Summer 2011

Memorial Day is here and so is summer 2011!


Time to light up the BBQ's and crack open the cold ones!


Everyone enjoy themselves, and above all else be safe!

The New Connection Record Release

The New Connection will release their long-awaited second album on May 27th at Northern Liberties hot-spot, Johnny Brenda’s, with support from local favorites The National Rifle and Southwork. The self-titled record shows growth and musical maturity from their first album, Mentally/Physically, while remaining true to the eclectic roots which have planted them in the hearts of Philly music lovers. This new album showcases the individual talents of each member and their broad range of influences; tracks range from sexy dance grooves to sublime, cosmic vocal journeys to chakkra-tingling riffs that will keep your feet tapping while your soul swirls in indie rock bliss.

Here's a quick Q and A:

What’s up with the new album?

The new album has just been sent to press and we’re really excited. It’s been a long time in the making and we’re really proud of where it’s at. We tracked most of it between Cambridge Sound Studios up in Newtown w/ Jim Salamone and the studio over at Brolik Productions. It’s a lot crisper than the last record, and I think it shows a lot more diversity of musical styles. Mentally/Physically is kind of a moment in time of punk and early indie. I think, this one shows the broad range of our current influences a lot more. We’re releasing it as download cards to get the digital music off of the Internet and 12” vinyls that come with a download card included.

Release Show?

This CD release show at Johnny Brendas on May 27th is gonna be a banger. We’re playing with two awesome bands, The National Rifle and Southwork. We’ve got some super secret special guests lined up and a few other surprises to make this one really pop. Doors at 8pm, Music at 9pm. National Rifle is opening and we play second at around 10pm. $10 tickets, get there early if you’ve gotta buy tix as it’s gonna sell out.

XPN Spot?

We just recorded a session with The National Rifle for John Vettesse that will air on YRock on XPN Philly Local Tracks, Thursday May 26th at 10pm. We played a few new songs and a few old, followed by an interview with our friends in TNR. You can check it out on 88.1 or the WXPN website.

Upcoming Shows?

Also, we have a sort of unofficial NYC release party going down at Crash Mansion on Jun 11th. The venue is awesome, we’re playing with our good friends Crills Wilson and Venice Sunlight. Last time was super weird, we’re really looking forward to that.

We’ll be kicking the shows up a notch after laying back and trying to get this record together. Now that its finished we are ready to hit it hard and play our balls off.

Woo Hoo!

That probably was one of the most genuine Woo Hoos you will ever hear/read! So excited for Frankford Hall! For those that haven't heard, Stephen Starr, restaurateur, entrepreneur, Top Chef guest judge and owner of STARR Restaurants (www.starr-restaurant.com) most recently opened a beer garden called Frankford Hall (1210 Frankford Avenue www.frankfordhall.com). The overcast weather might not have been perfect for opening day at Frankford Hall on Tuesday, but patrons were nonetheless able to enjoy a few beers outdoors. (Photo courtesy Starr Restaurants, information via James of Uwishunu www.uwishunu.com).


I've been in Philadelphia for seven years now. Throughout those seven years, I have spent most of my time in Fishtown. The area is hands down my favorite part of the city. With established places like Johnny Brendas, KungFu Necktie, Bookspace, The M Room, Murph's Bar, Ekta, Sketch, and The Barbary to more recent additions like The Piazza at Schmidts, Kraftwork and Brindle Cafe there's not a shortage of places to go and people to see.


Now, some will argue that some of what I mentioned is not actually Fishtown, but rather Northern Liberties. To those people, I say call it what you want... it's still an awesome area. Especially, now with the addition of Frankford Hall which boasts 240 seats outside, and another 160 inside. This neighborhood definitely makes a healthy contribution to the reason that Philadelphia is considered one of the nation's, if not THE nation's, best beer-drinking city.


FISHTOWN - Located immediately northeast of Center City, its borders are somewhat disputed today due to many factors, but are roughly defined by the triangle created by the Delaware River, Frankford Avenue, and York Street. Some newer residents expand the area to Lehigh Avenue, while some older residents shrink the area to Norris Street. It is served by the Market–Frankford Line rapid transit subway/elevated of the SEPTA system. Fishtown is known as a working class Irish Catholic neighborhood.


The name "Fishtown" is derived from the area's former role as the center of the shad fishing industry on the Delaware River. The name comes from the fact that a number of 18th and early 19th centuries German and German-American families bought up the fishing rights on both sides of the Delaware River from Trenton Falls down to Cape May, New Jersey. Also, in the early 18th century, an English colonist was fabled to have caught the largest shad in the world in the Delaware River.


The apocryphal local legend traces the name of Fishtown to Charles Dickens who purportedly visited the neighborhood in March 1842, but records show this to be false, as it was named Fishtown prior to his visiting.

Happy May 22nd!

