Kill Me In My Face!

When Kill You in the Face contacted us here at Hipsters Eat For Free to see if we could help promote their huge upcoming show, I jumped at the chance to sit down and chat with these fine fellows. With a name like Kill You in the Face, I was awaiting some sick ass stories about fights, rage and drugs but those things were not in their agenda. Instead Mike Romeo (guitar), Alejandro Torres (drums) and James Saul (keyboard) let me see what normal, down to earth guys they really are. I was amazed at how connected they all seemed to each other, finishing each others sentences, laughing simultaneously or even saying the exact same thing at the exact same time! Like, Siamese twins.

Of course we talked about their show this Sunday night at Kung Fu Necktie with Twin Thousands and what a huge deal it is that Gretta Cohn formally from Cursive, is in Twin Thousands but we also talked about my favorite three things; music, hipsters and Philly. I met up with them at their practice/living space in South Philly. Nelson, their feline friend made himself comfortable on my lap and we got started.

HEFF: Can you guys tell me a little bit about your creative process?

MR: It’s mostly really pretty collaborative. Like someone will start playing a riff and someone else will embellish upon it and someone else will be like oh that’s pretty cool.

HEFF: And where do they lyrics come from?

MR: Lyrics always come last. We kind of work the lyrics around the music. I know a lot a lot a lot of other people do it the other way… cause we have parts of a story that we are telling and we sort of fit chunks in where we can.

HEFF: What are you guys in the process of now?

MR: Now we are starting to plan spring and summer. We’ve got a big show in a couple of weeks. In March we’ll be in Danger Danger (Gallery). We are going to try to do some regional shows.

AT: A lot of new songs too.

MR: We just recorded a song for the label we are on Punk Rock Payroll. They are putting out a comp and we recoded a new song for that and then we are going to have like some B sides and one of the songs from Mighty Atlas on there.

HEFF: Any possibility for a full length coming out sometime soon?

MR: That’s what we’re working on.

AT: We have about six or seven new songs so far. We are constantly working on new stuff. We have a lot of ideas for some new songs. But we are all really pushing for a release regardless. I feel like most likely it will happen no matter what.

HEFF: Is there a time frame?

JS: No, not really. Plus, we also want to work on the stuff a little more and make sure it’s really good.

MR: And figure out the packaging (laughs)!

HEFF: I am excited for the next great packaging idea. (They give me The Mighty Atlas ray gun.) Did you make these yourself?

MR: Yeah. We make them here.

HEFF: How did you decided to make the ray guns?

MR: Um how did we? Oh! Alright. Pretty much we were thinking a lot about how we wanted to do the release because we did the split and that was the board game and The Extraodinaires area always doing their books. So we thought okay how are we going to do this? And with this story that we are telling we started kicking around the idea that it would be cool to start like vinyl toys and try to sell them at the merch table and just do something collectible like that. And that started to morph into well what if the toys were the album and then it just rollercoastered from there.

HEFF: I assume this is coasting you a lot of money to make?

MR: Yeah (laughs). I mean we don’t have as good of a profit margin as most other bands but I mean it becomes worth it.

JS: I feel like it’s really unique and awesome. I can’t believe it happened.

AT: To see the faces of the happy people.

MR: Like when we go to a town we have never really been to before and we set up merch and we play and people wonder over and they’re like “ Well what the fuck is that?”

HEFF: I know that The Mighty Atlas has a story that it portrays. Will the new album follow suit?

MR: It’s going to be the same. Everything we do is just sort of pieces of a bigger story. Should we go into the story?

HEFF: Yeah!

MR: Well the title The Mighty Atlas is about our main character, Atlas. This is set in the semi-near future. Basically it’s a unified earth, but we’re invaded by alien forces and Atlas is a turncoat and his son is basically the leader of the earth rebellion. They come down and blind sight us and they win. Humans are in camps and there’s a revolution and stuff like that. You know there are some of those themes on the EP here but I think the full length and a lot f the songs we are doing are really focusing on Atlas’ past, his failures, his victories, his woman, Helena.

AT: Pretty epic.

JS: We haven’t written any lyrics for the songs yet we just know what the story is going to be about even though we just have the music now. It totally feels right.

AT: The first song will be the song from the compilation.

