B-sides this past month was quite the mixed bag. Clare and the Reasons led off on October 6th with soothing chamber pop. To be honest, it provided a pleasant background to socializing more than anything else, mostly due to a lack of rhythm. I would highly recommend them as homework listening. I almost they would return, rather than some of the more interactive acts that have been performing when I need to get work done.
Next up was local outfit Captain of Compliments, who apparently had broken up for months and chose this as their first show back. They evidently didn't think they needed much practice, and it showed. Their supposedly genre-defying sound just sounded like a disorganized collection of songs that didn't know what they were trying to be, an impression only increased by their spastic stage presence. I think it was the 5th b-sides I've walked out of in 3 years on campus.
If the first two shows of October weren't my cup of tea, the final one made up for it in spades. Not one but two up-and-coming hardcore acts graced the stage in Larsen Student Union on the 27th. New Jersey openers Where the Ocean Meets the Sky were the more impressive act from my perspective, with virtually flawless vocals, even while soloing and singing clean vocal simultaneously, showing the benefits of maturity. An Early Ending was definitely the crowd favorite, however, with a much bigger group getting on their feet and moving around a little (to the extent that pacifists mosh) when they hit the stage. A more youthful group, they are supposedly poised to be the next Texas in July (who are supposed to be the next August Burns Red), and evidently the local kids agree. I spent some time talking to both bands afterward, and they all seemed like genuinely nice guys.They were much less dissatisfied than I with the stillness of the crowd, swapping horror stories about various venues out on tour. And for the record, the frontman of WTOMTS is not Zach Galifianakis.
11/12/10
11/2/10
Kolstrom
I met Tim Kolstrom in Paris on my way back from Venice to England. We spent the day wandering the city and talking about dance music. Little did I know that his time in England would lead to the production of some filthy dubstep.
Dually based out of Penn State and his hometown of Hershey, PA, Kolstrom is poised to break out with flawless productions and excellent track selection. His remix of Peter Bjorn and John's "Last Night" has become a regular feature of Jared and I's Fox and the Hound Show: Peter Bjorn and John - Last Night (Kolstrom Remix) by kolstrom
Make sure to become a fan of his Facebook page for updates and upcoming parties.
Dually based out of Penn State and his hometown of Hershey, PA, Kolstrom is poised to break out with flawless productions and excellent track selection. His remix of Peter Bjorn and John's "Last Night" has become a regular feature of Jared and I's Fox and the Hound Show: Peter Bjorn and John - Last Night (Kolstrom Remix) by kolstrom
Make sure to become a fan of his Facebook page for updates and upcoming parties.
Show Reviews: September B-sides
Judging by the lack of feedback on the last show post, it isn't worth the effort to get back into that until I get some content back up to promote readership. In the interest of catching up on lost time, I will lump some posts together.
On September 8, atmospheric piano rockers Deas Vail provided one of the rare shows that completely fills the cavernous space of Larsen Student Union with sound. Their music can almost be described as an indie/emo stadium rock, and had many Messiah students rocking out in their best shoegaze poses, singing along with every lyric to well-beloved songs. Tiny frontman Wes Blaylock captivated the audience with his vocal ability and onstage theatrics, bringing a more popular focus to otherwise technical and spacious arrangements.
September 15 brought La Alianza Latina's Mexican Independence Day celebration, featuring dance lessons beforehand that did not fail to pay off when Jose Conde took the stage with his Afro-Latin jazz-funk combo. Propulsive beats and sexy guitar fills kept the dancefloor packed despite a late start and even later ending. Stuck in traffic on the way from NYC, Conde arrived late but insisted on playing a full set, concluding by bringing his dog out on stage for a song written about him, a Messiah College first to my knowledge.
The last b-sides of the month featured Greta Salpeter of The Hush Sound's new band, Gold Motel. Though often described as Californians (even by b-sides maestro Ryan Faus), the band actually hails from Chicago, and simply wrote much of their album Summer House in Southern California. That summery SoCal sound makes for a pleasant evening, and the band's sunny dispositions made for great conversation afterward as well.
