Best Coast @ Union Transfer.
Text and images by Grace Dickinson.
Best Coast traveled to the opposite coast to play a sold out show at Union Transfer Monday night.
“Yeahhh, east coast sweat!” yelled singer and guitarist Bethany Cosentino, outfitted in a summery, white cotton dress.
On tour from L.A. with cohort Bobb Bruno, Cosentino remarked that Philly was the largest stop yet for the band. This news drew a large cheer from the packed crowd whose steady bopping added to the sultriness of the night.
Best Coast recently released their second full-length album, The Only Place, though a good portion of the songs they played were plucked off their first album, Crazy for You. Both surf pop records idolize their coastal home, and with lyrics describing the ocean, babes and sun (see the video below), it was hard not to wish you lived there, too. Read more…
Win a Pair of Tickets to the Making Time Hyper-Rager with Sleigh Bells, Phantogram and More.
Want free tickets to go to the massive outdoor dance party on Friday night along the Delaware River?
All you have to do to win a pair of tickets to the Making Time Hyper-Rager at Festival Pier is “like” us on facebook and email your details to jumpphilly@gmail.com. We will announce winners on Thursday afternoon. If you don’t want to wait, you can always buy tickets here.
Sleigh Bells (above, in an image by Claire Fishkow) will headline, with Phantogram and Twin Shadow. The Making Time crew will keep the party going throughout the night.
This is the biggest event in the now annual party (even bigger than their 10 year anniversary in 2010 with LCD Soundsystem). Should be out of control.
Text by Billy Barton. Images by Mattitude from Modern Bropar.
Friday afternoons are an excellent time to get things done. So, once the drums were moved from Fishtown back to south Philly, after cold beers and Oi! tattoos in Point Breeze, brother Mattitude and I biked up 13th street to Spring Garden to Union Transfer to see the legendary Cockney Rejects.
There were bikes, punks and friends everywhere, with everyone envious of our late arrival and thus absence from the Hub City Stompers set. We entered what is nearly the best venue in Philly (turn down the vocals a bit) as the Ducky Boys were setting up. A pint of Yards and a round of hellos and high fives to the West Philly boys and gals and then the Ducks started quacking.
Dark Days is an excellent album by the Boston mallards. It’s been a long while since those songs were new but their reputation as a band rests firmly on that release. Unfortunately they played the two worst songs off it and the rest of their set sounded like so much posturing for corporate radio.
Coincidentally the two bands who did kill it that night both have a set of brothers within their ranks. Third at bat was Sick Of It All and the Koller brothers. They opened with “Built To Last” and then hit it out of the park with “Good Lookin’ Out.” After twenty-six years of hardcore punk, they all looked relatively healthy and sounded excellent especially considering there’s only ever been one guitarist. Long set that luckily – for me – included every song I wanted to hear.
After getting the NYHC dose, everyone took a piss and grabbed a beer and you could feel the mass realization sinking in that indeed the Cockney Rejects were playing next. Initially uncomfortable and vaguely aggressive suburban dudes were now getting drunk and if they held it back for S.O.I.A., they weren’t gonna for the fightin’ Cocks.
The Geggus brothers and company took to the stage with class. Cockney Rejects formed in 1978, the year I was born. A lot of old punk bands are pulling it together nowadays for another go at it and while many efforts fall short (the recent, awful Reagan Youth set), some completely deliver (the recent, amazing Cocksparrer set).
I’m very happy to report that the Cockney Rejects fucking killed it. The playing was fast and tight, the vocals were strong and the lads all looked like they were having a bloody good time, throwing jabs and hooks between verses.
The charmingly unintelligible east London banter endeared the crowd between songs, the last of which was “Oi! Oi! Oi!”
Walking outside afterwards, everyone was in a positive mood, which carried through the now long hours of the night, through the balmy bike ride back south, through the remaining warm back-pack beers and exclamations of, “Damn! We just saw Cockney Rejects!”
Should be a bangin’ time tonight at Silk City with Dewey Decibel (above), aka Emcee Unless, performing alongside JUMP fave Chill Moody (below), Bakery Boys (who seem to be everywhere all of the sudden), Toronto’s 4th Pyramid and Detroit’s Elzhi.