HEFF: I like the way you guys seem so in tune with each other.

MR: We do. We work really well, for the most part. You know there are rough days. Like we’ll start working and I’ll be crabby and short with Adam or we’ll start practicing and Ale will come out of the room be like “let’s get this shit over with.” You know but it is what it is. For the most part we have a good dynamic and a good balance.

HEFF: Where did you get the name for your main character?

MR: The Greek mythology. I read somewhere that a common misconception is that Atlas is holding up the earth, which is what I thought but it turns out he’s actually holding up the sky. That’s his punishment from Zeus for rebelling. Then when we started really hashing out this idea, that came up. And that it would be kind of cool if Atlas was our character because now he is that separation between the aliens (the sky) and the people of earth (the earth).

HEFF: Do you guys ever write about life experiences?

AT: I think it definitely reflects on our stories. We try to be as emotional as we can you know to sort of evoke the emotion of whoever we are talking about in the story.

HEFF: You guys are fairly new in the grand scheme of things. How are you planning on defining your sound?

JS: I feel like it’s coming out a lot in these new songs, just the way we are playing.

MR: And I think that’ll be the definition of our sound, that we don’t always necessarily fall into a sound. If we start writing a song and it’s a little bit heavier and has breakdowns, we’ll do that. Or like the song we just recorded is super poppy, like very Reggie and the Full Effects. But it doesn’t matter. We would never stop ourselves and be like “no that’s too this or it’s not that enough.

AT: And it’s funny because I wish that people could hear the other stuff we’re working on. It’s so different, so much heavier…

JS: It’s still cohesive. Like we are starting to think of some order of like what’s happening on the full length. It’s good the way that the songs, they do have all these different kind of feels to them in some way but they are also together. Like it sounds like we’re writing an album and it’s really cool.

HEFF: So, you mentioned that you all have different musical backgrounds. What are they?

MR: I grew up on a lot of punk and hardcore.

HEFF: There is a lot of clear hardcore influence.

MR: Yeah, like when I grew up there was a lot of bands with breakdowns and a lot of heavier stuff and then I leaned a little more on the punk side of things where I feel like you (AT) were more metal minded.

AT: (laughs) I love heavy metal. Death metal.

JS: I like heavy metal too. Like, Iron Maiden. I love Iron Maiden. We all kind of like brutal music and break down kind of stuff. We definitely all have a love for breakdowns.

HEFF: It is definitely evident in your music

MR: And even beyond that when we started to get a little older we started falling more into Cursive …

AT: The early Emo.

MR: Built to Spill.

JS: D.C. hardcore.

MR: Q and Not U

JS: Rites of Spring

Simultaneously: Fugazi!

JS: Oh and I’m obsessed with the new Beach House Album

AT: I love dance music. Pop Dance

JS: Michael Jackson

HEFF: In every interview and article I read about you guys they mention your somewhat misleading name.

MR: We actually got a really shitty review one time because our name was misleading.

JS: The late Steve Wells. He said that our name should be Mouse Cock (laughs).

MR: Or Fussy Eaters. That was another one.

JS: Or Three of Us Wear Glasses.

MR: If you look on Philly Weekly.com, it’s on there.  We got like a really good article in the Weekly and then a week later we got this other one. Same publication. The dude was so pissed off.

HEFF: How do you guys take bad reviews?

MR: That one was a little rough. We remember it really well. But that was the first really bad one. But afterwards it was more funny than anything. And I would like to start a side project called Mouse Cock.

HEFF: I would support that.

MR: But Steven Wells, goddamn him (laughs).

HEFF: What do you guys think of the Hipster lifestyle that has kind of taken over the world right now?

AT: Some would say we are hipsters.

MR: I Don’t know. I don’t feel particularly hip (laughs).

JS: Why can’t I just like records and record shopping?

MR: Well, you know as far as like the term hipster, I think it’s, I don’t know I think it’s a little funnier than it is actually serious.

AT: It sort of alienates you a little bit. You know? I feel like I can get down in all different sorts of situations.

JS: Yeah you don’t want to be pretentious.

MR: I mean I am pretty snarky but…

AT: People are judgmental by nature. It’s just the way it goes.

MR: If you are okay with that then you are a hipster.

HEFF: And if you wear tight jeans.

