Music In The Mid-Week

Shows are usually pretty limited over the winter, especially on weekdays. Following the trend, this week is a little light. Most being one city stops, but with some definite highlights.

My Brightest Diamond
(photo from r5productions)

Tuesday

In my opinion, Rachael Yamagata is under-appreciated. She creates elegant melodies and well-textured songs. When I first saw her perform, it was in 2004. She was a better version of Fiona Apple and her latest album Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart continues that form. Get to the First Unitarian Church for a great show by one of the best singer-songwriters out today.

mp3: Elephants

The Gray Kid is set to release his new EP January 1st for free on his website. If you can't wait, get to DC9 to hear what the new disc holds and to revisit some of his previous work.

Coming down from Toronto to the Ottobar is Constantines. Out to support a new 7" inch just released a few weeks ago, they are joined by Tim Fite.

mp3: Tim Fite - No Good Here

The M-Room is hosting Nashville's Parachute Musical. Opening duties fall to Philly's Glass Empires.

East Coast and West Coast unite to form PWRFL Power. Join them with local faves Kitty Hawk, Pree and Hume at the Velvet Lounge.

mp3: PWRFL Power - Alma Song
mp3: Kitty Hawk - Some Kind of Monster

Wednesday

Up from the bayou comes We Landed On The Moon. Completely infectious, this is what we had to say about them: "I’m already beginning to count the number of times that I’ll be putting it on repeat." Dahlak has the pleasure and Mittenfields is set to open.

mp3: We Landed On The Moon - Everything is Fine

It's local favorites at DC9 with Ra Ra Rasputin and Fffever. Messiah College stays local as well with Farewell Flight.

Thursday

The Rock & Roll Hotel is hosting a great show Thursday night. Truly mesmerizing songs is what My Brightest Diamond produces. Clare & The Reasons create jazz-infused melodies with lilting, breathy vocals. All in all, it is a stellar line-up. My pick of the mid-week. Don't worry Philly, they get there Friday.

mp3: My Brightest Diamond - Golden Star
mp3: Clare & The Reasons - Pluto

Having already played elsewhere in the IA area, Manchester Orchestra head to Baltimore with Dead Confederate and Kevin Devine in tow. Also on the bill is All Get Out.

mp3: Dead Confederate - The Rat

Jukebox the Ghost played on hell of a show Saturday in Philly. This time they bring their always entertaining show to Talking Head with Pete & J and Pretty & Nice. They'll return to DC this weekend.

mp3: Jukebox the Ghost - Victoria
mp3: Pretty & Nice - Tora Tora Tora

The Velvet Lounge is hosting The Bloodsugars. Opening is Poor But Sexy and Typefighter.

mp3: The Bloodsugars - Purpose Was Again

Up in Philly, Johnny Brenda's has the sparse "desert pop" of Radar Brother, along with Roomtone and Swivel Chairs, while just down the block at the M-Room, Iceland's Kira Kira perform.

mp3: Roomtone - Here's Where The Story Ends (Sundays cover)

Jukebox the Ghost Vs. These United States

It almost never fails. Jukebox the Ghost plays a show and wouldn't you know it, These United States is playing somewhere else nearby. It has happened a few times in the past, and occurs again this weekend. After narrowly avoiding each other Thursday and Friday, it all comes to a head Saturday in DC. TUS took it up a level and dropped an open letter to another area blog, slapping Ben, Tommy and Jesse's face with the figurative gauntlet. Who will reign supreme? It's up to you fine folks to make the hard decision of which show to see. There is a rumor they will hook up for a showdown after their DC shows at Dahlak. After this weekend, both groups head west and yet again, end up in California over the same dates. These guys must be mystically linked.

These United States

10/2: Philly @ Johnny Brenda's w/ Buried Beds, The Mural & The Mint
10/3: Baltimore @ Metro Gallery w/ The Payola Reserve, U.S. Royalty
10/4: DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel w/ Evangelicals, The Silent Years, Parenthetical Girls *CD RELEASE*

Jukebox the Ghost

10/3: Philly @ Johnny Brenda's w/ Say Hi, Caves of Mercury
10/4: DC @ Black Cat w/ Say Hi, Junior League

mp3: Jukebox the Ghost - Hold It In
mp3: These United States - West Won

Roomtone CD Release

Originally born in Eastern Europe, growing up in Alabama and then relocating to Philly in 2003, Alexander Yaker started writing songs while a member of local band Grammar Debate!. The result became Roomtone. With a new CD releasing tomorrow night at Johnny Brendas, Roomtone will capture your attention with rich harmonies and musical prowess on a multitude of instruments.