On September 8, atmospheric piano rockers Deas Vail provided one of the rare shows that completely fills the cavernous space of Larsen Student Union with sound. Their music can almost be described as an indie/emo stadium rock, and had many Messiah students rocking out in their best shoegaze poses, singing along with every lyric to well-beloved songs. Tiny frontman Wes Blaylock captivated the audience with his vocal ability and onstage theatrics, bringing a more popular focus to otherwise technical and spacious arrangements.
September 15 brought La Alianza Latina's Mexican Independence Day celebration, featuring dance lessons beforehand that did not fail to pay off when Jose Conde took the stage with his Afro-Latin jazz-funk combo. Propulsive beats and sexy guitar fills kept the dancefloor packed despite a late start and even later ending. Stuck in traffic on the way from NYC, Conde arrived late but insisted on playing a full set, concluding by bringing his dog out on stage for a song written about him, a Messiah College first to my knowledge.
The last b-sides of the month featured Greta Salpeter of The Hush Sound's new band, Gold Motel. Though often described as Californians (even by b-sides maestro Ryan Faus), the band actually hails from Chicago, and simply wrote much of their album Summer House in Southern California. That summery SoCal sound makes for a pleasant evening, and the band's sunny dispositions made for great conversation afterward as well.
10/1/10
Music Video: Letters from the Prom - Over the Moon
A few months back I went on a short California tour with Letters from the Prom. We shot a bunch of video footage, and Marc recently edited it all together to make a video for his song "Over the Moon" starring himself, me, my girlfriend, and her friend Brooke. Check it out:
Opulent October
Don't tell me you have nothing to do.
Friday 10/1
The B-52s, Gang, Robert Drake (of Sex Dwarf) @ Electric Factory 8 PM $42
OR
Jason DeRulo, Auburn @ Ram's Head Live 7 PM $28
Saturday 10/2
Letters from the Prom [show review here] @ Juice & Java 8 PM FREE
OR
Music For Malawa: Mark DeRose Band, The Mint, The Jellybricks, Tourmaline, Mycenea Worley @ The Abbey Bar 8 PM $10
OR
Valencia, Automatic Loveletter, Oh the Story [show review here], For the Foxes @ Ottobar 5 PM $10
Sunday 10/3
(21+) Born Ruffians, Winter Gloves, Toy Soldiers @ Johnny Brenda's 8 PM $12
OR
Switchfoot, The Almost @ Electric Factory 7:30 PM $25
Monday 10/4
Four Year Strong, Comeback Kid, The Wonder Years, American Fangs @ Starlight Ballroom (for venues without links see http://www.r5productions.com) 6 PM $17
Tuesday 10/5
The Hold Steady, Wintersleep @ The Troc 8 PM SOLD OUT
Wednesday 10/6
Ratatat, Dom @ Electric Factory 8 PM $24
OR
Clare and the Reasons @ B-sides FREE
OR
Mike Posner, Stephen Jerzak, 2 AM Club, Far East Movement @ TLA 7 PM $33
Thursday 10/7
Built to Spill, Love As Laughter, Revolt Revolt @ The Troc 7 PM $23 (or next day @ 9:30 Club)
OR
Ryan Cabrera, Michele Karmin @ Tin Angel 8 PM $15 (or next day @ Croc Rock)
Friday 10/8
The Roots @ Ram's Head Live 9 PM $45
Saturday 10/9
An Early Ending, To Speak Of Wolves, Holding Onto Hope, This Day Will Tell, Amateur Theory, Fear the Fallen @ Chameleon 5 PM $12
Sunday 10/10
Rookie of the Year, The Right Coast, Kids of Survival, Hiccup Helen @ Croc Rock 6 PM $12
OR
K'Naan, Paper Tongues @ 9:30 Club 7 PM $21
OR
Gorillaz, N.E.R.D. @ Susquehanna Bank Center 7:30 PM $62-112
Monday 10/11