MR: My jeans are moderately fitted… and I am wearing this hoodie sweatshirt (laughs) But I don’t wear neckerchiefs!

HEFF: Then maybe you’re not a hipster.

MR: well, to old people I am.

AT: I eat meat!

HEFF: That’s a big no-no if you want to be a hipster.

JS: I am vegan.

MIKE: Me too.

HEFF: Me too.

MR: Hipsters unite (laughs)!

HEFF: So are you guys super excited to play with… (Twin Thousands)

AT: YES!

MR: Oh my god yeah!

JS: Dude!

MR: It’s really crazy. I feel like whenever I talk about it I am on the verge of gushing and I don’t want to be. I want to be cool and collected about it but I am really excited about it.

AT: I’m mainly concerned with hammering out the songs and just being very tight. I can’t wait to practice tonight.

JS: It’s going to be great!

AT: It’s going to be a great show.

HEFF: How did you come in contact with Twin Thousands?

MR: Frede at the label had been in touch with Steven from Kung Fu Necktie and he was like “yo, we need another band.” And Frede said, “We got one.” And then I got a text message at work: “What are you doing the 28^th?” And I was like “uh I don’t know, something I guess” and then he told us. I am just really excited because you know Greta from Cursive. She played on the Ugly Organ and that album was such a big deal when it came out.

AT: And Twin Thousands are really good.

MR: I was almost expecting like person was in big band and now they are in mediocre band but they’re really good and that makes me nervous… There are always a certain amount of nerves I feel like when we play; the ride to shows, in the van are always a little quite (laughs).

HEFF: Is there anything you guys do before a show to calm yourselves down?

MR: Nah. We pretty much just get there and inquire about drink tickets.

AT: Right before you play it’s pretty intense. People are looking at you, everyone is waiting for you.

MR: Everyone is waiting for you with their arms crossed.

AT: but it doesn’t out weight the feeling that you get. It’s such a great feeling to play.

HEFF: You are the first band I’ve interviewed to admit that you get nervous when you play.

MR: I think anyone who says they don’t is either full of shit or they don’t really care about what they’re doing. I feel like what makes me nervous is just the fact that we are going up there and doing something that we put so much work into and so much of ourselves into.

HEFF: What do you guys think of the Philly music scene and the fans? Is there a special connection?

AT: I feel like you have to make a full connection with the fans in Philly.

MR: It’s a rollercoaster… I feel like Philly is a tough town. The people who come out to shows I feel are a little harder to impress and even if you do impress them I feel like it’s a little harder for them to…

AT: Get used to you.

MR: And be like good show or like uncross their arms. The best part of Philly music is the smaller shows. Like, JR’s Bar and Danger Danger and basements. Even at the R5 level it’s harder for people to warm up to you. But as far as all the other bands in Philly, everyone is so cool… There was a pretty big pop in the Philly music scene and then it sort of fizzled out really quickly. But I realty really think as a city, as a scene we’ve got a fighting chance we just have to be less compartmentalized…

Adam Plante, the bassist enters.

MR: Boy did we slander you (laughs)!

Kill Me In The Face Any Day!

Loyal readers,

Philly’s own, Kill You in the Face is having a radical show on Sunday Feb. 28th at Kung Fu Necktie!  They are playing with Twin Thousands (Gretta Cohn from Cursive’s new band)!  It is sure to be KILLER show.  So, don’t miss it or I’ll kill you…in the face!  Click here for tickets!

Mission of Burma: Still Kickin’

Mission of Burma made my brain melt this past Friday night at the First Unitarian Church. Who knew these old men could bring it so hard? Known for their ridiculously loud shows and raging songs, Mission of Burma did not disappoint.

There have been so many times when I go to a show where the band members, to put it lightly, are no longer in their prime and it is evident in their live music. But when Mission of Burma played it was as if I were in a seedy bar in D.C or Boston in the early 80’s rocking along with all the other anti-establishment, angsty youth. They sounded amazing; their unblemished musicality and louder than life songs were just as I would imagine them to be in their heyday.

They began their set with “Set Up” and never backed down until the lights were out. “123 Partyy” and “Dirt” really got the crowd pumped. They played a great set with both old and new songs, all of which were played to perfection.

