The Trashcan Sinatras with The Candles – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) – June 13, 2010
Please see my full review here.
The Trashcan Sinatras – Live Series: Radio Sessions Volume Two (Bobame)
The second volume in this series is perhaps even more enjoyable than the first. Once again going in chronological order, starting out with their very first single “Obscurity Knocks” and ending with material a brand new song called “The Stairs of New York”, this also includes all of the songs from their Daytrotter session, which I listed here a few weeks back. About half is acoustic and the other half full band performances and the material, as the title implies, comes from radio station appearances recorded both last year and this year as they’ve toured for their superb new album In the Music. Obviously, for rabid fans of the band, this will be a must, though I could also see it as well as its first volume (or the similar Fez) being a good introduction for the uninitiated as well.
Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA) – June 17, 2010
Please see my full review here.
Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Rush to Relax (Goner)
Although nowhere near as intense as their live show, this is still a very enjoyable Lp (their 3rd) from a band that at times sounds like Melbourne’s answer to THE ONLY ONES. They sold it for $10 at their show, too, so they got points for that, too!
D.O.A. – M Room (Philadelphia, PA) – June 17, 2010
After Eddy Current Suppression Ring’s set at Johnny Brenda’s, I wandered over half a block to catch D.O.A. Thus, I missed openers F.O.D., WOMEN and THE PRISONERS (not the legendary ’80s garage outfit). This show was advertised as D.O.A. playing all of their classic Hardcore ’81 plus selections from War on 45 and Bloodied but Unbowed. While they did indeed play songs from Hardcore ’81 like “D.O.A.” and “Waiting for You,”, they didn’t come close to playing the album its entirety. Still, with those songs along with other classics like “World War III” (which they were playing when I walked in) “The Prisoner,” “Rich Bitch” and “Disco Sucks” alongside their covers of THE SUBHUMANS‘ “Fuck You” and THE DILS‘ “Class War”, one could hardly complain, though admittedly I didn’t recognize the newer material they played.
Furthermore, though the current bassist and drummer are no match for RANDY RAMPAGE and CHUCK BISCUITS (then again, who is?), they’re not bad, either, and JOEY SHITHEAD‘s presence, optimism, revolutionary fervor and sense of humor are as funny and inspirational as ever, leading credence to the notion of him as the Canadian JOE STRUMMER if indeed, as our editor JACK RABID has often said, D.O.A. were Canada’s answer to THE CLASH in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Teenage Fanclub – Songs from Northern Britain (Creation)
This absolutely astonishing album from 1997 is where everything finally came together for this long-running Scottish band. For years, I’ve tried to get into them, trying their first few albums, 2005’s Man Made and their best of comp, but this was the one that did the trick. This tasty combination of THE BYRDS and BIG STAR along with just the right amount of noise/distortion,, a new interest in country-rock and hooks piled up to the rafters is an absolute must. Thus, in short, now I understand what I’ve missed out on all of these years. Now to check out their other albums!
Naked Raygun – 7” Series #2 (Riot Fest)
This 7” is the second in the series and follows last year’s 7”, the first new recorded material from Naked Raygun since 1990. Though others have expressed reservations or outright dislike for it, I have no idea why as these two songs rip almost as hard as their ‘85’-‘88 peak. Sure, former JOHN HAGGERTY‘s monster riffs will always be missed, but this is still great stuff very much in the vein of their mid to late ’80s peak.
Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers – LAMF: The Lost ’77 Mixes (Jungle)
Pernice Brothers – Goodbye, Killer (Ashmont)
Having taken the comments on last week’s list as well as on the Yahoo discussion group into account, I gave this one a fresh listen the other night. One anonymous commenter, who said that regular guitarist PEYTON PINKERTON‘s absence was preventing me from enjoying this more, may have had a point. Removed from the “Pernice Brothers” context and viewed as a Joe Pernice solo album (like last year’s excellent, mostly covers Lp It Feels So Good When I Stop), this one makes much more sense and is much more enjoyable when removed from the expectations of another The World Won’t End or Yours, Mine and Ours.
Thus, I’m sorry. I knew that this one had the potential to be a serious grower and it looks like that’s what will happen.
Damien Jurado with Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA) – June 19, 2010
I went to this show not really knowing what to expect since I’d never heard a note of Jurado’s music. I knew that my wife likes him and she wanted to go, so I took a chance. Boy am I glad I did. He was simply great, sitting on a chair and singing beautiful, lovelorn, heart-wrenching, emotionally naked songs with great power despite (or perhaps because of) his unorthodox singing style. Interestingly enough, the openers (minus their horn section and lead singer) backed him as well and did a really nice job, too, though Jurado played his last few songs solo. Due to a curfew at the club (an afterparty for JILL SCOTT was scheduled for afterwards), he didn’t even get a chance to perform an encore. Oh well, it’s always better to leave the audience (who were chanting for an encore even after the house lights came on) wanting more.
