Free Download: Ill-Literacy

[click here to download the new album]
Ill-Literacy is a spoken word group I saw at Messiah my
freshman year. They are amazing, hilarious, and insightful.
They are kindly hooking the internet up with a free album
and my humble site here is one of the official presenters.
Enjoy!

Show Review: MC Psalmist, Johnny Moral, Virtuous

Every Monday night here at MCPC, we have a community gathering. This past week, we were joined by MC Psalmist and two of his associates for a brief message about Compassion International and a short concert of "holy hip-hop".

First up was Virtuous, who looked 20-something but is evidently 40 with children. She did a few short songs (none more than about 2:30), with very focused spiritual lyrics and varying beats. Several of my fellow students enjoyed her set the most and purchased her album, which I found impressive considering I cannot find her online (to have an album and no online presence is practically unheard of).

Next up was Johnny Moral, who told the crowd to get up and join him in various dances he had set to crank/snap-type beats with slightly more vague lyrics including a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor. He had no album to speak of, but is evidently part of this group with MC Psalmist. The most interactive of the three, his dances, jokes, and singalongs elicited a lot of crowd participation.

MC Psalmist is a Queens native Messiah graduate currently residing in Philly. He's been producing and rapping since his teenage years, and though still unable to quit his day job (he has a family to support), his ministry is a major part of his life. Of the three artists, I must say he was the most lyrically advanced, with complex rhymes and punchlines on a par with more successful hip-hop artists. He also showed a knowledge of the audience by playing two songs sampling well-known praise&worship songs for the hook so that we could sing bits we already knew.

Overall I was rather impressed with the confidence and ability of all concerned. It's no easy task to bring hip-hop into an almost completely upper middle class white suburban audience at what amounts to a college chapel service, and to get any crowd interaction/reaction at all is amazing. I'd be interested to see them perform again in a context more conducive to their music.

Show Review: Between the Buried and Me & In Flames

Ever since I discovered Between The Buried And Me this past spring, I’ve been hooked. After hearing Selkies, they quickly moved ahead to be one of my favorite bands. It may be my all-time favorite song. I even wrote a song with sweeps inspired by the solo at the end of the song. All of this being said, when I heard they were coming to Philly, I immediately marked down the date and planned for a crazy night. And quite the eventful evening it was… From nearly running out of gas in stop and go traffic to the actual show, it was quite the event. Unfortunately, in our hitting stop and go traffic, having to stop for gas, having to drop a friend off at Temple, and then discovering that everywhere we wanted to park was full, we ended up late to the show. We missed 3 Inches of Blood and some other band I hadn’t heard of, but got there just in time for BTBAM.


The set was solid. It consisted of: All Bodies, Selkies, Obfuscation, Foam Born A and B and White Walls. Despite being sick, frontman Tommy Rogers came through with his ridiculously powerful screaming and left the crowd to fill in some of the softer singing parts. All of the instrumental work came through with studio-quality precision and, as it usually does, blew my mind. Paul Waggoner’s guitar work is simply amazing.
Closing the night was In Flames. I had listened to these guys a few times before, but they never really did much for me. I feel like them playing after BTBAM took away from the show more than anything. Not that they weren’t good, but they just don’t have as much to bring to the table as BTBAM. The crowd seemed to be just as content with them, however[editors note: I am just as content with them as well]. There was even some crazy drunk guy who jumped from the balcony down to the pit to mosh… Somehow they let you do that at the Troc? Also, during In Flames, the stage lost power for a good 10 minutes. No one really knew what was going on. At the end of the night, the show was a good one and a great time, even looking back on it like a month later.

-Alex Brubaker

Rave Review: Let Your Body Take Control

Well I keep waiting and waiting to find some photographic evidence this went down and can't seem to do so. I thought it was documented online when kids sneeze in the Northern Liberties and Fishtown. I probably missed it cause I don't have a twitter.

Anyway, after the Asher Roth/Lupe Fiasco show, me and a couple friends headed over to 941 Theater (which by the way is about to get shut down because of money issues, educate&donate here) to catch the latter half of Let Your Body Take Control, an occasional throwdown done by the Seclusiasis crew. In this particular case, they were celebrating a bunch of birthdays, the release of the Philly issue of XLR8R and the Street Bass vol. 4 12" with open bar for the 21+ crowd (18+ to get in), free copies of the magazine, and on-site screen printing (?). I got on the list via 51:51 so we all got the discounted $12 cover.

