Philly Music – That Music Magazine https://thatmusicmag.com Philadelphia Music News Thu, 07 Jul 2022 13:40:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.9 An extraterrestrial evening with Puscifer and special guests Moodie Black at The Met https://thatmusicmag.com/an-extraterrestrial-evening-with-puscifer-and-special-guests-moodie-black-at-the-met/ https://thatmusicmag.com/an-extraterrestrial-evening-with-puscifer-and-special-guests-moodie-black-at-the-met/#respond Thu, 07 Jul 2022 12:30:50 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=66433

photo credit: Sophia Varoumas

Carina Round gives you full-body chills with her compelling performance, alongside living rock legend Maynard James Keenan at Philadelphia’s The Met.


By Sophia Varoumas

“Phil’s Friends” receive the satirical and theatrical probing performance they anticipated. Maynard James Keenan (vocals) and Carina Round (vocals/guitar/percussion/keys), of Puscifer, performed in divine masculine/feminine post-punk harmony at The Met.

Alongside bandmates, Mat Mitchell (guitar), Gunner Olsen (drums), and Josh Moreau (bass/synths) on this year’s, Existential Reckoning tour, like the hierophant compliment the Empress, Carina Round, and Maynard James Keenan, showcase their voices in the Opera house, achingly beautiful and synthesized with a dusting of retro electronica.

The alternative rap trio, Moodie Black, opens the evening with a dark stage, bright white screen, and the band scattered across the stage, an industrial backdrop eerily hanging behind them, reminiscent of an old Nine Inch Nails video. Moodie Black features the lead singer, Kristen Martinez (she/her), guitarist Sean Lindahl (he/him), and drummer Bentley Monet (he/him).

Moodie Black rage on stage as Martinez’s silhouette haunts, as she towers, and paces in front of the band’s backdrop. She has an enormous voice that demands attention. The band calls it noise rap. It sounds super thrashy and industrial combined with the super-fast spoken word. You may find yourself rocking your head to their set.

Suddenly, the energy shifts dramatically when the TV screens on each side of the stage light up with static, and Maynard James Keenan (MJK), a.k.a. agent Dick Merkin, pops up on the screens with a message about “spam.” He reminds the crowd that, “ignorant entitled outrage,”  adds just enough spice to the cynical mix of processed meat, so if you pull out your phone, it will land you in Puscifer’s meat grinders, and dispose of you. The crowd roars at the announcement and then the band walks across that stage.

You see and feel this synergy on stage when Keenan and Round, the alto and soprano dance around each other in an alienesque fashion opening with the tracks, “Bread and Circus,” “Postulous,” and then the crowd-pleasing, “Fake Affront,” giving the audience Max Headroom meets Reservoir Dogs feels with their rude boy, all-black suits, white button-down shirts, and black tie attire.

Dozens of fans dress up like MJK’s personas and some, like MJK, don’t break character. Appearances by personas, Agent Dick Merkin, the agent in training on the Pusciforce, is the audience’s host for the evening probe. ‘Agents’ appear on stage scanning the audience for potential new subjects. It was quirky and entertaining adding an extra element to the night’s show.

Prior to the band’s quick seven-minute intermission and wardrobe change, the six-piece performed the songs “Humbling River,” “Apocalypticical,” “Remedy,” and “Singularity.”

Billy D, MJK’s other Puscifer persona emerges, a glass of alcohol in hand, prepared to raise a glass and run from the aliens on stage trying to probe him.

Puscifer continues in their ever so subtle way to say, “shut the fuck up” with a world in its current state of affairs, masking some rage with video “spam” entertaining the crowd to add a sense of sarcastic comic relief, but still showcasing how social media is evil, and how they may feel about society’s current events that are unfolding.

The most monumental and compelling moment of the evening was by Carina Round in her performance of “Flippant.”

Round singularly dances standing still and waving her arms pointing up, then circling her belly and up again. Suddenly she circles her belly again, points up, then points back down at her other hand circling back at her belly, and silently screams, MINE! Before the stage goes black, they end the night with, “Bedlamite” and tell Puscifer fans that they can break out their phones to take some pictures if they choose.

