LS MGMT TaLkiNG hEaD AnnouncemenT

This memo was recently released, I figured I'd post it due to its dire importance.

LS Talking Head Announcement #1 by LaserSex

December 12th Infamous Stringdusters @ The TLA (Free Download)

I somehow failed to mention the band who opened for Railroad Earth when I saw them. A serious bluegrass string band, The Infamous Stringdusters. If you are a fan of bluegrass check these guys out. I was thoroughly impressed.

Here's a copy of their opening performance. Thanks again to Jamie Burks.

December 12th Railroad Earth @ The TLA (Free Download)

Back on December 12th I had the pleasure of finally seeing the band Railroad Earth live. I found a recording of the show so now I can relive it over again.

I'd like to thank Jamie Burks for taping the show.

Give it a listen.

RIP Jack Rose February 16, 1971 – December 5, 2009

(photo/courtesy North East Indie Records)

Just over a week ago, Philadelphia guitar virtuoso Jack Rose passed away. Rose began his career in the 90s with the band Pelt but he was best known for his beautiful solo acoustic work on both 6 and 12 string guitar.

I can't do him justice here, so I'm sending you over to the DailySwarm for a really nicely written tribute to him. Check it out

Rest in Peace, Jack

Railroad Earth @ The TLA

This past Saturday I finally got the chance to catch the band Railroad Earth live at the Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia. Let me say I was not disappointed in the least bit and the band's performance was much more than what I had expected.

Prior to the concert, I had been listing to the band's albums for at least a year or so (thanks Ludwig) and had really enjoyed what I heard. It's just all around good music. (on a side note their song "Been Down This Road" happens to be one of my favorite songs for some reason unbeknown to me). Anyway, I had always considered the band to be pretty much a bluegrass band, but according to a writeup on the band's website;

the members of Railroad Earth aren’t losing sleep about what “kind” of music they play – they just play it. When they started out in 2001, they were a bunch of guys interested in playing acoustic instruments together.

After seeing the band live, I've got to say they are absolutely much more than a bluegrass band. They incorporated elements of country, americana jazz (thanks to the saxophone work of the band's multi-instrumentalist Andy Goessling) rock and roll, and even had a few Grateful Dead-esque jams thrown in. This is a really talented group of guys, from Todd Sheaffer's lead vocals and song writing to the amazing back and forth "call and response" type instrumentation between Tim Carbone on violin and John Skehan on mandolin, everyone in the band contributed to the great music.

I certainly wasn't the only one who enjoyed the show, as there were rampant smiles and dancing throughout the entire night.

Thank you Railroad Earth.

Give em a listen.

Philadelphia Concert Schedule December-February

12/01/09 :: Tuesday
Imogen Heap
Back Ted N-Ted
Tim Exile
Theatre of Living Arts

12/02/09 :: Wednesday
Twisted Sister
Keswick Theatre

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
First Unitarian Church

The Queers
The Barbary

Josh Ritter
The Low Anthem
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

12/03/09 :: Thursday
Kid Cudi
Semi Precious Weapons
(but Lady GaGa is the headliner)
Susquehanna Bank Center

Bowerbirds
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
First Unitarian Church

12/04/09 :: Friday
Hot Tuna
Loudon Wainwright III
Keswick Theatre

Rob Zombie
Nekromantix
Electric Factory

The Indobox
Psychedelphia
The M Room

Ghostland Observatory
Slapping Purses
JAYO
The Trocadero

12/08/09 :: Tuesday
The Duke & The King
First Unitarian Church

12/09/09 :: Wednesday
(for all you pop fans)
Jordin Sparks
Justin Bieber
Owl City
Cobra Starship
The Fray
Jay Sean
Pitbull
Wonder Girls
Susquehanna Bank Center

12/10/09 :: Thursday
Weezer
Jack's Mannequin
Motion City Soundtrack
Susquehanna Bank Center

Splintered Sunlight
Brownie's 23 East

Fanfarlo
Johnny Brenda's

12/11/09 :: Friday
Get The Led Out
Electric Factory

12/12/09 :: Saturday
GWAR
Job For A Cowboy
The Red Chord
Electric Factory

Think Pink Floyd
Sweeney's Saloon

DJ Mark Farina
The Barbary

Railroad Earth
The Infamous Stringdusters
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

