Darker My Love - Live @ Johnny Brenda's

Darker My Love
@ Johnny Brenda's
Philadelphia, PA
December 4, 2008
Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak

Although their latest album, 2, is surprisingly accessible, beards are far from the only fuzziness left of Neo Psychedelic Shoegazers Darker My Love. They may have recently returned from a jaunt with Indie Pop faves the Dandy Warhols, where they appeared as bourgeoning rock stars in the vain of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club circa 2002, but their recent headlining tour returns them to coyly rocking clubs with violent hails of feedback and pleasantly pretentious musicality generally reserved for godlike geniuses of the Lower East Side. Their five-minute looping video of "trippy" footage of deep and mysterious things like fish and teeth was more than a little trite. And many of those who filled the venue were getting a little too into it in an I'm-rocking-out-in-khakis kind of way. And, when you really thought about it, you knew you could never justifiably describe the experience as a modern equivalent to "rockin' with the Velvet's at the Factory in '67." But when the lights went down and you were hit with those screaming waves of hipster psychedelia, you really fuckin' wanted to.

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Paramount Styles - Live at The Khyber

Paramount Styles
@ The Khyber
Philadelphia, PA
October 12, 2008
Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak

When Girls Against Boys' Scott McCloud found himself at Philadelphia's Khyber, promoting his latest project, Paramount Styles, he found himself looking at an audience of a little more than a half-dozen, comprised of music journalists, probable record store owners, and others who realize that Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby is as important as Siamese Dream. Random, roaring waves of sound crashed into the set from those watching the Phillies game in the next room and in-between songs the Hip-Pop being spun upstairs seeped through the floor. Apparently Post-Noise Minimalism isn't exactly in vogue. (read more)

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New York Dolls - Ventura Theater - Ventura, CA

New York Dolls Photo Gallery
Ventura Theater (Ventura, CA)
October 29, 2008
Photography By: Chelsea Schwartz



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Liz Phair - Philadelphia, PA

Liz Phair
@ Theater of the Living Arts
Philadelphia, PA
August 27th, 2008
Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak

Even at 41 Liz Phair sounds just as earnest singing songs about one-night stands, pre-teen fornication, and "cunt(s) in spring" as she did fifteen years ago on Exile in Guyville. On August 27th Rock N Roll's favorite MILF found herself gracing the stage of TLA, performing the album in its entirety in celebration of the anniversary. (read more)

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The Cute Lepers - Philadelphia, PA

The Cute Lepers
@ The M Room
Philadelphia, PA
August 19th, 2008
Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak

Can't Stand Modern Music, the title of the debut LP from power-pop outfit The Cute Lepers, couldn't be more suitable to describe their August 19th gig in the heart of Fishtown, Philadelphia's hippest locale and the regular stomping ground of over-hyped, underimpressive Phooklyn acts like Vampire Weekend and the Dirty Projectors. While the New York Dolls-inspired Seattle six-piece, lead by Steve E. Nix of the Briefs, only attracted about two dozen, it was certainly the most badass gathering in the City of Sisterly Affection since David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain hosted the city's most decadent Valentine's Day celebration. The band, crowded onto the not-exactly-spacious stage, proved to be a glamorously sleazy oasis of Rock N Roll in the middle of a neighborhood comprised of Vice magazine's target audience and American Apparel employees. (read more)

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Rock The Bayou 2008 - Houston, TX

Rock The Bayou has come and gone; and what a fabulously hot time was had by all. Highlights for us included Kix, Sammy Hagar, Jetboy, the sunday night All Star Jam at the official after party held at Meridian, the breeze that picked up on Monday, Dee Snider's stage banter, and so much more. Disappointments included heat stroke, Bret Michaels and The Rock of Love - Season 3, Dangerous Toys, and having the festival come to a close. Check out some photos we got over the weekend:






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Outside Lands 2008 - San Francisco, CA

A Personal Look at Outside Lands
By: Chelsea Schwartz

This past weekend 60,000 music lovers crowded into Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to attend the inaugural Outside Lands Festival. Brought to us by the co-founders of Bonnaroo alongside one of the most successful promoters in San Francisco - Outside Lands provided concert-goers with an all around experience of what San Francisco is about.



Music kicked off on Friday late afternoon with Steel Pulse hitting one of the six festival stages to an audience of anxious Radiohead fans who were already holding spots for the bands end of the night set. Over the course of the weekend we'd see Tom Petty, Rogue Wave, Matt Nathanson, Regina Spektor, The Black Keys, ALO, and many more.



One of my favorite sets of the weekend was Beck's 17 song set performance which included an array of selections from all his albums minus Mutations. 'Hell Yes' was performed entirely by 808s (video clip below) and 'Loser' was introduced by a very cool bluesy slide guitar jam. And I have to say, in all my experience, 'Where Its At' was the best I have ever seen it.



Also stellar, as usual, was Radiohead's killer light and video setup. Just YouTube anything from Radiohead at Outside Lands and you'll see what I mean. Their set list was also impressive as they played more "hits" than any other time I've seen them, including my old personal favorites 'Just' and 'Fake Plastic Trees.'

New favorite Radiohead song (thanks to its live performance): 'Reckoner' off of the new album, In Rainbows.

If you needed a break from the music, the Dell Dome provided tons of options from creating your own digital mix tape to rockin' out your hair! And the food and wine provided by San Francisco's own local favorites was quite a treat. Not to mention the festival proximity to the Haight Street area provided excellent post show opportunities.

While one is never quite prepared for the extensive walking of a music festival (no matter how many you've been to previously), Outside Lands was overall a fantastic vibe and a very well done festival, even with all the Beck fans tearing down the chainlink fence to race over to Radiohead's upcoming set faster.



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Kill Hannah - El Rey Theatre - July 19th

Check out the High Voltage Kill Hannah Photo Gallery from their Los Angeles performance at the El Rey Theatre on July 19th! Click the photo below to see more images.



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Peter Murphy in Philadelphia

Peter Murphy
@ The Trocadero
Philadelphia, PA
June 29, 2008
Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak

Well, it seems as though Ziggy and the Spiders are fighting again. After nearly two years back together and their first studio album in 25 years Bauhaus have broken up for the third time. With this, Love and Rockets are now playing some of this year's biggest festivals and Peter Murphy, who's looking more and more like John Waters as Caligari's Cesare every day, is bringing his "Retrospective" tour to half-capacity clubs across America. (read more)

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