 THURSDAY, SEP 02, 2010 8PM
Today Is The Day has toured the world with the likes of Motorhead,
Melvins, Morbid Angel, Converge, Napalm Death, and Neurosis and has
released eight studio albums on labels including Amphetamine Reptile,
Relapse, and SuperNova. Ex-members of Today Is The Day include Brann
Dailor and Bill Kelliher of Mastodon. As a producer, Steve Austin has
recorded albums by Lamb Of God, Converge, Deadguy, and many more.
The New York Times has hailed Today Is The Day with the following
description: "Proud noisemakers for 15 years now, Today Is The Day
starts with brutal blues-rock and completely disfigures it with sheets
of distortion and the bestial ravings of Steve Austin." Alternative
Press Magazine has offered this praise: "Today Is The Day founder Steve
Austin has functioned as a cultish Robert Fripp/John McLaughlin hybrid; a
noise-rock auteur known as much for his off-kilter, damaging riffs and
vocals as for his soaring David Gilmour leads."
The live Today Is The Day line-up consists of frontman Steve Austin,
bassist Ryan Jones (Wetnurse) and drummer Curran Reynolds (Wetnurse).
Deathbeds
Deathbeds
are a four-piece band from Philadelphia, PA. One part Entombed, one
part Integrity, they combine sludge-fueled metal and riff-oriented
hardcore in a way that’s appalling, yet reassuring. Taking cues from
doom and sludge but lacing it with the sensibility of the most visceral
hardcore they know that to be the man you’ve gotta beat the man.
Towers
Towers is a
heavy punk band from Philadelphia who throughout their carreer has
thoroughly toured the United states and Parts of Europe. Their music is
fast and upbeat like any punk band should be but also incorporates
down-tempo breakdowns almost reminiscent of Metal bands.
Bubonic Bear
is a punk/noise-rock band from Philadelphia with music that is
hard-hitting and in your face. They promise to play a show you won’t
forget and that you’ll possibly feel the next morning.
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 FRIDAY, SEP 03, 2010 9PM
"In
case you didn’t know, our city is home to quite a few solid bluegrass
ensembles, and with the release of Long Way From Sunset, Wissahickon
Chicken Shack may snag some attention outside the usual humble bar gigs.
The seven-piece’s self-proclaimed fondness for folk, funk and
honky-tonk livens up their tunes, as do mean licks of dobro and lap
steel amid the requisite fiddle, banjo and mandolin. With tearjerking
lead vocals from Bethany Brooks, “Abide With Me” explores the
introspective flipside of party-starters like “Hot Rob Bob” and “Slow
Train.” Witness the troupe’s strong collaborative spirit as they kick
off the first of three shows this month at Roxborough’s brand new music
venue, the Blinkin' Lincoln." (Doug Wallen) Philadelphia Weekly
Lady
Funkslaw
Funkslaw is a
5 piece Americana/Roots Rock band from Philadelphia who move through
Blues, Folk, Rock , and Country tunes during each set and have done so
at some of Philly’s best venues. Funkslaw’s growing fan base and their
ability to please a diversity of musical interests will no doubt lead to
their collaboration with Philadelphia’s finest original artists such as
their upcoming show here at the North Star Bar.
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 SATURDAY, SEP 04, 2010 9PM
Andrew
Kenny is a native Texan who after nearly six years in Brooklyn, NY has
returned to beautiful Austin, TX. He's best known as the
singer/songwriter behind mellow indie favorites the American Analog
Set. However, he's also performed as a guest artist with the Album
Leaf, Her Space Holiday, Styrofoam, Ola Podrida, Arthur & Yu, and
most recently the Broken Social Scene.
His latest project is called the Wooden Birds and is his best effort to
date. The Wooden Birds' first album, Magnolia, is now out on Barsuk
Records in the US & Canada and on Morr Music in Europe. Fans of the
the AmAnSet will recognize his voice and song writing immediately, but
the arrangements on Magnolia are more vocal and percussion heavy than
anything he's done before.