Want to relive the show? Philly’s Setlist below:

Bread and Circus
Postulous
Fake Affront
Underwhelming
Grey Area
Theorem
Vaginamine
Upgrade
Apocalypticical
Remedy
Personal Prometheus
Singularity
Humbling River
(Intermission)
Bullet Train
Man Overboard
Flippant
Bedlamite

Connect with Puscifier

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Philadelphia native Kurt Vile performed 2 sold out shows at Union Transfer https://thatmusicmag.com/philadelphia-native-kurt-vile-performed-2-sold-out-shows-at-union-transfer/ https://thatmusicmag.com/philadelphia-native-kurt-vile-performed-2-sold-out-shows-at-union-transfer/#respond Wed, 08 Jun 2022 15:45:21 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=66226

photo credit: Angel Park

Written by Angel Park

This past Friday evening marked the first of two sold-out shows at the Union Transfer for legendary Philly folk artist, Kurt Vile. These hometown stops were done as part of Vile‘s multicity tour spanning cities across the U.S. in support of his latest album, Watch My Moves. This fifteen-song release is filled with dreamy, psych-inspired rock and features acclaimed fan favorites such as “Mount Airy Hill,”  “‘Goin’ on a Plane Today,” and “Thinkin’ About Flyin.”

As the crowd packed the venue floor, the supporting band, Natural Information Society, kicked off the show by diving right into their pleasant avant-garde, long-form set. Despite lacking any introductions, the group’s contemporary sound captivated the audience and touched on a compelling combination of jazz, minimalism, and traditional music genres.

Following Natural Information Society was Vile, who warmly greeted the crowd of cheering fans before riffing into the opening chords of “Palace of OKV in Reverse.” With his bandmates strumming along and his iconic Vile logo glowing behind him, Vile‘s stage presence captivated everyone in the audience. Mixing both his old and new music, his set had a track to please both past and recent Vile fans.

If you’re a fan of folk, Kurt Vile and Natural Information Society are definitely two groups that are worth a listen.

Tickets are still available for the ‘Watch My Moves’ tour here.

Connect with Kurt Vile

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music

Connect with Natural Information Society

Website | Instagram | Spotify | Emrite


Kurt Vile / Natural Information Society Photo Gallery

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Derek Dorsey’s We Live On Foundation benefit concert brought droves of people to Ardmore Music Hall March 13 and March 15 https://thatmusicmag.com/derek-dorseys-we-live-on-foundation-benefit-concert-brought-droves-of-people-to-ardmore-music-hall-march-13-and-march-15/ https://thatmusicmag.com/derek-dorseys-we-live-on-foundation-benefit-concert-brought-droves-of-people-to-ardmore-music-hall-march-13-and-march-15/#respond Mon, 28 Mar 2022 16:00:55 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=65638

Toby & Zach of Dr. Dog

Written by Brian Cronin  Photos provided by Lisa Schaffer

The first annual We Live On benefit concert was held on March 13 and March 15 at Ardmore Music Hall (AMH) in Ardmore, right outside of Philadelphia, and was hosted by Dan Fein. The benefit was set up to raise money for Derek Dorsey, a longtime music promoter, manager, and talent buyer in the Philadelphia music scene.

Sunday’s show brought out many artists and folks to support both Derek and this new foundation.  

I attended Sunday’s show that featured: Dr. Dog‘s Toby and Zach, Hoots & Hellmouth, Hezekiah Jones, John Faye, Anjuli Josephine, Stargazer Lily, Ben Arnold, Illinois, Andrew Lipke, Don McCloskey, Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, to name a few. It was a great night of music as each one of the artists had been covered by Origivation/THAT MAG at some point throughout the years.

Personally, for me, it was good to reconnect with the artists both performing or showing their support in the crowd. AMH did a great job, as always, with their house sound and keeping the night on a constant flow. Derek has touched so many lives throughout the years, and to see and feel the energy in the room, was electrifying.

