Things I Think You Should See

4/2-Making Time-Girls/ The Dum Dum Girls@ Voyeur

4/2- Major Lazer (Diplo), Rusko, Sleigh Bells@ Starlight Ballroom

4/3-Best Coast/Reading Rainbow/Creepoid@ The Barbary

4/5- Florence And The Machine/Holy Hail@ TLA

4/6-Serena Maneesh/The Depreciation Child@ KFN

4/13- Xui Xui@ The First Unitarian Church

4/15Titus Andronicus/The Babies@ The Barbary

4/14-Orbit To Leslie/ Caves, Da Comrade!, Kite Party@Johnny Brendas

4/15-The Thermals /Past Lives/Coathangers@ The First Unitarian Church

4/16-Liars/Fol Chen@ The First Unitarian Church

4/18-Real Estate/ The Beets/Family Portrait@ The Barbary

4/22-Architects@ The First Unitarian Church

4/25-Echo And The Bunnymen@ The Keswick Theater

4/25-Earth Crisis/ First Blood/Think As Blood@ The Barbary

4/25-Think About Life@ Johnny Brendas

4/30-Thursday/Converge/Touche Amore/Lewd Acts@ The Troc

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!

Girls: Image Isn’t Everything.

When the California lo-fi band, Girls, took the stage last night at Kung Fu Necktie, I was a little concerned. The motley crew looked like it would rather be anywhere else but at that exact place at that exact time. Christopher Owens was a mousey little guy who looked terrified at the thought of playing for the obviously indifferent audience. Not at all what I had expected of the free thinking, drug consuming, cult surviving, writing wizard  that is Owens. I wondered how this band would hold up in front of this testy Philadelphia audience.

However, Owens and his band were quick to win me over. It took a few songs to warm up but soon Owens was wearing his heart on his sleeve and bearing his soul for all to see. It wasn’t an extremely eventful show and the rest of the band seemed to want to fade into the background, but they played beautifully and backed up Owens as he shared the “sad song in his sweet heart.”

They covered most of the aptly named Album, literally breaking my heart when they performed “Hellhole Ratrace” and “Lauren Marie.” I would have loved to hear “Big Bad Mean Mother Fucker.” That seemed like an obvious choice for a live show to me, but it wouldn’t have fit the mood or the zombie like crowd.

I am glad I went. It wasn’t a bad time. However, listening to Album laying in the sun with your eyes closed feeling melancholy is a much more rewarding experience.

Also, listen, watch, and read album review for Girls, here.

Events

NOV

11.1 King Kahn BBQ/ Dum Dum Girls/ Teenage Whore Moans KFN Click for Tix

11.1 Gil Mantera’s Party Dreams/ Sweatheart/ Pony Pants JB Click for Tix

11.3 Islands/ Jemina Pearl/ Toro Y Moi FUC Click for Tix

11.3 The Very Best/ Javelin JB Click for Tix

11.3 Fuck Buttons/ Growing KFN Click for Tix

11.4 Girls/ Real Estate KFN Click for Tix

11.5 Pete Yorn with Alberta Cross EF Click for Tix

11.5 The Get Up Kids/ Kevin Devine/ The Life and Times TROC Click for Tix

11.7 Comeback Kid/ Mother of Mercy/ Grave Maker/ Dead Swans FUC Click for Tix

11.8 The Extraordinaires/ Dangerous Ponies/ Kill You In The Face/ Lux Perpetua KFN Click for Tix

11.18 Bishop Allen/ Throw Me The Statue/ Darwin Deez JB Click for Tix

11.18 The Jesus Lizard/ Noveller SB Click for Tix

11.20 Buffalo Stance KFN Click for Tix

11.24 Devandra Banhart with Luke Rathborne EF EF Click for Tix

11.27 The Disco Biscuits with SOJA EF EF Click for Tix

11.28 Jay Reatard/ 2 more TBA JB Click for Tix

DEC

12.4 Land Of Talk KFN Click for Tix

12.4 Ghostland Observatory TROC Click for Tix

12.6 Negative Approach/ Blacklisted FUC Click for Tix

12.10 Fanfarlo/ 1 more TBA JB Click for Tix

Johnny Brenda’s- JB

Kung Fu Necktie- KFN

Trocadero- TROC

Starlight Ballroom- SB

Electric Factory- EF

First Unitarian Church- FUC