Local Radar: Welter

[Full disclosure: Welter front man Jeremy Saul is more than just a great musician; he is also a dear friend! As a result, I held off blogging about Welter for many months. But their debut record is so great, I had to share! Read on to find out why...]

Philly rock trio Welter make music that hearkens back to America in the '90s -- when bands like Jawbreaker and Alkaline Trio won over fans with angst-y lyrics, post-punk guitars and adrenaline-fueled basement romps. Front man Jeremy Saul grew up listening to classic and alt rock, and has been giging around around the city for years, winning over crowds with his earnest lyrics and sick guitar work, before forming Welter in 2010. Since then, the band has quickly earned its stripes as a promising up-and-comer, opening for acts like the Misfits, The Absolute Zeros, BOAT, and more.

Opening for BOAT! (Pilam, 4/1/11)

Their debut album, The Bush Years (named after the era when many of the songs were conceived) dropped a few weeks back and proves a rollicking listen of grunge-y, post-punk anthems that feel both instantly familiar and refreshingly new -- reinventing '90s rock in a similar manner to contemporaries like Cloud Nothings and Yuck. Opener "For the distance" is a crunchy, angst-ridden gambol with slick guitars; follower "Favorite" is a surprisingly sweet, whistle-laden love song. "Son of Captain Obvious" is the clear single -- all jangly punk chords and too-cool-to-care Billie Joe Armstrong-esque vocals -- while "In your own" bounces along exuberantly, its boisterous chorus burrowing in your skull.

Elsewhere, the band flirts with hard rock (the Deep Purple-esque "Let me ride"), reflection (the earnest-but-not-cloying "Such"; the introspective "Day is Done") and psychedelics (the appropriately named "Psychedelia") more or less successfully -- resulting in an engaging listen that alt-rock fans of all types are sure to enjoy.

J. Saul, getting his rock on

Stream "Son of Captain Obvious" for free at Welter's Bandcamp; then tune in to my radio show Monday night from 6 to 8 p.m. to catch a sweet cut from The Bush Years.

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Best New Music: Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever have been making music for 10 years now...which means most likely you've heard their tunes and didn't even realize it! (In the films City of Ghosts and Broken Flowers, or perhaps on the TV show Weeds?) An L.A.-based 6-piece with an eye towards fusion, Dengue Fever craft quirky, warm, Eastern tinged-rock music inspired by the sounds of 1960s Cambodia -- an era known for its psychedelic melodies, lush vocals, and undeniable pop appeal.

You give me fever...Dengue fever!

Front woman Chhom Nimol grew up a celebrated pop star in Cambodia; her airy English and Khmer language vocals lend the music an air of mysticism. The band's 4th full length, Cannibal Courtship, dropped ;ast week on Fantasy records and is quickly becoming a new favorite -- read my full review and more (including how Dengue Fever found their name!) at Phrequency.com.

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Song of the Week: Reading Rainbow

Blissed out husband/wife duo Reading Rainbow have long been local faves, thanks to their effortless, hazy, '60s-influenced psych rock. Their new 7", Cover the Sky, dropped last week on Hell, Yes! records, and is this week's pick for Local Ear Candy over at the AV Club Philly. Head on over to find out why (and maybe learn a little bit about music theory too.)

Reading Rainbow looking nonchalant, despite the presence of
2 very hungry looking tigers brawling behind them.

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YRock on XPN Playlist, 4/25/11

Mostly sunny rock tunes for a mostly sunny day.