I regrettably did not attend Tuesday’s night’s show, as they had another great lineup featuring Talib Kweli, Karl “Dice Raw” Jenkins, Schooly D., Chris and Herb of Fathead, Mike Voss, Flipside Esq., and Wardell Piper. Tuesday night’s festivities were hosted by Elements of Hip Hop. Not only were the funds raised to help Derek with his immense medical bills, but also for his new foundation, We Live On. The foundation has the goal of creating a space for people with rare diseases to network and to provide information on services and providers available. We Live On strives to create that safe community space as rare diseases are isolating and often end in suicide rather than death by disease. Most importantly, the foundation will serve its community of individuals and families who are facing medical adversity, establishing that people are not alone and that there is hope.


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PHNTMS Release Video For New Single “Body Language” https://thatmusicmag.com/phntms-release-video-for-new-single-body-language/ https://thatmusicmag.com/phntms-release-video-for-new-single-body-language/#respond Wed, 02 Mar 2022 14:00:32 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=65421 Written by Nick Hopton

Philly-based LGBTQIA+ alternative band, PHNTMS, is back with yet another piece of musical bliss in the form of “Body Language.”

An alt-pop anthem, complete with shades of Paramore and U2, PHNTMS consistently finds ways to further their music while also staying true to their roots. The video tells the story of reading a partner’s actions rather than the words that they speak, while a colorful blast of both scenery and melody explodes from the band and onto our screens.

The trio is led by Alyssa Gambino, who has a voice that most can only dream of obtaining, effortlessly soaring into the heavens with her incredible range. Complete with incredible musicianship and creativity from Adam Jessamine and Mikal Smith, PHNTMS continues to push the boundaries of their own abilities while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of music as a whole.

Their upcoming Melrose EP (due for release this Spring), which is produced by Courtney Ballard (ATL, 5SOS), promises to be “full of vocal grit and unforgettable choruses spiked with just the right amount of emotional pull.”

Connect with PHNTMS

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

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Coheed and Cambria celebrate 20 years at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown, California last Thursday https://thatmusicmag.com/coheed-and-cambria-celebrate-20-years-at-pappy-harriets-in-pioneertown-california-last-thursday/ https://thatmusicmag.com/coheed-and-cambria-celebrate-20-years-at-pappy-harriets-in-pioneertown-california-last-thursday/#respond Thu, 24 Feb 2022 20:30:42 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=65293

photo credit: Julie Ann Shaw

Written by Julie Ann Shaw

Coheed and Cambria came to Southern California to celebrate 20 years of gifting this world with genre-defying music based on the comics created by lead singer, Claudio Sanchez.

However, they did not come to Los Angeles, San Diego, or any other major city that has built a reputation for filling our souls with music. Coheed and Cambria decided they would play a sold-out show at Pappy & Harriet’s, a restaurant and music venue with an indoor and an outdoor stage, several outdoor bars and food stand for hot dogs and hamburgers, which sits on the edge of a very small town in the middle of the desert outside Palm Springs.

photo credit: Julie Ann Shaw

Pioneertown is exactly what it sounds like, originally built in 1946, as not just a set for western movies and television shows, but as an actual functional town where the cast and crew could live and play while filming. Today, in addition to remaining a functioning western livable filming set, it is a tourist attraction with almost daily western shows in the middle of Main Street. The fact that Coheed and Cambria decided to play in a venue like this made the show extraordinary and just plain fun.

To start the evening, the opening band was the Philadelphia-based band, Sheer Mag, with Tina Halladay (vocals), Hart Seely (bass), Matt Palmer (rhythm guitar/keyboard), Giacomo Zatti (drums), and Kyle Seely (lead guitar). Halladay owned the stage like no one I had ever seen before. The second she started singing all attention was on her and it was impossible to pull yourself away from the stage as she is a  remarkable combination of Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper. 

