Recent Contributors: Chris J. Becker, Vanessa Paulsen, Emily Arnold, Erin Cramer, Kate Foust, Sam Gurry, Tear-n Tan, and guest author: Monika Bullette (of The Sky Drops)
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The Joy Formidable's debut is no forced entry; but they are breaking down doors one by one--and it is an emotional high. The group's first full-length album, The Big Roar, has been mastered to deliver a full one-two punch. You can hear a definite difference in the sound quality from Joy Formidable's first EP (A Balloon Called Moaning) which also holds a handful of the diverse current material available by the group, on this full length. However, the newer versions of the material's raw, and full sound, checks the older (and, more, 'demo') versions of their songs at the door, literally. For the album's first track, "The Everchanging Spectrum of a Lie" we hear what sound like balloons popping: is this the sound of leaving their past behind for a better, fuller, and fresh-faced start? Ritzy Bryan IS "rock's new heroine" (proclaimed by The NME) by being twice the measure of what every stage goddess should possess only not from time to time: but all at once. This is: raw talent, coupled with the ability to ROAR, channeled through an absolutely passionate stage presence. {review}
On "The Big Roar": the group hits the new material so hard that when the first track fuzzes out into radio nowhere, you get slammed back by the ferocity of track number two; "The Magnifying Glass". The result of this is an album that has a bit of 'hunt and chase' happening, read: a driving rhythm, and passionate songwriting skill, that bridges the listener easily from song to song as well. The group could easily stand somewhere between mid-to-late '90s band Scheer, early Catherine Wheel, and the undercurrents of a band such as Muse, i.e. showing off often VERY heavy, almost slick, hard rock overtones; a sound that you can't help but want to shake your fist in the air to, and openly swoon over. This does not, however, protect Joy Formidable from not being balladeers from time to time--as in the quiet, and simple power, of the track "Llaw = Wall", which we love. Ritzy gives the rest of the band a chance to shine here, and the album a chance to wind down, and sink in. And with this 'wind down' on the repeated verse of final track, "The Greatest Light Is the Greatest Shade" (another closely held EP memory), we can definitely say that we are "happy for you", The Joy Formidable. Fierce work, on a striking debut, that definitely begins and ends with a 'Big Roar.'
See TJF (The Joy Formidable) tonight, Wednesday March 30th, with The Lonely Forest, and Mona, at Johnny Brenda's.
The Big Roar, tracklisting: 1. The Everchanging Spectrum Of A Lie (prev. on ABCM EP) 2. The Magnifying Glass 3. I Don't Want To See You Like This 4. Austere (prev. on ABCM EP) 5. A Heavy Abacus 6. Winning 7. Buoy 8. Maruyama 9. Cradle (prev. on ABCM EP) 10. Llaw = Wall 11. Chapter 2 12. The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade (prev. on ABCM EP)
What else is there to say? It's BEADY EYE. We predict that it's going to get nasty on Ticketmaster, StubHub and Ebay. We repeat: It's going to get nasty. For all of you trying for tickets; make sure that you have a strong connection and exercise that Home Row and mouse-click action. You probably have even less than 60 seconds to make the call now. Are you in, or are you out? Read the incredible news below.....
Beady Eye Add Philadelphia Date To Sold-Out North American Run
Band To Debut New Album
Different Gear, Still Speeding
In Philadelphia, New York, Chicago & Toronto This June
New York, NY - March 21, 2011 - Beady Eye announce today the addition of a Philadelphia date on their first North American tour . Previously announced dates in New York, Chicago & Toronto quickly sold-out when announced earlier this month. The band (Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock) will be giving fans in Philadelphia a first live taste of their debut album, Different Gear, Still Speeding at Theater of the Living Arts on June 25th. Please see below for detailed ticketing information.
Beady Eye is currently on their sold-out debut European tour. UK daily newspaper, The Independent was at the tour kick off earlier this month in Glasgow, Scotland and remarked that Beady Eye, "sound encouragingly refreshed.... you realise watching them that Beady Eye are in the very unique position of possessing iconic impetus while being newly unchained from the weight of their past."
You can click here to see Beady Eye (and separately, eager fans as they wait to get into the venue) perform "The Roller" off their new album and live for the first time ever at Glasgow's Barrowlands on March 3, 2011:
Beady Eye - Glasgow Barrowland (03/03/11)
And fans can head over to http://www.spin.com for an exclusive look at behind-the-scenes photos from Beady Eye's Glasgow show.
When asked how it felt to be on stage for the first time ever as Beady Eye, Liam Gallagher immediately said "Loved it.....can't wait to take it around the world." And Beady Eye will be doing just that throughout 2011. Fans can sign up at http://www.beadyeyemusic.com/ to be the first to receive the news.
Beady Eye's debut album, Different Gear, Still Speeding was released by Dangerbird Records in North America on March 1st. The album features 13 brand new songs written by the band and recorded at RAK Studios in London last fall with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band, The Smiths).
Upon reviewing Different Gear, Still Speeding, The Boston Globe stops the naysayers in their tracks and warns, "For all those who thought Liam Gallagher would be musically astray without big brother Noel, meet Beady Eye."
While Paste noted that Beady Eye "...sounds like Oasis returning to its less complicated roots, stripping back the heavily overdubbed layers of their curtain call, 2008's Dig Out Your Soul. Beady Eye aren't here to dick around-they're here to rock. And it would be a lie to say they've failed in that regard; this is an album of live, full-band rock 'n' roll energy, built on Rickenbacker crunch and Ludwig thump. There's no time for frills-Gallagher and company are making up for lost time."