6:00

Little Comets, “Adultery”
Album: In Search of Elusive Little Comets

Light Pollution, “Oh, Ivory!”
Album: Apparitions

Peter Bjorn and John, “Breaker Breaker”
Album: Gimme Some

The So So Glos, “My Block” (Radio edit)
Album: Tourism / Terrorism

The Vines, “Factory” (Radio edit)
Album: Highly Evolved

Vivian Girls, “Where Do You Run to?”
Album: Vivian Girls

The Twang, “Ice Cream Sundae”
Album: Love it When I Feel Like This

Who Knew, “We Do”
Album: Bits And Pieces of a Major Spectacle

Atmosphere, “Puppets”
Album: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

Head Like a Kite, “We’re Always on the Wrong Side of Sunrise”
Album: Dreams Suspend Night

tUnE-yArDs, “Gangsta”
Album: w h o k i l l

Mazes, “Go Betweens”
Album: A Thousand Heys

The Cloud Room, “Beautiful Mess”
Album: The Cloud Room

Shout Out Louds, “Fall Hard”
Album: Work

The Concretes, “Chosen One”
Album: In Colour

Band of Horses, “Wicked Gil”
Album: Everything All the Time

Spoon, “Everything Hits at Once”
Album: Girls Can Tell

Quasi, “Our Happiness is Guaranteed”
Album: Featuring Birds


Google image result #26 for "Our happiness is guaranteed"


7:00

Man Man, “Van Helsing Boombox”
Album: Six Demon Bag

Luisa Mandou Um Beijo, “Com Um Pote de Geléia de Morango Nas Mãos”
Album: Luisa Mandou Um Beijo

The Fresh & Onlys, “Do You Believe in Destiny?”
Album: Secret Walls

Family Portrait, “Wait”
Album: Family Portrait

The Feelies, “Should Be Gone”
Album: Here Before

Cheap Trick “Surrender”
Album: Heaven Tonight

Sonny and the Sunsets, “She Plays Yo Yo With my Mind”
Album: Hit After Hit

Gang of Four, “What We All Want”
Album: Solid Gold

En Tout Cas, “Dengue Fever”
Album: Dengue Fever

The Vaccines, “If You Wanna”
Album: What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?

The Boo Radleys, “Comb Your Hair”
Album: Kingsize

Silver Jews, “Candy Jail”
Album: Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea

Violent Femmes, “American Music”
Album: Who Do Birds Sing?

Smith Westerns, “Dye the World”
Album: Dye it Blonde

Hockey, “Preacher”
Album: Mind Chaos

Tune in again next week for more cool tunes!

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Music Video Mondays: I'm from Barcelona

Sunny Swedish pop collective I'm from Barcelona were feeling down in the dumps for a while (or at least: that's what it felt like listening to 2008's Who Killed Harry Houdini) -- but now they're looking up again, with the exuberant, cheerful Forever Today -- released last week on Mute Records. "Get in line" is the first single, and was recorded live (along with the rest of the album) in a studio large enough to fit all 22 members AND give them room to dance. Which, as you can see, is absolutely necessary.

I love that the one guy has a A Place to Bury Strangers tee-shirt!

Summery tunes like this are a godsend on days like today. If only they came complete with a lounge chair and a cocktail.

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Best New Music: Panda Bear

THE ANIMAL COLLECTIVE COLLECTIVE CAN DO NO WRONG. Or at least that's what it feels like. (Plus I like typing "Collective collective".) No other band produces such lush, exuberant music that seems to perfectly encapsulate the giddiness and thrill of summer, and Tomboy -- the latest from A.C.'s Noah Lennox (a.k.a., Panda Bear) -- is no different. The blogosphere has been pretty much fawning all over it -- check out my thoughts over at XPN's All About the Music blog.

Panda Bear shows off his fierce style!

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Stichcore: Experimental Sewing Music

Yes, I'm serious. Philly duo Seamripper craft percussive musical collages using the sounds of the sewing studio: pins dropping and machines humming. I chatted with the girls earlier this week about their project -- check it out at A.V. Club Philly!

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Best New Music: tUnE-yArDs

It's ALMOST the type of thing you have to hear for your self -- so bizarre and bizarrely wonderful is tUnE-yArDs. The output of unique musical ingenue Merrill Garbus -- tUnE-yArDs challenges concepts like "genre" and "structure" (who needs 'em?) by mashing them all together and coming up thrilling.