More musically, AC Slater (a Philly native now tearing up NYC and elsewhere with Trouble & Bass), Starkey (who is from Philly but plays more in England), and Dev79 were spinning (I missed Sonkin and Dr. Ew & John Bean). These guys are into heavy bass music of all kinds, which they call "street bass", including dubstep, electro, grime, rap, and much more. They played great sets, some stuff I knew, some I didn't, all with the unifying aesthetic of bass that was evident from 3 blocks away where we parked. The crowd was a mixed bag of ravers, people just looking for a party, and uncomfortable-looking tagalongs scattered among a bunch of hipsters, including one I see around Temple all the time and recognize from this hilarious website. I danced hard enough to notice the building had been ventilated as a theater, not a club, and ended up stripping down to my booty shorts and a wife beater, which was unorthodox but acceptable in this environment. If Seclusiasis is throwing the party, go.

Show Reviews: Chris's Jazz Cafe

Chris's Jazz Cafe is a sweet little spot in Center City with a great atmosphere, diverse crowd, and prices that won't break the bank. I've had the pleasure of enjoying live music here on two occasions. On my first trip, I joined a few friends who'd gotten VIP (read: no cover) passes from a film associate who works there. It being a Monday, the "crowd" was sparse: ourselves, a few customers at the bar, and friends of the musicians. Mike Lorenz was playing guitar, accompanied by upright bass, drums, and piano. They played a couple sets of his own original material. The music was instrumental and definitely more of a modern experimental feel than the jazz I'm used to, but it was an enjoyable experience.

My second journey to Chris's was late on a Saturday evening during the SEPTA strike (the most expensive part of the trip was parking). We paid the $10 post-11:30 cover charge and were seated immediately behind the pianist. Musical stylings that night were provided by vocalist Elizabeth Ross, a similarly equipped rhythm section and a wonderful saxophonist. Their sets ranged from originals and jazz standards to a Beatles cover. On both occasions service was excellent, food was good, and the atmosphere of the place itself was perfect. As the quote from Zagat says on their website: "I came into a room filled with people of all ages (and dress codes) and knew I had hit the jackpot."

Nasty November

Apologies for the lateness of this post, and the fact that I still owe you two show reviews from last month (from Chris's Jazz Cafe and Let Your Body Take Control). I'm currently home sick with the swine flu, and have been miserable and fevered since the Phillies began losing on Thursday. Be that as it may, the following is a list of cool tings going down in and around what I consider the Philadelphia area this month (no that does not, has never, and will not include New York).

Tuesday 11/3,
(21+) The Very Best (Radioclit & African-English singer Esau Mwamwaya), Javelina @ Johnny Brenda's $10
OR
SOLD OUT The Alternative Press Tour: The Academy Is, Mayday Parade, Set Your Goals, The Secret Handshake, You Me At Six @ TLA (or 11/10 @ Croc Rock $17

Wednesday 11/4
Holler Wild Rose @ B-sides FREE

Thursday 11/5
Thao Nguyen & The Get Down, Portland Cello Project, David Schultz @ 1st Unitarian $12
OR
The Get Up Kids, Kevin Devine, The Life & Times @ The Troc $23 (or the next day @ TLA SOLD OUT)(or 11/3 @ 9:30 Club $21)
OR
Quietdrive, The Higher @ Croc Rock $12 (or 11/7 @ Hangar 84 $15)

Friday, 11/6
The Apple Tree Experience (Homeboy Music), The SketchBook Diarys, I Sea Monsters (Homeboy Music), Judges (Homeboy Music), Its in the Blood, Left Astray, Ken Deavers @ The Fiala Building (Camp Hill, PA) $5
OR
Dinner and a Suit, Troubador (Homeboy Music)(show reviews here and here), Color House @ Easton Bible Church $5 (Hainesport, NJ)
OR
Alex Brubaker (Homeboy Music)(show review here) @ C&C Coffee Co. FREE (Chambersburg, PA)
OR
Bro. Calvin (Homeboy Music) presents Praise Unscripted: Ronald Nicholson, Namaste Jones, Project Praise, DJ Fella and Anointed Voices, Kairos Worship Team, Voices of Inspiration Choir, V.O.Y.C.E., Wilbur Nichols, Purpose, Keith McBrown @ Hostetter Chapel (Messiah College) FREE
OR
Talain Rayne (Homeboy Music) @ Starlight Ballroom $?
OR
Falcon Jones, The Mint, Negative Space, Arise This Day @ Chameleon $8
OR
Sean Kingston, New Boyz @ Croc Rock $22