Joining the party is an all local line up. Our friends Jukebox the Ghost are pulling opening duty. Get there early so you can catch some of their new material and old favorites. Closing out the night is the pure indie-pop of Future Tips.

mp3: Roomtone - Here's Where the Story Ends (Sundays cover)
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Victoria
mp3: Future Tips - Chins Up

Jukebox The Ghost Goes on Tour

Local indie rockers and all round good-natured guys in Jukebox the Ghost have been laying low for most of July, demoing some new tunes and working on a video for their song "Victoria". But the good news is that they’re heading out on a tour this fall with Say Hi (formerly Say Hi to Your Mom) and playing a few dates with Princeton and Pattern is Movement. They'll even be making the long awaited excursion west. Locally, we'll be able to see them a lot too.

08/11: Washington, DC, Fort Reno
08/28: Philadelphia, PA, Johnny Brenda's
09/04: Philadelphia, PA, St Joseph's University
10/03: Philadelphia, PA, Johnny Brenda's
10/04: Washington, DC, Black Cat

mp3: Victoria

This Week's Mix - Anniversary Style

Since this week's mix coincides with our site's anniversary, I thought that it would be appropriate to make a mix of some bands that have helped keep us in business over the years.

The Vita Ruins - Godspeed To That Polytheist
The Jaguar Club - The Sirens
Bound Stems - Taking Tips From The Gallery Gang
Jukebox the Ghost - Victoria
Telograph - The Fever
AVEC - Ageyeva
Papertrigger - We Are Nations Now!
These United States - The Business
Middle Distance Runner - With Swords
Thrushes - Flying

Jukebox The Ghost Releases First Video and New Remix

They may be in the midst of a tour, but that doesn't stop Jukebox The Ghost from entertaining fans back home. Just released, are a brand spanking new video and a solid remix of "Hold It In." The remix is by Andrew Maury and is a club worthy venture. The video is directed by Matthew Thompson.




Hold It In (Andrew Maury Remix)

Village Green Productions Kick-off Party

There's a new booker-promoter in town. Say hello to Village Green Productions, "A Philadelphia-based company that is trying to give you more reasons not to move to NYC." Here's hoping they do just that. By the looks of their kick-off party at The 941 Theater tonight, they will be doing great things.

Here's the Skinny:

It's $10 and all you can drink. Show starts at 9. Keeping with the home town feel, all bands are Philly-based and encompass numerous genres. Get there early and stay for them all: Dreamy indie-pop performed by Brown Recluse Sings and Audible. Music a little more atmospheric and ambient with Gildon Works. And of course, our favorite transplants, Jukebox the Ghost, a definite antithesis to the other bands, but should mix well. This will be a great showcase of local talent and a great start for the new bookers on the block. Hope to see you there!

Brown Recluse Sings - Western Meadowlark
Audible - The Fireman
Gildon Works - Sold So
Jukebox The Ghost - Hold It In

Jukebox The Ghost and The XYZ Affair on Tour

Local favorites Jukebox the Ghost are joining forces with Brooklyn's The XYZ Affair for a short tour in the beginning of the month. Before heading down to Georgia and North Carolina for a string of shows, you can catch them in Baltimore and DC. If you miss them this weekend or just have to see them again, head up Philly way next weekend. And don't forget to pick up Jukebox's new disc at your local record shop or directly from their page.

5/1: Baltimore @ WMTD First Thursday's *FREE*!
5/3: DC @ The Black Cat w/ Travis Morrison Hellfighters
5/9: Philly @ The Khyber w/ The Swimmers and Grammar Debate!

Jukebox The Ghost - Hold It In
The XYZ Affair - Little Fool
Travis Morrison Hellfighters - As We Proceed
The Swimmers - It's Time They Knew
Grammar Debate! - Believe It Away

The Mid-Week in the Mid-Atlantic

It must be spring. There are actually shows on Wednesdays. Here are a few to attend:

Regional favorites Jukebox the Ghost are growing quite a following in their new home base. Check them out at the North Star on Wednesday. Tally Hall and The Republic Tigers are on tour as well and joining Jukebox on stage. Afterwards, JTG heads north to Beantown, while all of you in DC get the other two at DC9 on Thursday.

