Hivelords: Making Metal Meant To Challenge.
Text and images by Chad Sims.
I can certainly understand when people don’t like metal. I get it. It is too loud, too screamy, too over the top.
The thing I find really odd is when people are still somehow scared of going to heavy metal shows. Not because they think that they are going to get hurt from people moshing (I suppose a legit concern if you get too close to the pit).
Instead, people act like those myths perpetuated on ’80s talk shows are fact. That the bands and fans of heavy metal are some kind of murderous, satanic cult (okay, maybe this is a little true in Norway). Of course the bands do little to dissuade this sort of myth making. The imagery is dark, evil, satanic, homicidal, magical and fantastic while the sound is often grating and loud – though not lacking in virtuosity.
How heavy metal sounds and the reality of the people who make heavy metal music has always been an interesting disconnect for me. With the exception of a small percentage of really popular heavy metal bands, fans have a huge amount of access to these performers. If you go to a show, the band members are often at the merch table or the bar. Most times these guys and gals are more than happy to strike up a conversation with a fan. Something I have found is that – barring a few exceptions – most of these people are usually fairly nice despite their often rough around the edges appearance.
One band that fits this disconnect is South Philadelphia’s Hivelords. I wrote about Hivelords about a year back while profiling their record label Anthropic. At that time, Hivelords had recently joined the label and were working on their first album as part of the stable. Now that the record has been out for some time, I wanted to catch up the guys and see how things had been going.
HANDS+KNEES (The Mixtape): Yolo Ono.
We’re launching a new monthly mixtape series today thanks to GUN$ Garcia, who is curating the talent. Today she brings us her friend Marissa Le, otherwise known as DJ Yolo Ono, a member of the Yellow Girl Mob and recent addition to the Hands+Knees party at The Barbary. Our Sharnita Midgett spoke with Yolo about this weekend’s party.
Who inspired you to get into DJing? How did you first start?
I’ve always been a really underground party girl. I was always really into finding remixes and stuff like that, and I listened to a lot of indie music. So, I got more into music like that. But Regina definitely inspired me to DJ because I never thought about something like that, you know? I never thought that was something I could do. Every time I would come out, she would be like, “Hey Marissa is this something you want to learn?” Regina showed me the ropes and everything so she’s the one who really inspired me to do it.
Balance and Composure: Suburban Punks In The City.
Text by Jared Whalen. Image by Jonathan Van Dine.
Stepping out of his back door into the South Philly air, Jon Simmons lights up a cigarette while taking a breather from the small party inside. This gathering is one of several celebrating a week full of accomplishments. The day prior, Simmons and his band, Balance and Composure, released their second full-length album, The Things We Think We’re Missing. Tomorrow, he and the band’s four other members will pile into their van and embark on a month-long U.S. tour followed immediately by a full tour to include dates in Europe.
“It’s been a long day,” Simmons, vocalist and guitarist says, sporting a ruffled-to-the-side hairdo, a pair of jeans and one of an endless supply of band T-shirts.
His backyard is no bigger than an average dorm room. Two blocks from Geno’s Steaks, the house is tucked away from most of the city’s noises this time of night – just the hum of a generator and a repetitive bass drum from speakers inside are audible. Simmons and his roommate, B&C’s guitarist Andrew Slaymaker, banter with one another over the best and worst parts of tour life.
Best friends tend to act that way.
The Four Notes at Bob & Barbara’s: The Citywide Specials.
Text by Beth Ann Downey. Images by Michael Bucher.
It’s early on a Saturday night at Bob & Barbara’s Lounge, before the crowd comes in, but there’s already money in the tip jar.
The Four Notes open their marathon 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. set with a sweet, jazzy jam. Kelvin Nathaniel faces the amp to tune his guitar. Billy Holloman sways at his organ, feeling the music. Wayne Morgan jams on the drum kit he rolled into the South Street bar about an hour prior. His lips keep time with the beat of the music he’s creating. Fill-in saxophonist Sam Reed wipes sweat off his brow, even though the set has just begun.