Jimmy Eat World, We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Electric Factory 8 PM $32
Tuesday 10/12
Los Campesinos!, Johnny Foreigner @ Johnny Brenda's 9 PM $15
Wednesday 10/13
Enter Shikari, Haste the Day, Sleeping With Sirens, Ms. White, Lights Go Blue @ 1st Unitarian 6:30 PM $14 (or previous night @ Ottobar)
OR
Captain of Compliments @ B-sides FREE
OR
Deerhunter, Casino vs Japan, Ducktails @ Starlight Ballroom 7:30 PM $15 (or previous night @ 9:30 Club)
OR
Suicide Silence, My Children My Bride, Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, Molotov Solution, Conducting from the Grave @ The Troc 6 PM $19
Thursday 10/14
(18+) Ghostface Killah, Sheek Louch (of the L.O.X.), Frank Dukes @ The Troc 8 PM $24
OR
Belle & Sebastian, Versus @ D.A.R. Constitution Hall 7 PM $40
Friday 10/15
Ingrid Michaelson, Guggenheim Grotto @ The Troc 7 PM $24 (or previous night @ 9:30 Club)
Saturday 10/16
Sara Bareilles, Greg Laswell, Holly Conlan @ The Troc 7 PM SOLD OUT
Sunday 10/17
The New Pornographers, Tokyo Police Club @ 9:30 Club 7 PM $32 (or previous night @ Ram's Head Live)
OR
Circa Survive, Codeseven, Animals as Leaders @ Recher Theatre 6 PM $20
Monday 10/18
All Time Low, Rocket to the Moon, City (Comma) State @ North Star Bar 7 PM SOLD OUT
Tuesday 10/19
(21+) First Aid Kit, Ferraby Lionheart @ Johnny Brenda's 9 PM $12
OR
The Dirty Heads, Among Criminals, Lukas JP & Nomad Clientele @ TLA 8 PM $27
OR
Senses Fail, Bayside, Title Fight, Balance and Composure @ Chameleon 6 PM $17
Wednesday 10/20
Mayday Parade, Breathe Carolina, Every Avenue @ TLA 6 PM $26 (or at Recher Theatre with Artist vs. Poet, Go Radio following night)
OR
The Rocket Summer @ North Star Bar 7 PM $15
OR
Cute Is What We Aim For, Mercy Mercedes, Phone Calls From Home, The Sunday Scene @ Chameleon 6 PM $14
OR
The Ataris @ Croc Rock 6 PM $14 (or 10/18 @ Ottobar w/ Don't Panic, Singleton, Run the Risk, Things That Fly)
OR
We the Kings, Cash Cash, The Getaways @ Recher Theatre 6 PM $15
Thursday 10/21
DeVotckKa, Mischief Brew, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Kruno Spisic @ Electric Factory 8 PM $28
Friday 10/22
(21+) Making Time w/ The Drums, Surfer Blood @ Voyeur 9 PM $15
OR
Guster, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves @ Electric Factory 8:30 PM $30 (or @ DAR Constitution Hall following night)
OR
(18+) Rusko, Dirty South Joe, Flufftronix @ The Troc $15/20
OR
(21+) The Paste Tour: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Langhorne Slim, Jesse Sykes and Phil Wandscher (ex-Whiskeytown), Mimicking Birds @ North Star Bar 8 PM $18
Saturday 10/23
Bad Books (Kevin Devine & Manchester Orchestra), Right Away Great Captain! (Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra), Gobotron (Robert McDowell of Manchester Orchestra), Dead Confederate @ North Star Bar 6:30 PM $16 (or next night @ Ottobar)
OR
Mae (original lineup reunion)[show review here], Terrible Things (ex-Taking Back Sunday [show review here], ex-The Color Fred [show review here], ex-Hot Rod Circuit), Windsor Drive, The Mint @ Chameleon 7 PM $15
OR
Citizen Cope @ Croc Rock 7 PM $25
OR
Phoenix, Jenny and Johnny (Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley and Johnathan Rice), Wavves @ Tower Theater 8 PM $42-58
Sunday 10/24
Matt and Kim, Donnis @ Starlight Ballroom 7:30 PM $17 (or previous night @ Ram's Head Live)
Monday 10/25
Eisley @ North Star Bar 7 PM $17
Tuesday 10/26
3oh!3, Hellogoodbye, Down With Webster @ Croc Rock 7 PM $22