Garbus, making the same face I do when I listen to her tunes

A ukulele master and bell-toned vocalist -- whose effortless navigation makes woodwind virtuosos sound clumsy -- her new album w h o k i l l explores big political topics through wily Afro-pop melodies and looping: building up expansive layers of sound, only to pull them away at will. Listening on headphones, I feel like my brain is exploding -- which on a day like today (4/20; apparently some holiday?) is so, so necessary. Read my full review -- and check out a sweet vid -- at your source for Brain-Melting tunes, Phrequency.com.

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The Handsome Furs lead sexy, sweaty romp at Kung Fu Necktie

The last time I saw Canadian electro-rockers The Handsome Furs (in July 2009, at Johnny Brenda's) -- I described the experience as akin to watching two people make love on stage. (Read that review, and see photos here). I used this description because: 1) Dan Boeckner and Alexei Perry are married, and still very much into each other; and 2) during live performances they flail around a lot, turning knobs and pounding keys in a bizarre sort of sweaty, sexual mating dance. This is necessary for creating grand, moody concoctions and honestly -- probably something other bands could learn from.

The Furs! (click any photo to enlarge.)

Monday night at Kung Fu Necktie however was all about exuberance. Boeckner and Perry were in high spirits, regaling the crowd with tales of shows at drunken frats ("We were offered both coke and sorority pledges, and there was one guy who was too stoned to get out of his shark costume," recalled Boeckner) -- and zooming through an hour long set of new material (from the forthcoming Sound Kapital) and old faves with smiles, sweat, and even some ballet moves.








Boeckner alternated between guitar and synths (rumor has it that Kapital was written entirely on keyboards!), biceps bulging as he gripped the mic tightly. To his left, Perry proved a knob-turning MACHINE -- despite several giant bauble rings -- whipping her hair back and forth as she danced barefoot on the stage.










Tunes like fearless anthem "All we want, baby, is everything" had the crowd waving their hands excitedly -- while new single "What about us?" quickly overtook with its catch-y back beat. The band closed with pop-friendly pleaser "Radio Kalinigrad -- leaving the crowd dripping with sweat and stunned. Not bad for a Monday night!






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YRock on XPN Playlist, 4/18/11

Lots of floaty vocals, hazy synths and sweet pop melodies for a hazy Monday!

6:00

Mystery Jets, “Hideaway”
Album: Twenty One

Viva Voce, “Good as Gold”
Album: Rose City

Freelance Whales, “Hannah”
Album: Weathervanes

Xylos, “Not Enough”
Album: Xylos

Alex Winston, “Choice Notes”
Album: Sister Wife

Blonde Redhead, “Dr. Strangeluv”
Album: 23

The Knife, “Heartbeats”
Album: Deep Cuts

Ghosts, “Stay the Nights”
Album: The World is Outside

Islands, “Vapours”
Album: Vapours

David Bowie, “Sound and Vision”
Album: Low

Foals, “Total Life Forever”
Album: Total Life Forever

Passion Pit, “Moth’s Wings”
Album: Manners

Ponytail, “Easy Peasy”
Album: Do Whatever You Want All The Time

Blackbird Blackbird, “Happy High”
Album: Summer Heart

Toro y Moi, “New Beat”
Album: Underneath the Pine


Chaz from Toro Y Moi, riding a chillwave of radness (photo via Myspace)


7:00

Les Sins, “Lina”
Album: Lina

Neon Indian, “Deadbeat Summer”
Album: Psychic Charms

Panda Bear, “Tomboy”
Album: Tomboy

jj, “From Africa to Malaga”
Album: nº 2

Braids, “Plath Heart”
Album: Native Speaker

Twin Sister, “All Around and Away We Go”
Album: Color Your Life

Johnny Action Figure, “Young Rider”
Album: Good Eye

Herman’s Hermits, “Can’t You Hear My Heart Beat?”
Album: A Greatest Hits Collection: Herman's Hermits 1964 -1970

Gildon Works, “A Pity for the City”
Album: Artful Rifle

Ian Brown, “The World is Yours”
Album: The World is Yours

Sun Airway, “Oh Naoko”
Album: Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier

Beach House, “10 Mile Stereo”
Album: Teen Dream

Yo La Tengo,” My Little Corner of the World”
Album: I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One

Chad & Jeremy, “Yesterday’s Gone”
Album: The Folk Years: Yesterday’s Gone

Nada Surf, “Whose Authority”
Album: Lucky

Foreign Born, “That Old Sun”
Album: Person to Person

Missed the show? It happens. Tune in again next Monday from 6 to 8 for more musical goodness!

