girl about town

Eye Candy #60: So Cow and Brown Recluse live at Kung Fu Necktie, 2/12/10

So Cow photos by C. Marcoux (above)




Brown Recluse photos by C. Marcoux (above)

Brown Recluse - slumberland recs / myspace
So Cow - band site / tic tac totally! / myspace
 
 

Pretty Green - Liam Gallagher shows off his Peacock Suit, Weller wants in; we're sure.

With brother Noel leaving, and Oasis on ice for the moment; at least until the (ahem) '2.0 version' can rise like the fire we're told will arise again (phoenix-like) from the ashes: Liam Gallagher can relax and strut his dress-sense about in this sensibly dressed and cool collection for men. There was a mighty hoo-ha late last year over UK clothing store Selfridges (one of the World's original department stores; open since 1904 and known for its architecture, decor and layout, as well as its unique take on customer service and bold boutique and high-couture label items) presentations and in-store appearances for the start of the brand new launch of Pretty Green label and line of men's clothing and outerwear featuring brother Liam as sole designer and model.

Fabulous cheering modish birds, and buoys-alike came out in droves to shake hands with the man, get autographs, and ogle the latest statement on the latest twist for a modern look for men. With items that are not out of step with versions of mod design faves Ben Sherman, Penguin, Fred Perry, and the like; the Pretty Green spins, but with its hands further into an edge of psychedelia and of course--rock, due to its current head face of fashion. The polo's are a cut above the cost of originals by Sherman and Perry (with exchange and shipping) at £55.00, but are limited edition with certain makes and sizes already selling out by the looks of it. And with smart-looking hats, parkas, trench coats, scarves and shirts as well, the line is a perfect starting point for a classic look. Split into two sub-labels: The Green Label (for casual dress) and The Black Label (for a smarter look), the line takes a neat approach to each look that gives each piece the practical ability to be worn with just about anything.

"Clothes and music are my passion. I'm not here to rip anyone off and I'm not doing it for the money either. I'm doing it cuz there's a lack of stuff out there of the things I would wear" Liam Gallagher 2009

As Liam looks to be (tongue-n-cheekily) running things from the privacy of his own laptop; you can get a few smiles on from his hard approach to Q & A about the new label. Just email askliam[at]prettygreen.com or tweet at #askliam for answers (beware the sensitive). We personally hope for trainers and baby clothes in the new year, as well as some smart ties and accessories for men!

Pretty Green - web site

Eye Candy #59: Camera Obscura at Music Hall of Williamsburg, 11/22/09

Camera Obscura photos by C. Marcoux

After having seen Camera Obscura nearly four times now, we have come to the conclusion that when their show burns at full heat, then it is on; but that when the temperature cools and Ms. Tracyanne Campbell doesn't feel up to it that its spirit wanes to cool faster than gales on the shore of a chilly sea. We love the music that Camera Obscura creates, and so we have to wonder what brings them down when they have a gig that is too calm to bear repeating the very next night. Got the blues(?); or maybe the title of new album "My Maudlin Career" is to blame.

Seeing Tracyanne in full spirits for her show this past month in Brooklyn however, gave us pause and great hope for heat-filled shows in the future. Just, maybe, not two nights in a row. We had great live opening act Papercuts to blow our hair parts back and sing us folk-pop melodies of the highest order from their haunting new album "You Can Have What You Want", and then the fiery and lovely songs of Camera Obscura sang with an angst that we had never before witnessed (but were waiting wholeheartedly for) in the stormy atmosphere of previous performances for the "Let's Get Out Of This Country" tour.

What made this recent Brooklyn show so special? Was it the sparkle dress that Tracyanne wore that we were loving all the way down to her bowed and black patent leather shoes, and was it the attendance of band manager and top-notch pop musician Francis Macdonald in the audience, or, was it that she and the band were in just the mood to show us their rock moves? Either way, it was a winning night, and we're happy to have gone home with more magic than we can remember from their last tour and more hope that maybe it could happen again, in good faith. We want to see more shaking of the hair down to the guitar strings Tracyanne, and more full-hand tambourine shake-outs to the stage, audience, and sky! Repeat next season, maybe? A little more Razzle Dazzle Rose? Well, we can hope!