DJ PHSH will keep the party going all night.
Show details are here.
South Philly Summer Fest on Passyunk Ave.
Text and images by Mattitude from Modern Bropar.
South Philly residents braved the heat Sunday for what one hopes becomes an annual tradition. The South Philly Summer Fest – part rock show, part flea market, all block party – was hosted by Lucky 13 and Sweet Jane Vintage.
This shindig took place right out front of Lucky 13 on the corner of 13th and Passyunk. Hivelords, The Lawsuits, and Taco Joint (right) joined South Philly staples The Shakes (above), Gold Crowns (below) and Far Out Fangtooth (bottom image) for a Sunday afternoon drenched in beer, sweat and feedback.
There’s a Lot of Philly Music Love This Weekend.
There’s a lot of Philly talent playing around town this weekend. Here are a few great shows you should see.
FRIDAY
Cheers Elephant (above, in an image by Colin Kerrigan) puts on a really, really fun live show. And you get to see Hezekiah Jones, one of the leading folk groups in the region, plus Griz? That’s a great night of music. Show details are here.
SATURDAY
Chocolate Milk is that genre-blending hip-hop crew you would want to be a part of. Smooth rapping over live instruments, with a danceable, jazzy sound? It’s like pre-gangsta rap era hip-hop, and that’s a wonderful thing.
Check out their show at Milkboy on Saturday when they open for Keys N Krates. Find show details here.
Download Chocolate Milk’s latest release here for free.
Philly-based Misstallica (above) is an all-female Metallica tribute band. They’ll perform at the TLA with few other metal cover bands. Show details are here.
Hop Along singer Frances Quinlan has one of the most enchanting voices around – powerful and delicate at the same time. They’ll perform at Johnny Brenda’s with the fun-time folks of DRGN KING. Show details here.
SUNDAY
Nick Millevoi can shred. His music ranges from punk to jazz to pure out experimental and all the while, he masters that guitar (both the 6 and 12-string variety) in a way that is mind-boggling. He plays in numerous bands but on Sunday, he’ll perform solo at the Cafe Clave, with Surface to Air and Rake. Find show details here.
Our summer issue cover boys, OCD: Moosh & Twist return from touring to perform at the TLA, where they had their breakout performance last year (fans were lined up around the block). If you were at The Roots Picnic this year, you know these guys put on a mean show and everyone will be bouncing. They are full of energy … and it will be totally amped up in front of the home crowd. Show details are here.
THURSDAY
Yeah, it’s a little far off but it’s a good one: Laser Background (above), the new project from The Armchairs‘ Andy Moholt, will hold an EP release party at Kung Fu Necktie. It’s a pretty stellar all-local lineup – Arrah & The Ferns and Circadian Rhythms will also perform. And the show is only $5! Details here.
(Also, see Intern Bree’s weekend picks here).
Every Thursday, our JUMP mag intern, Bree Wood, offers her suggestions for fun Philly music stuff for the upcoming weekend (and more). This week, she lets you know where all the cool kids will be …
FRIDAY
Nothing at Johnny Brenda’s with Crocodiles
Nothing (above) is a never-ending flood of sound that rushes into your mind and leaves you lost in rhythms and taken away by words. If you end up going and falling in love, keep your ears open because they are releasing their third EP this summer, Downward Years to Come.
The Bakery Boys at Cult Classic‘s clothing line release party
If you want to have a good time for FREE on Friday night, check out The Bakery Boys, Philly locals with a 90’s hip-hop vibe. Come early to the secret venue (near 9th & Diamond) to see artwork from local artists and listen to DJ’s Drunk’n Antics and Uncle Ron.
SATURDAY
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart at Morgan’s Pier
Once again, Morgan’s Pier and R5 offer a great free show this weekend. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are an indie-pop band based out of Brooklyn and people can’t get enough of them. This band revamps 80’s new wave, bringing you dreamy pop songs.
MONDAY
Best Coast at Union Transfer with Those Darlins and DIIV
If you plan on attending, get tickets now. I keep hearing about this show everywhere. Best Coast is a surf pop-lo-fi band from LA. They recently released their album The Only Place. If you want to fall in love, have your heart broken and be brought back to life by the sun come out on Monday night.
Pet Milk @ PhilaMOCA.