The lights went down and Coheed and Cambria, Claudio Sanchez (lead vocals, guitar), Zach Cooper (bass), Travis Stever (guitar), and Josh Eppard (drums), took the stage.

photo credit: Julie Ann Shaw

After happily standing in the freezing desert for hours, with absolutely zero cell service, and only the alcohol and hot dogs to keep us warm, we were more than ready for them, and the massive amount of hair that was about to fly around on stage. They opened with In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3, which was quickly followed by You Got Spirit, Kid.

They continued to excite the audience with an expansive set that included a taste of their upcoming album, Vaxis-Act II: A Window Of The Waking Mind, a continuation of their Amory Wars storyline, with the song Shoulders.” Next came a three-song throwback to their first album, The Second Stage Turbine Blade, with Junesong Provision,” “Devil in Jersey City,” and “Everything Evil.”

photo credit: Julie Ann Shaw

The set was periodically interjected with stories of when they were first starting out 20 years ago, and no one understood what they were trying to do. However, now, they are overcome with gratitude to have such a loyal and wonderful following who embrace their eccentric artistic adventures, stories, and characters, and are willing to drive to the middle of nowhere for a chance to become a part of the fantasy world that they have created.

As the night went on, each song was greeted with more excitement than the last, playing fan favorites like A Favor House Atlantic” and The Suffering.” The smog on stage intensified as the lights and lasers glowed through, creating the illusion of being inside one of their pieces of sci-fi artwork.

Then came the finale. If you could only make it for two songs, these were the songs to show up for. The first encore was The Liars Club,” another insanely mind-blowing taste from their upcoming tenth studio album, Vaxis-Act II. Last, but not least, came the song. The song introduced Coheed and Cambria to millions of people, myself included. The song that made me fall in love with them and jump at the chance to drive three hours each way just to see them, Welcome Home.”

Connect with Coheed and Cambria

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

Connect with Sheer Mag

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music

 

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Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic lineup announced for June 4-5 at the Mann Center in Fairmount Park https://thatmusicmag.com/philadelphias-roots-picnic-lineup-announced-for-june-4-5-at-the-mann-center-in-fairmount-park/ https://thatmusicmag.com/philadelphias-roots-picnic-lineup-announced-for-june-4-5-at-the-mann-center-in-fairmount-park/#respond Tue, 15 Feb 2022 19:38:21 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=65181 Written by Lauren Rosier

Philadelphia fans! After two years of taking time off because of the pandemic, the annual Roots Picnic returns this year on June 4-5, 2022, at The Mann Center in Fairmount Park.

Headlined by no other than this past weekend’s Super Bowl performer, Mary J. Blige, will perform alongside The Roots themselves. Other artists performing include Kamasi Washington, Jazmine Sullivan, Summer Walker, Wizkid, Tierra Whack, Freddie Gibbs, DJ Jazzy Jeff with Rakim, and Robert Glasper Bilal.

DJ J Period is scheduled to make a “live mixtape” that will feature Black Thought, Rick Ross, and Benny the Butcher. A jam session will be hosted by the producer, Soulquarians, and will feature Keyshia Cole, SWV, and Musiq Soulchild.

Tickets for the event go on sale on Friday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Get tickets here.

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Philadelphia rockers SORAIA release cover of The Knacks’ “My Sharona”, out now https://thatmusicmag.com/philadelphia-rockers-soraia-release-cover-of-the-knacks-my-sharona-out-now/ https://thatmusicmag.com/philadelphia-rockers-soraia-release-cover-of-the-knacks-my-sharona-out-now/#respond Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:45:39 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=65134 Written by Lauren Rosier

The Philadelphia-based rock band, SORAIA, has released a new cover of The Knacks’ song, “My Sharona,” a follow-up to their 2021 single, “Tight-Lipped,” which cracked the Billboard charts all the way to number 23 and gained support from commercial rock stations, including WMMR (Philadelphia), WRIF (Detroit), WRAT (New Jersey), WDHA (New Jersey), KCAL (Southern California), KFMA (Tucson, AZ), WWSK (Long Island, NY), and SiriusXM’s Underground Garage station, among others.

