records

The talented and assiduous indie electronic dance act Reptar played KFN in Philly on April 13th to a packed crowd.  We were pleased to see Philly come out in such force for an act not on the radar for many – but we predict they will be soon enough in the same way Reptar has developed a huge following in the southeast from their home base of Athens, Georgia.  With an EP, Oblangle Fizz Y’all, chocked full of singles and a new LP out May 1st, Reptar is on the launch pad ready to take off.  The band began under its current moniker in 2008.  Comprised of Ryan Engelberger (bass), William Kennedy (keys), Andrew McFarland (drums), Graham Ulicny (guitar, singing), and Poof Daunghty (percussion, keys) Reptar the group is current on the Vagrant Records imprint.

++ Reptar on Spotify ++

Reptar’s catchy tunes translate into an exuberant concert environment.   They make parties.  Every song was delivered with energy that instantaneously infected the room.  Brilliant.  Reptar played numerous new tracks in addition to old staples.  Lined up against the front of the stage, Graham took many occasions to talk to the crowd and parlay the eventual frenzy brought on by their new single, Sebastian.   Eventually, this track was precipitated by consensual neighborly head touching (there isn’t a easy way to describe this dammit – it’s on the first video though so suggestions are welcome).  At the conclusion of that insanity, Reptar ran into Sebastian and the floor boards at KFN rocked like a schooner in the middle of the Atlantic.  A solid performance, you can check out some of our video below:

Fists, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s

Tags

concert video, Fists, Fists band, Hello Thor, indie music, johnny brendas, live music, live philly concerts, United Kingdom

Fists were stateside in Philly at JB’s on March 15th, 2012.  The band is an indie rock amalgam out of Nottingham, England.  Tracing their origins to 2005, Fists have garnered attention from Radio1 along with NME and a hodgepodge of other critics.  In 2008 the band signed to Hello Thor records and released their first single.  Various other singles and an EP have followed.

Check out their track “ascending” via the bandcamp link above.  We think it’s our favorite and were stoked to get it on the limited press 7″ with band-done screen printing.  Really good stuff that is hard to put on a finger on.  We just know it makes us feel good.  Check out some video from their show at JB’s below:

We have another video or two of Fists over on our YouTubes page + tons more.  

Obits, Live @ Johnny Brenda’s

Tags

brooklyn, concert video, indie music, johnny brendas, live music, live philly concerts, Obits, Obits Band, R5 Productions, Rick Froberg, Spotify link, Sub-Pop

The formidable trio of Rick Froberg, Sohrab Habibion, and Greg Simpson comprise the scorching garage punk band Obits.  Formed in 2006, the band comes by way of BK and has past independent projects Drive Like Jehu, Edsel, and Hot Snakes under it’s belt.  Seminal to say the least.  Playing Johnny Brenda’s in Philly on March 15, 2012, the band laid down numerous tracks off their 2011 release Moody, Standard and Poor along with tracks from 2009’s I Blame You.

++ Obits on Spotify ++

A performance we are relieved not to have missed, Obits blasted in-your-face instrumentals with disgustingly good vocals.  We felt every sound and were compelled to dive in head first.  Check out some video below to see what you may have missed:

Saint Motel, Live @ Kung Fu Necktie

Tags

bands to watch, concert video, indie music, kung fu necktie, live music, live philly concerts, Los Angeles, Saint Motel, Saint Motel band, Self Released album, Spotify link, swollen fox show, y not radio show

Every so often we attend a show semi-blind and don’t quite know what to expect.  This, on occasion, proves to be a decision that stuns with it’s seemingly perfect fate.  The Saint Motel set at KFN on March 3rd presented by The Swollen Fox and Y-Not Radio was just such an event.  Music that made us want to re-listen to their entire catalog.  Music that made us want to continue to search through the myriad of quality, and not so quality, band output to find another so exciting.  We wish another chance to replicate the experience would come soon as this was truely great to watch and hear.  A/J Jackson Jr., Dak, asharp, and G.S. Erwin are an LA-based quartet with a jubilant sound delivered via fierce drums, nasty guitar solos, steady bass lines and harmonic vocals.

Saint Motel on Spotify

 The effort displayed was partially measured in sweat as KFN was extremely hot for a winter night.  The remainder was displayed in passionately delivered verse, chord and beat to a crowd who knew what they were seeing was way above average.  Saint Motel is a band to be seen while you can outside of L.A. and before the machine gets a hold of their obvious talent.  We know wide success for them is always at their doorstep, and that Saint Motel is a band to watch and listen.  Check the link above for their catalog on Spotify and take a peep at the videos from the evening below.  Please also note, these guys cover a Del Shannon track – My Little Runaway.  How sick is that?  It’s the third video down: