.january concerts

ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-Cherry Bomb!

I had three shows to attend this month but ended up going to two instead (bummed I missed Cate Le Bon but AT LEAST I saw her in May! Still heartbroken though). The first being Cherry Glazerr at PhilaMoca. I've never seen Cherry Glazerr live before and I didn't know much about her. I'm one of those people that doesn't really do my homework on bands at times. Having an air of mystery is exciting to me. At this show I did something different and tried the balcony on the side. It was a really neat view and you can just chill and pull up a chair to sit. Some guy had a good amount of space and was dancing, having his own Cherry Glazerr dance party. If you want to read a really great review of the show, go here. Perfect description of the night.

SETLIST:

Bundle package = amazing

SIP O'POISON
NUCLEAR BOMB
HAD TEN DOLLAZ
INSTAGRATIFICATION
APOCALIPSTICK
TOLD YOU I'D BE WITH THE GUYS
WHITE'S NOT MY COLOR THIS EVENING
STUPID FISH
TEENAGE GIRL
TRICK OR TREAT DANCEFLOOR
ONLY KID ON THE BLOCK
NURSE RATCHED
DADDI
GRILLED CHEESE
CHEWING CUD

Today I received my CG bundle package in the mail. You get a poster, her album, cd, and a rare 7" which consists of two songs "Territorial Pissings" and "Nuclear Bomb" (acoustic). The album is a white and red splatter which goes perfectly with her lipstick theme. She's a fireball of energy and if the Muppet Animal was reincarnated to play guitar, it's her. 

Tina in motion and rocking hardcore!

A few nights later there were charity concerts happening around Philly. It was hard because Ian Sweet was playing the same night as Sheer Mag but I decided to see Sheer Mag. My friend had a good point of seeing them in the past at venues where the sound wasn't great. Boot and Saddle has the best sound set-up and boy what a difference! Tina is always really amazing. The entire band is great fun and they enjoy playing. Plus they raised a lot of money for New Sanctuary of Philadelphia.

SETLIST:
INTRO
BUTTON UP
HARD LOVIN
SOPHIE
NOBODY'S BABY
SIT AND CRY
FEEL
WHAT YOU WANT
SUFFER
? (CAN'T MAKE IT OUT)
WORTH THE TEARS
CAN'T STOP FIGHTING
FAN THE FLAMES
POINT BREEZE

.sheer mag

The girls pulling a James Brown cloak moment on Marissa

I love Sheer Mag and I jumped on the chance to see them a second time. P and I were happy to complete our collection of Sheer Mag eps before the show. She bought I and I got I and II. Sheer Mag also had these amazing pins of their band name in gold. We bought those too. Securing a spot up front, we noticed Allison Crutchfield in the audience as Marissa Paternoster and her other band, Bad Canoes started to set up. It was hilarious. Apparently Marissa knew someone in the audience that graduated with a BA in Communications so the background on the screen was a graduation ceremony and she gave a shout out to him. Then she had a cat mask which was an inside joke of someone's cat named "Lenny Big Squish." She performed just about the entire show in the cat mask and came out into the audience. It was highly entertaining and I was cracking up the whole time. Bad Canoes was awesome. They sang songs about periods, the beach, and the mall. Dark Thoughts came out afterwards. It's funny because since I've been going to lots of shows and events I am constantly seeing members of Dark Thoughts at different venues and bars. One guy got out of hand during their set and slammed into me, sending me almost two feet backwards. I stood my ground and shook it off. We were mad because we had to move away from our front spots since he was causing such chaos. All of a sudden the band stopped their song, called him out, saying he was not the main focus of the show and that everyone should be able to enjoy their set. He eventually stood over towards the side. I thought that was really cool of the band. When DT's set was over, I think the guy apologized as the band packed up. 
 
Sheer Mag was fantastic as always. It didn't get too out of hand in terms of the crowd and everyone had a great time. My new favorite song of theirs is "Fan the Flame." Not only is Tina an amazing front-woman with total command, seeing the guys all play guitar together is a lot of fun. Recently they just made an appearance on Seth Meyers, so way to go Sheer Mag! I'm sure I will catch them many more times in Philly. 

.6 concerts 6 days

So yes, I came up with the idea to do six back-to-back shows in 6 days on top of work. Was this a dumb idea? Actually no! I took off of work for a 3-day weekend, spent most of Saturday sleeping in bed to catch up and had the energy of a firecracker for the last show. Instead of doing separate entries it would be easier to just do short, mini-reviews on all six. Ready? Here we go! On Monday The Kills played Union Transfer. I've liked them since 2005 and tend to like their earlier songs. When A&J hit the stage kicking into "No Wow" it took me back. The show was phenominal. Alison has amazing stage energy and presence. Hotel killed it on guitar and used the mic stand to actually shred. I got some pretty amazing shots and I got to catch up with one of my Sleater-Kinney friends and her friend. After I hung around in hopes of getting a set list and it was graciously handed to me. Here are the songs..