Ryan Montbleau Band
World Cafe Live

Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Zellerbach Theater

12/18/09 :: Friday
Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime
Electric Factory

Toubab Krewe
North Star

12/20/09 :: Sunday
Garage A Trois
Skerik
Mike Dillon
Marco Benevento
Stanton Moore
North Star

The Greyboy Allstars
World Cafe Live

12/27/09 :: Sunday
Swift Technique
Heylady
Upstairs Live @ World Cafe Live

12/29/09 :: Tuesday
Ourafter
Doc Watson's

12/30/09 :: Wednesday
Rebirth Brass Band
Joseph Arthur
Johnny Brenda's

The Word
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

12/31/09 :: Thursday
MSTRKRFT
Lotus
Electric Factory

Brothers Past
Orchard Lounge
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

01/02/10 :: Saturday
Little Feat
Keswick Theatre

01/15/10 :: Friday
Average White Band
Freddy V
War
Keswick Theatre

01/16/10 :: Saturday
Gene Ween Band
World Cafe Live

01/28/10 :: Thursday
Charlie Hunter
Sellersville Theater 1894

01/29/10 :: Friday
Charlie Hunter
World Cafe Live

01/30/10 :: Saturday
State Radio
Electric Factory

02/04/10 :: Thursday
RAIN - A Beatles Experience
The Academy of Music

Galactic
Tea Leaf Green
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

02/05/10 :: Friday
Kansas
Keswick Theatre

RAIN - A Beatles Experience
The Academy of Music

02/06/10 :: Saturday
John Brown's Body
North Star

RAIN - A Beatles Experience
The Academy of Music

02/13/10 :: Saturday
Slayer
Megadeth
Testament
Susquehanna Bank Center

Rebelution
Zion I
SOJA
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

Get The Led Out
Sellersville Theater 1894

02/14/10 :: Sunday
Get The Led Out
Sellersville Theater 1894

02/16/10 :: Tuesday
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
World Cafe Live

Tegan & Sara
Tower Theater

02/18/10 :: Thursday
Citizen Cope
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

02/21/10 :: Sunday
John Mayer
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Wachovia Center

02/23/10 :: Tuesday
The Pink Floyd Experience
Merriam Theater

02/25/10 :: Thursday
St. Vincent
Wildbirds & Peacedrums
First Unitarian Church

Still Life Still
Wild Beasts
Johnny Brenda's

North Mississippi Allstars
World Cafe Live

02/26/10 :: Friday
Flogging Molly
Frank Turner
Electric Factory

J. Tillman at The Church

Last evening I had the pleasure of paying a visit to the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, not for a service (well, not exactly), but to see J. Tillman perform in the Church's intimate side chapel. Let me start by saying I have never been in a Church for a concert, or really anything "non-religiously" affiliated (well, again...not exactly).

Why do I keep saying "not exactly"? Well, because some people can certainly argue that (some) music can be considered a religious experience. I can't argue against it. Okay, moving on!

Now let me REALLY get started by saying this little chapel only holds about 50 people in it, which made the experience all the better. I got to the Church pretty early and after waiting around a bit for the doors to open, I entered the tiny room, sat down in the front pew (yes a pew), and waited anxiously for the show to begin.

Soon after, the opener, "Pearly Gate Music", who happens to be Tillman's younger Brother Zach (who also plays bass for him) came out to perform a few songs of his own. I would consider his music sort of lo-fi-super-reverbed-emo-folk, but if that turns you off, I must say it was pretty good. Zach sang with a true passion that can only come from the heart and although he was a little too much for me at times, he had a solid voice, and a realness to his music.

After Zach's performance I was good and ready (that sounds a little too sexual) for the elder Tillman. A few minuets later, he emerged from the side door of the Chapel with the rest of his 5 piece band (acoustic guitar,electric guitar, drums, bass, and pedal steel). Right from the get go I thought they were great. Tillman's hushed vocals and softly strummed guitar fit perfectly with the setting we were in. While some songs possessed the vocal harmonies fans of his other work with Fleet Foxes, certainly appreciated, others had louder blues/gospel and louder rock sensibilities. Also, for claiming no religious affiliation, (at one point he mentioned he "liked everything and nothing"), many of his songs had a very Christian undertone (maybe even overtone?) to them. Nonetheless, his lyrics, music, and overall performance were extremely passionate and heartfelt.