View the full Camera Obscura and Papercuts photo album of the show at Music Hall of Williamsburg by clicking here.

For the live Camera Obscura in-store sets at Other Music earlier in the afternoon, check them out by clicking here.

Camera Obscura - band site / myspace

Eye Candy #58: Slumberland 20th Anniversary Party, Bell House NYC - 11/14/09

Fans huddling around the merch table for the Slumberland 20th Anniversary Party at The Bell House.

Featured acts for the night included Brown Recluse, Nord Express, Lorelei, Pants Yell!, The Ropers, Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Crystal Stilts. The show was a sell-out and more, with fans clamoring around merchandise, freshly made papusa's (we're not kidding) and jamming out to Slumberland's owner Mike Schulman's tunes before the first set with Brown Recluse, and then between bands. We experienced an evening of tremendous spirit, and energy that came from the crowd who were there to support the label and Mike (who got into the spirit as well as you will see below), as well as from the bands thanking Mike for his unwavering support, to all of the bands who were playing during the weekend in support of the anniversary. We'll have more interviews and writing for you during the week, so stay tuned for more in continuing with Slumberland's Anniversary show and 20th Anniversary celebration.

Mike Schulman on stage for the Nord Express performance ...

Eye Candy #57: The Rifles @ Kung Fu Necktie & Mercury Lounge, 9/22-9/24/09

Photos by Tear-n Tan

For London UK's The Rifles, their first show at Philadelphia's Kung Fu Necktie was a mixture of fans who had previously seen the band live and opening for Paul Weller on a previous tour, and new fans aware of the buzz on the group's latest album, "The Great Escape". Newly signed to Nettwerk for the group's second album, the band played a surprisingly modest set for their first show in the sense that their on-stage banter was confident, but their playing was reserved with tracks like "Great Escape" running a bit slow. The set came together especially on "Romeo & Julie" with this becoming the raucous sing-along hit of the night. It ended the night on a great note and added a great flourish to their finish, especially because Lucas Crowther was wearing the shirt of the same slogan and rocking it. The set was fun, with several fans dancing supported by the group's jubilant punk-pop vibe and with Joel's eerie Jam-era vocals stealing the show; fists were pumping. Lead singer Joel Stoker remained talkative with the crowd while they featured tracks from the new album as well as their previous LP "No Love Lost". Overall, this was a fun show, and they were fantastic to hear live for the first time; of course, a group is allowed to have warm-up jitters, and maybe this was the one set that the group needed in order to warm up for their NYC dates to come. We sent our NYC contributor Tearn-Tan to photograph the show at Mercury Lounge (view more photos here) for what we heard was a smash success follow-up to their date here in Philly.

Kung-Fu Necktie Set List:
(01) Science in Violence, (02) Standards, (03) Repeated Offender, (04) I Could Never Lie, (05) Great Escape, (06) Peace and Quiet, (07) Out in the Past, (08) History, (09) Hometown Blues, (10) Spend a Lifetime, (11) Toe Rag, (12) Robin Hood, (13) When I'm Alone, (14) The Arrival, (15) Local Boy, (16) Romeo & Julie

The Rifles - band site / nettwerk / myspace

Eye Candy #56: Muse @ Giants Stadium in East Rutherfurd, NJ - 09/23/09

Photos by D. O'Toole

Muse opened for U2 last night featuring songs from their latest album "The Resistance", as well as some older cuts to round out the evening. Their set hit the stopping point at around nine tracks long, with their song choices filling out the set nicely for old fans and new alike. They opened up the show with an instrumental version of "America" from West Side Story--immediately launching into "Stereo" from Absolution. "Time Is Running Out" and "Hysteria" were among the crowd faves of the night, and left the absolute beginners who were listening to Muse for the first time wanting more. The group was at its most animated with lead singer Matthew Belamy immediately taking charge in hot pink trousers and sparkly shoes--engaging and egging on the crowd to get things moving. Both Bellamy and drummer Dominic Howard are great at capturing the moment and looking as though they are enjoying the songs to the fullest. Towards the end of their set the group even paid tribute to their touring mates U2, with Bellamy knocking off a few bars from "The Fly" (from Achtung, Baby). A great act to catch live!