Beady Eye was formed by three former members of Oasis, including enigmatic front man and lead vocalist Liam Gallagher. The multi-platinum and Grammy nominated Oasis sold over 70 million albums worldwide spanning seven studio albums awarded with six Brit awards, 15 NME awards, nine Q awards and four MTV Europe Music awards, just to name a few. Beady Eye's inaugural European Tour in March this year sold out within 30 minutes of going on sale. The band will be joined by Matt Jones on keyboards and Jeff Wootton on bass for all dates.
It was an early-January in 2008 (just like this one) when we first spoke to Sara Sherr about her monthly music night, "Sugar Town"--a night that celebrates women young and old who are artists and musicians. Back then it was Sugar Town's 7th Anniversary, and now; only a few years later, Philadelphia's favorite monthly is turning '10' and Sherr's fans and friends couldn't be happier for her, or for that matter, more eager to jump in and become a part of the grand event!
The 10th Anniversary of Sugar Town is set to be a huge tribute night with (of course) the focus on the feminine, and will feature tributes to well-known groups such as Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, The B-52's, The Pandoras, and Garbage as well as others--and with the rapid set time coming in at about a rockin' fifteen minutes per group it's going to be a super-charged evening out! Girl About Town couldn't resist getting involved with the special tribute and making an homage to our own faves: The Go-Go's (along with help from Sugar Town alum Maria T. Sciarrino, and a group of great friends). Other local groups partaking in the event include KeN, The Tulanes, Girls Dressed As Girls, Betty Iron Thumbs, Dear Althea, and more…!
"...I feel blessed to have the opportunity to do a night like Sugar Town in Philadelphia and continue to get so much respect and support. I can't play an instrument or sing beyond a karaoke night so I sort of live vicariously through all these women when they perform. I'll never get tired of seeing a woman bashing away on a set of drums or shredding on guitar." - Sara Sherr (January, 2008)
Sherr, who is something of a fabulously dressed and coiffed legend as well as being a heavy supporter when it comes to local music on the scene, has been booking music for well over 10 years now, as well as co-founding Plain Parade with good friend Maria T. Sciarrino back in the day. As for her other highlights which include completely rocking Philadelphia with her Sing Your Life karaoke series nights; she is also a writer for Philadelphia Daily News. It is fitting that Sciarrino helped to create the eye-popping posters and images for this year's fête as a special gift for Sara as well!
We were able to take a few moments and had Sara write down a few of her top memories for us (you will want to read Pat Rapa's Critical Mass article in this week's City Paper as well, which features Sara/Sugar Town).
Here you will find the list of just a few of Sara's Sugar Town top moments (below), and we're happy to see that she has one of our own favorite moments at number five, as well:
1. The Yeah Yeah Yeah's in 2002 at the Balcony It was their second or maybe third show in Philadelphia and we got very lucky, timing-wise because the next time they played here, it was at the Trocadero.
2. Mirah at the Balcony I believe she was playing solo and acoustic and the crowd was so chatty that she asked everyone to come sit on stage with her.
3. Collaborations with Fuse For a couple of years, there was a queer dance party for women called Fuse that was at Sal's and XOXO. We did a couple of shows together at Tritone in 2007: Bitch and Lesbians on Ecstasy. The crowd was so enthusiastic and a reminder that so many lesbian and bi women are always looking to see other women like themselves onstage and have few options like that in the traditional Gayborhood scene. I am always on the lookout for more queer acts.
4. Underage Performers It's a challenge to book them since Tritone is very strict about having a parent present the entire time they are in the club. But I'm always glad when I do it. It's really amazing to witness talented young women so early in their careers: Attia Taylor (a Girls Rock Philly camper and counselor), Gina Gleason (who plays in Misstallica, Queen Diamond, and two other bands), and the women of Post Post, who are sadly on hiatus now.
5. The Friggs and Baby Flamehead These were bands that I idolized when I was young and first going out to shows so I was honored to bring them to Sugar Town and reintroduce them to younger crowds.
Girl About Town:What would you like to accomplish with future Sugar Town events?
Sara Sherr: I'd like to inspire more women to pick up instruments, which I think the tribute show did. I would like to find a way to do an all ages show once in a while. The reason that I don't is mainly about money and logistics. Tritone lets me use the space for free and I only have to pay for a soundman. I always want to add other components to the evening, like more DJ's or writers.
And lastly, we asked Sara what she's learned from any of this--from ALL of this: "That good will is the strongest currency of all," was her response. Well spoken, and we heartily agree.
**Don't miss this one of a kind event: The 10th Anniversary of Sugar Town is happening this Saturday, January 29th, at Tritone in Philadelphia, PA. Tritone is located at 1508 South Street. The night begins at 6 p.m. with DJs and dancing, with the bands kicking into high gear at 7 p.m. This is a 21+ show, with cover being a token $7.00. We hope to see you there!**
"Heart In Your Heartbreak", the new single by Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, is set to be released by Slumberland Records on December 14th, 2010 and will feature the title-track as well as the quieter B-side, titled "The One". Although some reviewers are stuck on calling their track "Heart In Your Heatbreak" a cross between The Smashing Pumpkins and Belle & Sebastian, we still prefer the less obsequious 'dream pop' moniker (in the vein of someone like Teenage Fanclub or even Kitchens of Distinction) because of its more specific connotations to their allover sound. The hushed vocals and softer melodies of Pains are mostly awash in their trademark fuzzed out guitar tones, with the heavier handed and sharp guitar notes of 'Heartbreak' but "The One" is back to the full-on 'dreaminess' with their heads right back in the clouds; soaring with sweet sentiment and the promise that out of dreaminess come the promises of tomorrow always (hopefully) being a better day. Regardless of any comparisons though, we'll take it! The band's second album for Slumberland is due out in March 2011.
