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Local Support
On Wednesday, Philly natives the Disco Biscuits performed at the New Year's Run Kick-Off concert at the Best Buy Theater in NYC. The Biscuits' signature style, "Trancefusion" — a crossbreed of jam, prog and electronica — has elevated their status from sonic experimenters to pioneers to figureheads of the jam-band circuit. And, with the mainstream advent of EDM and dubstep finding the band's techno-savvy sound in high demand, it seems they're looking to make this New Year's Run one for the books.
The band returns to Time Square's Best Buy Theater again tonight and Sunday, taking a night off before hitting Madison Square Garden on New Year's Eve with fellow jam giants, Phish.
If this is all jargon to you, the video above from Wednesday's show will give you a taste of the atmosphere. If the intoxicants don't get you, the light show will.
CP's Brian Wilensky is on a mission to hit up every karaoke haunt in town — and then share all the mellifluous details.
Karaoke isn’t only known for terrible singing. The backing music that accompanies the wanna-be rockstars is usually more rough than listenable. Some KJs have decent-sounding karaoke systems and some, like the one at Locust Bar, aren't as easy on the ears.
The karaoke there on Sunday, however, was good because the songs selection was cohesive. The overall theme was classic rock tunes, which spawned songs like “Piano Man,” “The Joker” and “House of the Rising Sun” — all karaoke gold because everyone can sing along.
On top of the poor sound system, some guy had the nerve to sing a country song with a cheap country singer’s drawl. Really, man? Just sing it with your own bad singing voice, not someone else’s. Unlike that guy, a fella sang the Stones’ “Under My Thumb,” pretty well.
It was good to hear Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary” because the two chicks that sang it really kicked it up at the end. They were even joined by an older guy doing the fast footwork and hand motions just like the Acid Queen would. One of the last songs picked was “Like a Virgin,” with a faint hum of most women singing along throughout the bar. Then the KJ ushered in the end of his shift at midnight by playing the Looney Tunes theme song. Surprisingly, the place cleared out shortly after.
Nitty gritty for performers: Sundays, 7 p.m.-12 a.m., free, The Locust Bar, 235 S. 10th St., 215-925-2191.
Beautiful World Syndicate (1619 E. Passyunk Ave.) has been serving P'yunkers with a high-quality vinyl selection for the last six years. Their collection of over 20,000 records covers their impressive space with new and used reggae, soul, jazz, soundtracks, world, folk, blues, rock and hip-hop releases. The albums are divided between new arrivals and their main stock, so regulars should have an easy time finding out what’s just come in. Additionally, they have a big collection of 45s to choose from and a plethora of DVDs, as well. Their strength probably lies in their rare LPs that sit behind the counter and along the walls. They’ve got some that are rare simply for being old, famous and in good condition — such as a mint Sgt. Pepper press — but they’ve also got very rare records that are almost impossible to find anywhere else, including a Perry Leopold Acid Folk record valued at $500.
The store has a great vibe, with multi-colored vinyls coating the walls and the prices for the non-collectibles are some of the lowest I’ve seen anywhere in the city. In addition, BWS has managed to supply two listening stations in the front of the store, a fading trend that shouldn’t be overlooked. As usual, I was told that all types of vinyl fans, from young hip kids to old jazz guys, are served at Beautiful World Syndicate and I believe it. Their selection is diverse and strong in all the main categories and it’s easy to see why they consider themselves a neighborhood favorite. Anybody who wants to bring home a wax record should pop into Beautiful World Syndicate.
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CP's Brian Wilensky is on a mission to hit up every karaoke haunt in town — and then share all the mellifluous details.
It isn’t very often that the bartenders get involved in the karaoke debauchery. But why not? Like I’ve said before, the best karaoke nights are the ones when everyone gets involved.
Station Bar & Grill wasn’t too crowded Monday night, but in spite of that, spirits were high — in more than one sense. Early on, both bartenders attempted "Fame" by Irene Cara from behind the bar. They had other more important tasks at hand, as you can imagine, and one quickly put the mic down on the bar in a hurry and walked away. It quickly rolled off into an array of liquor bottles behind the bar, making a thud projected from the karaoke system.