Dan Mangan
"His voice
opens up and loats around the room like the smells from my cup of coffee
and really let's you have something to hold onto on those days where
everything else seems lost."
Clean Equations
Clean
Equations is the Philadelphia, PA / New York, NY / Melbourne, AU based
music collective fronted by lyricist / song writer /chemical engineer,
Mike Nyhan. On the heels of their 2009 self-titled EP, Clean Equations
has just completed their first full length album entitled “People /
Variables”.
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 SUNDAY, SEP 05, 2010 8PM
Hot Hot Heat
Formed
in 1999 in the seemingly improbable locale of Victoria, British
Columbia (perhaps the launch of a new British (Columbian) invasion?),
Hot Hot Heat have, in their relatively short life-span, metamorphosed
in a way coincidentally implicit in the elemental dynamism of their
name. Heat as force of change. Hot Hot Heat have transformed from
within the confines of their tense, angular synth-rock beginnings while
losing none of their sense of urgency. Combining ‘60s mod rock, ‘70s
prog and ‘80s new wave/punk, these four have created their own style of
danceable pop oddities. And, more to the point, Hot Hot Heat are
genuinely fun, with a capital F-U-N. Responses to the band often cite
such varied influences as the quirks of early XTC, the solid,
blues-based rhythms of Led Zeppelin or the melodic hooks of The Cure.
Equally apt, these disparate touchstones give an indication of Hot Hot
Heat’s sources of inspiration and unique synthesis.
Named for
the Skip James song "22-20 Blues," the 22-20s hail from Lincolnshire,
England, and music is a mix blues, rock, folk, and country influences.
The band actually broke up in 2006, reformed in 2008, and released a new
album in 2010 on TBD Records.
Hey Rosetta!
Since being
formed by Tim Baker after returning home to St. John’s in 2005, Hey
Rosetta! has quickly grown from a travelers suitcase full of lyrics and
string parts to a critically acclaimed band hailed for their intelligent
songs, powerful recordings, energized and evoking live shows. The band
has created a layered sound by incorporating piano, violin and cello
with traditional rock instrumentation with Tim’s soaring vocals. They
have toured extensively in Canada as well as in Australia, France, UK,
and the US. Hey Rosetta! won three East Coast Music Awards in 2009, as
well as the CMW Indie Award for Best Album, XM’s Verge Award for Best
Album, and was shortlisted for the renowned Polaris Music Prize for
their album “Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through
your blood)”. Recorded in the dead of winter in two East Coast harbour
towns with producer and singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman, "Into Your
Lungs" began with a beautiful naivety and confidence. An off-the-stage
feel and vigor reminiscent of the bands powerful live performances
rooted the recording sessions. Late 2009 saw the release of the Red
Songs 7” and a digital EP as well as the inclusion of another new song
(“Old Crow Black Night Stand Still”) on the CBC Radio 2 Great Song Quest
compilation.
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 TUESDAY, SEP 07, 2010 8PM
The New Music Series welcomes:
Carousel
The original
members of the former Philly band Like Lions have gotten back together
and rounded out the lineup with two new members to create some of their
best music to date. The sound of Carousel is a perfect blend of rawness
and sophistication. Their songs are refreshingly original with subtle
allusions to the artists whom have inspired them. The music of Carousel
is something to be experienced.
Octopus for Yes!
Welcome To
Octopus For "Yes!" 4 young lads on a journey to melt brains and teach
the world Octopanese. The seeds for the group were planted back in 2008
when Jonathan Buscema (aka Guy McFace) and Zachariah Holliday (formerly
of The Vida Ambit) began the search to create a rock group of epic
forces. Zachariah then recruited Dan Townsend after an epic night of The
Mars Volta and moonbounces. The search for a bass player was the final
and most elusive piece until one January evening when Zach was
introduced to Austen Royce Goodman (formerly of Dead Man's Hand) via an
epic jam at a party in West Chester. The four then all converged on
Philadelphia to form what is now known as "Octopus For "Yes!"