Glasgow, Scotland's Errors have it made on the NME best list this year. The group's last release was a solid remix EP featuring bands like Mogwai, and Gold Panda. Their last video, "A Rumour In Africa" is a pumped up electro track; although, we can't possibly go through watching it one more time (even though we love the track: the video of a man controlling puppet women--a kind of bleakly pictured robert palmer wannabe, frankly creeped us out). Earlier this year they released "Come Down With Me" and in the past they've worked with Mogwai's John Cummings, remixed Twilight Sad's track "Reflections of the Television" to great fanfare as well as touring with Underworld.
It was raining and looking like a monsoon here on the East coast earlier today, but regardless of any inclement weather, the sunshine has finally come out: all over the World today it is World AIDS Day. There have been all kind of events plotted and organized to be geared toward remembering those afflicted with HIV/AIDS from those who have passed, to those who are still here, as well as the family and friends who support them and hold them dear.
In New York City one of Girl About Town's favorite new groups The Superions (featuring The B-52s Fred Schneider) will mark their first performance and hold court at Manhattan's Borders book store at 6pm tonight in support of LifeBeat (Music Fights HIV) which is an outreach organization looking to educate youth about HIV and AIDS while engaging them with music.
Here in Philadelphia, one of the events you might like to attend is a special performance featuring local musicans Bill Budd with opening acts Mark Silvers and The Stonethrowers, and Luke Dow. The music played tonight will be a mix of jazz, popular and folk and all proceeds will benefit local non-profit Mazzoni Center going directly to their food bank program, and their annual coat and toy drive for those in need who are directly affected by the virus.
We took a moment to speak with Bill about his music and his thoughts regarding the performance tonight and what it will mean to him. You can catch these acts tonight, Wed. Dec. 1st, at The Caplan Studio Theatre, 211 S. Broad Street, 16th Floor, Philadelphia PA. The music starts at 8pm sharp, and tickets can still be purchased at the show.
Girl About Town: What will be the most important aspect of playing tonight for you?
Bill Budd: Most importantly, I want to raise money for Mazzoni Center. The campaigns we're raising funds for - Vivan's Cupboard - A food bank for low income people or families living with HIV/AIDS and the Holiday coat and gift drive - also for low income people or families living with HIV/AIDS are incredibly important and under funded. So my biggest hope is that we can help more people through these campaigns than have been helped in the past.
Your album "Architect" is at times ethereal and theatrical, but strays rarely from it's light and poppy sound, although your lyrics do tend to be of a darker fare--what inspires you when you're writing your music?
My writing process is hard to put into words. A song starts as an idea that must be expressed. I rarely sit down to write for the sake of writing. It doesn't work that way for me. There are times I start writing not really sure what will come out but the inspiration to write is a need, a need to say something or to find what it is that needs to be said. I can not write without that need. I do go long stretches of time without writing and then usually write a lot for a while. Every life experience can not be a song for me to write. For me a song is an idea of mine that can't be expressed any other way and I let go of the writer in me at times and just live without scanning the world constantly for inspiration. Sometimes I feel so lucky to be a song writer and other times it feels like a curse. Once the song is written it's there forever and sometimes it's hard to relive the ideas and experiences I have immortalized. Some of the songs from Architect are difficult to perform live for that reason, even the happier sounding ones. Difficult in that becoming too emotional can make it very hard to sing! And I believe first and foremost singers express emotion through the sounds they are making with their voice, channeling that emotion into the sound and the words is my priority and challenge at times. When recording Architect I wanted the arrangements to remain in a lighter place, contrasting some of the darker moods of the lyrics. I feel that life is full of contradictions and strange juxtapositions. Pain can feel good and joy can be very sad. I tried to capture that in the arrangements for this album.
The event tonight at Caplan Studio Theatre is called "Under Pressure"; what does being "Under Pressure" mean to you as an artist; as well as playing on World AIDS Day?
Under Pressure is my way of asking people to remember that whenever you are feeling hopeless, there is someone, many people, feeling more hopeless than you. When the economy is a mess and it seems that things are getting worse and not better in the world we tend to close ourselves off, enter into survival mode, and we lose whatever empathy we may have. In times of struggle I believe we should try harder to make things better for everyone in any way we can. It's a hard thing to accomplish, I know. But I hope that this event will inspire people to try. Beyond just giving money to organizations but thinking about the skills and gifts that we each possess and finding a way to use them for something more than our own personal gain.
What can you tell us about your future goals for your music?
I know that I will always make music. The more people that hear it the happier I will be. Knowing that people listen to my songs and feel less alone in their experiences and struggles, or discover something about themselves, that has always been my goal. Music has always done that for me. I will continue to try to "talk" to as many people as possible through my music. Under Pressure is the first charity event I have organized and I intend to do more of it and hopefully help people in more tangible ways by using the gifts and skills that I have been blessed and cursed with.
December 6th on iTunes, accompanying tracks from the latest single by Toronto, Ontario's Crystal Castles will be released. The A-side of the single from the duo's album "II" features the smart remake of Canadian 80s group Platinum Blonde in Crystal Castle's cover of their song "Not In Love". This song went on to become another one of this year's most talked-about remixes featuring the vocals of The Cure's Robert Smith. Smith must have thought it very clever for Canada's Crystal Castles to be covering not only a band from CC's home province of Ontario, but also a rather glam group from The Cure's own era of new wave. Both Crystal Castles and The Cure currently share a label in Polydor subsidiary Fiction records.
