February 22–March 1, 2001

music

icepack

by a.d. amorosi

Whaddyawant first? Bad news? David Cohen sent 22 S. Third St. — former home of after-hours legend Revival and now Wichita Steaks and live rock venue Upstage — into "new management on a lease basis" status. Come March 31 there’ll be no more DFS/SFX (Bryan Dilworth)-booked shows. No Upstage period. Though Cohen didn’t sell business or building, it’s the first time since 1985 that a Cohen club won’t occupy the space. (Cohen’s offices now sit in his evolving 312 Market St. entertainment complex and upscale food mall.) Good news: Both floors will become an upscale nightclub run by Luigi Romano. Romano, 28, owner of Antico in Chalfont, PA, is redoing the downstairs as a lounge with couches. "You’re gonna see limos and Mercedes, not kids who go to Deco or Shampoo," says Romano. After March 31, he’ll renovate floor two into a dance spot, slated to open near Tax Day, complete with new sound ’n’ lighting systems. "I didn’t want anyone to get sued," he says of letting the booked-through-March Upstage run its course. Dilworth, though now seeking a spot to replace the 300-500 capacity venue, says it’s "biz as usual. We’ll facilitate national touring acts at a variety of spots — doubling [acts at] TLA or Five Spot [which may expand Monday, Wednesday or early Friday eves with comedians and bands]. Without a regular schedule, this’ll affect local acts who we can’t readily place," says Dilworth who says Old City is out of the question due to high rents.…

AM/FM ’s Brian Sokel (formerly of Franklin ) and Mike Parsell (also of The Science Of… ) have a new CD, Mutilate Us, coming out on Polyvinyl here and Cooking Vinyl abroad with folks from Aspera Ad Astra and Ink & Dagger guesting. Polyvinyl is also planning to re-issue the band’s debut EP Audiot. In other reissue news, not only will Eltro get Absolutely Kosher treatment from the label of the same name in April for their new album Velodrome, but Ab Kosh will also reissue their debut LP Information Changer (originally on Miner Street Recordings) in May. That’s the same month File 13’s gonna re-release the Three 4 Tens ’ new CD Change Is On Its Way.…

Remember I mentioned trouble at Avenue of the Arts restau-bars? The first cracks occurred within the last two weeks as longtime Neil Stein operations director Randi Sirkin joined Stephen Starr ’s organization, as has Randall Mrazik, Avenue B’s GM who’ll now be doing same for Starr’s near-finis Alma de Cuba. Who else is rumored gone? Avenue B’s bar manager Chris Kane and sommelier "Opera James" of The Beach Balls. James is rumored to be heading to Cuba Libre, whose chef Josh Friedberg just jumped ship. Yikes.…

Not only has QVC/Atlantic acquired new A&R type Dana Kasha-Murray (formerly with Universal), the label has signed one-time New Kid/MTV Say What? Karaoke host Joey McIntyre for a new CD Joe Mac, produced by Bowie-pal Mark Plati for spring.…

Bilal ’s debut Interscope CD First Born Second jez got pushed from February till late spring. "More work" is the verdict we hear, even though Ms. Badu ’s on one tune.…

Where’s da romance? Schoolly D opened his Fifth and Thompson Sts. performance/hip-hop studio loft on Valentine’s Day, the same day PR gent David Neff proposed to his then soon-to-be betrothed Jeanine via rolling billboard.…

Where’s da future? Tribecca Fridays with Phuture-istic DJs Reno and Ari "Train" and Jack Boogie of Recordkingdom.com.…

U. of Del. graduates Tony Kindness ’n’ Jake Much (those are their real names) started AroundPhilly.com in November 2000 to suit the needs of folks desperately seeking info on area event-ology. How to crown that success and get introduced to Around Philly’s burgeoning new new look? Their all-night bash at TPDS Club Feb. 23 is a good place to start.…

Undergirl and Pearly Gates (featuring Sugar Skull Heather Brann and that lady Jonathan Valania. Psyche!) at Sara Sherr ’s Trocadero SugarTown gig on March 1.…

Glenville, PA’s Gong-like scene takes over RUBA Club (414 Green) Feb. 24 when Stone Breath ’s Timothy Renner and Belladonna Bouquet ’s Sarada do their harmonium/dulcimer thing with Art DiFuria and Brother JT along for the ride.…

RoadRunner A&R guy Paul Conroy — once (and still?) manager of Lava/Atlantic act Liquid Gang and RuffNation’s Tidewater Grain — signed old local pals Sinch. Conroy got Liquid Gang signed when he worked for Kid Rock ’s managing team in Chicago. If Liquid Gang gets dropped from Atlantic (who are rumored to be dropping many acts) will he sign ’em to Roadrunner?…

Aja Beech, Chuck D and Josh Slater are set to reform Sugarsmack Daddy. Though great for local listeners, Slater’s gone through raw times what with the recent passing of his wife and a rough time with medical costs. Look and give kindly.