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This Day in Music History: April 17, 1974

Ohhh yeah, Philly in the '70s. I wasn't alive yet, but I can imagine the splendor. What happened on this date (err, yesterday's date) 37 years ago?



Head over to the AV Club Philly to find out!

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Music Video Mondays: Craft Spells

"After the Moment," the fabulous, new single from Seattle bedroom pop collective Craft Spells made an appearance on my radio show 2 weeks ago -- and has been swirling around in my head ever since.

There's something about this tune that feels instantly familiar -- those pillow-y, '80s synths; that hazy, drunk-and-nodding-along pulse. The cinematography here seems to capture the mood just perfectly -- those muted color filters and long shots imbuing it with a sort of beautiful resignation. After the moment, all we have are memories.

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Best New Music: Xylos

It's exactly what I need on a dreary, cold day like today (or really: any day), when the sun refuses to shine and all warmth and brightness must come from within. Luckily, Brooklyn fivesome Xylos have warmth and brightness to spare, as it positively radiates from their debut, self-titled LP.



From scintillating dream pop concoctions to synth-y, feel-good, dance floor jams -- and breezy, boy-girl, summer pop anthems -- Xylos spins the pop wheel and wins every time, luring you in with glittering ease. Check out my full review over at Phrequency.com, and catch a video of the band in action. Then, tune in to my radio show next Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. to hear a choice cut from Xylos. They might just become your new favorite band.

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Song of the Week: Creepoid

Local fuzz rockers Creepoid just rocked Pilam's Human BBQ Saturday night; they're also this week's pick for Song of the Week over at The AV Club, where my new column, "Ear Candy" debuts today. To quoth (myself):

If you’ve ever felt vaguely embarrassed about how little you know about local music, but felt the task of getting educated was too intimidating, it’s okay. Ear Candy will introduce you, one song at a time, to Philly bands you may have heard about but never actually heard.

Creepoid at Human BBQ. (Photo Teresa McCullough for Phrequency.com)

Head over to AV Club to see what song I chose (and get educated!) -- then check back regularly for more sweet picks!

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YRock on XPN Playlist, 4/11/11

Some summer tunes, synth pop, and moody '90s music.

6:00

A Band of Bees, “Who Cares What the Question Is?”
Album: Octopus

Neil Diamond, “Cherry Cherry”
Album: The Greatest Hits 1966-1992

Maritime, “It’s Casual”
Album: Human Hearts

Mazes, “Cenetaph”
Album: A Thousand Heys

The Spinto Band, “They All Laughed”
Album: Moonwink

Robbers on High Street, “The Fatalist”
Album: Grand Animals

Royal Bangs, “Poison Control”
Album: Let It Beep

Cults, “Go Outside”
Album: Go Outside

Real Estate, “Atlantic City”
Album: Real Estate

Little Ann, “Going Down a One Way Street (The Wrong Way)”
Album: The Bees Present the Sound Selection

The Mamas and the Papas, “Somebody Groovy”
Album: Greatest Hits

The Lovin’ Spoonful, “Daydream”
Album: Daydream

Death Cab for Cutie, “No Sunlight”
Album: Narrow Stairs

Papercuts, “Marie Says You’ve Changed”
Album: Fading Parade

Work Drugs, “Sunset Junction”
Album: Tropic of Capricorn

Color Theory, “It Must Be Halloween”
Album: The Sound

Yelle, “Que Veux-Tu”
Album: Safari Disco Club

M83, “Kim & Jessie”
Album: Saturdays=Youth


Kim & Jessie (& Julie, & Amanda, & Sarah)