There were visible signs of aging, like the Plexiglas protecting Roger Miller from the defining drums, shortness of breath, wrinkles, grey hair etc… But their sound was unaffected.

This enormously influential band continues to make music and inspire current bands. It is not very often that a band can maintain its unique sound for this long and still create new music that is just as good. So, I can’t wait to see what is next for them and in the meantime I will get my earplugs ready for the next time they are in Philly.

Hometown Hero Kurt Vile.

So Nataly and I are a little sadistic (as you know) and we sent out our brand spankin new writer, Dan Newman to a show at The Barbary. A show of two bands he had never heard of in his entire life. A hardcore show none the less. We told him to cover the show, get an interview and take some photos. What better way to get the young ones started? He did it all. Yay Dan!

When I showed up to see Kurt Vile and Fucked Up at The Barbary, I didn’t know what to expect. I was approached by HEFF and jumped at the opportunity. This was my first assignment and I was a bit nervous. I slowly filtered into the club along with the crowd from the sidewalk. I made nervous chatter with a random person in front of me, trying desperately not to look as if I just heard the names “Kurt Vile” and “Fucked Up” yesterday. I sat shyly in the back, doodling in my notebook, waiting for the show to start or for the oddly uncomfortable bench I was sitting on to swallow me whole. However, before that could happen, Kurt began tuning his guitars and I pushed my way front and center to get a better look.

You know how some people seem to have an aura around them? Kurt Vile is one of those people. Although not much taller than me, he seemed to loom like a giant over the crowd, his face rarely peeking out from a thick, messy mane of hair. A gruff, throaty voice checked the mic a few times, not quite content with the echo and reverb. Suddenly satisfied, Kurt began finger-picking his twelve string guitar, and his raspy voice cut through the notes like a ray of sun through fog; in this case audible but lingering. Sadly, I never got a chance to obtain a set list, so I can’t share with you what song he opened with, or closed with, but I can tell you that for about an hour, Kurt Vile wore his heart on his sleeve and shared it with a lackadaisical but interested crowd. His songs were drenched in a bucket of blues, poured into our ears and hung out to dry before our eyes. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it, but there wasn’t much movement, which was to be expected based on the mellow, almost melancholy, mood. The untrained eye would wonder if the audience was bored, but it was quite the contrary. I was lucky enough at the end of his performance to steal a quick picture of that ever-elusive face, which seems always to be hidden behind that lion mane of brown hair.

After Kurt left the audience mellowed and happily sedated, Fucked Up dosed us with some musical-cocaine. I had prepared myself to be dodging fists and reckless moshers, and was wondering how I was going to constantly be on my guard while absorbing the show at the same time. All of that prepping was in vain, though. I didn’t have to dodge a single fist or reckless mosher. Actually, I can sum up the entire Fucked Up set in one word… Unity. The crowd and the band were united, and it was beautiful. Damian Abraham, the lead singer, interacted with the crowd, cracked jokes and barreled through the crowd during one song. He was eager to share a story before each song, which gave me the nostalgic tingling of hairs standing up on my arms. This was music with purpose, these were audio samples of their every day struggles, not just songs thrown together in a few days for a label contract or some cliché emotional bandwagon. There were so many sing-alongs (they just never get old,) that I lost count, at least one per song. Damian was kind enough to tell the crowd the lyrics beforehand so they could participate if they didn’t know them (like me.) He even ended up on the bar for part of the set. A highlight of the performance was the crowd participation during “Crusades”. My camera phone sucks in the dark, but Damian was a great sport and took a picture with me. One lyric kept returning to me during the show, from “Pit of Equality” by Ten Yard Fight: “WE’RE ALL FRIENDS IN THE PIT TONIGHT”.

I was also fortunate enough to get five minutes with Kurt, despite the fact that the bar opened and I didn’t have an ID. I figured my baby face was going to be a problem, but the door guy was real cool about letting me stick around for a few minutes even though he clearly wanted me to go for fear of his job. Thanks, Kurt, and thank you random-door-guy.

Philadelphia sounds excited to have you back in town. How do you feel to be back?

I feel good…I’ve been on tour this time around with just my buddy Rob, who’s keeping me company. We were born on the same day, and we’re both kind of…wild people…so we’re a little tired. It’s good to be back, even just for a day.But yeah its nice to come home in the middle of the tour as opposed to coming home at the end. Today I slept until about 4, we played Baltimore last night and I just drove straight home, man. Woke up in my own bed.