Saturday 11/7
Next Big Thing (upcoming band showcase) @ The Troc $15
OR
Trivium, Chimaira, White Chapel, Dirge Within @ TLA $23
OR
House Exit (Homeboy Music) @ Dillsburg Firehouse FREE (Dillsburg, PA)
OR
About Me About You, Count Me Out, Bells, Promise Me Destruction (Homeboy Music) @ Chameleon $10

Sunday 11/8
Zee Avi, The Mural & the Mint @ 1st Unitarian Chapel $10
OR
Next Big Thing (upcoming band showcase) @ The Troc Balcony $15
OR
Peter Bjorn and John, El Perro del Mar @ TLA $25 (or previous night @ 9:30 Club)

Monday 11/9
Monsters of Folk (Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes & the Mystic Valley Band, M. Ward of She & Him, Mike Mogis) @ Academy of Music $40.50-50.50 ($1 from each ticket supports Art-Reach)
OR
Bob Dylan @ Liacouras Center (Temple) $50 (30 student I think?)
OR
Gwen Stacy, Lovehatehero, Stray From The Path, Ice Nine Kills, Honor Today $12 (or 11/4 w/ A Century Collapsed (Homeboy Music), Visions of Another, Action Plan Process instead of Honor Today @ Hangar 84 $15)(or 11/3 @ Ottobar w/ From This Point On, Life Worth While instead of Honor Today $12)

Tuesday 11/10
Raekwon (of Wu-Tang Clan) @ 1st Unitarian $15
OR
Mercy Mercedes, The Dangerous Summer, Between the Trees, Single File @ The Troc Balcony $12 (or next night @ Croc Rock $10)

Wednesday 11/11
Papa Roach (what?), Jet, Kill Hannah, Morningwood @ Electric Factory $37 (or $34 @ Ram's Head Live 11/9)
OR
Hoots & Hellmouth @ B-sides FREE
OR
Lamb of God, Darkest Hour, Periphery, This or the Apocalypse @ 9:30 Club $35

Thursday 11/12
A.F.I., Gallows @ Electric Factory $29.50
OR
All That Remains, Lacuna Coil, Maylene & the Sons of Disaster @ Chameleon $20 (or @ Ram's Head Live previous night)
OR
We Came As Romans, Broadway, This Romantic Tragedy @ Hangar 84 $15 (or w/ Tides of Man, I Sea Monsters (Homeboy Music), The Air I Breathe, Left Astray @ Champion Ship [Lemoyne, PA] 11/13 $12)

Friday 11/13
Broken Lizard Live (standup & sketch comedy, short films, and preview of next full-length from the creators of Super Troopers, Beerfest, and Club Dread) @ The Troc $29
OR
Peaches, Amanda Blank @ TLA $23
OR
Initials (ex-Taking Back Sunday/The Color Fred [show review here], ex-Versa Emerge, ex-Hot Rod Circuit), The Scenic, Desoto Jones, Impulsive Decision, Bizarre Silence, Super Consumers @ SevenAtSeven (Cherry Hill, NJ) $14
AND/OR
(18+) RED HOT!: Red Cross Benefit Rave featuring DNB, jungle, and dubstep DJs 10pm-5am @ Club Samba $15 advance

Saturday 11/14
Hit the Lights, There for Tomorrow, Vinnie Caruana (ex-Movielife, of I Am The Avalanche), Sparks the Rescue, iRival @ 1st Unitarian $12 (or previous night @ Ottobar)
OR
(21+) Max Tundra (Buzz Band), Deastro @ Kungfu Necktie $10 (or previous night w/ The Water, Comeback Ranch @ The Metro Gallery $10, still 21+)
OR
Forever the Sickest Kids, The Rocket Summer, Sing It Loud, My Favorite Highway, Down With Webster, Kelsey and the Chaos @ the Troc $17 (or w/out Kelsey @ Croc Rock previous night or @ Sonar 11/7 $18)
OR
SOLD OUT Brand New, Thrice, Crime in Stereo @ Electric Factory (or 11/11 @ Sonar also SOLD OUT)
OR
Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia featuring The O'Jays, The New Stylistics, The Delfonics, The Intruders, Jerry Butler, Harold Melvin's Bluenotes, Eddie Holman, and The Jones Girls @ Liacouras Center (Temple) $55-75
OR
Hawthorne Heights, Just Surrender, Punchline, Monty Are I @ Croc Rock $15 (or following night @ Ottobar)
OR
Sean Paul @ Croc Rock $27
AND/OR
MCPC's Spirit of Philadelphia cruise [details] (again shameless self-promotion) $15

