BY JONATHAN VALANIA FOR THE INQUIRER There are few greater pleasures in this American life than watching a young, gifted rock band in the prime of its youth burn through its set before an adoring hometown crowd with the confidence of five young men who’ve come to realize that — after all the blood, the sweat and the tears that got them to this point — they are making their mark on the world. It’s even better when the young, gifted band is local. Such was the case Friday night at the way-sold-out Starlight Ballroom, where Dr. Dog staged an […]
We Know It’s Only Rock N’ Roll But We Like It
I’M RICK JAMES, BITCH: : King Khan & The BBQ, Johnny Brendas, Last Night BY TIFFANY YOON I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Love City, the opener for Johnny Brenda’s Black Friday show, but unfortunately, I missed their set, which is supposed to pull influences from psychedelic 70’s punk, 90’s grunge and 80’s new wave. I did catch some words with the bass player Patrick outside, and he said they had some technical difficulties anyways. He seemed pretty upset, and to top it off Jamie, the lead of Love City, walked by looking miserable and fairly wasted […]
NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t
The White Album Listening Party DAVID SREBNIK: “The White Album Listening Party: Revisiting The Beatles’ Top-Seller” celebrates the 40th anniversary (Nov. 22, 1968) of the release of the Beatles scary-new, scary-wonderful, scary-ambitious new recording. The “Listening Party” puts the Beatles White Album in the center of a circle of non celebrity, smart, non-fanatic, well-spoken and knowledgeable Beatles experts, who share their memories, opinions and stories behind the stories and the recording. The discussion proceeds by track order, usually two tracks at a time, followed by both songs. Almost each segue from discussion to music generates both a musical “AHA” moment.It […]
NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t
FRESH AIR Producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff helped pioneer the sound of Philadelphia soul. Their renowned record label, Philadelphia International, produced the hits “Love Train,” “Backstabbers” and “The Love I Lost.” Together, Gamble and Huff were responsible for 15 gold singles and 22 gold albums, eight of which went platinum; they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. “We wanted to take social themes and translate them to commercial recordings,” Kenny Gamble said in 1988. “Philadelphia International was about spreading love.” Gamble and Huff have a new box set called Love Train. RADIO TIMES […]
International Press Goes GaGa For Mendte-Gate
Not just the British press, either. Germany and Australia picked up the story as well.
CONCERT REVIEW: No Tears On Prom Night
BY DAVE ALLEN Only minutes into Ingrid Michaelson‘s set at the TLA on Sunday, there was already talk of wardrobe malfunctions. Michaelson took the stage in a satiny blue ballroom gown with, as she soon discovered, a large slit up the middle. Why the elaborate get-up? Inspired by theTLA’s red curtains and chandeliers during her last Philly appearance in June, Michaelson declared that her next show there would be a ballroom dance. Thus Ballroom Madness was born, drawing a sold-out crowd last night, only some of whom seemed to have got the dress-up memo. Michaelson’s music, though perhaps better suited […]
NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t
FRESH AIR Actor James Franco stars alongside Sean Penn in Gus Van Sant’s new film Milk, which opens Nov. 26 in some cities. He plays Scott Smith, the boyfriend of title character Harvey Milk, a pioneering gay activist and San Francisco politician who was murdered in 1978.Initially known for his role on the short-lived but critically acclaimed TV series Freaks and Geeks, Franco entered the popular film scene in earnest when he played Harry Osborne in the Spider-Man movies alongside his close friend Tobey Maguire. RADIO TIMES Hour 1 In his new book, American Lion, JON MEACHAM explores the presidency […]
WEEKEND UPDATE: The Good News Flower Hour
The Good News Flower Hour #2 Folks, here’s the second installment of The Good News Flower Hour, wherein I provide the voice for a flower that reads the news. The debut is HERE. We are still tweaking the concept and streamlining the production schedule on these — it takes a LONG-ass time to make these little three-minute suckers — but we hope to make this a weekly feature in the very near future. Enjoy.
CHINESE DEMOCRACY: Raising The Titanic
NEW YORK TIMES: “Chinese Democracy” (Geffen) is the Titanic of rock albums: the ship, not the movie, although like the film it’s a monumental studio production. It’s outsize, lavish, obsessive, technologically advanced and, all too clearly, the end of an era. It’s also a shipwreck, capsized by pretensions and top-heavy production. In its 14 songs there are glimpses of heartfelt ferocity and despair, along with bursts of remarkable musicianship. But they are overwhelmed by countless layers of studio diddling and a tone of curdled self-pity. The album concludes with five bombastic power ballads in a row. “Chinese Democracy” sounds like […]
5 Things You Should Know About Madonna Last Night
1. Quote of the evening: Madonna, to muscle boy at foot of the stage: “Oh honey, you’re gonna have to go to the gym more if you’re gonna wear a shirt like that.” At this point, Madonna’s physique is beyond reproach — the python arms, the thighs that would crush your skull like a grape, an ass that’s stunning even from Section 106, so she’s certainly got room to talk. But it bears noting that the now 50-year-old pop goddess kept press photographers way back near the sound board, ensuring flattering mid-range shots of her face. Sayin’. 2. The set […]
HEAR YE: The Mural And The Mint
Now playing on Phawker Radio! Our record release show for our debut full length, “Private Pockets” (available below) will be this Friday, 11/21 at Johnny Brenda’s (Frankford and Girard). Also on the bill will be the internationally renowned Pig Iron Theatre Company, performing songs from their musicals. They will be followed by Gildon Works, a band with an intense sonic palate and psych tendencies. Accompanying our set will be dance performances by Nichole Canuso, Kate Watson-Wallace, Scott McPheters, Christy Lee and Meg Foley. Video amazingness by Jorge Cousineau. Doors at 8. $10, 21+ CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ALBUM
ARTSY: The Lonesome Death Of Amy Winehouse
ONTD: An artist is displaying in New York a statue in real size of the British singer Amy Winehouse fallen in the ground in a blood puddle, with a shot in the head. In the back, there’s a real size statue of the American writer William S. Burroughs with a rifle in his hand.The installation belongs to the Italian artist Marco Perego and is called “The only good rock star is a dead rock star”. It is on sale for about US$ 100,000 and started to be displayed last week in the Half Gallery, New York. Perego explains that the […]