3 Things You Need To Know

1.) Jealousy Curve is Purevolume's "Pure Pick of the Week" and are currently number 5 (make that 4 as the 31st.) on the unsigned charts. The band's been averaging 1,500 plays per day on Purevolume; a feat not easily accomplished on the site. I don't particularly like that they switched the order on their playlist so that the new EP doesn't stream straight through, but it's certainly not stopping me from listening. Did I mentioned they'll be headlining the local stage at Campus Philly Kickoff this year? Just a hunch, but 50,000 college students might end up buying a record or two that day.

2.) My new favorite spot is Bob and Barbara's lounge on 15th and South. $3 gets you and your liver a shot of Jim Beam and a can of Pabst. Drunken hookups may now commence! A true dive bar complete with folding tables and chairs, the perfect amount of eclectic patrons, and no head-pulsing music leaving you near deaf at the end of the night. The live Jazz combo (I just turned 90% of you off now, didn't I?) is actually incredibly talented and leaves this early-mid-twenties crowd entertained and wanting more at the end of the night. So tell your next date that you're taking her to see some live jazz, which will score you some pregame points, and head on over to Bob and Barbara's.

3.) There's some damn good, and cheap, music going on this weekend. Friday night World Cafe Live is playing host to Braxton Parker . An edgy look combined with mild-mannered lyrics always drives the ladies crazy, so be prepared for an xx chromosome estrogen fest. "Everything Changes" and "Not Yet" couldn't be any more mainstream adult contemporary and Top 40, respectively. It's clear that catchy is what he aims for and it's working.







Saturday night brings us a great lineup at the Kyber. Two bands sharing distinctly different sounds, Cordova and Lemons Are Louder Than Rocks, will be playing that fine evening. Cordova will be leaving to record their debut record in Oklahoma following this show, so make sure to wish them good luck while simultaneously rocking out. And due to the fact that I fall into these lazy spells from time to time, I've been procrastinating on seeing LALTR but no more. It's time I see what these guys are all about live and I invite you to join me. I dare you to visit their myspace and NOT tap your foot. A total of 4 bands will be playing Saturday night so take your $8 cover charge, divide it by 2+2 and it comes out to less money per band than two Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers.

Saturday night's all right for fighting

So I slacked off all week and didn't get my research done for this weekend. I was too busy getting drunk and reminiscing while watching the Little League World Series. I'm comfortable with who I am. I did however come across a few good shows for tonight. So if you're sitting there thinking what the hell to do tonight, go get your head-nod on at the Khyber for Reef The Lost Cauze . While the song "Sound of Philadelphia" is officially out-dated with references to McNabb and T.O., the song "Just Wanna Know" has some great production and fresh lyrics.

Maybe you're feeling a little more indie this evening. If so, pay a visit to The Fire to see Drink Up Buttercup. "Mr. Pie Eyes" is a little out there to say the least. But if labels can have interest in Black Moth Super Rainbow , why not a band with a song about a Mr. Pie Eyes? I'm not comparing the bands at all. I just wanted to work Black Moth Super Rainbow in there to ask one question; How the hell does a band like that garner so much major label attention? I appreciate it and all, and I believe it's some pretty cool music; but there's no way these guys are ready for anything major.

Anyway, an instrument drive is going on tonight at The Fire, so drop off the acoustic guitar that's been sitting in your closet collecting dust and get into the show for free. I wonder if they consider the spoons and instrument....if so, me and my two tablespoons will be making an appearance. Anything to support the arts.


I obviously have no bands for Sunday yet, since the LLWS is on as I type and I'm officially buzzing.

Looking for an internship???

Got this in an e-mail earlier today. Columbia is looking for a couple more great interns and I highly recommend you send your resume their way.




Columbia Records is looking for hardworking, eager students willing to dedicate time in the A&R Department. Experience is not required, but it is suggested. Candidates must possess passion and a vast knowledge of music.

We are looking for taste makers to provide Columbia Records with new acts as well as assist the A&R department in various tasks. This is not a typical internship – there will be minimal Xeroxing and coffee fetching – and a great deal of self-motivation will be necessary.

Candidates must be able to dedicate time to concerts and other industry related events outside of the office, and be eager to experience the inner-workings of a major record label.

This internship is a great introduction to the industry. We are looking for quick learners with their fingers on the pulse of the current music climate.

You must be a self-starter who is not afraid to ask questions and initiate conversations. We only want people who are ambitious, excited and eager to learn. We need students who are responsible, reliable, ambitious, organized, and able to multi-task.

While by no means required, the following skills are a plus. Please let us know if you have knowledge of any of the following:
• HTML
• Graphic Design
• Digital Video Editing
• Music production

This is an unpaid internship and you must be able to receive college credit.Only serious applicants need apply.

If interested please send a cover letter detailing why you would like to intern with us, as well as your resume to columbiarecords.arintern@sonybmg.com.

Attention! Attention!