Wednesday 10/27
An Early Ending, Where The Ocean Meets The Sky @ B-sides FREE
OR
Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ The Whittaker Center 7:30 PM $39
Friday 10/29
Hey Monday, Cartel, The Ready Set, This Century, We Are The In Crowd @ 1st Unitarian 7 PM $15 (or 10/26 @ Recher Theatre)
OR
Jedi Mind Tricks, Freeway, Reef the Lost Cauze @ The Troc 7 PM $22 (or previous night w/ RA the Rugged Man instead of Freeway @ Recher Theatre)
OR
Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Tauk @ 9:30 Club 8 PM $25 (or next night again)(or 10/22 @ Ram's Head Live with Martin Sexton, Hill Country Revue instead of Tauk)
Saturday 10/30
Michael Franti and Spearhead, Bobby Long @ Electric Factory 9 PM $27
OR
The Summer Set, Stereo Skyline, Mod Sun, Austin Gibbs @ Croc Rock 6 PM $14
Sunday 10/31
Anberlin [show review here], Crash Kings, Civil Twilight @ 9:30 Club 4:30 PM $20
Friday 10/1
The B-52s, Gang, Robert Drake (of Sex Dwarf) @ Electric Factory 8 PM $42
OR
Jason DeRulo, Auburn @ Ram's Head Live 7 PM $28
Saturday 10/2
Letters from the Prom [show review here] @ Juice & Java 8 PM FREE
OR
Music For Malawa: Mark DeRose Band, The Mint, The Jellybricks, Tourmaline, Mycenea Worley @ The Abbey Bar 8 PM $10
OR
Valencia, Automatic Loveletter, Oh the Story [show review here], For the Foxes @ Ottobar 5 PM $10
Sunday 10/3
(21+) Born Ruffians, Winter Gloves, Toy Soldiers @ Johnny Brenda's 8 PM $12
OR
Switchfoot, The Almost @ Electric Factory 7:30 PM $25
Monday 10/4
Four Year Strong, Comeback Kid, The Wonder Years, American Fangs @ Starlight Ballroom (for venues without links see http://www.r5productions.com) 6 PM $17
Tuesday 10/5
The Hold Steady, Wintersleep @ The Troc 8 PM SOLD OUT
Wednesday 10/6
Ratatat, Dom @ Electric Factory 8 PM $24
OR
Clare and the Reasons @ B-sides FREE
OR
Mike Posner, Stephen Jerzak, 2 AM Club, Far East Movement @ TLA 7 PM $33
Thursday 10/7
Built to Spill, Love As Laughter, Revolt Revolt @ The Troc 7 PM $23 (or next day @ 9:30 Club)
OR
Ryan Cabrera, Michele Karmin @ Tin Angel 8 PM $15 (or next day @ Croc Rock)
Friday 10/8
The Roots @ Ram's Head Live 9 PM $45
Saturday 10/9
An Early Ending, To Speak Of Wolves, Holding Onto Hope, This Day Will Tell, Amateur Theory, Fear the Fallen @ Chameleon 5 PM $12
Sunday 10/10
Rookie of the Year, The Right Coast, Kids of Survival, Hiccup Helen @ Croc Rock 6 PM $12
OR
K'Naan, Paper Tongues @ 9:30 Club 7 PM $21
OR
Gorillaz, N.E.R.D. @ Susquehanna Bank Center 7:30 PM $62-112
Monday 10/11
Jimmy Eat World, We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Electric Factory 8 PM $32
Tuesday 10/12
Los Campesinos!, Johnny Foreigner @ Johnny Brenda's 9 PM $15
Wednesday 10/13
Enter Shikari, Haste the Day, Sleeping With Sirens, Ms. White, Lights Go Blue @ 1st Unitarian 6:30 PM $14 (or previous night @ Ottobar)
OR
Captain of Compliments @ B-sides FREE
OR
Deerhunter, Casino vs Japan, Ducktails @ Starlight Ballroom 7:30 PM $15 (or previous night @ 9:30 Club)
OR
Suicide Silence, My Children My Bride, Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, Molotov Solution, Conducting from the Grave @ The Troc 6 PM $19
Thursday 10/14
(18+) Ghostface Killah, Sheek Louch (of the L.O.X.), Frank Dukes @ The Troc 8 PM $24
OR
Belle & Sebastian, Versus @ D.A.R. Constitution Hall 7 PM $40
Friday 10/15
Ingrid Michaelson, Guggenheim Grotto @ The Troc 7 PM $24 (or previous night @ 9:30 Club)
Saturday 10/16
Sara Bareilles, Greg Laswell, Holly Conlan @ The Troc 7 PM SOLD OUT
