Music Under Fire

If the instrumental rock we have shown you this year (Blind Place, Explosions in the Sky, El Ten Eleven, etc...) hasn't encouraged you to see a different kind of live show, then jump on This Will Destroy You's Fall tour dates before it is too late.

The Austin natives TWDY, also a product of Magic Bullet records, define themselves through a progressive ambient sound that could be considered a struggle beneath the surface. When any of their 5+ minute tracks drifts into the right environment, the emotional implications increase as well as define themselves to that setting. Perhaps this timely sound has been the attraction for videographers and other well-standing artists who have brough TWDY to an international level through movies, hard news stories and remixes.

The group released a self-titled album earlier this year to follow up their Young Mountain album from 2006.

For the first few days of the tour, TWDY will be playing with Lymbyc Systym, who although ambient, create a more synthesized and electric sound. When they reach Paris at the beginning of October and the start of their European tour, Pelican, Torche and Mom will be joining them. Mom will then finish the next 20+ shows of the tour with TWDY.

MP3: This Will Destroy You - Quiet (buy)
MP3: Lymbyc Systym - Fall Bicycle (Album Leaf remix) (buy)

9/5 2008 Jackpot Saloon w/ Lymbyc Systym Lawrence, KS
9/6 2008 Calhoun Street w/ Lymbyc Systym Ft. Wayne, IN
9/7 2008 Uncle Fester’s w/ Lymbyc Systym Bloomington, IN
9/9 2008 Bottom Lounge w/ Lymbyc Systym Chicago, IL
9/10 2008 Lager House w/ Lymbyc System Detroit, MI
9/11 2008 El Mocambo w/ Lymbyc Systym Toronto, ON
9/12 2008 Zaphod Beeblebrox w/ Lymbyc Systym Ottawa, ON
9/13 2008 Zoobizarre w/ Lymbyc Systym Montreal, QB
9/14 2008 Harpers Ferry w/ Lymbyc Systym Allston, MA
9/15 2008 Union Hall w/ Lymbyc Systym Brooklyn, NY
9/16 2008 Knitting Factory w/ Lymbyc Systym New York, NY
9/17 2008 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA
9/18 2008 DC 9 Washington DC, Washington DC
9/19 2008 The Boot Norfolk, VA
9/20 2008 ICC Burlington, NC
9/21 2008 Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA
9/24 2008 Mink Houston, Texas
10/7 2008 Glazart w/ Pelican, Torche, Mom Paris
10/8 2008 Vk w/ Mom Brussels
10/9 2008 Corporation w/ Mom Sheffield
10/10 2008 White Rabbit w/ Mom Plymouth
10/11 2008 Freebutt w/ Mom Brighton
10/12 2008 Whelans w/ Mom Dublin
10/13 2008 Captains Rest w/ Mom Glasgow
10/14 2008 Music Box w/ Mom Manchester
10/15 2008 Underworld w/ Mom London
10/16 2008 Simplon w/ Mom Groningen
10/17 2008 Lido w/ Mom, Caspian Berlin
10/18 2008 Tromba Club w/ Mom Tczew
10/19 2008 Beatpol w/ Mom Dresden
10/20 2008 Schocken w/ Mom Stuttgart
10/21 2008 B72 w/ Mom Wien
10/22 2008 Orangehouse w/ Mom München
10/23 2008 Init w/ Mom Roma
10/24 2008 Grabenhalle w/ Mom St. Gallen
10/25 2008 PMK w/ Mom Innsbruck
10/26 2008 FZW w/ Mom Dortmund
10/27 2008 Schlachthof w/ Mom Wiesbaden
10/28 2008 MUZ Club w/ Mom Nürnberg
10/29 2008 Lagerhaus w/ Mom Bremen

Rating: 3.1/5

With five years of experience gluing them together, Two Sheds recently released their newest E.P.

While listening to this extended play record, the evidence of pieced together talents comes to light. Led by the songwriting and singing of Caitlin Gutenberger, each song on this five-track bunch of recordings pushes with her withering odes and daily mind matters.

Don't be downtrodden by this description though, as Two Sheds is more than just a string of token rants about life. The cajoling banter behind her vocals means measures to the completion of her soft lyrics. Aided mostly by the ever-plucking acoustic guitar play of James Finch, Jr., Two Sheds also benefits from the drum play of Rusty Miller and Johnny Gutenberger on the drums as well as many fill-ins for this compilation.

