Philly’s Adam Weiner became the toast of Rolling Stone magazine (and therefore over-40 Caucasians everywhere) when his raw, rockabilly-ing Low Cut Connie played Manhattan and dropped Get Out the Lotion in 2011. Several RS crits loved the show and album, and before long, the Village Voice jumped aboard. They’re greasy and hip, and those in the know knew about Weiner’s oil-slick soul since he called himself Ladyfingers and tickled our fancies with songs that were equal doses Burt Bacharach and Bo Diddley. Now Weiner’s gearing up for the September release of Low Cut Connie’s strong new Call Me Sylvia by dropping copies on a few peeps he loves (namely me) and prepping for a national tour by hitting up North Star Aug. 10 with Wussy. “Many of the critics who dug our last one are waiting in anticipation for our newest slice of scuzzbucket boogie, but we’re going to give them something so much more,” says Weiner, who claims that the album’s title captures the epic quality of rock ’n’ roll at its most primal, “the androgynous and the ridiculous and the strangely innocent and pure nature of our sound. Or it could just be a reference to a Craigslist date gone horribly wrong.” How wrong, exactly? Get yourself to the North Star and see.
➤ Yo, the Blue Bell Inn in Montgomery County was sold. I ate there when I was still in my tri-cornered-hat-and-epaulet phase. (That means the ’80s.) Seriously, though, the BBI has been the toast of Skippack since the 18th century. Chef/owner John Lamprecht held it after WWII ended, and the new owner, developer Bruce Goodman (Goodman Properties), is rumored to be keeping the Bell ringing. Huzzah.
➤ Poker-playing comedian Danny Ozark has been luring fellow comics, local and national, to his Laugh Away Thursdays at South Street’s Laff House for three years running. Good times were had by those on stage and the guys behind the promotion, Ozark and Damon D. After Aug. 9, however, it’s all over for the pair. Nothing harsh or horrible, just voodoo economics. Besides, these cats are working comics, so you’re still going to see them around town. That said, hit up Laff House tonight, give those guys your ten-spot and pay your respects. On a lighter note, Philly comic John Kensil joke-tweeted that he’ll be taking over Thursdays at Laff House with a sock-puppet show. Jerrrrrkoff.
➤ Can’t say that I recall Local 44’s food since I’m usually too drunky-drunk to chew while seated and sipping there. But the high-ceilinged West Philly student-saloon is getting an executive chef familiar to those of us who love the food fare at Stateside and the Corner: Justin Bennett, come on down.
➤ Tune into the Icepack Illustrated showcase showdown every Thursday at citypaper.net/criticalmass.