I had a great time and was extremely pleased at my decision to check out this show. Also I got the chance to shake Josh's hand and thank he and the band for the great performance. I now see he certainly has a hell of a lot more too offer than just being the drummer for Fleet Foxes (he's actually been making music since before joining the band). I highly suggest to any fans of folky,woodsy, acoustic, blues rock, americana type music to check this guy out. You shouldn't be disappointed.

Also, it definitely won't be the last time I catch a show at "The Church". Thanks R5 Productions for giving me the heads up about this show.

Check out a few tunes

1.


2.


3.

PHISH. PHALL. TOUR.

PHISH HAS ANNOUNCED THEIR FALL TOUR DATES !!!!!!!!! (PHILADELPHIA...YES)

11/18 Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI
11/20 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH
11/21 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH
11/22 War Memorial at Oncenter, Syracuse, NY
11/24 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
11/25 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
11/27 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
11/28 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
11/29 Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, ME
12/02 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
12/03 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
12/04 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
12/05 John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA

If you don't believe me, WATCH this weird ass video!

PHISH - FALL TOUR 2009 from Phish on Vimeo.

R5 Concert Productions Update

Here are a few upcoming shows in Philadelphia that (in my opinion) might be worth checking out. Brought to you by R5 Productions (thanks guys)

Wednesday September 30th 9:00pm
At Johnny Brendas

MAYER HAWTHORNE (awesome, amazing 50s/60s era soul from a white weirdo hiphop dude. stones throw)
BUFF 1 (hiphop mc from detroit. formely of athletic mic league)
14 KT (hiphop mc from detroit. formely of athletic mic league)


Monday October 5th 8:00pm
At The First Unitarian Church

PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART (80s indie emo-like pop from nyc -Think The Cure)
DEPRECIATION GUILD (secretly amazing. 8 bit noises with heavy 80s shoegaze parts. nyc)
CYMBALS EAT GUITARS (best new music. built to spill like jams from nyc)


Tuesday October 6th 9:00pm
At Johnny Brendas

WAX TAILOR (producer/dj ala dj shadow with a full live band and visuals. from france. great live show)
ASTRONAUTALIS (adventurous rock / hip-hop. kind of like older anticon. from seattle. eyeball recs)


For the rest of R5's upcoming shows check out their website. They get a ton of good or at least interesting acts that you probably haven't heard of (or I haven't at least). Check em out.

September to October Philadelphia Concert Schedule

09/15/09 :: Tuesday
Ourafter
Doc Watson's

Grimace Federation
The Fire

09/16/09 :: Wednesday
Busdriver
Kung Fu Necktie

09/17/09 :: Thursday
Talib Kweli
Jay Electronica
Mos Def
Black Landlord
Electric Factory

09/18/09 :: Friday
The Gabe Dixon Band
Keswick Theatrer

Papadosio
Draught Horse

Rusted Root
The Kin
Electric Factory

Jedi Mind Tricks
Immortal Technique
Reef the Lost Cauze
The Trocadero

09/19/09: Saturday
Dave Matthews Band
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Susquehanna Bank Center

09/20/09: Sunday
Dave Matthews Band
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Susquehanna Bank Center
Moby
Kelli Scarr
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

09/21/09 :: Monday
Sufjan Stevens
Cryptacize
Johnny Brenda's

09/25/09 :: Friday
The Indobox
Sonic Spank
Draught Horse

09/28/09 :: Monday
Phoenix
Chairlift
Electric Factory

09/30/09 :: Wednesday
Arctic Monkeys
The Like
Electric Factory

10/02/09 :: Friday
Swift Technique
Draught Horse

10/03/09 :: Saturday
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Liacouras Center
Ghostface Killah
The Trocadero

10/06/09 :: Tuesday
Anti-Pop Consortium
Silk City

10/07/09 :: Wednesday
Los Lonely Boys
Alejandro Escovedo
Hacienda
Keswick Theatre

Grizzly Bear
Beach House
Electric Factory

10/08/09 :: Thursday
Yonder Mountain String Band
Danny Barnes
Keswick Theatre

10/09/09 :: Friday
Downtown Harvest
World Cafe Live

Richie Havens
World Cafe Live


10/10/09 :: Saturday
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Jason Fraticelli
Tim Conley
Tritone Bar