The White Lies return to the US this January touring in Canada and the US, for their new album "Ritual" which is set to be released everywhere on January 18, 2011, also on Fiction records. The group will play the East Coast and appear at Highline Ballroom in NYC on January 22nd, 2011. The first single for the album "Bigger Than Us" is available via download only, with the accompanying video (above) published recently online as well.
We're becoming 'weekend warriors' beginning tonight as we hope to take in not one, but two great events this evening. It all begins with England Belongs to Twee's reunion presentation of 14 ICED BEARS who will be appearing at The Barbary (951 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia) tonight with local twee favorites (and Slumberland alum) Brown Recluse and the night's openers; Reports. It's a relatively early show with Reports going on promptly at 7:15 p.m. We're assuming dancing afterwards?
For those of you wondering why the hype over a band named after bears? In 1986, the UKs music paper, the New Musical Express (NME) debuted a cassette release they called the C86. It had a list of bands on it that has now become part of twee's own hallowed pop music history. It was the jangle that birthed the jangle amidst a mix of fey vocals and sugar-fuelled pop sound! Think of it like; well, the first time you fell in love.....with a book, or a movie, or a good friend who you've been crushing on for years.
Although not a part of the original release of C86; the scene was already a movement and 14 Iced Bears were around to take and be a big part in it. The group lasted from 1985 until 1992 with different lineups and were championed by the likes of John Peel whom they performed two studio sessions for and also were covered by group's like The Aislers Set who featured the group's song "The Balloon Song" on their popular release "The Last Match". They released several singles and a few albums later on becoming a part of the Sarah Records stable of bands, and then Slumberland.
For tonight only, Philadelphia's beloved Secret Cinema (a 16mm film showcase), which is lovingly curated by Jay Schwartz at Moore College, brings us two short feature films about The Velvet Underground. Showings will take place twice tonight, once at 8 p.m., and again at 10 p.m. Each showing includes the same two films (one listed at 60 minutes and the other at 33 minutes) and date back to 1966 and 1967 respectively when the group was at its height of popularity.
Moore College of Art & Design is located at 20th and Race Streets. We've included a description from Secret Cinema's web site below, but please check their web site out as well--Jay is really knowledgeable about all of the films that he curates as well as many others, and you won't want to miss out on his extraordinary footnotes for the evening:
The Velvet Underground in Boston (1967, sound, color, 33 mins. Dir: Andy Warhol) This newly unearthed film, which Warhol shot during a concert at the Boston Tea Party, features a variety of filmmaking techniques. Sudden in-and-out zooms, sweeping panning shots, in-camera edits that create single frame images and bursts of light like paparazzi flash bulbs going off mirror the kinesthetic experience of the Exploding Plastic Inevitable, with its strobe lights, whip dancers, colorful slide shows, multi-screen projections, liberal use of amphetamines, and overpowering sound. It is a significant find indeed for fans of the Velvets, being one of only two known films with synchronous sound of the band performing live, and this the only one in color. It's fitting that it was shot at the Boston Tea Party, as the Beantown club became one of the band's favorite, most-played venues, and was where a 16-year-old Jonathan Richman faithfully attended every show and befriended the group. Richman, who would later have his debut recordings produced by John Cale, and later yet record a song about the group, is just possibly seen in the background of this film.
Uptight #3 (1966, 60 mins. Edited by Danny Williams. Photographed by Danny Williams and Barbara Rubin) During the early days of the Velvet Underground's collaboration with Andy Warhol, they began to experiment with multi-media performances called "Andy Warhol's Uptight," a predecessor to the Exploding Plastic Inevitable shows that were staged later in 1966. Around this time, a series of films were shot, possibly for use as background projections in the shows. This reel, recently discovered and restored, is the only one that was edited into a finished form. It was shot on January 27 & 28, 1966, and chronicles the appearance of the Velvet Underground on David Susskind's television show, long before they signed their record contract or were known to almost anyone. The footage, shot by VU light-show engineer Danny Williams and young experimental filmmaker Barbara Rubin (Christmas on Earth), includes scenes in the television studio and travelling on a bus. Besides the band, the "cast" includes many notable faces from the New York avant garde underground and Warhol's entourage, including Tuli Kupferberg and Ed Sanders of the Fugs, Angus Maclise, Gerard Malanga, Paul Morrissey, and many more.
Danny Williams, who edited the footage shot by himself and Rubin, is just emerging as a rediscovered, previously-unchronicled yet crucial member of the early Warhol/Factory circle. Williams' filmmaking career got an auspicious start with his work as an editor for the Maysles brothers (notably on their 1964 documentary What's Happening! The Beatles in the U.S.). Soon after this he met Andy Warhol and became his boyfriend, moving into Warhol's Manhattan townhouse. He was put to work wiring the flashing, tension-inducing light shows that were a key element of the Velvet Undergound's performances, and also shot experimental reels using Warhol's own Bolex 16mm camera. These recently rediscovered films reveal an expert manipulator of in-camera editing and stroboscopic techniques. At age 27, Williams mysteriously vanished after visiting his family in Massachusetts, his borrowed car found next to the ocean but his body never found. Danny Williams' full story is told in the excellent 2007 documentary A Walk into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory, made by his niece Esther B. Robinson.
Whether you are a casual listener or die-hard music fan, everyone knows the familiar voice of Fred Schneider, the male vocalist for The B-52s. From their most famous hit, "Love Shack", to their undeniably important cannon with songs such as "Planet Claire", "Private Idaho", "Song For a Future Generation", and of course "Rock Lobster" - Fred Schneider has been the constant face and voice of not only the Bs (as they are called), but helped to herald in the New Wave here in the US in the late '70s. While the 'States were starting to recognize the sounds of British alternative music, some bands were toiling in America to create their own brand of rock and roll. With little resources other than imagination and creativity, the B-52s worked hard in Athens, Georgia to craft what has since now been labelled as "The World's Greatest Party Band".