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 WEDNESDAY, SEP 08, 2010 8PM
"Back to
his hard-riffing best, a literate rock n'roller to the tips of his
Cuban heels. The genuine article in an age dominated by phonies." ****
(4 stars) - Q Magazine
Moneybrother
“The best
songs -- and there really are too many to mention here -- are intense
and soulful pop/rock mini-symphonies of the kind Bruce Springsteen used
to make in the mid-'70s: the grand piano pounds, the saxophone lines
soar, and the dramatic string arrangements underpin Anders Wendin's
wonderfully scruffy voice...This is every bit as good as classic,
soul-tinged pop/rock gets. Period.” - All Music Guide
Josh Olmstead Band
Josh
Olmstead Band's original material draws from various musical roots,
including the blues, country, folk, jazz, gospel, soul, and rock and
roll. The band's live performances reveal an adventurous and dramatic
spirit, marked by evolving arrangements, instrumental explorations,
novel cover selections, and high energy.
|
 THURSDAY, SEP 09, 2010 8PM
Bitch is
formerly of Bitch and Animal, who toured with Ani Difranco, and released
two albums on her label, Righteous Babe Records. As a full band they
carry an up-beat folk rock sound that is very infections.
Steph Hayes
Steph
Hayes is a singer and songwriter who spent several years in pop/rock
group Stargazer Lily. She signed with Arista Records in 2000, has
written with Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Roy Orbison), John Shanks
(Ashlee Simpson, Melissa Etheridge) and Shelley Peiken (Meredith
Brooks) and many other top industry songwriters. She has also recorded
with Nelly Furtado, The John Lennon REMIX project, and Ben Arnold. This
year, Steph Hayes shared stages with Bitch, Erin McKewon, Namoli
Brennet, Wayne Fishell, Jenny Owen-Youngs, Michelle Malone, Nicole
Reynolds and gregory Douglass. Following the 2006 release of the album
"Dirty Beauty" she now performs solo or with her band The Good
Problems. Hayes’ current writing is a return to her more lyrical roots.
Adam Brodsky
A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Mazzoni Center.
Mazzoni Center is the only health care provider in the Philadelphia
region specifically targeting the unique health care needs of the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Founded in 1979, it
is the oldest AIDS service organization in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, and the fourth-oldest in the nation. As the organization
grew and evolved to meet the needs of our constituents, Mazzoni Center
has combined HIV/AIDS-related services and health services. With over
30,000 individuals benefiting annually from our services, we have proven
ourselves to be a leader amounf community-based organizations in the
greater Philadelphia area, and have developed a reputation for
excellence and innovation in service delivery to our constituents.
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 FRIDAY, SEP 10, 2010 9PM
Laced with elements of alt-country, bluegrass, folk, ragtime, blues,
reggae and rock and roll, the rollicking five-piece brings to the table a
unique blend of genuine, authentic songwriting and dynamic musicianship
that is sure to please audiences of any age.
The Levee Drivers
"..it
might just be a matter of time before the boys who have a sound that’s
reminiscent to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams blow up big time." - The
Deli Magazine
The Fallen Troubadours
The Fallen
Troubadours are a throwback to the days of bands such as the the
Yardbirds and the Kinks. Foot stomping music, catchy vocal melodies and
lush harmonies. Their rootsy rock makes a great soundtrack for drunken
nights and should be welcomed with open arms by Philly’s like-minded
music community. Their debut album will be released this fall on
Universal Warning/Candy Colored Dragon.
Riley Etheridge
Riley
Etheridge Jr. is a New York City based singer/songwriter with deep
roots in Americana music. After growing up in a musical family in
Columbia, S.C., he spent 20 years performing and recording in the
musical gumbo of South Louisiana, and after a decade long hiatus his
move to New York has inspired a collection of new original material
entitled "Things I Used to Know”. The album, which will be released in
January of 2010, represents a reunion of all- star South Louisiana
musicians and friends who have recorded together for over 25 years.