The Mars Volta
Electric Factory

10/12/09 :: Monday
Grimace Federation
Kung Fu Necktie

10/13/09 :: Tuesday
Ourafter
Doc Watson's

Bruce Springsteen
Wachovia Spectrum

10/14/09 :: Wednesday
Tiesto
Electric Factory

Bruce Springsteen
Wachovia Spectrum

10/15/09 :: Thursday
Insane Clown Posse
Electric Factory

Barefoot Truth
World Cafe Live


10/16/09 :: Friday
Ian Anderson plays Jethro Tull
Keswick Theatre

The Avett Brothers
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Electric Factory

Three Legged Fox
U-Melt
North Star

Christian McBride
Bruce Hornsby
The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts

Built to Spill
Disco Doom
The Trocadero

Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers
Carbon Leaf
World Cafe Live

Dib Dow
Downtown Harvest
The New Familiars
World Cafe Live

Bob Weir & RatDog
Tower Theater

10/17/09 :: Saturday
Juggling Suns
Triumph Brewing Company of New Hope

Igor's Egg
Draught Horse

Sea Wolf
Port O'Brien
North Star

Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers
Carbon Leaf
Dawn Landes
World Cafe Live

Bob Weir & RatDog
Tower Theater

10/19/09 :: Monday
Bruce Springsteen
Wachovia Spectrum

10/20/09 :: Tuesday
Bruce Springsteen
Wachovia Spectrum

10/21/09 :: Wednesday
Dirty Projectors
The Trocadero

AC/DC
Anvil
Wachovia Spectrum

10/22/09 :: Thursday
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Electric Factory

Mum
First Unitarian Church

10/23/09 :: Friday

Rain Machine
Johnny Brenda's

Dr. Dog
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

Jay-Z
Day26
Jadakiss
Jeremih
Keri Hilson
Mario
Pleasure Pause
Trey Songz
Wachovia Spectrum

EOTO
World Cafe Live

The Australian Pink Floyd Show
Tower Theater

10/24/09 :: Saturday

Marco Benevento
Mill Hill Saloon (NJ)

STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9)
Eskmo
Electric Factory

Dr. Dog
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

10/25/09 :: Sunday
Andrew Bird
St. Vincent
Electric Factory

10/27/09 :: Tuesday
Pearl Jam
Wachovia Spectrum

David Gray
Lisa Hannigan
Tower Theater

10/28/09 :: Wednesday
Pearl Jam
Wachovia Spectrum

10/29/09 :: Thursday
Brian Wilson
Keswick Theatre

10/30/09 :: Friday
The Egg
Basshound
941 Theatre

Thievery Corporation
Ocote Soul Sounds
Electric Factory

Pearl Jam
Wachovia Spectrum

Downtown Harvest
World Cafe Live

10/31/09 :: Saturday
Pearl Jam
Wachovia Spectrum

Think Pink Floyd
CORAL REEF (Southampton, PA)

Gov't Mule
Tower Theater

The Lips Are Coming

Attention! The Flaming Lips are coming to Penn's Landing Festival Pier in Philadelphia on Saturday August 29th. That is all. Carry on.

Update: End of June Through July Concert Schedule

06/19/09: Friday
Harlem Shakes
Kung Fu Necktie

Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Johnny Brenda's

06/20/09: Saturday
Conspirator
Big Gigantic
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

Jimmy Buffett
Susquehanna Bank Center

Celtic Woman
Mann Center for the Performing Arts

Average White Band
Tower of Power
George Clinton
War
West Oak Lane Jazz And Arts Festival

06/22/09: Monday
Celtic Woman
Mann Center for the Performing Arts

06/23/09: Tuesday
Ozric Tentacles
Igor's Egg
Johnny Brenda's

Cheap Trick
Def Leppard
Poison
Susquehanna Bank Center

06/24/09: Wednesday
The Fray
Jack's Mannequin
Richard Swift
Susquehanna Bank Center

Gary Burton Quartet Revisited
Gary Burton
Pat Metheny
Antonio Sanchez
Steve Swallow
Keswick Theatre