Thirty years on, the B-52s are still making records and touring, most recently having performed in Philadelphia last month. Girl About Town was there, and is most impressed with the band's longevity and relevance still today. Central to that is Fred Schneider, who along with his singing mates Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson, carry the energy and fun well into the night (oh and let's not forget Keith Strickland the the rest of the band!). So it's no surprise that Fred Schneider continues to work his labor of love even beyond the borders of the Bs. He is currently enjoying his side project with two musicians from Florida - Dan Marshall and Noah Brodie - as The Superions. What started as an introduction through mutual friends and a love of records has now turned into a four year endeavor, with the band making synth-pop that is instantly accessible and humorous. Fred writes the lyrics and contributes the vocals, while Noah and Dan work on the music (Noah playing keyboards and electric drums, and Dan doing the programming). However, this is a true collaboration, and the result is nothing short of WOW!
The Superions have recently released their first full length album "Destination...Christmas", just in time for the holiday season. This follows up their debut EP which has become an instant classic - with songs titled "Who Threw That Ham At Me" and "Totally Nude Island", The Superions have a flair for the comic and dramatic. Girl About Town had the privilege to interview the band about all sorts of things, from Fred's childhood to Noah's grandmother and of course we discussed the music. First, Royce spoke with Fred, and then Carly chatted with Noah and Dan - so we bring you what can only be called an interview extravaganza!
Girl About Town (Royce): Here in Philadelphia, we have two fantastic perennial radio shows on Christmas day - one is Robert Drake on WXPN, who broadcasts for 12 hours straight during Christmas Eve, and the other is Jon Solomon, who broadcasts for 24 hours straight on Christmas day. Both DJs are notorious for playing unique holiday songs, everything from the ridiculous to the obscure to the rare gems. Your new record with The Superions will fit right in on both shows, and I am sure will be a highlight this season. If you were DJing such a show, what holiday songs would you play?
Fred: Well I would have to say that I would probably be playing similar stuff - I'd be playing "A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas" by The Three Suns; "Santa Claus is a Black Man", James Brown's second Christmas album. I don't think I'd be able to play Rudy Ray Moore's Christmas album, it's a little dirty. "The 12 Days of Sickness" by Sandy Kay (I think it is). This woman did a take off on the 12 Days of Christmas, it's all about liquor and she gets progressively drunker as it goes along - it's great, not that I support alcoholism. Hmmm...All my Christmas records are on the top shelf, it takes a giant ladder to get to them so I haven't been to them yet (laughs). I better get them down because I have to do a photo shoot with them.
Yes, Christmas is coming, it's around the corner!
Christmas started in September for me.
Why haven't the B-52s done a holiday album to date?
I don't know! I wanted to do one. There's no leader in the group, you know.
Do you think then that the Superions Christmas album is filling a void - either for you personally, or do you think this is something the market needs?
Yes, the world needs another take on the holidays. And different kinds of songs. Avalanches, deranged abominable snowmen, things like that. There's too much wreaths and holly. I think holly is poisonous to animals.
Do you have any concerns that with a holiday themed album that people might see The Superions as a novelty act rather than taking you more seriously as a dance/pop act?
I don't worry about anything. I'm just lucky to have a second/side career (laughs). Anytime you do something humorous you're labelled camp or novelty. But most Christmas songs are novelty, especially the good ones. Hopefully people will get my sense of humor and if they don't well c'est la vie!
How does your collaboration with The Superions differ from your past two solo albums?
I worked with one person on my first solo album, John Coté. And on my second album Steve Albini put me in touch with several bands. I find that I am having such a good time with the Superions, it's real easy for me to write with them. I do all the lyrics and have a lot of say in the direction of the music, and they're getting better and better to the point that I'm really happy with everything that's going on.
With the B-52s, the bands visuals and graphics have been an important part of the image, everything from the record covers to the costumes. In certain circles, you have been a tastemaker over the years. Where did all your personal style come from?
My personal style was from not having any! To be honest my mother bought my clothes until high school, so I didn't care. I wasn't interested in that, I was interested in records. When I finally started buying my own stuff, it was horrible - like apple green bell bottoms, and polyester bell bottoms with brown shirts (laughs). And then in Athens no one had any money so you shopped in thrift stores. I like clothes from the '60s and '50s. I mean, you could get a pair of pants for 50 cents and a shirt for a quarter so that's hard to beat. You go to a thrift store now and a shirt is like $40.
You have to know that you are the quintessential icon of all things wacky and kitsch (well maybe rivaling John Waters). How do you feel bearing that responsibility?
I don't see anything that I do as kitschy. I don't see anything that John does as kitschy. Kitsch means worthless. Camp means you're funny but you don't realize it, like Liza Minelli's husband or Charo (well, I think Charo knows it). I just think it's humor. Perverse humor at times, but it's humor. I mean, I know what I'm doing and I don't just sit there and monkey type words out.
Do the other Superions share your taste in music, art, and fashion?
Oh yes! Totally. I met them at a record store, through my friend who owns the biggest record store in Florida. He said "I have these two friends who want to meet you". I said "Oh sure, great." And we met, and a couple of years later they came up with some music and I put words to it, and when I did it was "TotallyNude Island". Early this year we wrote nine songs in eleven days for the Christmas album, and we also have one song for a Halloween album. I don't know what we are going to do next - it will either be a Halloween album or a regular album, or both. Or a Halloween EP and a "regular" album for us. Halloween is like the gay Christmas, everyone loves it. People were saying "Happy Holidays" to me in New York (laughs), so obviously Halloween is a recognized holiday.