NO WOW

URA FEVER

HEART IS A BEATING DRUM

KISSY KISSY

HARD HABIT

DNA (crossed off)

HEART OF A DOG

IMPOSSIBLE TRACKS

BLACK BALLOON

DOING IT TO DEATH

BABY SAYS

WHIRLING EYE

POTS & PANS + MONKEY

TAPE SONG

BITTER FRUIT

SOUR CHERRY

Kim and the Created opened for them. I was not feeling it nor was my friend. However I did like her stage outfit of a fireball cat suit. She crowd surfed a few times and I enjoyed the lights around her guitar. At the merch table I bought the most amazing Kills poster. That is getting framed and hung on my door.

Night #2 was Sheer Mag at my favorite venue, The First Unitarian Church. I love seeing all of the "punk people" as I call them. Because I am a tiny thing I usually don't stand front and center since the pit is alive and well at these kinds of events. The first band was Blank Spell and they were pretty good. The second band was from Ontario called Triage. I really loved them and purchased their album. The third band was Fuck SS. They had some followers there and the pit became more crazy when they performed. Finally Sheer Mag came on. Tina is so great. Since the man in front of me was 6'7" I could barely see and had to get footage on my tip-toes. They are playing again at Phila Moca in May so I'm definitely going. Sadly I do not have a set list from this show so I don't know exactly what was played other than most of the songs off their third EP.

Night #3 was Pins at The Milk Boy. My friend recommended I see this band with her as they opened for a band called The Subways. Waiting in line I ironically met two Sleater-Kinney fans that ironically attended the NY shows since they looked semi-familiar. They claimed they were also there for Pins as well. Pins are from Manchester. They are pop / punk. During their one song "Girls Like Us" they kick into "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." It was neat to hear. The four of us stood up front and danced the entire time. Faith and Lois came out into the audience a few times to interact with us and it was a blast! They enjoyed us so much they tweeted and wrote on Instagram "Thank you Philly, love all you ladies at the front." We said they basically put on a show just for us. After buying tons of their merchandise we spoke briefly to them and they told us thanks for dancing. Here is their set list...

MOLLY

YOUNG GIRLS

TOO LITTLE

TROUBLE

LUVV4LYF

GET WITH ME

GIRLS LIKE US

MAD FOR YOU

OH LORD

WFTE

DAZED

MISFITS

Night #4 was Bleached at Johnny Brendas. Ironically we did not catch the opening act, went upstairs five minutes before Bleached went on and still nabbed front spots. We loved the stage decor of fake flowers around amps and drums. Very 90s vibey. Their sound is very grungy, California pop. Jennifer was really great and the band as a whole sounded really great live. The girls came close to the end of the stage and in the audience. My favorite song is "Wednesday Night Melody" and I was elated to hear it live. Hitting up the merch stand we bought their coloring book which was just adorable, pins, tee shirts, etc. My friend nabbed some discarded drum sticks on the stage and got those signed by the drummer. Here is the Bleached set list...

TRYIN LOSE

KEEP ON

WEDNESDAY

SLEEPWALKING

SEARCHING

RAMONES

ELECTRIC CHAIR

THINK OF YOU

DESOLATE TOWN

TELEPHONE

CHEMICAL AIR

SOUR CANDY

NEXT STOP

DEAD IN YOUR HEAD

Night #5 Taco Cat from Seattle. My friend was so excited for this show, I was too. It was the first time I've been to Everybody Hits which is a batting cage but it hosts bands which is different and cool. I LOVE feminist girl punk bands. This was stellar. There were 3 opening bands; Audacity, Pujol, and I honestly forget the name of the other. The venue was FREEZING inside so I started to get the chills by the end of the night which sucked majorly. Taco Cat did not go on until midnight and had to cut their set because of curfew issues with the building. Major suckage when they are the headlining band! Damn it. They played some awesome songs as "Hey Girl!" which all the girls in the crowd chanted along to, "I Hate the Weekend" "FDP" and others. Their wardrobe was killer as it consisted of cats, eye stickers, guitar stickers, emoji leggins, and just fabulous attire all around. Their merch was amazing as we bought pretty much everything. We talked to Emily about Kathleen Hanna and the band was so excited about that moment and picture with her. Anyway my friend nabbed a set list, I did not but I'll come back and post what songs they played.

Night #6 Thao and the Get Down Stay Down. With tons of sleep and Dayquil Saturday afternoon I made it. Thao? Twitter was all abuzz about her so I decided to check out her songs. At first it took me a few listens to "A Man Alive" but it clicked and I was hooked. Her lyrics were not really hard to memorize so I was happy to sing along to most of her songs. I met up with some Sleater-Kinney fans from NY that I went to shows with. It was fun. The crowd was great, she was into it. I honestly did not want it to end. The best was at the end she kicked into a cover of Missy Elliot's "Get Your Freak On." There was also audience participation sing-along and just rocking out. At the merch table I bought two of her albums (most recent and We the Common). My friend was very kind to let me have his set list, here are the songs...

EVENING

CITY

DEPARTURE

ASTONISHED MAN

HOLY ROLLER

FOOL FOREVER

AGE OF ICE

SWIMMING POOLS

HAND TO GOD

MILLIONAIRE

EVERYBODY

SLASH/BURN

KINDNESS

BEAT

WHEN WE SWAM

GUTS

NOBODY DIES

M BIRD

GET YR FREAK ON

WE THE COMMON

Apologies if this entry is completely incoherent and my brain is mush trying to articulate how amazing all the shows were. I would probably do this again. A lot of people think I'm nuts but people need to realize, your job is secondary. You need to have fun in life.