Archive: November, 2008

The Extraordinaires and O'Death, Nov. 1, Johnny Brenda's

POSTED: Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 12:10 AM

Filed Under: Music Show

Photo | Campbell States

Jay Purdy is perhaps the most personable man in a blood-spattered jacket you'll ever meet. Still wearing his Halloween costume, the lead singer South Philly's The Extraordinaires graciously thanked the audience for coming before launching into the set on his homemade swordfish guitar. The band started off with some older songs, including "The Confession of Kyle Grievers" from their Battle of the Vans 7-inch. Bassist Matt Gibson and guitarist Justin Wolfe bounced up and down in sequence, uttering synchronized indie-pop squeals. Long-haired cutie pie Jacob Wolfe made funny faces as he emphatically lifted and dropped his hands on the keyboard. The band went on to play some new material from their forthcoming album — "Warehouse Song," "Electricity," "2012" — that marked a decided shift in the performance, as they seemingly entered their rambunctious Leslie Gore-meets-Freddy Mercury stage.

Brooklyn's O'Death is a sort of grown-up Extraordinaires, their sound tinged with punk, bluegrass and folk element. The band's set consisted of songs from their latest, Broken Hymns, Limbs, and Skins. Moody and otherworldly, the record is fine to listen to alone in a dark bedroom, but O'Death's ecstatic live show is something to be seen. Their dark, deathly fun performance was the sort of thing that makes you want to bounce, nod your head and gently shove the person standing next to you.

Posted by Campbell States @ 12:10 AM Permalink | Post a comment

THE SHOWDOWN: It's like The Exorcist, except with more breakdancing.

POSTED: Monday, November 3, 2008, 11:22 PM

Filed Under: Music The Showdown

They come from parents wanton

decemberists.com

Every Monday, the Showdown tells you who to see and where to see ‘em.

Monday: Liven up your dreary Monday night with Philly’s "Only Southern Fried Jazz Orchestra." Catch the Hoppin' John Orchestra at Chris' Jazz Café. Doors at 8 p.m., tickets are $5-$10.

Tuesday: GET OUT AND VOTE! Then head over to Johnny Brenda's to find out who'll be the winner of one of our nation's most historic presidential elections to date. Drinks, food, and big screen TVs ... fulfilling your civic duty never felt so right. Doors at 8pm, watching history in the making: FREE. [Editor's Note: You might also want to consider hitting City Paper's party at the Plough from 5:30 to 8:30 -bh]

Wednesday: Usher Raymond IV has come a long way since his days on UPN’s Moesha. Known to induce screams from female fans and dance fever in all, actor/singer/dancer/the MC in She’s All That is bringing his One Night Stand Tour to the Electric Factory. Doors at 8:30 p.m., tickets are $52-$127. And remember, ladies only.

Thursday: Promoting this past summer's Sunshine Lies, 1990s alt-rocker Matthew Sweet takes on the Trocadero. Be there or be square. With the Bridges. Doors at 7 p.m., tickets are $20-$22.

Friday: Colin Meloy and his Decemberists gang grace the stage in all their jaunty tale-weaving glory. Currently working on 2009's anticipated Hazards of Love, the Portland natives' live set proves their cred as lurid storytellers. At the E Factory with Loch Lomond. Doors at 8:30 p.m., tickets are $28.

Saturday: Indie rock’s lovey-dovey duo Mates of State set it off at the Troc. You can pretty much count on some on stage ogling between the Mates throughout their set. Love, marriage and indie rock: It's what makes the world go 'round. With Brother Reade, Yah Mos Def & Jayo. Doors at 8 p.m., tickets are $16-$18.

Sunday: It's like The Exorcist, except with more breakdancing. Murder By Death, Vagrant’s most eclectic act, hit up the First Unitarian Church for the first time in two years. Try not to miss out. With William Elliott Whitmore & J-Roddy Walston & the Business. Doors at 7:30 p.m., tickets are $12-$14.

Posted by Dianca Potts @ 11:22 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Freeway, "Change"

POSTED: Monday, November 3, 2008, 4:46 AM

Filed Under: Music Watch

Posted by Patrick Rapa @ 4:46 AM Permalink | Post a comment

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
NOW SEE THIS: Tim and Eric direct Terry Crews for Old Spice

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

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