Nice, that must have felt good.

Yup, felt real good.

I read that you were recently signed to Matador records, which was your first choice anyway. What are your new goals?

My goals I guess are relatively the same. I got all the business out of the way, at least for now, so it’s just keep moving forward and putting stuff out. You know we’re about to start on a new record, just keep doing it you know?

What direction do you see your new music going? Psyche stuff like “Blackberry Song”, or more rocking like “Monkey”?

Yeah, I mean there’s always pyschedelic undertones. I don’t see it going too far-out. Yeah, if you like “Blackberry Song”, going in that acoustic direction for the next record, sort of. You know, flesh it out a little, bring in the band. For the next record I don’t really have any like “Freak Trains” or “Hunchbacks”. Just kind of the prettier stuff, I’m going to see how far we can take that for the next record, you know? Just flesh out the pretty shit. Start with the acoustic shit and just take it out there.

Did you ever find that Neil Young album you’ve been coveting?

Yeah I did! I got three copies of that thanks to that interview, but nobody ever got me The Seeds record though. I’m waiting for somebody to find me the Seeds’ “Web of Sound”.

Maybe someone will read this and hook you up with it.

Yeah hopefully, but so far, no dice.

Can you describe the process of writing on the road as opposed to home?

Well, you’d imagine, and I’d imagine, that before I got so busy, that you write as you go…but maybe in Europe, or in a real nice place, and your feeling inspired, you’ll write a little bit. But usually the writing happens once you get home, and you let the set grow as you go on tour. But you know, they are both essential to inspiration. What I’ve found as that, especially lately, on tour you’re busy with a lot of things, and then when you get home, time is still…you start strumming out new tunes and stuff like that.

Which came first, the guitar or the lyric?

Uh that varies. I get that a lot, it varies. I guess a lot of times with guitar your just strumming, and some weird shit will just come out, one line and you just work around it. But other times, at least when I used to work a day job, I’d think up these weird lyrics. So really it depends. Or you’ll listen to a song on the radio and think of certain lyrics that are kinda far out, and you put it in a song you’ve been working on. But really, it varies.

Well I appreciate you taking the time out to talk with me…is there anyone you’d like to give a shout out to?

Sure, its no problem. Uh yeah, I’d like to give a shout out to Fucked Up, who’s standing right next to me.

BY DANIEL NEWMAN

Filthy Mouths

I adore curse words. I really do. I think they have a certain ring to them that no other words can quite capture. The way they move your tongue, shape your lips and contort your face while belting them out is beautifully theatrical. They can express rage, jest, love, degradation, and so much more! They add a bit more umph to whatever it is they are expressing. I love you is nice and sweet but I fucking love you, now that is sincerity right there.

Of course like any other good thing in the world, it can go oh so wrong. There are those who misuse or abuse the beauty that is cursing, or cussing (I never understood the difference.) To take an effective, expressive tool and turn it into a prostitute whose pimp is bad music is a tragedy.

Songs like, “Get Low” by Lil John and Eastside Boyz are what give profanity a bad rap. With 76 curses “Get Low” might take the cake for overuse of all forms of fuck. Don’t get me wrong that song is catchy and you might even catch me trying to get low to it.

It is not just rap songs that have this addiction to bitch, shit, fuck and anything else you can think of. Plenty of artists spread these words on their songs like a fat kid spreads Fluff on his bread. But the bands that use the F-bomb and its friends artfully, sparingly are utilizing the true value of these words.

Don’t let these magnificent cusses lose their potency. It should be a crime to use too many in one song. Unless you are Eminem and it is a true disorder. “ And since birth I’ve been cursed with this curse to just curse”.  So, lets refrain from fucking that ho and bitch slapping that mother fucker. Instead lets make love to our women and show that dude who’s boss.  No wait, fuck it now you just sound like a pussy!

The Drums: It’s Never Too Late For Summertime!

This might not be new news to you but The Brooklyn/ Florida based band, The Drums are great. I realize I am almost an entire year late but it is never too late to enjoy the simple, frank, sunny sounds of The Drums.