If you don't already know them, then you need to get acquainted with New Jersey band Attention! Attention!. These guys are going to be huge, no doubt about it. They've been on Myspace for what, 3 months now, and magage an average of 500 plays per day? There's no denying that kind of popularity. Thanks to the 14 year old kid who mentioned them to me, otherwise it would have taken me much longer to come across these guys. How they made it on a bill with Liam and Me is unknown to me yet, but it's pretty amazing. Attention! Attention! isnt necessarily Thrive Records type of music, but then again neither is Liam and Me.

Yes, Attention! Attention! sounds like 1,000 other acoustic/powerpop bands out there, but with only 900 friends and 500 plays per day on Myspace, there is definitley something special about these guys. Fans actually feel a personal connection to this band and their music. What does that equal?? RECORD SALES. I haven't felt this strongly about a band since I found Forever The Sickest Kids, who decided to forego us and sign with Universal, but that's another story. FTSK are now one of the biggest hype stories yet to put out an album, averaging 11,000 plays per day on Myspace.

If you can make it to NJ for thier August 27th show with Liam and Me, I highly recommend it. It's only $9 and not only are there a bunch of other bands playing, but these two have so much potential that you'll be able to hang around your locker in the high school hallway bragging that you knew these guys wayyyy before they were big. And just think of how cool that will make you. If I had any kind of transportation besides SEPTA, I'd be there in a heartbeat. On that note, if anyone wants to swing through Center City on their way to see the next big thing that night, give me a call.

The best of what's out there....

Tuesday the 21st.
Spoons For Adam @ The Troc. 9p.m.

Wednesday the 22nd.
The Scenic @ The Troc. 7p.m. CD RELEASE SHOW. Kickoff to the Zach Attack: Friends Forever Tour. This might be the best tour of the summer, just because of the flyer.

What's up with the Troc having the only good shows early this week? Personally, I think the sound there BLOWS. The venue is nothing more than a name and I'm sticking to it. With that said, you can probably catch me at both of these shows. I'll let ya'll know what's going on this Friday and Saturday later on, because by my count, there isn't one good band playing anywhere in this entire city on Thursday...WTF.

An Open Letter to Philebrity...

"The Author [JukeboxHero] is clearly in some kind of cheesy-vs-non-cheesy identity crisis" Philebrity?

OH really? Maybe you haven't noticed, but the entire fucking music buying public and industry as a whole are stuck in an identity crisis at the moment. The fact that you choose cheesy vs non-cheesy to describe it shows how little you know. Perhaps if you spent a year or two actually working in the industry, rather than simply talking about over-hyped bands while giving out no credible criticism for fear of losing whatever fans you may have, shows just how "cheesy" you are.

Those of us who have actual paying jobs in the industry scout a variety of bands. So while you may find me at Grape Street one night scouting Jealousy Curve (not THE Jealousy Curve) and JB's another, it in no way means I'm "trendspotting." It means I'm doing my job. Yes, I have the privileged position of scouting bands and reporting to a label. You may now envy me.

Good Day Sir.


For those of you into trendspotting, I'll be at JB's tomorrow night for The Swimmers and Illuminea. Although The 56 Kid, one half of Tell Me, Bicycle will be playing at Tritone and is also sure to be a decent show. Maybe I'll catch both....only if Philebrity tells me it's cool.

What a Weekend

So I met up with the guys from Distance To Empty on Friday night and drove with them to their gig at General Layfayette Inn (which happened to have an amazing list of their own brewed brews). I can't even begin to explain how funny these guys are; they had me laughing the entire night. We ended up taking a 52 miles detour and missed a few turns but managed to get through the night. I quote one girl just before DTE took the stage, "is it me, or do you feel like you're in a funeral parlor?" Yes, the place looked a little formal for a music venue, but once DTE took the stage it turned into a rock arena. I was actually very impressed with the guys' set, as they kept the crowd entertained the entire time. There wasn't one awkward pause or moment where you felt they could be doing better. They even covered a little Salt N Pepa, which was absolutely hilarious. After their set, we spent the next 2 hours discussing where they want to be as a band in the future and what they expect out of a label deal. It blew me away how focused these guys were. They are extremely driven and hardworking guys. They've done everything themselves and it's really paid off. They're getting the chance to work with Bob Power (Tribe Called Quest, The Roots) on their forthcoming album, which which unfortunately wont be out for another 8 months or so. I would love for them to work towards a sound that uses more samples and hip hop influences like the end of their current song "Agree to Disagree" and I think Bob Power will pull that out of them. Until then, just get acquainted with their older stuff. If you haven't had the chance to see them live, it will also be a wait; as the guys just finished touring the east, west, and "mid coast" as Kyle puts it and will be spending all of their time from here on out focused on recording new material.