Sunday 10/17
The New Pornographers, Tokyo Police Club @ 9:30 Club 7 PM $32 (or previous night @ Ram's Head Live)
OR
Circa Survive, Codeseven, Animals as Leaders @ Recher Theatre 6 PM $20
Monday 10/18
All Time Low, Rocket to the Moon, City (Comma) State @ North Star Bar 7 PM SOLD OUT
Tuesday 10/19
(21+) First Aid Kit, Ferraby Lionheart @ Johnny Brenda's 9 PM $12
OR
The Dirty Heads, Among Criminals, Lukas JP & Nomad Clientele @ TLA 8 PM $27
OR
Senses Fail, Bayside, Title Fight, Balance and Composure @ Chameleon 6 PM $17
Wednesday 10/20
Mayday Parade, Breathe Carolina, Every Avenue @ TLA 6 PM $26 (or at Recher Theatre with Artist vs. Poet, Go Radio following night)
OR
The Rocket Summer @ North Star Bar 7 PM $15
OR
Cute Is What We Aim For, Mercy Mercedes, Phone Calls From Home, The Sunday Scene @ Chameleon 6 PM $14
OR
The Ataris @ Croc Rock 6 PM $14 (or 10/18 @ Ottobar w/ Don't Panic, Singleton, Run the Risk, Things That Fly)
OR
We the Kings, Cash Cash, The Getaways @ Recher Theatre 6 PM $15
Thursday 10/21
DeVotckKa, Mischief Brew, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Kruno Spisic @ Electric Factory 8 PM $28
Friday 10/22
(21+) Making Time w/ The Drums, Surfer Blood @ Voyeur 9 PM $15
OR
Guster, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves @ Electric Factory 8:30 PM $30 (or @ DAR Constitution Hall following night)
OR
(18+) Rusko, Dirty South Joe, Flufftronix @ The Troc $15/20
OR
(21+) The Paste Tour: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Langhorne Slim, Jesse Sykes and Phil Wandscher (ex-Whiskeytown), Mimicking Birds @ North Star Bar 8 PM $18
Saturday 10/23
Bad Books (Kevin Devine & Manchester Orchestra), Right Away Great Captain! (Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra), Gobotron (Robert McDowell of Manchester Orchestra), Dead Confederate @ North Star Bar 6:30 PM $16 (or next night @ Ottobar)
OR
Mae (original lineup reunion)[show review here], Terrible Things (ex-Taking Back Sunday [show review here], ex-The Color Fred [show review here], ex-Hot Rod Circuit), Windsor Drive, The Mint @ Chameleon 7 PM $15
OR
Citizen Cope @ Croc Rock 7 PM $25
OR
Phoenix, Jenny and Johnny (Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley and Johnathan Rice), Wavves @ Tower Theater 8 PM $42-58
Sunday 10/24
Matt and Kim, Donnis @ Starlight Ballroom 7:30 PM $17 (or previous night @ Ram's Head Live)
Monday 10/25
Eisley @ North Star Bar 7 PM $17
Tuesday 10/26
3oh!3, Hellogoodbye, Down With Webster @ Croc Rock 7 PM $22
Wednesday 10/27
An Early Ending, Where The Ocean Meets The Sky @ B-sides FREE
OR
Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ The Whittaker Center 7:30 PM $39
Friday 10/29
Hey Monday, Cartel, The Ready Set, This Century, We Are The In Crowd @ 1st Unitarian 7 PM $15 (or 10/26 @ Recher Theatre)
OR
Jedi Mind Tricks, Freeway, Reef the Lost Cauze @ The Troc 7 PM $22 (or previous night w/ RA the Rugged Man instead of Freeway @ Recher Theatre)
OR
Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Tauk @ 9:30 Club 8 PM $25 (or next night again)(or 10/22 @ Ram's Head Live with Martin Sexton, Hill Country Revue instead of Tauk)
Saturday 10/30
Michael Franti and Spearhead, Bobby Long @ Electric Factory 9 PM $27
OR
The Summer Set, Stereo Skyline, Mod Sun, Austin Gibbs @ Croc Rock 6 PM $14
Sunday 10/31
Anberlin [show review here], Crash Kings, Civil Twilight @ 9:30 Club 4:30 PM $20
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)