How did you come to be on the Fanatic Label?
Well Josh (of Fanatic) was the publicist for our first Superions EP, and he heard our Christmas stuff and went wild for it. He has a label with major backing behind it, so we know it will get attention. We have a good contract, I think, and we are doing whatever we can to promote it. I am trying to get Noah and Dan more involved. I mean, I guess I am the face of the group but I am hoping they can get more of the credit they deserve, because it's like three nuts working together!
Noah and Dan have full time jobs, right? So it might be a harder transition for them to do promotion and touring full time.
Oh yeah, definitely. They can't quit their day jobs yet, and I can't quit mine (laughs).
You're stuck with your day job, I think!
As long as the B-52s want to keep going, I definitely want to keep going.
Which was a stranger place to grow up in: Newark NJ or Athens GA?
I was born in Newark but I grew up near Asbury Park. I liked grammar school, I hated high school. One of the reasons I wanted to go to Georgia was to get as far away as possible. I didn't have to go home except for holidays (laughs). Hopefully you find yourself after high school. I realize that a lot of the people I went to high school with are stuck in that same mindset - you know, that was the best time of their lives.
Have you ever heard that quote from Fran Lebowitz where she says people wear the hairdo of the time they were happiest? I met Fran and she told me that, and it's so true! You still see people with the '70s Farrah flip feather do and that's the last time they were happy.
(Fred is laughing!)
What's next for you Fred?
More work with the B-52s, lots of work with the Superions...touring, writing, recording. An album for The Superions will happen when we don't have to pay to play (laughs). We haven't toured yet, Noah and Dan can't get away. Christmas is a niche market so to develop a show and take it on the road would just be too difficult.
What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
I love how easy it is to walk around. There's a vegetarian Chinese restaurant I love to go to. Plus I like the little neighborhoods, South Street, all that. I like to piddle. If I go some place, I don't make the scene, I just walk around with my friends. If we hit a record store, great. If we hit a junk store, great. A thrift store, great, a clothing store - whatever.
Carly of Girl About Town continues the conversation with Dan Marshall and Noah Brodie, the rest of The Superions from their home base of Orlando, Florida.
Girl About Town (Carly): Fred [Schneider] mentioned that you met each other at a record store in Orlando: was that Rock n' Roll Heaven?
Noah: Yep, Rock N' Roll Heaven, right here in town.
Dan: Actually, it was [the owner] Ray's brother; Freddy. They both own the business, and it's kind of funny because I went in (I've been shopping there for years now) and they had a solo project (a vinyl record) of Fred's. "Just Fred," I don't know if you've heard it, but it's really good.
Right, his [Fred Schneider's] solo album.
Noah: Right, and I've been looking for it FOREVER, and they had a copy of it on the wall, and I went up to Freddy, and I said, "Man, if you ever get another copy of this, let me know!". Then he said, "Oh, I know Fred! Let me just call him!" and he called him right there, said that I was a big fan and the next thing you know, 'ol Fred sends down a signed copy of the Just Fred vinyl which I'd been looking for, for quite a while. Then just a couple weeks later, he was in town, and we ended up all meeting, and we just kind of hit it off. We were all record nuts, so we've always been collecting vinyl....
Fred has previously mentioned his love for collecting also : it sounds like a lot of his favorites revolve around the obscure which includes anything from comedy to music. What are some of your favorites when it comes to collecting?
Dan: Well, Fred got us into collecting all of the lounge, and tiki, and you know: stuff from the '50s and '60s. That stuff is great! He got us into that.
Noah: But, besides that we collect all kinds of stuff. One of my favorites is called 'Baby Lulu', it's really bizarre, it's from the '70s, it's probably this forty year old woman and her husband, and she, uh, acts like a three year old girl....
Mmmkay, well, there are fetishes for that nowadays....(both laughing)...
Noah: Yeaahhh...it's really weird, it's mostly about Jesus...Yeahhh, but it's really fun: like I said we have anything from Baby Lulu to Depeche Mode and whatever inbetween.
So, would you go so far as to say that your collective tastes in the, er, wackier side of music inspire the music that you are all creating for The Superions?
(Laughing) Noah and Dan (together): Ha ha, DEFINITELY!
Dan: You could definitely say that!
Noah: Like, I've always been into a really like, scaled-down, electronic; kind-of weird little pop things that you can find here and there. But, yeah, definitely; some of the 'wacky' stuff does influence us. And, if you've heard of them to be called Casio Chords; they're all kind of in that, you know; 'Casio' sound.
Noah; you noted that your Grandmother's given her approval on the group's fun sound. How had you described your music to her?
Noah: Well, it would be kind of tough, because she doesn't really get "electronic", but definitely you know, "electro-pop" with a splash of 'weird'. That's how I've always described it. Certainly, you know: 'off-key' and 'out-of-the-box', I'm sure.
Your group have a few songs the new album, "Destination: Christmas" that take a kind of....mm, 'fearful' turn; like "Teddy and Betty Yeti", "Christmas Tears," and also, "Crummy Christmas Tree". Do the lyrics influence the way the song will sound, or vice versa?
Noah: It kind of goes both ways. There have been times when we've gotten the lyrics first and that kind of dictates the sound, but also vice-versa….
Dan: It's funny because this Christmas album in particular, this is funny (not sure if Fred told anyone this the other night); but we had started making a Halloween record!
Noah: Yeah, the opening track; "Santa's Disco" was originally "Zombie Disco", it was a Halloween song and we already had it in the can, but instead we just added some chimes and bells, and tried to Christmas-fy it up a little bit and so "Zombie Disco" suddenly became "Santa's Disco"!