Vocalist ZouZou Mansour says, “We were going to tour Sweden for the first time in October 2021, and I wanted to record something fun with a Swedish producer. I was driving along listening to a playlist, and I heard The Knack’s ‘My Sharona” pop on. I loved singing it and felt energized with a kind of fire, so that was the obvious choice for me! The band was down to do it, so we had Sulo Karlsson produce the track the night before going in and banging it ooout in one day in the studio. It was fast, fun, and easy!”

Soraia will be going on tour throughout the remainder of the year. See dates below and updates on their site here.

2022 Soraia Tour Dates

Friday, 03/18/22: New London, CT @ 33 Golden Street
Saturday, 03/19/22: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
Thursday, 03/24/22: Hamtramck, MI @ Small’s
Saturday, 03/26/22: Chicago, IL @ Liar’s Club
Sunday, 03/27/22: St. Louis, MO @ 21 Rock
Saturday, 04/02/22: Pottstown, PA @ The Rivet
Friday, 04/08/22: Asbury Park, NJ @ The Saint
Friday, 04/15/22: Syracuse, NY @ Sharkey’s
Saturday, 04/16/22: Albany, NY @ The Palace Theater w/ Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Friday, 05/06/22: New York, NY @ Berlin Under A
Thursday, 05/19/22: Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theater
Friday, 06/03/22: Washington, D.C. @ The Pie Shop
Friday, 06/10/22: Malmö, Sweden @ Medley Malmö
Saturday, 06/11/22: Malmö, Sweden @ Medley Malmö
Wednesday, 06/15/22: Stockholm, Sweden @ Twang (acoustic)
Friday, 06/17/22: Uppsala, Sweden @ Kattala
Saturday, 06/18/22: Norrtäjle, Sweden @ Norrtälje Festival
Friday, 07/01/22: Toledo, OH @ Promenade Park (opening for Killer Queen)
Friday, 07/08/22: Huntington, NY @ The Paramount (opening for Killer Queen)
Saturday, 07/09/22: Huntington, NY @ The Paramount (Opening for Killer Queen)
Tuesday, 11/01/22: New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine
Friday, 11/04/22: New York, NY @ Berlin Under A
Saturday, 11/05/22: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
Saturday, 11/26/22: Phoenixville, PA @ Colonial Theatre (Opening for Killer Queen)

Soraia is ZouZou Mansour (vocals/tambourine), Travis Smith (bass guitar/backing vocals), Mike Dudolevitch (lead & rhythm guitars/backing vocals), Brianna Sig (drums/backing vocals), and John Hildenbrand (keys).

Connect with Soraia

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Devon Allman talks about how the Allman Family Revival began; show set for Thursday at 8 pm at the Fillmore https://thatmusicmag.com/devon-allman-talks-about-how-the-allman-family-revival-began-show-set-for-thursday-at-8-pm-at-the-fillmore/ https://thatmusicmag.com/devon-allman-talks-about-how-the-allman-family-revival-began-show-set-for-thursday-at-8-pm-at-the-fillmore/#respond Wed, 08 Dec 2021 22:15:44 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=64906

Allman Family Revival

Written by Eric Sperrazza

My childhood had a soundtrack of some of the greatest and most diverse music by the people in my tribe raising me. I have vivid memories of my father’s love of southern rock and how Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Allman Brothers Band would permeate through the car, as he would shuffle me back and forth to extracurricular activities.

Over the years, I grew an affinity for the sounds that would put wind into my Dad’s proverbial sails and I always keep an eye out, to this day, for moments I can share with him to celebrate the love of that genre he instilled in me. Luckily, for me, I didn’t have to search too hard for the next opportunity to make a memory with him!

On Thursday, December 9th, the Allman Family Revival will be front and center, at The Met in Philadelphia, for their annual multi-hour celebration and tribute to the legendary Allman Brothers Band.