Muse - band site / myspace

Eye Candy #55 Toy Soldiers @ The North Star - 9/10/09

Photos by C. Marcoux

The Toy Soldiers know how to win over their audience: great live performance, and strong lead vocals! Band leader Ron Gallo is in his early twenties, and already making a name for himself around town, singing his heart out along with his 7-piece backing band, The Toy Soldiers. He takes inspiration from the likes of Dylan and Guthrie (of the Woody persuasion) and hopes to someday make it out for the Midnight Ramble with Levon Helm, where we're sure he would fit right in! Watch out for their debut album, which is due out at the end of the month.

Toy Soldiers - myspace

Eye Candy #54: SF Popfest Day One - Oh No Oh My and Still Flyin'

 

Oh No Oh My from Austin, TX putting the rock back into indie.

 

Demonstrating the alligator clap for "Rope Burns" 
 
 

Members of San Francisco-based collective Still Flyin' rounded out our evening at The San Francisco popfest this past week, playing their reggae-influenced, rocksteady jams and dub-beats to a high-spirited, dancing crowd that clamoured for more. The supergroup is comprised of a collective of several indie-pop bands including; Masters of the Hemisphere, Je Suis France, Track Star, Aislers Set, Ladybug Transistor, Love Is All, Maserati, and Red Pony Clock. They played songs off of their recently released album "Never Gonna Touch the Ground" as well as their hit "Rope Burns".

Still Flyin' - band site / antenna farm records / myspace

Eye Candy #53: Kings of Leon at The Spectrum, 4/25/09

 
Kings of Leon rock it out at The Spectrum

Girl About Town braved the crowds of frat boys, their girlfriends, and kids at their first arena rock show to check out the much hyped Kings of Leon.  It didn't hurt that Philly's own The Walkmen were opening to a very enthusiastic crowd who was there to rock.  Kings of Leon are surely the saviors of mainstream rock these days, with their no frills approach and just-rolled-out-of-bed-with-a-model good looks.  Three brothers and a cousin make up the band, in case you haven't heard, and they left their Bible-Belt upbringing behind to partake in the spoils of rock and roll.  The band played seventeen songs in their main set, taken from across their four studio albums, and then played a slammin' four song encore.  The sound was amazing at The Spectrum, we had great seats, we had a sexy band to ogle (bass player Jared was sporting the Edward Cullen look, sigh), not a bad way to spend a hot summer-like evening.  And yes, they played "Sex on Fire", and yes, the crowd went nuts, and yes, we liked it.  We especially like that Kings of Leon is bringing back the guitar solo and the power ballad.  Be sure to catch them the next time around, although they may upgrade to stadium status by the time their fifth album is released.

Kings of Leon - band site / rca records / myspace

Eye Candy #52: The Courteeners at The North Star Bar, 3/24/09

The Courteeners, photo by Lauren Trzaska

 
Frontman Liam Fray, photo by Lauren Trzaska

 
Bassist Mark Cuppello, photo by Lauren Trzaska

 
Backstage with The Courteeners: the band with their manager Dave (at Left) and Girl About Town, photo by Lauren Trzaska

We are still recovering one week later from the good times at the North Star last Tuesday, where Girl About Town hosted Manchester's The Courteeners, who filled an off-night from supporting Morrissey's tour to headline their own show.  Their second headlining show ever in the US, we were honored to introduce the band to an enthusiastic Philly crowd.  They played a fantastic, energetic set filled with their uniquely British brand of rousing indie pop.  The boys were extremely gracious to spend so much time with us, between an interview and our back stage banter, to which we can only say cheers and thanks.