“What’s up, Statiooooonnn? Let me hear you roar!” was heard soon after said thud. It came from some guy who seemed ready to party — then he picked "My Girl" by the Temptations ...
Later, one of the bartenders was seen making what had to be a Long Island and was blatantly missing the glass, pouring tequila onto the bar as she was looking the other way trying to sing the lyrics on the karaoke teleprompter behind her. “That’s what I get for trying to make a drink and sing karaoke at the same time,” she laughed.
Weird Al’s “Eat It,” was a karaoke first, and a pretty weird choice at that. Few people payed any attention to the singer. Now you know to pick the real song by Michael, man. Next came Blue Oyster Cult’s “Godzilla” from a guy who sang “Break on Through (To the Other Side)” earlier in the night while trying to channel the Lizard King.
J.Geils Band’s “Love Stinks” was the high point of the night, though, and that’s just because it wasn’t even a karaoke selection. It was was simply just one of the songs the KJ played between singers but it got everyone sitting around the horseshoe-shaped bar singing.
Nitty Gritty for performers: Mondays and Thursday, 10 p.m., free, Station Bar & Grill, 1550 McKean St., 215-467-1871.
Intrepid CP entertainment reporter Peter Chawaga sets out on a weekly mission to find the best, quirkiest and - most importantly - still operational record stores our town has to offer.
For the first time ever, someone at a record store finally admitted to specializing their inventory. At Tequila Sunrise (525 W. Girard Ave., 215-965-9616) they welcome all wax enthusiasts but hold a particularly enticing collection for fans of psychedelic, folk, dance and world music. They also have a great collection of newer indie releases and always welcome used records of every genre. Tequila Sunrise isn’t just unique for their specialization, but also for their organization and the fact that the owner, Anthony Vogdes, has his own label’s productions for sale on the shelves. Tequila Sunrise Records has put out albums for Jack Rose, Micah Blue Smaldone, LSD March and some artists that I’m told are big in Japan.
The store isn’t that expansive but they’ve managed to cram nearly 10,000 records into the place, with used albums lining the floor and new releases in the boxes on top. The new records are organized by label, psychedelic by region and electronic by genre. Each of these comes with the album’s one sheet printed with Tequila Sunrise’s signature bright pink, to help customers decipher the more obscure releases.
The staff is very friendly, they’ll put whatever you want to hear on the speakers and they’re in a pretty cool location in North Philly. Even though they serve a particular demographic particularly well, their used collection has something for everybody and the chances of finding a new release you’ve never heard of but fall in love with is pretty high. Next time you're in the mood to broaden your musical horizons, check out Tequila Sunrise.
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CP's Brian Wilensky is on a mission to hit up every karaoke haunt in town — and then share all the mellifluous details.
I think it’s safe to say most people have been to a karaoke where the only people with the stones to actually get up and sing sounded like a train wreck. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good time. That being said, I promise not to drop any singers’ names in this week’s post.
The first song I caught was an attempt at some unidentifiable soulful R&B number. Next was a Top-40 rock hit from Chevelle, “Send the Pain Below,” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Bark at the Moon.” Both of which just had an uncomfortable vibe for karaoke. After that it stayed Top 40 with Sugar Ray, Lady Gaga and even the Backstreet Boys.
But credit must be given where credit is due. And it all goes to the brave soul that nailed every line of “Rapper’s Delight,” right on cue and with almost as much flow as The Sugarhill Gang back in '79. Oh, and it was his birthday. A little bit before him a group of people were feeling brave and tried to sing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” But, unlike the birthday boy, the drunken fog that it looked like they were in kept them about one measure behind the karaoke system the entire time.
McGillin’s is the longest operating bar in Philadelphia (since 1860). Its dark olde-timey bar vibe is great for a night out with olde friends. And for a Wednesday night, the place was jammed; there weren't enough seats to accommodate everyone downstairs. Luckily, there’s an upstairs bar. But if you're coming for karaoke, sign up and sing like no one’s listening. Nobody here cares if suck.
Nitty Gritty for performers: Wednesdays and Sundays, 9 p.m., free, McGillin’s Olde Ale House, 1310 Drury St., 215-735-5562.