7:00

The Sounds, “Dance With the Devil”
Album: Something to Die For

La Femme, “Sur La Planche”
Album: Le Podium #1: La Femme

Red Red Meat, “Chain Chain Chain”
Album: Bunny Gets Paid

Luna, “Chinatown”
Album: Penthouse

The Smiths, “Girlfriend in a Coma”
Album: Strangeways, Here We Come

Air, “Radio #1”
Album: 10000 Hz Legend

The Subjects, “The Hounds of War”
Album: With the Ease Grace Precision and Cleverness of Human Beings

The Vaselines, “Turning It On”
Album: Sex With an X

Television, “Call Mr. Lee”
Album: Television

St. Vincent, “Marrow”
Album: Actor

Suckers, “It Gets Your Body Movin’”
Album: Wild Smile

Hefner, “I Took Her Love for Granted”
Album: The Fidelity Wars

Fergus & Geronimo, “Harder Than its Ever Been”
Album: Unlearn

Sambassadeur, “Days”
Album: European

The Format, “Tune Out”
Album: Interventions & Lullabies

Martha & the Vandellas, “Dancing in the Streets”
Album: The Definitive Collection

Missed the show? You jerk! (j/k) Tune in again next Monday from 6 to 8 for more sweet jamz.

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Haiku Review: Human BBQ

Brains fried from too much

rocking? 10 hours of tunes
too much for the weak.



Dangerbird at Human BBQ (Photo Teresa McCullough for Phrequency.com)

Read the full review (all day Saturday, Pilam) here!

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Local Radar: Work Drugs

It's pretty much a perfect name, simultaneously mocking and appealing to the young trust-funder generation and their Adderall-popping habits. The college I attended (which rhymes with Smuniversity of Smennsylvania) was full of these types (the school newspaper even ran a story about it my freshman year, enticing pretty much everyone I know to seek it out) -- who seemed to like pairing their pill-popping fun times with nautical apparel and yacht rock.

Yacht rock. As seen on TV.

Work Drugs are maybe considered yacht rock, but more in a smooth, chillwave, Teen Daze kinda way than a lame Kenny Loggins way. A collaboration between longtime bff/ chill masters Thomas Crystal (basically the most chillwave name ever) and Benjamin Louisiana -- Work Drugs craft glistening, hazy, slow electronic jamz, perfect for late late at night, or any time you need a sweet escape.




Their debut album, Tropic of Capricorn, dropped April 1, and proves a silky smooth listen SO soothing, it's like all your problems melt away. (Well, at least until you turn it off, and there they are staring you in the face again.) Opener "Curious Serge" is a sparkling, falsetto-peppered groove that insists over and over: "Oh it gets better" over tropical beats. What could possibly be better? Follower "Rad racer" is similarly chill (is it ok to describe chillwave tunes as chill?) while "Third wave" sounds like the soundtrack to the most tripped out dance party ever.

But my favorite track? The appropriately named "Sunset junction", a hazy, sun-drenched exploration that chants "Drugs work, drugs work, drugs work, drugs work." Or maybe "work drugs, work drugs, work drugs, work." Either way, super awesome!

Check out the video for "Curious Serge" below. Drugs work indeed!

Previously on Local Radar: Creeping Weeds.

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Best New Music: Mazes

I don't know what it is about 2011 -- but all I want to listen to this year is '90s sounding rock. Case in point: London-by-way-of-Manchester rockers Mazes, a sloppy, poppy, garage rock foursome who owe debt to GBV, Pavement, and all those other lo-fi bands it's cool to emulate once more.



Their debut album, A Thousand Heys, drops next Tuesday on Fat Cat Records (Animal Collective, No Age) and proves a non-stop romp of fuzzy, jangly gems. Check out my full review at Phrequency.com -- then make sure to check out A Thousand Heys for yourself next week. I promise, It will a-MAZE you.

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YRock on XPN Playlist, 4/4/11

The mostly pop show!