4/16: Philly @ North Star
4/17: DC @ DC9 (Tally Hall/The Republic Tigers only)

Jukebox The Ghost - Victoria
Tally Hall - Spring and a Storm (via The Bomb Shelter)
The Republic Tigers - Buildings and Mountains

Another band traveling the 95 corridor is Dead Meadow. Catch them in DC on Wednesday, follow the van and see them again in Philly on Thursday

4/16: DC @ Black Cat
4/17: Philly @ Johnny Brendas

Dead Meadow - What Needs Must Be

Brooklyn based The Epochs invade Philly Wednesday night with two hometown bands sharing the stage, Neighbors On The Moon and Lightning Bug. I have seen Neighbors, and it is a highly entertaining show. Give the locals some love.

4/16: Philly @ The Khyber

The Epochs - Opposite Sides
Neighbors on the Moon - Monsters
Lightning Bug - Infinity Today

Doing the hometown CD release thing (album came out 4/8) is Public Record. They are at Johnny Brendas with ravens:and:vultures. Should be a great show.

4/16: Philly @ Johnny Brendas

Public Record - Comfortability
ravens:and:vultures - Willow

And now for something a little bit loud. In an odd place to play, New York's loudest band, A Place to Bury Strangers is in Central PA at Messiah College. Hope those Christian kiddos know what they are getting in to. This also happens to be the band's last US show for quite some time, as they are about to head to Europe.

4/16: Grantham PA @ Messiah College

A Place To Bury Strangers - I Know I'll See You

Le Loup and The Ruby Suns

credit

Find a way to leave work early. It's a sunset special (6:30 show!) at the Barbary in Philly Thursday featuring D.C. based and headliners of our first anniversary show, Le Loup. Also on the bill, all the way from New Zealand, The Ruby Suns, and Philly's own The Private Sea. And even though you don't see their name on the bill, Jukebox the Ghost IS playing. I'll be hustling to get there. Save me a spot.

For those of you in DC, Le Loup and The Ruby Suns will be at Black Cat on Friday night with local favorites, Bellman Barker.

Le Loup - We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!
The Ruby Suns - Tane Mahuta
Jukebox The Ghost - Victoria
Bellman Barker - Two Bees

Jukebox The Ghost Hits The Road

Ben, Tommy and Jesse are loading up the van again, this time for a long road trip from the friendly confines of the I-95 corridor. But before unleashing their music upon Texas, they hit the IA area for a string of shows. Also along for the brief ride is Modern Skirts (you can catch them down SXSW way as well), hailing from the music mecca of Athens, Georgia. As an added bonus, each of the three stops features some local acts. Catch Beatles-esque Drink Up Buttercup in Philly (I'll be at this show, stop by and say 'hello') and Tereu Tereu and not-so-local (Brooklyn based) Bear Hands in DC (IA's Chris and Jen will be at that one). And for all of you who are under the legal age, an all ages show featuring Jukebox (no Modern Skirts, they hit here in April) along with Rocky's Revival and Junk Science, is in Fredericksburg Sunday (the DC show is all ages, as well).

3/7: Philly @ The Khyber
3/8: DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
3/9: Fredericksburg, VA @ 3rd Floor

Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day (from WOXY)
Modern Skirts - New York Songs
Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies
Tereu Tereu - Lion Bear
Bear Hands - Long Lean Queen
Rocky's Revivial - Transportation

The Regional Weekend

Wow, so this is a strange weekend. There is a huge line-up in Philly and it is sort of quiet elsewhere. That said, there is plenty to choose from and pretty much everyone can find something that interests them.

Friday

I will be at Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore with Jukebox The Ghost, but if you must go elsewhere, here's what to check out:

-Cat Power/Appaloosa @ Starlight Ballroom SOLD OUT!
-The Major Leagues/Wild Sweet Orange @ North Star
-Photon Band (CD release)/Canadian Invasion @ Johnny Brenda's
-White Williams/Ecstatic Sunshine @ Ottobar

Jukebox The Ghost - Hold It In
Cat Power - Found A Reason (via Hard To Find A Friend)
Appaloosa - The Day (We Fell In Love)
The Major Leagues - Fire
Wild Sweet Orange - Wrestle With God
Photon Band - Cry, CryCryCry
Canadian Invasion - Juvenilia
White Williams - The Shadow
Ecstatic Sunshine - Tuscan

Saturday

The big show for Saturday is the long awaited state-side return of Gene Loves Jezebel at The Khyber with Spear of Destiny. They will also be at Bedrock in Baltimore on 2/23.