(brian.wilensky@citypaper.net)
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Aaron Nathans’ latest EP may be about mortality, but that doesn’t mean it lacks a sense of humor. Nathans, who will celebrate the release of Alchemy of Memory at Bryn Mawr’s Milkboy Coffee tomorrow, writes acoustic tunes that blend clever lyrics with folk-pop melodies that often belie the songs’ more serious themes. The new, self-released record — “a do-it-yourself from start to finish,” Nathans says — touches repeatedly on the topic of memory. Deceptively lighthearted premises serve as jumping-off points for addressing more weighty themes.
“My four-year-old daughter,” for example, “loves” the album’s leadoff track, the singer-songwriter tells me. But the song, in which the narrator is “reincarnated as his own granddaughter,” is at its heart about lost things, Nathans says. Another track, “Everything You See Is Who I Am,” is on its surface an amusing number about messiness — but the messes we make are rife with distinct memories. “Green Song,” meanwhile, addresses the collective memory that goes into songwriting. “Everybody has their influences,” Nathans says, so really there’s “no such thing as a new song.”
Nathans was this year one of 32 musicians chosen out of 800 entrants to play in the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk competition. With his performance, he followed in the footsteps of Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, and Lucinda Williams, all of whose careers were spurred by the competition. The CD release party, however, will see him in a much more intimate setting: the Bryn Mawr Milkboy is a small coffee shop with a stage but no sound system. The show will thus be truly acoustic.
Nathans is joined on the bill by the Ronstadt Generations, a southwestern family band featuring an array of instruments (and yes, they’re closely related to Linda). Members will also back Nathans’ voice and guitar on a few tunes.
Friday, July 15, 7:30 p.m., $10 suggested donation, with Ronstadt Generations, Milkboy Coffee, 824 W. Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr, 610-527-0690, aaronnathans.com.
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The Marvelous! Music isn't your average music store. Since 2003, the owners have combined their vinyl collection of over 10,000 titles with other collectibles. At one time the store carried comic books, but today they have room for turntables, speakers, guitars and other accessories as well as a space to host performances. Their knowledgeable staff is friendly, their layout is easy to follow and they have great rare stuff on the walls.
The showroom is stocked with a solid selection of classic rock LPs, new releases, jazz records and soundtracks, but it's their hip-hop collection that really stands out. It’s the most expansive assortment I’ve ever seen. Rap fans are sure to find a gem. They have singles as old as Grandmaster Flash’s Freedom, albums as rare as Pete Rock’s Petestrumentals and mint-condition staples like Illmatic and Ready to Die for only $20. This collection alone is worth a visit to the store, but there are plenty of other draws.
Lining the walls is an impressive assortmant of rare records, including a few original Beatles presses, and all kinds of quirky used wax for cheap. They have most genres vinyl fans are interested in, as well as childrens' albums, recorded speeches and even workout LPs. Although their instrument selection isn’t very large, they offer skilled repair and maintenance as well as workshops on how to fix gear yourself and their performance space is one of the most unique in University City.
For a good introduction to this University City gem, stop by next week when they host a concert by bluesy Brooklyn indie rock group Eleven Twenty-Nine.
Thu., July 7, 9:30 p.m., $5, with Willie Lane, The Marvelous! Music, 208 S. 40th St., 215-386-6110, myspace.com/themarvelousmusic.
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CP's Brian Wilensky is on a mission to hit up every karaoke haunt in town — and then share all the mellifluous details.
There was a different sort of buzz in the air at National Mechanics Tuesday night when I walked for karaoke. Looking around, it seemed like everyone was chipper and ready for something to happen.
“Tighten Up” by the Black Keys was the first selection I heard, which led me to believe that I might be hearing newer radio hits instead of run-of-the-mill karaoke classics. For the most part, it panned out like that, but soon after Jude took on Bill Withers' soulful classic, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” along with a faint hum from fans at the bar. Next was “Rolling in the Deep,” by Adele, which is well on its way to becoming a standard — it's been popping up in karaoke queues a lot lately.
Some surprising mid- and late-'90s alternative rock hits even showed up, but it seemed appropriate for the crowd of mostly twentysomethings. Kaitlyn casted a few devious stares during her rendition of Marcy Playground’s “Sex and Candy.” The Toadies’ “Possum Kingdom” and New Order’s “Regret” were a bit more surprising.
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