The Run Down - Saturday April 12, 2008

The weekend is here and a swarm of shows have come with it. In Baltimore check out Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, These United States, Clue To Kalo, and The Cotton Jones Basket Ride at The Talking Head. In DC the 9:30 has Nada Surf, Kaki King, and The Jealous Girlfriends, while the Velvet Lounge has De Novo Dahl, Modern Skirts, and Parachute Musical. Finally in Philly the M Room has The cobbs, The December Sound, and Asteroid #4, The Fire has An American Chinese, East Hundred, Akudama, and Bebek, and Johnny Brenda's has Superdrag.

mp3: Nada Surf - Treading Water --> website --> buy
mp3: Kaki King - 2 O'Clock --> website --> buy
mp3: The Jealous Girlfriends - How Now --> website --> buy
mp3: An American Chinese - Panic Pilgrim, Quick Grab Your Suitcase --> website --> buy
mp3: East Hundred - Climbing Up The Walls --> website --> buy
mp3: De Novo Dahl - Marketplace --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - Burn This Bridge --> website --> buy
mp3: Asteroid #4 - Outside --> website --> buy

Toofer Toosday - An American Chinese & The Republic Tigers

It's not too often you come across a band that has such a solidified identity and image so early on. An American Chinese not only has a unique sound, they also have a defined visual representation throughout their website, posters, and promos. I guess I could equate it to how I felt when I first discovered Fishboy's website and music. Why is this important? Well for me it shows they're serious for one. It also shows that they aren't just looking to play pretty songs for us to sing a long. They have a purpose and an emotion to put forth. Anyway. I thought I'd mention that before explaining that their EP, Panic Pilgrim, that I received recently is simply fantastic. The seven piece from Philadelphia blends a fun poppy sound that can be large and introspective like the Arcade Fire or small and personal like the Violent Femmes. These guys and gals have officially put themselves on the list for bands to watch. Apparently they're at work on a full length, and you can find them playing a variety of shows in the PA area. We'll keep you posted.

mp3: An American Chinese - Blaine Wiggins Failed Musician --> website --> buy
mp3: An American Chinese - No No Like That

I received another EP recently that also blew me away. It was from The Republic Tigers, a five piece out of Kansas City. This band might be in for something big. The EP was released on Chop Shop in December of 2007 and there is an album in the works for this year. They remind me of everything I love about the Shins while blending a unique, almost ambient quality to their melodies. I can always tell a great EP when I find myself eagerly wanting more after it ends. That was the case for this disc. I was pretty much sold when the thumping drum line surprisingly kicked in on the third track 'The Drums' (fitting, I guess). The list of bands to watch grows even larger with the addition of The Republic Tigers. If you're heading to SXSW this year, make this band a priority to see.

mp3: The Republic Tigers - Buildings and Mountains --> website --> buy
mp3: The Republic Tigers - The Drums

The Run Down - Saturday January 25, 2008

Strap on your dancing shoes because there's some serious concert goin' action tonight. In Philly, An American Chinese light up the Fire with Young Gene Buffalo, Slippery Coup, and Bee Team. Over at the Starlight Ballroom you can see an amazing show in Super Furry Animals and Holy Fuck. Finally in DC, I'll be at the kick butt show of the night! Jukebox the Ghost has their CD Release show at the Black Cat along with Bellman Barker and Pash. Don't miss it!

mp3: An American Chinese - Panic Pilgrim, Quick Grab Your Suitcase --> website --> buy
mp3: Super Furry Animals - Run-Away --> website --> buy
mp3: Holy Fuck - Lovely Allen --> website --> buy
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day --> website --> buy
mp3: Bellman Barker - Pockets --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Thursday January 17 ,2008

Holy Crap! There are a ridiculous amount of good shows tonight. Starting things off in Baltimore, Wye Oak plays the Talking Head with Hands and Knees and Small Sur. In DC, the Rock & Roll Hotel hosts The Rosebuds, Drug Rug, and Carol Bui. Finally in Philly, Johnny Brenda's has a good one in Aderbat, Bon Savants, An American Chinese, and Peasant. Go Music!

mp3: Wye Oak - Obituary --> website --> buy
mp3: Hands and Knees - The Day I Was A Horse --> website --> buy
mp3: Small Sur - Yosemite --> website --> buy
mp3: The Rosebuds - Unwind --> website --> buy
mp3: Drug Rug - Day I Die --> website --> buy
mp3: Aderbat - Come Love --> website --> buy
mp3: Bon Savants - Between The Moon & The Ocean --> website --> buy
mp3: An American Chinese - Panic Pilgrim, Quick Grab Your Suitcase --> website --> buy
mp3: Peasant - The Wind --> website --> buy