-White Williams/Ecstatic Sunshine/Rings @ Johnny Brenda's
-Squaaks @ Metro Gallery

Gene Loves Jezebel - Killer Hurts (Love and Rockets Remix)
Rings - Mom Dance
Squaaks - Be Dry My Bleeding Heart

Sunday

-Liars/No Age @ First Unitarian Church (Also at 9:30 Club on 2/12)

Liars - Plaster Casts of Everything
No Age - Boy Void

This Week's Releases

Wow, I don't know what to say about the quality of this week's list of music. I would say it's amazing, but I don't think that encapsulates the staggering amount of great music ready to travel to your ears. I think you will just have to listen to it to try and understand how good this batch really is.

I don't have a pick for this week, I have five. Luckily they are all different types of music, so I don't feel bad about not being picky enough. First we have our favorite Afro-pop group, Vampire Weekend. I'm sure many of you have heard at least half the album already and the rest of the album is just as good and really compliments itself from beginning to end. The next two releases are local area bands The Shackeltons and Jukebox the Ghost. Joe posted an interview with the Shackeltons and the album lives up to everything said about it there. Jukebox has never failed to disappoint and with this release, we finally have an epic full length to listen to over and over again. We also have an interview with them for you to check out.

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend - "A-Punk"

The Shackeltons

The Shackeltons - "Your Movement"

Jukebox the Ghost

Let Live and Let Ghosts - "Good Day"

The final two picks should be better known bands to everyone. Up first, The Helio Sequence have released their forth studio album and get better and better with every release. The eloquence and beauty of this release surpasses any of their others. The band stretches their collective creative talents to produce something everyone will find immensely pleasing to the ears.

The Helio Sequence

Keep Your Eyes Ahead - "Keep Your Eyes Ahead"

Finally, we have a new disc from The Mars Volta. Classified as progressive rock, psychedelic rock and experimental rock by many, I would like to add "tastefully loud" and pure rock pleasure. This album is not for anyone who cannot stand noise coming at them in the form of 5 to 9 musical instruments all at the same. However, for those of you who can muster the eardrum exploding (in my opinion, it has to be higher than regular volume to get the full effect) music infusion, you are getting a real treat. The band was recently in Baltimore and should be back in the area later in the year.

The Mars Volta

The Bedlam in Goliath

Other Notable Releases: In addition to those five, there are several other releases worth mentioning this week. These picks include the excellent new disc from DC's own, Thao and The Get Down Stay Down.

Thao & the Get Down Stay Down (from DC)

We Brave Bee Stings and All - "Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)" Full Album Stream

Chris Walla

Field Manual - "Sing Again"

Xiu Xiu

Women As Lovers - "I Do What I Want, When I Want"

Murder Mystery

Are You Ready For The Heartache Cause Here It Comes - "Love Astronaut"

The Bell

Make Some Quiet - "On and On"

Louis XIV

Slick Dogs and Ponies - "Guilt by Association" Full Album Stream

One Crazy Party

I am back from a weekend in the District, seeing the sights, going to museums, and attending one of the best CD release parties ever. Up on the mainstage Saturday night at the Black Cat was Pash, Bellman Barker, and the guys who party this was, Jukebox the Ghost. The energy from the minute I walked in was electric. You could just tell something big was happening.


Pash started out the night with a solid set. Not very familiar with most of their work, I will have to listen a little more closely now.


Up next is one of our friends and favorite bands, Bellman Barker. They played a great set and the crowd ate them up. If you weren't sure who the headliner was, you may have guessed these guys. The crowd just kept growing through the night, and by the middle of their set, the announcement was made. Sell Out! Closing out, they threw in some new songs for good measure. Expect more good things from these guys. And for those who have only heard, the 'stache is sweet!