Fred also mentioned that you still plan to do the Halloween-themed album, but that you are postponing it for next year?
Dan: Yeah, it's going to be great--it will have a great, dark and ominous sound.
So, for right now the plan is full-steam ahead for a 'regular' album between this?
Dan: Yeah, like Fred says, some regular songs…
Noah: The plan is just a full-length, just a 'regular' record if you will. And then either a Halloween EP, or a full-length. Just a few more songs and we'll have a full-length, so….
Dan and Noah, have you both worked together before?
Noah: No, we've known each other for years--we've been friends forever…! We were so lucky to have met Fred, and for this to kind of become what it's become; we feel really lucky! No we've always been long-time pals…
Are you originally both Floridians?
Noah: Dan's from Massachussets….
Dan: I'm from Cape Cod originally, I went to Florida to go to school and shortly thereafter is when I met Noah. We would work on music, you know just for fun.
Had you ever played live before--or was this just something that you did in the studio and then Fred came along?
Dan: We would work on music just for fun--it was more of just, a studio thing.
Where do you perform when you're ready to record your songs? Where did you record "Destination: Christmas"?
Dan: In our house. We just have a ProTools setup on our iMac, and with ProTools, we run a midi-keyboard and electronic drums. We stick Fred in the hallway with a microphone.
You've been busy working with the performance artist and musician Peaches as well?
Noah: Yeah, we just started, actually it's almost wrapped up now. We're doing a song called 'Threeway Freeway'.
Did you say 'Threeway Freeway'?
Noah: (laughs) Yeah, 'Threeway Freeway' with Peaches and Fred, and I don't know if you're familiar with Shunda K; she's an up and coming Rap artist that was with the band called Yo Majesty. She does a rap on it with us. It's really good, yeah--and Peaches is amazing, of course!
So what do your co-workers think about your band?
Noah: Dan, do you want to cover that?
Dan: Oh, they think it's cool and exciting and that it's…well, it was two years ago when we released our first single, and four years ago that we formed and we did it for fun at first. People suggested that we put out the first song that we did--called "Totally Nude Island" so we released that on our own digitally, and you know--just to see what would happen? We got a good response, so we just moved forward with our EP, and a couple other singles and now this Christmas record. Everybody just thinks that it's great!
Noah: For my co-workers--they keep asking me 'So how much longer are you going to be working here?!' and you know record sales are through the roof, but you know it's so hard these days….to do it full time.
Right, and you both have day-jobs, so that must make it kind of difficult.
Noah: Yeah, and you know Fred still has a really busy schedule with the B's and you know, but we're trying!
It looks as though you are having a really great time together. Even your videos portray this. "Who Threw That Ham At Me" is so riotous, camp, and just….such a complete hoot to watch; certain scenes giving the video a John Waters turn….you must have such a fun time filming your videos; it seems like something where you could just get your friends together and have a great big party while making them!
Whose idea was it, for the 'Ham' video?
Noah: Well that was actually all shot up in Baltimore, but me and Dan did some footage down here on our iPhones at Universal [Studios] where we work, so we have some of the street set; like we were in New York, and Hollywood, and we shot six hours down here and then we sent it all to Baltimore, and they filmed all their stuff so a lot of it does have that John Waters' vibe although I think a lot of that is the back-drop and the crazy characters. Fred is the one that really comes up with a lot of the concepts for the videos (like the general ideas) and then we all chew on it together and throw out some ideas and whatnot, and then it becomes a collaboration between everyone.
Dan: Have you seen our new "Fruitcake" video? It's on YouTube right now for people to see online. That one's really fun and we did that all here at our house!
If you had the chance to work with another producer, would you prefer to work in a bigger studio or have something that was a bit bigger-ticket than you're working now? Or do you enjoy having your own say?
Noah: Yeah, we've talked about using other producers, but we love having the control. We definitely wouldn't mind having a producer, and we've talked about it--to maybe take it to the next level. I don't know who we would use--there are just so many great people out there. We've talked about it and we really just don't know.
As you seem to be the band who loves a holiday theme--what's your favorite holiday?
Noah: What's your favorite time, Dan?
Dan: I love Halloween! But we missed it this year because we got so busy working on our Christmas album.
Noah: I don't know why, but I've always loved New Year's. There's just something about New Year's because it's a fresh start. That's my favorite. Christmas too. I've worked in the entertainment business for so long, and we're always working on Christmas and the big holidays, so I don't get to spend those with family too often.
How does working as a part of the entertainment industry translate for you (into what you're doing now)?
Noah: Well, you know I've been in Universal forever. I started there working at "Back to the Future". I'm an Entertainment Manager; I work with the "Beetlejuice" show, and we have a "Blues Brothers" show as well. Universal is a very musical kind of place. Both of the venues that I operate are music venues, you know. Music has always been in my life, when I was a kid I was always in chorus. For me it was always a kind of, natural thing. Dan too…! Dan went to school for creative sound, working with sound and doing music as well. We're all very creative in that way.
Do you feel that the group has a clearer idea of where you would like to take this because you work in the entertainment industry?
Dan: Well, I don't think there's a clear way…at all!
Noah: Yeah, I think--you know, it all started on a lark! It seems like the more we laugh, the more fun we have. It just works, we're just trying to have a good time. We're not out here trying to make mysterious records--these are FUN records!
And Fanatic was a great choice for your label, because they also have a seasoned PR team built-in.
Noah: Yeah! Josh is great! He was a promotion guy, and he totally hooked us up and so when we did the album they were definitely first on our list.