Out of the five tracks, "You" and "WTF?" stood a head above the rest. "You" is the focal point of the album as it opens up the E.P., showcasing Caitlin's personality and vocal melodic presence. Slowly the album progresses through the laid back tracks of"Perfect" and "Undertow", which both add the violin to their ensemble, courtesy of Matthew Shih and Melody Mundy. "WTF?" ascends a few decibals higher with a rock menagerie akin to the theme the title implies. Even backup vocals (Amber Padgett), tambourine and electric guitar sink to Caitlin's driving chorus of 'What the f***?" Lastly, "To Be Alive" settles the mood of Caitlin and Two Sheds' thinkings behind these tracks, as a solo artist feel surrounds the closing lyrics "but it breaks my heart to be alive, some times" while a tinkering chime fades to the end.

At a glance this E.P. reminded me of Kimya Dawson's efforts from the Juno Soundtrack in regards to the simplicity, while after a few listens the combined efforts of at least nine artists begins to become evident. A drawback could be the rough sound this E.P. exhibited at times, but the variety within these tracks is reason enough to pick it up.

MP3: Two Sheds - WTF? (buy)

We urge you to multitask and check these guys out as you're reading this. Delta Spirit, the San Diego, California crew assembled back in 2005, now have a wonderful album to show for their past 3 years of work, Ode To Sunshine.

Their sound is quite identifiable, yet overflows into a multitude of genres. Perhaps the best comparision to be offered is that they sound like the soulful rock of Spoon or The Cops and the rustic simplicity of country rock. Harmonicas, gritty guitars, frolicking piano and the rabid, yet obsessive singing style of Matthew Vasquez make this all worthwhile.

Its the kind of feeling you get when you could place these guys 40 years ago in history and they would still shine and haphazardly make their catalog relevant. Its obvious by their music that they enjoy playing to their niche of both new and old styles, all while combing them over with shimmering beachside bass and guitar melodies.

Ode To Sunshine is the band's follow up to 2006's EP, I Think I've Found It. Their first single from OTS is the unmissable "Trashcan". If you enjoy the upbeat "Streetwalker", its a guarantee you will like this as well.

MP3: Delta Spirit - Streetwalker (mp3)

Delta Spirit has toured with the likes of the Cold War Kids, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Dr. Dog and their current tour schedule is listed below:

Aug 31, 2008 Schubas – Chicago, IL (Delta Spirit only)
Sep 5, 2008 IOTA Club & Café - Arlington, Virginia
Sep 6, 2008 The Earl - Atlanta, Georgia
Sep 7, 2008 3rd and Lindsley - Nashville, Tennessee
Sep 8, 2008 Bottletree - Birmingham, Alabama
Sep 9, 2008 Thirsty Hippo - Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Sep 11, 2008 Walter's on Washington - Houston, Texas
Sep 12, 2008 Lola's Saloon - Ft. Worth, Texas
Sep 13, 2008 The Parish - Austin, Texas
Sep 16, 2008 Club Congress - Tucson, Arizona
Sep 17, 2008 The Casbah - San Diego, California
Sep 19, 2008 The Detroit Bar - Costa Mesa, California
Sep 20, 2008 Cellar Door - Visalia, California
Sep 23, 2008 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, Oregon
Sep 24, 2008 Tractor Tavern - Seattle, Washington
Sep 26, 2008 Austin City Limits - Austin TX
Sep 27, 2008 Hi–Dive - Denver, Colorado
Sep 29, 2008 The Waiting Room - Omaha, Nebraska
Sep 30, 2008 The Record Bar - Kansas City, Missouri
Oct 1, 2008 High Noon Saloon - Madison, Wisconsin
Oct 2, 2008 Blind Pig - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Oct 8, 2008 Revolution Hall – Troy, NY
Oct 9, 2008 Iron Horse – Northampton, MA
Oct 10, 2008 Middle East (downstairs) - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Attention Philly! If you miss the days of old rock, or maybe you'd like to catch up with some quite impressive artists, our friends The Donuts will be performing with the heavily stacked rockers from the 70s, The Magic Christians.

MP3: The Donuts - The Monkey Wrench Gang (buy)

The Donuts consider themselves "Too inept to truly be considered power pop, and too melodic to be considered garage rock." Headed out by leadman 'Taint' as their website names him, the vocals are that "like a combination of Bob Dylan and Lou Reed".