Finally, the main attraction hit the stage. Jukebox the Ghost was having a party and everyone was invited, and everyone came. Introducing their full-length CD, Let Live & Let Ghosts, Ben, Tommy, and Jesse wasted no time in entertaining the throngs of rabid Jukebox fans. This place was insane. Trying to get pictures, I was relegated to a corner near the speakers, as the crowd was so packed near the stage. They were definitely having fun, talking to the crowd, thanking us at every opportunity. One of the highlights was the three-parter "Fire in the Sky"/"Where Are All The Scientists Now?"/"A Matter of Time. This trilogy of songs tells a great story and is so much fun to watch live. The usual ending of "Hold It In" and "Good Day" was interrupted by a Beatles cover, the epic from Abbey Road, "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight", and "The End". Joining them on vocals and guitar were a couple of members from Exit Clov. All I can say is, good lord, that was f'in amazing! They finished off with the usual ending, "Good Day" with everyone in the crowd singing along.

What an amazing show! Even though the year is still early, this may be back on the best of 2008 list. Congrats to Jukebox on the new disc, and we hope to see you, Bellman, and Pash real soon.

Pictures of the night's event here.

Releasing Jukebox The Ghost

Jukebox The Ghost is releasing Let Live and Let Ghosts tomorrow night at Black Cat. Yesterday, we caught up with Ben and Tommy and talked about the album, their touring and their infamous fansite.

IA: 2007 was a crazy year for you. You released your debut EP, graduated college and spent the majority of the fall on the road. Recently, you've had a little time off from the road. How has that been?

TOMMY: Still quite crazy, actually. Work, scattered shows, and family visits ended up taking most of the time...But we're psyched for a few more weeks off coming up to do some more writing, we have a pretty big backlog of unfinished songs right now.

IA: What side jobs do you partake in for extra cash?

TOMMY: Well, I work at a furniture store, Jesse works at a pizza place, and Ben gives piano lessons. We're also all bounty hunters on the side.

IA: So, you drop the full length this weekend. Tell us a little but about it.

TOMMY: I'm really excited for people to hear the full album ---- The EP was really meant as a teaser. The last five songs on the full-length are what I'm most excited about. "My Heart's the Same"/"Lighting Myself on Fire" were written by Ben and really show off his classical influences, it's an epic two-song sequence about love and lighting himself on fire in downtown D.C. The three tracks after that are part of the 'End of the World' sequence, a series of songs I wrote inspired by the Book of Revelations. It's a three-song narrative about the apocalypse, ending with "A Matter of Time", which was on the EP, but is a lot better in context.

IA: You have actually had the album recorded for some time now. Have you been working on new material or have you just spent the time getting ready for the release?

BEN: Always working on new material - - and in truth, most of our time has been spent travelling, working and writing songs away from the band - - which is what we usually do before a huge band-centered creative outburst (due early 2008).

IA: How does the songwriting process go down? Since both Tommy and Ben sing lead, is there a way you present songs to each other or is it more of an organic jam type thing where songs and lyrics just flow during sessions?

TOMMY: Both Ben and I write songs independently of the band, and bring them to the table only when we're completely done, or totally stuck in a dead end. The arrangement process is very democratic though --- We always make sure to leave some textures up in the air to play with when we write together.

IA: Do either of you ever write songs with the other one in mind?

BEN: Are you asking if we write songs for each other, in order to express our deep undying love for one another? If so, then yes. But if you mean do we write songs specifically for the other to sing - - no, I don't believe so. But I do think that one writes songs with a purpose... and I think we both write songs with the overall sound and style of Jukebox The Ghost in mind.

IA: How do you incorporate Jesse into the process?

TOMMY: Jesse is the 'producer' of the band, in my opinion...He has a great ear for arrangement. I would say that he ties our songs together in a way that makes them Jukebox the Ghost songs, rather than independently-written songs.
BEN: Which one is Jesse?

IA: You have some interesting lyrics. What do you draw from when you come up with them?

BEN: Most of my lyrics are written improvisationally while I write a song and then edited to be more lyrical or coherent. Therefore, most of my lyrics come from words I use in every day speech. That said, I try to incorporate into both my lyrics and speech, new phrases, words and idea's that I get from music or literature or life in general.
TOMMY: Mad libs.

IA: You guys have been touring incessantly. Describe the typical day on the road. Has it ever reached the point you wanted to throw the others out onto the highway from the moving vehicle?

BEN: Only a few times have we come to blows, but Jesse likes road-head.

IA: We remember that little scrape that you had before The Khyber show last fall. Are there any more battle scars on your vehicle?