Jamming out this long groove seems to be something The Four Notes do for themselves to get ready for the night. By 11 p.m., the bar will be packed with dancing 20-somethings who slug PBRs and Jim Beam shots in this, the home of the Citywide Special. There will also be an older crowd of regulars to hear the band play their set of jazz, rock and R&B staples – perhaps the most popular being their rousing rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.”
You can see from their faces that these musicians have seen, heard and done it all. They provide the music that anyone can dance to, anyone can drink to, the music that can break down the barriers of the young and the old in search of a fun night out.
“It’s really all about the people,” says Nathaniel. “We want the people to enjoy themselves. When they leave here and come back, I know they had a good time. That’s really what it’s all about. When I see the same crowd, and the more they bring friends with them, I’m like, ‘Wow, OK. We must be doing something right.’”
Static Sessions at Drowning Fish: Uncut Punk.
Text by Beth Ann Downey. Images by Timothy Becker.
“Red is better than yellow but green might be best,” videographer Nic Justice says to his brother, engineer/producer C.J. Blair.
The duo are setting up for their next Static Session, a project they started to showcase local Philly punk and hardcore bands through uncut, live performance videos shot in the studio Blair manages and co-owns, Drowning Fish.
It’s a few minutes after quirky post-hardcore band Quiet Arcs dragged their gear up the rickety metal staircase and through the maze of warehouse studio space that Drowning Fish occupies on the edge of Port Richmond.
Red is a bright color for the microphone cord that Justice is hoping not to catch in the frame while filming the band’s set. It’s better than yellow, though. Green – already plugged in and adding to the rainbow of color that feed back to Blair’s recording equipment in the adjacent room – is no longer an option.
Ed Rendell: The Arts as Urban Motivator.
The city was broke when Ed Rendell became mayor of Philadelphia in 1992. He helped engineer the Avenue of the Arts, which directed money to arts related projects on South Broad Street, including the Kimmel Center. The idea was to use culture to draw people to the city and spur economic growth. The former Pennsylvania governor spoke with our G.W. Miller III about the results.
Is it possible to use the arts – specifically music – as an economic generator for the city?
Arts and culture, including music, shows, opera, dance, those things are an important driver. Probably nothing propelled the city’s turnaround more than the Avenue of the Arts.
Intern Derrick’s Weekend Picks: Ladies Night(s)!
Who said there was ever anything wrong with a little girl power? Our great city of Philadelphia will be playing host to a number of talented female vocalists and singer-songwriters this upcoming weekend. From bluesy soul singing trio No Good Sister to the relentless and rocking outfit Lantern, some of the city’s most talented women will be performing throughout the weekend. Ladies, this one is for you. – Derrick Krom
FRIDAY
Katie Frank and The Pheromones, The Lawsuits and Kevin Killen at MilkBoy
Come join the rambling Americana locals Katie Frank and The Pheromones this Friday at MilkBoy to celebrate the release of their debut full-length LP Counting Your Curses. Eclectic and lighthearted Philadelphia band The Lawsuits and singer-songwriter Kevin Killen will be rounding out the bill.
We Are The In Crowd—fronted by vocalist Taylor Jardine—will kick-off the weekend by headlining a packed lineup at First Unitarian Church. The New York pop punkers—coming off the release of their new album WEIRD Kids—will be supported by ex-The Academy Is… frontman William Beckett, Set It Off, State Champs and Candy Hearts.
SATURDAY
Ali Wadsworth, Hezekiah Jones and Foxhound Play 90’s Albums at Boot & Saddle
Take a trip back to the decade of grunge and rediscover some of alternative music’s greatest albums in their entirety. Wailing songstress Ali Wadsworth will perform Pearl Jam’s Ten, alternative folkies Hezekiah Jones will take on the The Lemonheads’ It’s A Shame About Ray and folk duo Foxhound will cover Nirvana’s Unplugged.