A sheer spectacle of musicianship, I experienced no small amount of pleasure in speaking to Devon Allman, son of Gregg Allman and co-founder of the Allman Betts Band, about how the show got started.

“In 2017, I lost my Dad,” Devon said. “After six months of grieving, I realized I was denying myself of the power of healing through music and invited a bunch of friends to a comeback show. My agent came back and said San Francisco wanted the show at the Fillmore. I thought it was so cool because my Dad lived in San Francisco throughout the 90s and it became a second home to us. They only had one date to offer, though, December 8th,” he explained. “Which also would have happened to have been my Dad’s 70th birthday. I thought ‘Holy Shit! That’s serendipitous!’ So, we decided to make it a birthday present for my Dad and made it a tribute to him. It started off so innocently and then it evolved to where New York, Denver, and then more wanted the show.  Now? We are in our 5th year and we have 31 offers which we whittled down to 18 shows.”

And evolved, it did. Today, everyone from Kenny Wayne Shepherd, G. Love to Lilly Hiatt, and Robert Randolph perform during the Allman Family Revival show. The structure of the actual show was described by Devon best when he said, “It’s amazing that all these musicians put three weeks aside, every year, to be a part of this. So, I modeled this event after The Band’s famous 1976 concert, ‘The Last Waltz.’ The Allman Betts Band will be the house band, and we will play a few songs and then begin introducing guests. The guests perform their take on an Allman Brothers song and then a song they are famous for. So, they can promote their music and then take on one of my Dad’s songs.”

It is truly an epic night honoring one of the greatest American songwriters and musicians in American history, but what of younger music lovers that might be unfamiliar with the Allman Brothers Band.

Devon had a message for them. When asked to give his elevator pitch to the new school of music fans, he was quoted as saying, “It’s a continuation of the wild wild west! We are doing it the way they did it in the ’60s and ’70s. Anyone who is out of their pop phase and looking for good organic music, this is the real stuff. I mean, good God!  It’s a clinic in the electric guitar up there on that stage. If you are a fan of the electric guitar and you missed this you seriously missed the show of the year!”

Here’s the rub; If you miss the show this year, there is no guarantee that Philadelphia may always be on the annual tour stops. As Devon impressed upon me, there are so many markets that want this show and only so many days to perform so they may mix up where they go, from year to year. With great urgency, it would behoove anyone on the fence to get a ticket to the show and be a part of the Allman Family Revival.

As for me? I will be there, celebrating my father’s 70th birthday and celebrating Gregg Allman along with everyone else. As I sing Midnight Rider in the audience along with a cavalcade of stars on stage, I will simultaneously be honoring my dad and the lessons he imparted to me on what fun southern rock can be…even for a Yankee like myself.

Doors open at 7 pm at The Fillmore and the show kicks off at 8 pm. Tickets are still available here.

Hope to see you there!

Connect with Allman Family Revival

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music

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Great White and Slaughter bring back nostalgia, many reminiscing https://thatmusicmag.com/great-white-and-slaughter-bring-back-nostalgia-many-reminiscing/ https://thatmusicmag.com/great-white-and-slaughter-bring-back-nostalgia-many-reminiscing/#respond Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:45:14 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=64773

photo credit: Eric Sperrazza

Written by Eric Sperrazza

It was the summer of 1991 and while on, what felt like, an eternal car ride for a family vacation in New Hampshire, I discovered the band, Slaughter.

While in the backseat with my sister and cousin for hours, I was armed with nothing more than a mere Sony Walkman and a new cassette of the Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey Motion Picture Soundtrack. I was a big enough superfan of the Bill & Ted franchise that literally anything could have been on that album and I would’ve given it a shot so long as Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves were presenting it. But, that LP had some memorable tracks by Megadeth, Faith No More, and KISS.

For me, the breakout was the very first song on the first side of the cassette, “Shout It Out,” by Slaughter. A fun party tune with slick riffs, it felt like the polar opposite of their prior year’s hit single,  a “Couples-Only Skate” classic by the name of “Fly to the Angels.” From that point forward, I was on the hunt for more Slaughter in my music collection.