Recorded
in New Orleans in July of 2009, the rhythm section included Baton Rouge
bassist David Ellis, Guitarist Shane Theriot (Neville Brothers/Boz
Scaggs) drummer Doug Belote (Jerry Douglas/Sonny Landreth) and New
Orleans jazz pianist and composer Larry Sieberth. The basic tracks then
traveled to Nashville TN where Louisiana native and producer Wendell
Tilley added guitars and enlisted Americana/country rock legends such as
Dan Dugmore (James Taylor/Linda Ronstadt) and Mickey Rapheal (Willie
Nelson) to add their distinctive contributions. The resulting album has
been described by one writer as an “elegiac, contemplative collection of
sad, funny, and ultimately redemptive alternative country”.
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 SATURDAY, SEP 11, 2010 9PM
"Caspian
is attempting to chisel away a little niche in the wall, swimming
against the overwhelming tide of an increasingly overcrowded genre.
"Tertia" succeeds in this endeavor surprisingly well... There is
heavyweight contender status here."
- OUTBURN
A post-punk
hardcore band from Philadelphia that can be best described as
beautifully brutal. They are heavy yet with a melodic undertone
reminiscent of bands like Explosions in the Sky.
Lehnen (from Vienna, Austria)
Loudness
next to tranquility: Opposites find their way together here, and
through the many expanded classic rock line-up elements, find their way
into the big picture. Conservative electronics and synthesizers play as
important of a roll as accordion or glockenspiel, not to mention the
often multi-layered vocals.
"Diverse" is a word that frequents the subconscious while listening to
Lehnen; something that is due, no doubt, to the eclectic listening
tendencies of the four band members: from Post-Rock and Post-Hardcore,
to a variety of electronic music, all the way to classic Indie-Rock and
Folk, which in the end adds up to a sum that is worth more than each of
the individual parts.
Japanese Sunday
"Drifting
sheets of guitar cascade like frozen waves of distortion and crescendo,
only to wash themselves away when thoughts turn warmer. Complex and
intertwining melodies (focusing mostly on guitars) bring on the Sunny
Day Real Estate and My Bloody Valentine comparisons. And with subdued
vocals buried in the mix like the suspended colors beneath an oil
spill, some Hum influences shine through. Japanese Sunday builds walls
of distortion that add weight without making it metallic. This is
clever guitar based indie rock of a higher caliber on its initial
ascent skyward. Heads are craning upward in unison" -Modern Fix magazine
|
 TUESDAY, SEP 14, 2010 8PMThe Hold-Up
is a four piece Rock and Roll group who's music pulls influence
everywhere from the Jailhouse to the Roadhouse, Their music paints
lyrical pictures of everything from the Hopeless Romantic to the Zombie
who's about to eat him!!
Prophets In Stereo
A
unique and progressive sound reminiscent of their multitude of
influences, primarily bluegrass, jazz and rock. The project is
songwriter James Seward’s first endeavor into a full band scenario since
releasing two critically acclaimed folk albums with Steve Garvey of the
legendary punk band The Buzzcocks. Prophets in Stereo recorded their
first record full length album in the winter of 2009, which was produced
by Andrew Weiss, whose credits include Ween, and the Rollins Band.
Hiding From Andy
"Ambient
folk rock, which is beguiling in its haunting simplicity...the quartet
also offers an inspirational nod back to a time when vibe was king, and
the song served to take one on a momentary journey through another
dreamscape." - Randy Ray
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 WEDNESDAY, SEP 15, 2010 8PM
New Sweden
The group consists of a nuclear fuel designer, an oceanographer, and
good old blue collar American boys who march to the theory that "the
whole is greater than the sum of its parts" (Aristotle). With their
diversity, the band creates heartfelt music with meaningful lyrics that
make you ponder happiness, sadness, or even luckiness to be where you
are in this crazy and unpredictable world. Simply put, they are
dedicated to the power of the song. Music makes the world go round, and
they write the soundtrack. They
combine guitar, bass, organ, banjo, mandolin, viola, percussion, and
anything else they can get their hands on to form their sound.