No Good Sister, The Donuts and Louis Gribaudo at Ortlieb’s Lounge
A local female trio of self-proclaimed “vocal sass,” No Good Sister (made up of Meaghan Kyle, Jess McDowell and Maren Coleman Sharrow) blend old school rock ‘n’ roll, blues and honky tonk to create their own unique sound. Backed by a white-hot five-piece band, the ladies of No Good Sister will fill your night with tunes both old and new.
SUNDAY
DIIV, Drone Ranger and Lantern at Boot & Saddle
Acclaimed Brooklyn indie rockers DIIV will pay Philly a visit this Sunday night for a special $3 show. Joining DIIV are the psychedelic and trance-inducing outfit Drone Ranger and the powerfully fuzzed-out Philadelphia rock ‘n’ rollers Lantern, centered around the duo of Zachary Devereux Fairbrother and Emily Robb.
Lily Kershaw at Ortlieb’s Lounge
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Lily Kershaw will help bring your weekend to a close with melodic and thoughtful material from her debut album Midnight In The Garden. While exploring a range of emotions through her personal folk-centered songs, Kershaw explores the dark in the light while continually remaining true to herself.
The Third Annual Tri State Indie Music Awards @ World Café Live.
Text by Derrick Krom. Images by Brendan Menapace.
The third annual Tri State Indie Music Awards took place at World Café Live this past Sunday night, where a who’s who of local and regional independent music could be seen on the red carpet, on stage and in the crowd.
For an awards show in only its third year, the night was an impressive display. Complete with a professional photographer on the red carpet, a number of distinguished presenters and plenty of VIP perks, the event continually maintained an awards show atmosphere while always stressing the importance of the music itself.
WIN FREE TICKETS! See Russian Circles @ Underground Arts on Wednesday.
We’re working with the folks at one of our favorite joints, Underground Arts, and we’ll be giving away a ton of tickets to their shows in the coming weeks.
Today we have tickets for Russian Circles, who will perform with with KEN mode and Inter Arma on Wednesday.
Like us on facebook and email us at FreeJumpStuff@gmail.com to enter to win a pair of tickets per show (give us your name and put “Russian Circles” in the subject line).
If you want to play it safe and buy your tickets now, see here for details.
Winter Blackout Tour, with The Expendables and Bong Hits for Jesus and More @ The Troc.
Text by Gabi Chepurny. Images by Jesse Marass.
Valentine’s Day at The Troc involved some weird ska/punk/reggae fusion, a good deal of dancing and the aroma of marijuana.
The 2014 Winter Blackout Tour opened up with Bong Hits For Jesus, a Philly/Jersey band with a self-proclaimed Southern California sound that matched the rest of the bands on this tour. Lead singer Stephen Rose began with night by saying, “Welcome to your Friday night party,” and made sure to include some Sublime lyrics while also singing, “Lemme get a bong hit!”
Five-piece Seedless took to the stage to spout their love for Philly. Telling the crowd that it’s been three years – and three years too long – since they last played in the city, the band couldn’t have been happier to be back. Their fast guitars and smooth vocals really got things started considering this was right around the time the entire place started smelling like weed.
Stick Figure’s pet dog, Cocoa, who was present during their entire set might have stolen the show. Throughout their time on stage, Cocoa lay in front of the drum kit with an over-sized, plush chew toy as the tour dog’s owners delighted fans with a multi-colored light show and enough smoke and fog to hot box the entire stage, as if it were possible.
Headliners The Expendables brought their weird and totally likeable mix of ska, punk, reggae and metal, giving fans every reason to dance one second and mosh the next. In honor of the holiday, they played “Bowl for Two,” which they aptly called their Valentine’s Day song.
Lead singer Geoff Weers told the crowd they seemed like a positive group of people, while drummer Adam Patterson made sure to tell us that Philly was the best stop on the tour.
Tell us something we don’t already know.
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 