Will you try to play dates on weekends (and start to test the waters) in the future (for live tour dates)?
Dan: Yeah, we couldn't really take a Christmas album on the road….! We want to get out there and start playing live.
Noah: Yeah, we actually booked our first live performance on December 1st--we're doing a charity party at Borders in Manhattan! Yeah, it's for World AIDS Day, so we're really happy to be a part of that!
That's really wonderful! I'm sure people will be excited to see you live and for a great cause!
Noah: Yeah, that's our first performance! We're really excited! It's going to be great too, because there will be so many other things happening in New York as well. It's going to be great!
After feverishly collecting their limited singles and past EPs, a most recent album, the beautiful and minimalist "Clinging to a Scheme", and waiting patiently for a tour--Swedish new wave popsters Radio Dept. are finally coming to the US. And now we have it--two lonely dates in the middle of Winter. The timing for this group's first NYC dates couldn't fit the scape of their music better. November 30th at The Knitting Factory and December 1 at Bowery Ballroom will see two VERY exclusive dates for the band who are self-confessed 'shy' spirits on stage.
We have seen past output and touring from the label Labrador's other groups--bands such as The Mary Onettes, Club 8, The Legends and of course, The Acid House Kings. Although The Radio Dept. have never toured the US, they have had past opportunities including appearing on the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, but have mostly had to say no due to monetary constraints. The group will also be releasing an EP this November 9th, titled "Never Follow Suit".
""Never Follow Suit" has, at least at a first glance, more in common with King Tubby and Augustus Pablo than Pet Shop Boys and My Bloody Valentine. Foggy pop melodies find their way through multi-layered soundscapes of panoramic delays, hypnotic bass lines, echo-ing analogue synthesizers and skanky guitar loops."
Never Follow Suit EP November 9 on Labrador/Caroline Available on wax
We're happy to offer two tracks, one from the EP and another from Radio Dept.'s album "Clinging to a Scheme". Make sure you get your tickets quickly; no doubt these two dates will be sell outs as fans have been waiting for such a long time to see the group live in any capacity. Openers on both dates will be CMJ faves Braids, and up and coming duo from NY, the High Highs.
"Teasing fans further, The Radio Dept will be releasing a 2-CD collection titled "Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010" in early 2011. While they wait, tastemakers around the world who have made the trio an international phenomenon will content themselves with swooning in the intimate crowd. The only question remains, is - will you?"
Yes, we know―it's Friday, and you're maybe not cash rich enough to go to CMJ, maybe you don't even like the crowds, or maybe you just want to hang in the city after spending the week schmoozing in the Big Apple. Whichever your demographic (or, season for the reason): you can still have a happening Friday and NOT have to go out of town, or very far to get great music, for that matter. Now the big question is: WHAT TO DO?
Tonight there are three 'you don't even wanna miss it' shows in the city at three very cool venues, and tomorrow (if you were smart enough to buy tickets in advance of this SOLD OUT SHOW) you will be hitting up the BAD BOOKS/Kevin Devine at The North Star.
SHOW NUMERO UNO: Friday, October 22, 2010 THE DRUMS with SURFER BLOOD @ Voyeur for Making Time (1221 St. James St., Philadelphia PA)
For the coveted last date of their month-long tour,and hot off of their CMJ show at Webster Hall in NYC: The Drums play one of Philly's hungriest dancing nights of the month tonight for [October's] Making Time. The group fuses a mixture of Spector-esque echo on fey vocals and true lyrics that bring to mind songwriting in the style of George "Shadow" Morton: their high-male vocals build into a frenzy on tracks like "Let's Go Surfing" and in the case of "My Best Friend" bring on comparisons to The Cure and, of course, The Smiths—there is a little bit here for everyone. New wave garage, sang with twee overtones and just a hint of 50s naivete will leave you grinning as you dance the night away! Surfer Blood are the fitting-est opener that we could think of to make this night one of the greatest dance nights of the week to rock out to (according to Girl About Town's Royce, they were taking the UK by storm this past month), and completely in chorus—we're really hoping to hear "Take It Easy" somehow we've filed this away with Johnny Castle telling Frances "Baby" Houseman that she needs to straighten up that back (yes, we just made a Dirty Dancing reference)! The download of their newest track, "When I Come Home", is available now from Record LBL's site by clicking here, and shows a softer side of the group. P.S. The bands start **really** later in the evening:
SHOW NUMERO TWO: Friday, October 22, 2010 SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS with ACTIVE CHILD @ JOHNNY BRENDA'S (1201 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia PA)
Benjamin Curtis (Secret Machines) and Alley Deheza (On! Air! Library!) are the new School of Seven Bells. Since Alley's twin sister Claudia left the group, the duo have released a secondary album that shows a wonderful change in sound and vice. Disconnect from Desire has been released on Vagrant/Ghostly International, of which they also very recently released a single from, titled "Heart is Strange". The new single features remixes of the song from Pantha du Prince, Phantogram, and White Sea—and we've also added the group's new song "Windstorm" above (in video form). They play Johnny Brenda's tonight with due anticipation as this is their first show in Philadelphia in nearly a year since the group's last successful album and tour!
SHOW NUMERO THREE: Friday, October 22, 2010 PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART with YUCK, THE HOMOPHONES and CREEPOID @ Pilam (3914 Spruce Street, Philadelphia PA)
What can we say about the lovely Pains of Being Pure At Heart? That Peggy is super cute in her new video wandering around Brooklyn? That Kip is just the sweetest guy this side of Williamsburg? We'll save you everything that you've already heard about the music and the band, and just say that you can always count on the guys and gal in this group to bring the twee-party! Just listen to their latest single and you'll be smitten too!