Sunday 11/15
SOLD OUT Brand New, Glassjaw, Crime in Stereo @ Electric Factory
OR
Less Than Jake, The Casualties, The Swellers @ TLA $23 (or previous night w/ The Dangerous Summer and Warped Tour doc screening @ Ram's Head Live)

Monday 11/16
Breathe Carolina, Cash Cash, Stephen Jerzak, Kill Paradise, Fight Fair @ 1st Unitarian $12

Tuesday 11/17
J. Tillman (of Fleet Foxes), Pearly Gates Music @ 1st Unitarian $12 (or 11/18 @ 9:30 Club $15)
OR
Bayside, American Sixgun, Eat People, Spark to Inferno @ Ottobar $15

Wednesday 11/18
(21+) Bishop Allen (show review here), Throw Me the Statue, Darwin Deez @ Johnny Brenda's $12
OR
Amanda Palmer (of Dresden Dolls), Nervous Cabaret @ TLA $23
OR
Theory Hazit @ B-sides FREE
OR
Dan Deacon, Nuclear Power Pants, Sick Weapons, The Creepers @ Ottobar $7
OR
Sugarhill Gang 30th Anniversary Party @ Ram's Head Live $20

Friday 11/20
Joshua Radin, The Watson Twins, The Kin @ The Troc $17
OR
Ani DiFranco, Gabby Moreno @ Electric Factory $34
OR
(21+) Hoots & Hellmouth, William Elliot Whitmore @ Johnny Brenda's $15
OR
The Right Coast, The Fold, The Status @ Hangar 84 $15
OR
Dance Rawr Dance III: Family Force 5, Valencia, Young and Divine @ 9:30 Club $15
OR
Alex Brubaker (Homeboy Music)(show review here) @ MCPC FREE (yeah, I'm promoting)

Saturday 11/21
SOLD OUT Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, The Maine, A Rocket to the Moon, Versa Emerge @ Electric Factory (or 11/19 @ Croc Rock $25)
OR
Flyleaf, Paper Tongues @ TLA $21 (or previous night @ Sonar $27)
OR
Matisyahu, Trevor Hall @ Sonar $28
OR
Push Play, Emily Osment, Phil Benson, Victory By Revenge (show review here) @ Sonar $14

Sunday 11/22
The Maine, Valencia, A Rocket to the Moon, Versa Emerge, Great Big Planes @ Electric Factory $19
OR
Deadmau5, Burns @ TLA $27.50 (or following night $25 w/ Kim Fai @ 9:30 Club)
OR
Bowling for Soup @ Chameleon $12

Tuesday 11/24
Devendra Banhart, Luke Rathborne @ Electric Factory (seated show) $25 (or following night @ 9:30 Club $30)
OR
Phish @ Wachovia Center $50
OR
In This Moment, In Fear and Faith, Motionless in White @ Croc Rock $14

Wednesday 11/25
Metric, Band of Skulls @ Electric Factory $22 (or 11/23 @ Ram's Head Live $20 minus Band of Skulls)
OR
Phish @ Wachovia Center $50

Friday 11/27
Julian Pelnti (Paul Banks of Interpol), I'm In You @ 1st Unitarian $12

Saturday 11/28
Saving Abel, Red, Pop Evil, Taddy Porter @ Croc Rock $18 (or $25 @ Ram's Head Live 11/24)
OR
Texas In July, With Life In Mind, more TBA @ Champion Ship $10
Maryland Metal & Hardcore Festival III: Throwdown, Bury Your Dead, For Today, Abacabb, In Alcatraz 1962, more TBA @ Sonar $16 ($30 for 2-day pass)

Sunday 11/29
Maryland Metal & Hardcore Festival III: The Faceless, Dying Fetus, Beneath The Massacre, Vital Remains, Annotations of an Autopsy, more TBA @ Sonar $16 ($30 for 2-day pass)

Monday 11/30
Do Make Say Think (members of Broken Social Scene), The Happiness Project (WVMM playlist, member of Broken Social Scene/Do Make Say Think), Years (member of Broken Social Scene/Do Make Say Think, Feist) @ 1st Unitarian Sanctuary $15