The Donuts:
Official - http://www.thedonuts.com/
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/thedonutsrock

To give you an idea of the musicianship we have on deck this Friday from the Magic Christians, their history goes back for quite some time, playing with such greats as Flamin Groovies, Blondie and The Plimsouls:

Cyril Jordan - Guitarist and songsmith extraordinaire. Rock and Roll Visionary. Champion of true Sixties Rock and Roll Vibe and leader of the fantastic and hugely missed Flamin' Groovies. Cyril played with: The Beau Brummels, Gordon Waller, Dave Edmunds, and other Bay Area Legends...

Paul Kopf - Vocalist, Catalyst, Harmonica and Great Vibes. A true artist but first and foremost a FAN of Rock and Roll.

Eddie Munoz - Bassist, Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar. Founding member and guitarist for The Plimsouls. Eddie did stints with the dB's, Divine Horsemen, Peter Case Band, The Phantom Chords (with Dave Vanian) and The Neighborhoods.

Clem Burke - Drums, Casual Elegance. A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with Blondie, Clem has also played with The Eurythmics, The Ramones, The Romantics, The Plimsouls, Patti Smith, Chequered Past, Nancy Sinatra and countless other artists by way of session work and gigs.

There you have it - come see them and support your Philadelphia bands at one of our favorite venues - Johnny Brenda's!

Annuals are gearing up for their second album Such Fun, which will be here in one month (Oct. 7th). Their latest single (released Aug 18th) "Confessor" is as heartfelt as it comes. Annuals impressed the blogsphere one year ago with Be He Me, and is set to do it again, breaking the rigid indie mold laid before them. "Confessor" has just as much feeling and color than their previous work and should be an impressive arrival come next month.

They will begin their tour on September 1st and will be at the TLA On 10/23/08 in Philly. For more information on what Annuals have been up to, visit their Official Page or their MySpace page.

MP3: Annuals - Confessor (buy)

1. Confessor
2. Hot Night Hounds
3. Springtime
4. Down The Mountain
5. Always Do
6. Talking
7. Hardwood Floor
8. Hair Don't Grow
9. The Tape
10. Blue Ridge
11. Wake

Here are their upcoming tour dates:

9/1 -- Seattle, WA -- Bumbershoot (No Annuals)
10/8 -- Spokane, WA -- Service Station#
10/9 -- Missoula, MT -- The Other Side#
10/11 -- Englewood, CO -- Gothic Theatre#
10/12 -- Omaha, NE -- Slowdown#
10/13 -- Iowa City, IA -- The Picador#
10/15 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Varsity Theatre#
10/16 -- Milwaukee, WI -- Turner Hall#
10/17 -- Chicago, IL -- The Vic Theatre#
10/18 -- Columbus, OH -- Newport Music Hall#
10/19 -- Detroit, MI -- Majestic Theatre Center#
10/20 -- Cleveland, OH -- Grog Shop$
10/21 -- Boston, MA -- Wilbur Theatre^
10/22 -- Washington, DC -- 930 Club^
10/23 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Theatre of Living Arts^
10/24 -- Providence, RI -- Lupo's at the Strand^
10/25 -- New York, NY -- Webster Hall^
10/26 -- Sayreville, NJ -- Starland Ballroom^
10/28 -- Richmond, VA -- The National^
10/29 -- Raleigh, NC -- Lincoln Theatre^
10/30 -- Asheville, NC -- The Orange Peel^
10/31 --Knoxville, TN -- Bijou Theatre^
11/1 -- Atlanta, GA -- Variety Playhouse^
11/3 -- Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- Revolution!
11/4 -- Lake Buena, FL -- House of Blues!
11/5 -- Jacksonville, FL -- Free Bird Café!
11/7 -- New Orleans, LA -- House of Blues!
11/8 -- Houston, TX -- House of Blues!
11/9 -- Austin, TX -- Waterloo Park!
11/10 -- Dallas, TX -- House of Blues!
11/12 -- Santa Fe, NM -- TBA
11/13 -- Tempe, AZ -- Marquee Theatre!
11/14 -- San Diego, CA -- Soma@
11/15 -- Pomona, CA -- Glass House@
11/16 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Henry Fonda Theatre@
11/18 -- Sacramento, CA -- Empire@
11/19 -- San Francisco, CA -- Bimbos@

# w/ Themes
$ w/ The New Year
^ w/ Sylvie
! W/27
@ w/ Helms Alee