6:00

The Pipettes, “Stop the Music”
Album: Stop the Music

The Apples in Stereo, “Can You Feel It?”
Album: New Magnetic Wonder

Architecture In Helsinki, “Contact High”
Album: Moment Bends

Crystal Stilts, “Dazzled”
Album: Alight of Night

The Swingin' Medallions, “Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)”
Album: History Of Rock Vol 8

Dirty Beaches, “True Blue”
Album: Badlands

Cindy Bullens, “It’s Raining on Prom Night”
Album: Grease

The Jesus and Mary Chain, “Happy When it Rains”
Album: Darklands

Craft Spells, “After the Moment”
Album: Idle Labor

The Zutons, “Harder and Harder”
Album: You Can Do Anything

TV on the Radio, “Caffeinated Consciousness”
Album: Nine Types of Light

Hot Panda, “1995”
Album: How Come I’m Dead?

Savoir Adore, “Sparrow”
Album: Sparrow (Single)

Fur Bearing Animals, “Ivy Harvey Shoes”
Album: Fur Bearing Animals

The xx, “Crystalised”
Album: xx

Wildbirds & Peacedrums, “The Wave”
Album: Rivers

WB+PD

7:00

tUnE-yArDs, “Bizness”
Album: w h o k i l l

The Sunshine Fix, “Digging to China”
Album: Age of the Sun

Au Revoir Simone, “Stars”
Album: The Bird of the Music

Portastatic, “I Wanna Know Girls”
Album: Bright Ideas

Todd Rundgren, “It Takes Two To Tango (This Is For The Girls)”
Album: Something / Anything?

Ringo Starr, “It Don’t Come Easy”
Album: Ringo

The Zombies, “Tell Her No"
Album: The Zombies

Belle & Sebastian, “I'm Not Living in the Real World”
Album: Write About Love

The Clientele, “I Wonder Who We Are”
Album: Bonfires on the Heath

The Chills, “Kaleidoscope World”
Album: Kaleidoscope World

Elf Power, “Back to the Web”
Album: Back to the Web

The Dodos, “Sleep”
Album: No Color

Tunng, “Bullets”
Album: Good Arrows

The New Pornographers, “Letter From an Occupant”
Album: Mass Romantic

Friendly Fires, “Lovesick”
Album: Friendly Fires

The Supremes, “Someday We'll Be Together”
Album: Gold

Missed the show? No worries! Tune in again next Monday from 6 to 8 for more sweet tunes!

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Photos: BOAT with Creeping Weeds and Welter at Pilam, 4/1/11

Snarky garage rockers BOAT stopped by Pilam Friday night for a secret basement show, along with Philly locals Creeping Weeds and Welter.

Welter also marked the release of their debut record, The Bush Years, an angst-y, 90s-rific, alt-rock romp, available streaming for free on their Bandcamp.

Welter. These photos taken Friday night, despite looking like they were taken in 1995

BOAT played tunes from Dress Like Your Idols, their new release on Magic Marker, as well as old faves like "Lately" and "We've been friends since 1989" -- their jangly garage rock feeling right at home in the multi-colored basement.

BOAT front man David Crane, washed out by the flash!

Creeping Weeds closed out the night, their sparkly, sun-drenched melodies filling the space with warm energy. Too awesome of a show to be secret!



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Photos: STRFKR + Casiokids at Johnny Brenda's, 3/31/11

It was a good night for dance music, as least over in Fishtown. Polyvinyl beat-makers/U.E. Best New Music picks STRFKR and Casiokids stopped by Johnny Brenda's last night for a sweaty, spirited, sold-out show.

Casiokids took the stage first, invigorating the crowd with their high-energy theatrics. Front man Ketil Kinden Endresen flitted about like a magical, musical bunny, gesturing wildly and contorting his face -- while guitarist/beat master Fredrik Vogsborg flailed about wildly, eventually jumping off stage and into the eager crowd.

Calm and in control....to start

Then this happened.

STRFKR took the stage next, after hooking up quite possibly the most gear I have ever seen:

Tweaking and tuning

Bathed in blue light, with a multi-colored strobe flashing mysteriously -- the Portland 4-piece transformed the venue into a sleazy, sweaty netherworld, pulsing beats rocking the crowd to its core.








By the time they finished, the walls breathed sweat and the floor was slick with condensation and spilled beer...but everyone was too hyped to care. A good night for dance music indeed!

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