The summer of 2009 was one filled with great music. But most of the sunny beach sounds were coming from lo-fi, chill wave, hazy bands. The Drums are far from falling into that category. Yes, they are indie like all the other summery bands of 2009 but they are successful not for their cryptic lyrics, or overly synthesized tracks but for their minimalistic nature.

Whistling, clapping, drums, guitar, and yes, some synth are the genetic make up for the infectiously catchy tunes. It is impossible to dislike these songs. You don’t have to think about the deeper meaning of the lyrics, they are what they say they are. You don’t have to decipher the melody, it’s right in front of your face, and you don’t have to wonder what the foreign sounds are, basic instruments are their tools, no spoons here. Even the most cynical, philosophical of us need a sugary, sunny break and The Drums provides us with a super fun one.

The Drums’ members are Jonathan Pierce, Jacob Graham, Adam Kessler and Connor Hanwick. Together these dudes make songs that bring the sun, speak to the beach, and remind you of young love. “Saddest Summer” despite the unhappy lyrics disperses a cheerful and poppy melody. I can’t help but jump and bop my head from side to side while listening. With the exception of “Down By the Water” all seven songs on the EP Summertime! have prime head bop-ability. “Down By the Water” offers a softer, sweeter sandy, sunscreen-lathered ballad.

Summertime! was released last year but the sound it brings is timeless. The beach, sun and kissing will always be around and so will the pleasure I get from listening to this album. Although the songs are best when set to warm temps and water, they can be enjoyed in blizzards as well. So, even if it’s old news to you dig up your The Drums EP and give it a listen.

Happy Hollows Haunt The Rock Scene

I am a major sucker for bad-ass chicks with guitars. Happy Hollows, a three piece LA band, just happens to have one. Sarah Negahdari has an airy, haunting voice. It reminds me of being cozy in an oversized flannel, listening to Belly in the 1990’s. Similarly to Tanya Donelly, Negahdari’s voice transforms from an angel one minute to a melodic banshee the next. While Negahdari sings her heart out in their full-length album Spells, she rips you from track to track with some pro guitar sounds.

At times the tracks on Spells are noisy. You have to brace for a choppy voyage with Happy Hollows. The song “Tambourine” turns form Deerhoof to 7 Year Bitch, in a matter of minutes. But if you’re up for the ride it’s a trip worth taking.

Their catchiest tune “High Wire” has already made it to your TV selling you Samsung cell phones. If you have read me before you know how much that gives me a stomachache, but I’m willing to forgive because “High Wire” is the star of the album. “We Will Find You” adds a girly touch, cute and creepy, it fits Negahdari’s voice perfectly. Another standout track “Death to Vivek Kemp” could just as well be a completely stripped down Karen O hidden track. Spells as a whole has a very naked quality to it. There is no glam or pretensions.

Tracks like “Delorean” and “A Man, A Plan, A Canal” cut the album up, adding a different feel with bassist Charlie Mahoney taking led vocals. It makes for an interesting bump in the road, but the album could live with out it.

Currently, Happy Hollows are the talk of the town in L.A. As painful as it can be for West coast rockers to test the East coast waters, I think we can make room for some California sounds that don’t evoke sunsets, surfboards and hallucinogens.

What you really take away from this album is that their live performance could make or break them. Rumors have it that seeing Happy Hollows live is the real payoff. It’s said that Negahdari, Mahoney and drummer Chris Hernandez refuse to take it down a notch while on stage. I’m dying to see for myself. A tough,wispy, rocker chick with guitar in hand, shoving her songs around the stage with two talented men behind her is the stuff dreams are made of (my dreams at least.)

Happy Hollows takes the stage at North Star Bar March 4.

Vote For The Heartstrings

The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth: Surfer Blood Saves The Day.

I, as a dedicated and honest journalist (okay, okay blogger), feel as though I should uncover the truth behind the nasty, rotten, smelly rumors that other, less honest and dedicated music bloggers have been spreading. I feel as though I am responsible for the information that is being given to my readers. It must be truthful! So, I am here to put you at ease.

It is NOT the end of the barely evolved, beachy, sunny, fun-times, indie rock genre that has currently taken over the industry. I am thinking of Girls, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Maps and Atlases, Micachu and The Shapes. I have read countless posts saying goodbye to this fist pumping music, that the genre is on its way out and I scream it aint so.