TOMMY: Oh God, don't remind me... nothing since then. Nice of you to call it 'little'.

IA: What are your favorite places (cities, venues, etc.) to play?

BEN: DC, definitely --- And #1 would go to the Black Cat. We also loved the Mercury Lounge in NYC, when we were there in December.

IA: You have been compared to bands like Queen, Ben Folds Five and They Might Be Giants. Did any of those bands actually influence you?

TOMMY: Ben and I definitely listened to Ben Folds Five growing up, but he definitely doesn't have any influence on our songwriting. We've had Queen comparisons (usually on Ben's songs), but he doesn't really listen to Queen. Ben definitely has a similar kind of command over his voice, so I can totally understand where people see the parallel. As far as They Might Be Giants, we only started getting into them after people said we sounded like them. I'm a die-hard fan of theirs now....We saw them in Athens, GA in the fall and it was one of my favorite shows last year.

IA: Who are your favorite bands to play shows with?

TOMMY: Exit Clov, Le Loup, Travis Morrison, and the Winter Sounds all come to mind for me....Some of my favorite people in the planet are in those bands.

IA: You play quite a bit of covers, what are some of your favorites?

TOMMY: Ben picked out Danny Elfman's "What's This?" from the Nightmare Before Christmas, and that was a fun one to do, people really reacted to it in hilarious ways when we played it. We used to cover "Guerilla Radio" by Rage Against the Machine, which was fun while the gimmick lasted. We covered "Bohemian Rhapsody" in college a few times, and that's always fun even though it's hard as hell to play and sing (can't really replicate 8-part harmony with two singers....). "Birdhouse in Your Soul" by the aforementioned Giants was one of my favorite covers we've done too.

IA: Now that the new album is ready, what are your touring plans for 2008?

TOMMY: Tons and tons of shows courtesy of our enterprising manager Seth Kallen and South By Southwest! There's going to be some awesome DC-related cooperative shows going on relating to that, you should stay tuned.

IA: Finally, can any of you explain what the hell Pukebox the Joke is and will you divulge who writes that funny little corner of myspace?

BEN: We cannot explain who Pukebox The Joke is, and even if we did know who wrote and recorded it, I doubt we would be allowed to say. But I can say, with 100% certainty that it is not one of the members of the band -- contrary to the occasional public belief.

IA: Thanks for taking the time to do this, see you on Saturday.

TOMMY: Thank you.


Victoria (Live On WOXY)
Good Day (Live on WOXY)


Photo credit

Regional Update

Over the past few days, I have had a build up of videos and special performances to share from various regional artists. I figured that I would take a few minutes and share all of them at once.



DC and Philly favorites Jukebox The Ghost recorded a lounge act for WOXY last week and the entire thing is available for download. They gave an interview and performed a set of:
"Victoria"
"Good Day"
End Of The World trilogy:
"Fire In The Sky"/"Where Are All The Scientists Now?"/"A Matter of Time"
"Hold It In"

Take a listen and be sure to check out their CD release party at Black Cat on Saturday 1/26/08. Bellman Barker and Pash round out the great lineup.

01/10/08 Lounge Act



DC's Carol Bui has a new video for "Modern Dance." The video was filmed by Max Sorensen of Let's French fame. Carol will also be opening for The Rosebuds at Rock and Roll Hotel on 1/17/08.





Last Monday, Chris went to the monthly Federal Reserve showcase at IOTA. While he was there, he took some pictures and video. You can find the pictures here and below is the video that he took of Laura Burhenn. The picture quality isn't the best, but the sound isn't bad.

Tereu Tereu has a new video for "Furwinked! (The Lion/Bear song)." You can check them out tonight at Black Cat for their first DC headlining show.





Baltimore's Celebration recorded a studio session for Prefix. They played "Heartbreak", "Wild Cats" and "Fool's Gold." Here is the video for "Heartbreak", but you can download mp3's for all of the tracks here.




Finally, the 22nd annual Wammies are under way. They are basically the local music awards for the DC area and they will be given out in February. Between now and February 4, you can vote for your favorite band as part of the "fan's favorite" award. Your vote can be cast here. This is a great opportunity to support many of the bands that have been covered on this site.