Crills Wilson Record Release Show 5/19/11

www.crillswilson.com
Our friend, Philadelphia-based artist, Crills Wilson (www.crillswilson.com) is looking with starry eyes into the future as he prepares to release his debut album entitled Solid Gold Thursday, May 19th at Kung Fu Necktie. Crills Wilson is a clever, gritty blend of folk and punk rock. On stage, he and his band are a mix of "make you get up and dance" and "wow, I have to be sure to catch that again." Of my favorites from the album, "Cell Song," is probably one of the catchiest tunes that I've heard come out of Philadelphia. The song seems to set the scene of a traditional, drunken Irish bar in the midst of a loud and mischievous St. Paddy's day celebration. Although that isn't' what the song is about, at least that's what I think of when I hear it.

Solid Gold, was mixed by Todd Mecaughey (who also produced Man Is Nature by Cheers Elephant another Philly-based act). Crills Wilson's band came together in a few different ways over the past year and finally settled on a line up in August that enriches the music. Drummer Michael Dunn (of Smoker and the Rollers) brings a heavy hand to strengthen the mix while Bassist William Kleinberg's (of The Apostrophe's) backup vocals add to the drunken choir accompaniment. The lead guitar, Nick Palmer (of The Danger O's) tears through to lift your spirits from the sometimes dark subject matter. Add to this the fantastic keyboard styling of Ben James and you have "Solid Gold" on your hands (www.cloudentertainmentphilly.com).

The release show will take place at 8pm on 5/19/11 at KungFu Necktie in Philadelphia, PA. Joining Crills for the night is the indie-pop quintet Conversations With Enemies and howlin' blues rockers Penrose.

No Plans?

The Quelle Source is headed for NYC. Here's a picture of them hailing a cab. They will be playing Fontanas tonight on the Lower Ease Side. Check the link... www.thelodownny.com. Also, on the bill Tiff Randol and The Vapid.

If you can't make NYC tonight, TQS will be at KungFu Necktie tomorrow evening.

Tomorrow's show will be something like this...

Kung Fu Necktie is located at 1248 N Front St Philadelphia, PA 19122. Show starts at 8pm and is 21 plus. Tickets are $5. Also, on the bill, Japanese Sunday, The Water and Heliotropic. WEBSITE.

Seven Days

This reminds me of the time that I watched this really crazy ass video, and shortly after received a call from an unknown girl. When I picked up the phone she whispered "seven days." I was like, "Seven days until what?!" She didn't answer, she just hung up on me. I was so pissed off... I was like, "What a betch?" Anyways, my boy out in Cali wanted to see the video, so I made him a copy and mailed it out... haven't heard from him in a while. I hope he is doing okay.

Yeah, this is very similar because today I got a call from what I thought was that same rude chick. I picked up the phone and she was like "seven days!" I was like "Look betch!" However, before I could finish she told me that she was from Family Radio. I asked her why she called me after that video I watched several years ago. She told me that she didn't know what I was talking about, and that she wanted to call so that I could prepare my soul for next Saturday. I asked, "For what?" She was about to go into a story when I asked her to hold on because I wanted to pour a glass of whiskey while I listened. She got all upset, screamed "repent" and hung up the phone.

What is wrong with people?! So, I took it upon myself to look up Family Radio and found this.



My first thought was... "I'm not surprised." I just started going back to the gym. My second thought was, "Crap, now we will never know about Colt McCoy!" After I calmed down, I looked up Harold Camping the leader of Family Radio. Turns out, this is his like third prediction of the world ending. I immediately calmed down, but then got worried again because I thought to myself, "Well he has had a lot of practice... maybe this is it?"

So, as it stands now. I'm still going to the gym, but I am drinking more whiskey than normal. How are you all coping? Have you even heard yet?

I-M

3 days of Music

R's for Revenge boys and girls

A wise man once said, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Don't worry I'm not going to sit here and write a blog about how Osama didn't deserve his fate. I strongly believe that people should be held accountable for their actions, whether good or bad. It's just the sight of seeing people, teens, adults, children cheering the death of another person... it bothers me. It actually doesn't JUST bother me, it alienates me. It makes me feel alone, like I don't belong. Like I'm completely separated from the majority.


In the U.S. we publicly celebrate the death of our enemies. We dance in the street at the sight of their dead body. We wish the worse on our enemies, not only in life, but in death. We chant "USA USA USA"


Let's face it! Murder is justice in our world. At the very heart of our justice is vengeance. It's totally acceptable right? We can trace this back to the playground. "Now, Johnny, if a kid pushes you, you push him back! You don't take crap from anyone!"

It's ingrained in who we are, it's our nature...........


I guess, I'll be the one to stand up and ask the questions, "Where has it gotten us? Where will it take us?"

Today America looked just like THEY did when 911 happened. I'm just not so sure that's a step forward. Maybe it is for some, but not for me. I demand more, and I don't care if I have to demand it standing over here by myself.

We will forever be headed down the darkest path until we realize the true power of love and light. Faith alone should be enough to quench the thirst of vengeance. We're a Christian nation correct? Our impatience is brutal, and our beliefs are weak at best. Instant gratification should be our religion. Death to all who oppose!

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.