If Pet Milk isn’t among your favorite Philly rock bands, it should be. Their pop-rock with a hint of ’80s post-punk is fueled by a veteran hardcore drummer, and it features dreamy vocals and danceable hooks throughout.
They took the stage last night at PhilaMOCA as part of the Tuesday Tune-Out series. The small crowd was treated to a sharp, no-nonsense set. Bassist Adam Herndon offered a joke between songs but singer Adriane Dalton said at one point, “I don’t do banter.”
She did thank the one person in the crowd who stood and danced during the entire set. And she strolled through the hall and knocked over a few chairs just for fun.
“It looked too organized,” she explained, and then took a swig from the pint of whiskey she kept on stage at her feet.
The band is the brainchild of Herbie Shellenberger, who previously played with Brown Recluse. Drummer Josh Agran also plays with Paint it Black. Herndon also plays with A Sunny Day in Glasgow as well as with Faux Slang. Guitarist Richie Roxas was part of Hail Social.
Lil Twist Caught Fans Eating His Leftover Chicken Wings.
Girls lined up outside Ubiq Life on Walnut Street to see Lil Twist, one of the youngest members of Young Money. Some had posters; some donned t-shirts that read “Don’t Get It Twisted.”
Lil Twist was in Philly Friday to hit the stage alongside teen sensations Mindless Behavior as part of their nationwide #1 Girl Tour at The Mann Center. Our Sofiya Ballin spoke with Lil Twist in the back of the boutique. Images by Sharon Calvin.
I heard this isn’t your first time in Philly?
No. I been to Philly so many times.
Really? What do you like about it here?
I love Philly. Philly always just shows love and there’s always a great reaction when I’m out here as team Young Money Cash Money.
How’s the tour with Mindless Behavior so far?
It’s dope. Tonight is actually my first night performing with them. I saw them last night. They were amazing. Mindless always puts on a great show. I actually got to see Jacob Latimore last night and he killed it, so it’s gonna be a fun show. They always have their stuff together.
This is going to be my first time seeing you perform. What can I expect to see?
Umm…wildness! It’s going to be amazing. There’s going to be energy. I’m going to be performing a lot of songs from my fans know from back then and some of my new stuff.
What goes through your mind before you hit the stage?
Nothing really. I just hope that I’m not too cold.
Cold?
I can’t be cold or I’ll be shaking. I got to be in a warm environment. Other than that, I pray. Got to be warm and pray … and I’m good.
Tell me about your Dallas middle school/high school tour.
That was crazy. I was on that for a minute and it was just fun to see all my younger fans. The majority of them were younger than me. It was great. They just showed a lot of energy and they showed a lot of love. I went and visited a few classes, spoke to them and everything was great.
Was it a little weird because you’re around the same age and you’re giving advice?
Nope. I was only visiting music classes and letting them know that they can do this, and not to doubt themselves. I would tell them that people would doubt me when I was in school and I told them they could do it. Read more…
Further @ The Mann Center.
Text and images by Andrew L. Mendelson.
Despite some lightning and thunder, which was loudly cheered, the predicted storms stayed away Saturday night from a packed Mann Center for the Performing Arts for the Furthur concert, a band fronted by Bob Weir and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. And the Deadheads were out in full force to hear new versions of their favorite songs. Most people were on their feet from before the first note to the end of the show nearly four hours later, using the 45 minute intermission to rest, dancing and singing along to nearly every song.
Rounding out Furthur are Jeff Chimenti on keyboards, John Kadlecik on guitar and vocals, Joe Russo on drums, and Sunshine Becker and Jeff Pehrson on backing vocals.
The band opened the first set strongly with “Truckin’” followed by their arrangement of the traditional “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” which flowed into the Dead standard “Fire on the Mountain.” Other first set highlights included a very bouncey “Peggy-O” and an enthusiastic “Deal” to close the set.
The second set featured a slew of Dead classics from the “China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider” opening to “Dark Star” and “St. Stephen.”
The crowd roared with the first notes of each of these songs. Weir’s voice was strong throughout the night, especially on the Beatles’ Dear Prudence. In traditional fashion for the Saturday concert, the band closed with an encore of “One More Saturday Night.” Read more…
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 