Picture Pages

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to have two great shows come through town and I got the pictures to prove it. On Thursday, Middle Distance Runner, The Epochs and Mobius Band rolled through Wilmington, making a stop at Mojo 13. While the crowd was made up mainly of other band members (as it usually is at that venue whenever I go), it was a great show. The pictures aren't the greatest, but they work.

Middle Distance Runner

Mobius Band
Friday, the line up was all great Philly bands. Of course, stealing the show (in my opinion) was Jukebox The Ghost. Papertrigger lived up to their billing (bar brawl music and they'll blow your nuts off). Unfortunately my camera ran out of battery during the Jukebox show, so no photos of Papertrigger or Drink Up Buttercup.

Jukebox The Ghost

Check out the rest of the pic on flickr.

Jukebox The Ghost, Papertrigger and Drink Up Buttercup!

Get down to The Fire Friday night. This is a stellar line-up of some of the best Philly local talent. Show starts at nine, and every band is worth seeing. Get there early!

Newly relocated from DC, Jukebox The Ghost now calls Philly home. You may recall past posts about these guys. They are one of our favorites. A mix of Ben Folds, Queen, They Might Be Giants, and numerous others, their songs are pop gems, taking piano rock to a new level. Hold It In was number 1 for the week of 9-20 on WOXY! These guys tour constantly, so see them now before everyone else does!

Good Day
Hold It In

Voted one of the top 10 unsigned bands in Philly, Papertrigger has been compared to Ben Folds and late-era Radiohead, but fans have labeled their music "bar-brawl music", as it would be music played during a bar fight. Whatever you take from that, their EP Riot Lovers is a five song experience. As for their sound, one quote sums it up: "They'll Blow Your Nuts Off".

We Are Nations Now!

Drink Up Buttercup rounds out the bill. A Delaware Valley band you must hear now, they mix sweet 60s pop with a 70s psychedlic swagger. Their sound is ecletic and different, but in a good way. These guys will go places.

Young Ladies

Weekend Regional Concert Highlights

I know, it has been rather quiet around here lately. I have had a rather awful November on the personal side of things and that has kept me away for most of the month. Those of you who have spoken to me, know how ridiculous it has been. Between bizarre illnesses, strange accidents and other random events, I haven't been in a state to write much. Anyway, I promise that December will be better. We have a lot of things coming up, including the return of one of our most popular features of '06 and our various best of lists. In the meantime, I'll leave you with the weekend regional show highlights.

These United States - credit
Washington, DC
Friday
Ra Ra Riot/Jukebox The Ghost/These United States @ Rock 'N Roll Hotel

Baltimore, MD
Friday
M.I.A. @ Sonar

Philadelphia, PA
Friday
The Teeth/The High Strung/Via Audio @ North Star Bar
The Caribbean @ Tritone

Saturday
M.I.A. @ Electric Factory
Celebration/Dragons of Zynth @ Johnny Brendas

Sunday
The Clean @ Johnny Brendas

Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell
Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day
These United States - Burn This Bridge
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
The Teeth - It's Not Funny
The High Strung - The Baddest Ship
Via Audio - We Can Be Good
The Caribbean - The Go From Tactical
Celebration - Heartbreak
Dragons of Zynth - Get Off
The Clean - Tally Ho

Representing at CMJ

Several bands from the Baltimore/DC region will be at CMJ this week. If you are going, here is a list of the bands that are playing, their dates and venues. Some of these are day shows, so please link to the specific band sites for more details. I'm sure that I missed somebody, so comment away.

Celebration
10/16 Union Pool
10/17 Pianos
(mp3) Heartbreak


Georgie James
10/19 Soundfix Records
10/20 Pianos
10/20 Mercury Lounge
(mp3) More Lights


John Bustine
10/18 Mo Pitkins
(mp3) This Guitar Says I'm Drunk


Jukebox The Ghost
10/16 Pianos
10/19 The Gothamist House
10/20 Indaba Loft
(mp3) Hold It In


Le Loup
10/16 Soundfix Records
10/17 Pianos
10/18 Pianos
10/18 Knitting Factory
10/19 Galapagos
10/20 Galapagos
10/20 Bowery Ballroom
(mp3) Le Loup (Fear Not)


Middle Distance Runner
10/17 Indaba Loft
10/17 Fontana's
10/18 The Delancey
(mp3) The Sun and Earth


The Cotton Jones Basket Ride
10/19 The Cake Shop


Thrushes
10/16 Trash Bar
(mp3) Aidan Quinn