Fast forward to the present. Spam emails are omnipresent in a half dozen different devices of mine with ads for shows and Groupons just begging to be opened. I almost never bite the forbidden but on one particular day an ad caught my eye –  “Slaughter and Great White at Rivers Casino!”  So, I opened it only to be thrust backward in time, singing the Great White hit, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” in my head. Maybe it was the mixtape-making, hair band-loving kid inside of me, but I was intrigued with the prospect of seeing if these bands could still move me and a live audience.

The night of the show, I got to Rivers Casino early in order to give myself time for any Covid precautions and procedures. Sure enough, there was a mask mandate but Security was kind enough to have extras at the ready for folks ill-prepared. I brought my teenage son along with me to weigh his take on the music and, with a powerful stroke of serendipity, the two of us were able to set up and settle in, right in front of the stage (An experience that the Junior High School version of me would have died for!).

Slaughter was first to perform and Mark Slaughter wasted no time showcasing that his famous high octave voice still had gas in the proverbial tank. The band ripped into two hits from the Stick It To Ya album, “Mad About You” and “Spend My Life.”

But, if there were still non-believers in the house, the band began to cover Led Zeppelin’s legendary “Immigrant Song.” In that, Mark Slaughter hit every note, beat for beat, and the room was left aghast. In between tremendous amounts of fan interaction, with adults and children alike, the band performed their seminal ballad, “Fly to the Angels.” The show closed with a fitting tribute to Van Halen, as the curtain fell with their take on “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love.”

With Mark‘s feats of vocal strength, the fan service, and the infinite amount of picks tossed to the crowd, Slaughter was a tough act to follow; but, Great White was up for the challenge!

The longtime lead guitarist, Mark Kendall, revealed himself from behind the curtain and began a slow build-up solo that was like climbing the incline of a rollercoaster ride. At the precipice and without notice, the new frontman, Mitch Malloy, exploded on stage with the look of Robert Plant and the energy of David Lee Roth. Most importantly, the singing chops of a young and powerful hard rock singer. The band tore right into “Can’t Shake It” and “Lady Red Light.” I’m fairly confident Malloy did not stop moving for a second as he commanded every square inch of that stage to envelope everyone in attendance and welcome them to the party.

Great White continued on with hits like “Save Your Love” and “Rock Me,” but the climax of the night was the band performing “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” as the finale. On the micro, it was the same type of crowd pop you can expect when Kiss encores with “Rock And Roll All Nite.”

Band member, Michael Larkie, (Of whom I interviewed in anticipation of the show) even spent a few moments talking with my son and me.

I can safely say that there were no seat-fillers in the audience that night. Everyone in attendance was a true fan and helped in lighting up the room with an energy that both bands gave back to the crowd in spades. It was also so nice to audibly be taken back to a simpler time in my life when batteries for my Sony Walkman were my biggest concern. It renewed a little hope to rewind time back to my childhood, if but for one night.

Moreover, the biggest takeaway of the night was seeing my son catching guitar picks and singing along to newly learned choruses while throwing his horns to the sky. I may have not ever been front row as a teen riding a wave of electricity through two different hard-hitting sets, but I gotta live it through him as he expanded his already eclectic pallet.

This was truly an experience worth the price of admission. They say that you can never go home but on a rainy Friday night in October, I was back to my childhood bedroom, headphones full blast.

Until next time, Be Excellent To Each Other.

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Jawny returns to the Foundry with Spill Tab – a Photo Gallery https://thatmusicmag.com/jawny-returns-to-the-foundry-with-spill-tab-a-photo-gallery/ https://thatmusicmag.com/jawny-returns-to-the-foundry-with-spill-tab-a-photo-gallery/#respond Sat, 13 Nov 2021 22:00:09 +0000 http://thatmusicmag.com/?p=64702 All photos by Liv Foltiny

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