Lauris Vidal
"Lauris
Vidal creates innovative and unique folk music with dark undertones, but
always carrying a message of hope. His lively performances include
ukulele, tenor banjo, lap steel, guitar and sometimes even lap bass.
Seeing Lauris Vidal is an experience all its own; we cannot tell you
quite what to expect." -WMNF 88.5FM
Andy Shauf
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 THURSDAY, SEP 16, 2010 8PM
The Jean Marie
Philadelphia
transplants from Miami, The Jean Marie's music is the sound of
multi-tasking. One part post-punk, two parts funk boogie, and a bit of
prog, they create a musical cacophony that draws on influences from The
Talking Heads to TV on the Radio
The Jean Marie released their first EP, What's a Revolution Without
Backup Dancers?, to critical acclaim in 2006, and the self titled follow
up EP in 2007. In January 2009 they released Annie Jump Cannon, their
highly anticipated full length album that has brought them attention
across the blogosphere and an article in the New York Times.
Chosen to open for national touring bands such as the B52's, Bloc Party,
EOTO, The Noisettes, Gym Class Heroes, HelloGoodbye, and Tokyo Police
Club; The Jean Marie are known for their energy fueled live shows.
Shutters
Evolving
as a rhythm-driven band, Shutters animates the broad mosaic of melodies
and lyrics that Lindsay assembles. Rooted in contemporary rock, their
varied harmonies allude to jazz and classical influences. All band
members collaborate on arrangements.
Vincent Minor
Vincent
Minor will delight and confound you. While his giddy production style
suggests a wide-eyed wonderland, his darkly humorous wordsmithery tells
some mighty unsavory tales. He casually melts together modern indie pop
and classic Tin Pan Alley songcraft like he has the last 100 years of
songwriting on speed dial. Vincent Minor’s songs set the toes tapping
and the cortex wrinkling simultaneously.
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 FRIDAY, SEP 17,
2010 9PMBiffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
are a Scottish rock band from Ayrshire,[2] comprising Simon Neil
(guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals) and Ben Johnston
(drums, vocals). After their first three albums, the band expanded their
following significantly with the release of their fourth, Puzzle in
2007. The album went gold in the UK, selling over 100,000 units. Biffy
Clyro's popularity was built upon further in 2008 and 2009 with the
release of the singles "Mountains" and "That Golden Rule", which both
reached the top 10 of the UK singles chart. Their latest album, Only
Revolutions, reached #8 in the UK chart and went gold within days of its
release in 2009, later going platinum in 2010 and became nominated for
the Mercury Music Prize.
Simon Neil is the main singer, though all three band members contribute
to vocal duties. The band are known for using complex and interwoven
guitar riffs, unusual time signatures and chord sequences and melodies
that often change throughout songs, and for their energetic live
performances.
Bronze Radio Return
"I'm going
to have to post a disclaimer with this myspace link. You won't be able
to stop listening to BRR's music once you've started. You have been
warned"- Alexes Spencer - Music 27:6
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 SATURDAY, SEP 18, 2010 9PMSunny Day Music & Y-Not Radio welcome: Sea Wolf - Solo Acoustic Tour
Taking
its name from novelist Jack London’s 1904 seafaring adventure, Sea Wolf
has evolved organically from its hermetic origins in Alex Brown
Church’s living room into a muscular, full-bodied musical entity with
passion to burn. After adopting the sobriquet, Church burst onto the
music scene in two-fisted fashion with the EP, Get to the River Before
It Runs Too Low, and the subsequent full-length debut album, Leaves in
the River, about which Interview magazine observed, “His music is both
erudite and unvarnished, a blend of swirling melodies, literary
balladry and damaged art-rock composition.”
Sera Cahoone
Patrick Park
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