06/26/09: Friday
Boz Scaggs
Michael McDonald
Mann Center for the Performing Arts

Mason Porter
Tin Angel

Femi Kuti
World Cafe Live

06/27/09: Saturday
The Slip
World Cafe Live

06/28/09: Sunday
Swift Technique
Wale
Theater of Living Arts (TLA)

06/30/09: Tuesday
311
Ziggy Marley
Festival Pier @ Penn's Landing

07/02/09: Thursday
The Wallflowers
Keswick Theater

Sonic Youth
The Entrance Band
Electric Factory

07/08/09: Wednesday
Matisyahu
Umphrey's McGee
Electric Factory

07/09/09: Thursday
The New Mastersounds
World Cafe Live

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
The Piazza at Schmidts

07/11/09: Saturday
Younger Brother
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

07/20/09 : Monday
Tortoise
First Unitarian Church

07/21/09: Tuesday
Green Day
Wachovia Spectrum

07/25/09: Saturday
They Might Be Giants
Pete Yorn
The Hold Steady
Hoots & Hellmouth
American Babies
John Gorka
The Bacon Brothers
Peace Creeps
Illinois
Katie Herzig
Sharon Little
Yeasayer
The Low Anthem
Steve Wynn
Zee Avi
XPoNential Music Festival Camden, NJ

Blind Boys of Alabama
Mann Center for the Performing Arts

Paolo Nutini
Matt Hires
Erin McCarley
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

07/26/09: Sunday
Donna The Buffalo
Guster
Steve Forbert
Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams
Aimee Mann
Serena Ryder
Peter Bjorn and John
John Wesley Harding
Andrew Lipke
Gillian Grassie
John Gorka
Pete Yorn
Shemekia Copeland
XPoNential Music Festival Camden, NJ

07/28/09: Sunday
Yes
Asia
Tower Theater

07/29/09: Wednesday
Gordon Lightfoot
Keswick Theatre


The Builders and the Butchers
Illinois
Johnny Brenda's

Three Legged Fox
John Brown's Body
Passafire
North Star

Neko Case
Jason Lytle
The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts

07/30/09: Thursday
Billy Joel
Elton John
Citizens Bank Park

Fleet Foxes
Electric Factory

07/31/09 :: Friday
Lil' Wayne
Young Jeezy
Soulja Boy
Drake
Susquehanna Bank Center

El*A*Kwents
Inkwell The Biologic
Roots of Creation
Bodega
Digital Frontier
Euphonic Brew
Jimkata
MJ Project
Sci Fi
Segway
Slowave
The Green Light Society
The Grey Area
The Groovement
Existor
Codename
Igor's Egg
The Dirty Drop
Swift Technique
Snipes Farm Morrisville, PA

Dream Theater
Zappa Plays Zappa
Beardfish
Pain of Salvation
Tower Theater

I wish i went to The Roots Picnic.....

I'm not going to dwell on this for too long...but I wish I went to The Roots Picnic this past Saturday. I went down to Festival Pier to check things out, some guy tried selling me a ticket for $100 bucks, I "respectfully" declined. I think it's ridiculous people try screwing you over like that, but I guess people who really wanted to go would have paid that much. Anyway, for everybody who did go, I hope you had a damn good time. For all those who didn't go, check out some videos of what we all missed. Some of these videos aren't the best quality but some are pretty decent as well. I still don't think they give the live experience justice though. Oh well, I guess there's always next year.....

1.

Public Enemy @ The Roots Picnic from B Conscious on Vimeo.

2.

Public Enemy @ The Roots PIcnic - Philly 6.6.09 from Ant Demby on Vimeo.

3.

The Roots Picnic 2009: Kid Cudi from Zach Trumpp on Vimeo.

4.

The Next Movement from kdygitle on Vimeo.

5.

Rubblebucket Orchestra

I had the pleasure of catching the Rubbelbucket Orchestra last weekend at the Draught Horse/Cherry Pit just off of Temple's campus in North Philadelphia. This Massachusetts based band's peaceful lyrics and funky, danceable grooves really impressed me and they honestly had one of the most energetic performances I have seen in quite some time. At one point during the show, the band's horn section jumped off stage and began marching, jumping on things, and dancing throughout the bar. It was extremely entertaining and very impressive. Definitely check them out if you get a chance. You can listen to/get a copy of their album HERE