I Predict A Riot

Big thanks to Philabuster (who I still owe a beer to by the way) over at Badminton Stamps for getting me on the list for the sold out show at Johnny Brenda's Thursday night featuring Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot, and Vampire Weekend. Just the wait list to get into the show that night was a mile long. I'll be honest, I was there soley to see Ra Ra Riot and left as soon as TPC took the stage. Not to say I don't like them, but they're signed to Saddle Creek, so what's the point in me scouting them? Although I guess the same could be said for both Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend, since they've both been on Labels' radars for quite some time now. Vampire Weekend gave me what I expected, which was a short set with just a couple songs that actually show promise. The crowd was begging for energy throughout their set, but I don't think the guys fully delivered. Is it just me or do Vampire Weekend come off as one of those bands who thinks their too good for everyone at the venue? Like they're pissed to be playing to JUST 100 people. Anyway, "Blake's Got A New Face" and "APunk" were the two strongest of their set; which are in fact good songs, but I just don't see these guys making more than a tiny ripple in the industry waters. Deal with it...

Ra Ra Riot was a different scenario all together. Sometimes you come across the band that may not have that smash radio single, but posseses that raw talent that is just undeniable. That's exactly what I thought the first time I heard Ra Ra Riot and my thoughts were quickly confirmed after seeing them live for the first time Thursday. I'll just come out and say it....I'm in love with their cello player. But besides that, the energy they threw out to the crowd was amazing. They have a great, unique sound and know how to entertain an audience. It's just unfortunate they don't have that one song to push them over the top, and almost all of their songs clocked in at over 4 minutes. They're well on their way and it's just a matter of time before everything clicks for them. They're signed to V2 worldwide, excluding North America. Their manager insisted that the band's in no rush to sign to a U.S. label and they're just going to continue touring and making cool tunes. "Dying Is Fine" was my highlight of the night, so take a listen on Myspace and become a fan. Don't pass these guys up if you're lucky enough to have them visiting your city anytime soon.

Distance To Empty has been at the top of my list of bands for a while now. Finally the boys have decided to play the Philly area. Friday night the General Lafayette Inn will be transformed into a rock arena complete with screaming fans, drunken bufoons, and two-step junkies. Distance to Empty's music has that nostalgic Jameroquoi dance feel, yet still know when to turn it up a notch a rock face. "Don't Wait Up" from their Myspace page is a huge step forward in all aspects from the music of their earlier album "Relaxitement". I've had the pleasure of hearing more demos from their upcoming album (which I'm sorry, but can't share with you) and I've been just as pleased. These guys do nothing but tour, record, and repeat. Their work ethic is amazing and that goes a long way in my book. The videos on their Myspace are hilarious by the way and I'm sure they're going to be bad asses to drink with after the show. The guys will be playing with Philly local band Downtown Harvest, who admitingly I have not had the pleasure of seeing live yet. So I guess I'll be popping my Downtown Harvest cherry tomorrow night....what should I wear?

106

That's what the news said the heat index was today. The AC in my apartment broke at 9 this morning, which made for a great day of ball sweating here in my place. This is definitely some Hot Hot Heat. I know....I'm a dork.

I'm going to start posting daily/semi daily show listings at venues I usually attend or bands I find interesting. And obviously, if you know of a band playing in the city and I don't happen to have it up here, just let me know and I'll be glad to post it; maybe even give the band a few nice words if I dig the music. Look out for the starting next week.

Finally, if you have nothing better to do on this insanely hot and humid night, head over to Johnny Brendas to check out Calla, RunRunner, and Aderbat. Great local music! Gotta run, errands then the show. I'll be the guy who walks in looking like he just got out of the sauna.

My ears hurt....

....in a good way. The Jealousy Curve show last night was nothing short of amazing. Their hour long set felt more like 15 minutes and left fans screaming for "one more song" until the Pub Police drew down the projection screen, informing us to get the hell out. Jealousy Curve has really nailed it with this album and it's not often I say that (maybe twice a year). "Black Widow" is by far their most commercially viable tune, but the entire thing is jam-packed with heavy guitar riffs and impeccable vocals. But back to the show....about 75 people packed the stage area of Grape Street Pub all of them knowing the words and singing along at the top of their lungs. Mike Leavy commanded the stage like a vintage Scott Weiland, even swinging from the rafters and breaking equipment at one point. He's hands-down the best frontman I've seen in Philly. And nailing the ending of "I'm Sorry", which I was previously skeptical of being able to pull it off live, sealed the deal for me. Combined with their previous track records, good work ethic, and this new album, good things will soon be happening with Jealousy Curve. As for me, I'm taking the night off from show-going because I think I'm slightly deaf in my right ear. But come Monday, you should meet me at North Star where The Midway State will be sliding into the early slot for an all-ages show. I remember watching these guys showcase last year and not being totally convinced, but with time it grew on me. "A Million Fireflies" is really strong and could easily be a feature on one of those sappy NBC/ABC dramas. Unfortunately I haven't seen them live since then and this will give me a good opportunity to get reacquainted. $10 gets you in the door to check out Midway State and three other bands and you can but tix at the door or in advance here. Hope to see everyone there!



Oh and just so you can make plans now....I have a KICK ASS band playing the Layfayette Inn (10 miles outside cc) on Germantown Pike next Friday ;) Clear your schedule because you wont want to miss this show!


Time to play a little slap & tickle....