My proof? Surfer Blood’s Astro Coast. This album will keep the indie beach party alive! Although Surfer Blood is not a seasoned band, their music is wise. The tracks on Astro Coast are not necessarily intricate and complex but have a supremely enjoyable simplicity to them; I think there is something to be said for the smart, undemanding chords of the guitar on Astro Coast as well as the dominant hooks. They make it so easy to tap your feet and sing along to. And that is what music is all about in the end.

This is not to say that their music is not intentional. It is. The Florida based, Surfer Blood has the ability to shove this genre of music forward for another long while. Their music is not overly poppy, and conveys thoughtful composition, a perfect balance.

The third track on the album, “Take It Easy” with its simple lyrics, steady beat and African rhythms reminds me of a grittier, cooler Vampire Weekend. “Twin Peaks”, one of my favorite tracks on the album evokes late 90’s catchy rock but has its own contemporary, indie flare with distorted voices, horns and cowbells. And don’t forget their hit single, “Swim”, an epic, indie classic. Every college kid I know was playing this song in their dorm rooms while jumping and thinking about their future.  Okay, you caught me. I don’t actually know any college kids but I am sure this is accurate regardless.

And being accurate and trustworthy is what we here at Hipsters Eat For Free are all about. So, take my word, and don’t preemptively say farewell to the catchy, lo-fi, indie fun-rock just yet. Surfer Blood is here to save the day!

What’s Going on?

Philadelphia has an amazing amount of fantastic live shows coming our way in the next couple of months. Scroll down to find a comprehensive list of our favorite event calendars for around the area.

We wanted to highlight some notable shows coming up.

Kurt Vile and The Violators Philadelphia’s favorite long haired lo-fi experimentalists are playing Wednesday, February 17 at

TheBarbary with Fucked Up: hardcore punk at it’s best.

.

Mission of Burma may be old but they are still ridiculously good and pretty much historical figures when it comes to rock as we know it.  Mission of Burma should be on everyone’s bucket list. They will be at The Church Thursday, February 18 with Sleeper Agent.

St. Vincent will be bringing her painfully pretty songs to a seated sanctuary show at The Church Thursday, February 25 with Wildbirds and Peacedrums who also put on a spectacular show.

We are all about Surfer Blood right now! They will be playing The Barbary Monday, March 1. They bring their warm weather, 1990’s pop sounds to our cold, modern, Philadelphia ears.

Rouge Wave will be putting on a seated Sanctuary show at The Church Thursday, March 4, full of harmony, melodies, and choruses to sing to. It’s goose pimple music.

Our muse, namesake  and favorite showmen ever, Man Man, are doing a long overdue hometown Philadelphia show. Oh how we’ve missed them. No more crossing state lines for our fix! They will be debuting new songs galore at the their Troc show on March 5.

Henry Rollins?! Yep, really Henry Rollins is coming to the Sanctuary Thursday, March 11. Sounds nuts but it’s true. The Church is just one of many stops he is making on his Frequent Flyer Tour.

The Ruby Suns invoke big sunglasses, psychedelic swirls, and songs like “Let the Sunshine In“. Check out their 6-piece band at Kung Fu Necktie with Toro Y Moi and Power Animal, Philly’s own experimental wonders on Thursday, March 25.

The xx is sold out and we don’t have tickets and I am pretty much too mad to even comment on this one. If your going and want to do a review or interview for us, e-mail me at andrea@hipsterseatforfree.com The show is at The Church Monday, March 29. We will probably be there begging for tickets.

Fanfarlo is the kind of indie pop that can take over. It sticks around a while and the pay off is more then instant grat. The show is Wednesday, March 31 at The Church. I am guessing this one will sell out.

The forefathers of indie rock Nada Surf will be playing at The Church Thursday April 1. If you haven’t been paying attention since the 90’s, it’s time to see just how much perfection these guys put out this decade.

The Thermals will be giving us an excuse to jump around like madwomen in what is sure to be a sweaty packed Church on Thursday, April 15.

Check out other event calendars here:

• R5 Productions Event Calendar
• The Electric Factory
• Kung Fu Nectie
• Johnny Brenda’s
• Y-Rock
• Tritone
• The Trocadero
• World Cafe Live
• Phrequency

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