Like we’ve said before, WE HATE CANCER! And we do like Victory Hop Devil (well, except when it’s hand-pumped - sorry JB’s), and Golden Monkey is good to get your drunk on. So tonight you can support a worthwhile cause when Victory Brewing presents “Victory Over Leukemia: A Benefit for the JMML Foundation”. They’ll be joined by The Swimmers, Audible and East Hundred. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 pm, $10, 21+ jmmlfoundation.org - The Deli Staff

 

 

The sticky, sweet voice of Hilary White can come from nowhere other than the deep south. Originally from Georgia, Lion Versus brings southern charm to Philly in the most unexpected of ways. The artfully crafted acoustic waves that lap on to the shore behind White’s soulful vocals are simple enough to allow the beautiful lyrics to enjoy the spotlight. The soft sounds of Lion Versus are a welcome adversary to some of the more adrenalin- fueled bands we’re used to. Let’s just say that we’re lucky Lion Versus crossed the Mason Dixon line and ended up in Philly. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave, 9pm, $7, 21+ myspace.com/lionversus - Meaghan McCafferty

 

 

January is not over yet, and neither are we. Are you looking forward to the weekend already? Well, so are we. That’s why we’re happy to present to you a little Lunchtime Escape this Friday, January 29th at The Bellevue. We’ll be serving up free alcohol in The Food Court at The Bellevue! No, not really - just wanted to get your attention. Are you sad now? Well, we want to cheer you up with a healthy dose of free live music! No really - this Friday at NOON will be the debut of The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape. To take you away from that annoying 9-to-5 job, we’ll be serving up a taste of Andrew Conly from Holcomb Family Band with his earnest vocals and captivating storytelling, Dante Bucci one of the world’s premier Hang drum masters, and the female reincarnation of Woody Guthrie, Spirit and Dust. Don’t miss a great start to your weekend! The Bellevue (Downstairs in The Food Court Area), 200 S. Broad St., 12 - 2pm, FREE, All Ages - The Deli Staff

 

 

2009 will probably be a year that Kurt Vile will never forget. He had been an underground darling in the Philly indie music scene for quite some time, but he finally received what most musicians have dreamt about over and over again when Matador Records came knockin’ on his door requesting his John Hancock that made him the toast of the town. But besides all the awards, kind words and big shows, he also started down the path to the “American Dream” when he and his wife Suzanne purchased their first home (no doubt taking advantage of Obama’s first-time homeowner tax break), but nothing probably topped when he discovered that he would be bringing in another Vile into the world. When I interviewed him for the release of Childish Prodigy, he was gearing up to hit the first of what will be many long tours for Vile. While the energy seemed electric around him as I listened to the Violator’s drummer Mike Zangi gleefully talk with Vile’s father-in-law about their upcoming adventures, there was a Zen-like calm that surrounded Kurt as I watched him chat with fans after his solo acoustic set at a.k.a. Music. We snuck down an alleyway to chat and for him to grab a cigarette. He showed quite a sense of maturity as we discussed everything from his childhood to the recording process of Childish Prodigy to future plans to even strange false rumors that I had heard about him from random people (no, he isn’t a Dungeons & Dragons freak; in fact, he’s never even played the game). It doesn’t really matter what anyone says. 2009 was Kurt Vile’s year! myspace.com/kurtvileofphilly - Q.D. Tran

 

To see a Drink Up Buttercup show is to witness an untethered release of energy that, by fault of sheer natural talent, creates deliciously chaotic music. As they pound away on their assorted “instruments” - garbage cans, toy trucks, tool boxes - I am ceaselessly amazed that such theatricality can also produce their carefully constructed sound. Numerous times I’ve found myself thinking “who knew that, hitting that, would sound like that!?” This audio/visual conundrum is just one part of the allure that keeps you coming back for more. It’s their genre surfing collection of songs that really turn you into a total DUB addict.

 

It is nearly impossible to classify Drink Up Buttercup’s as strictly one kind of band or another. As they've evolved from just another rock band to their current state of being I've noticed a very intentional weaving of various genre elements. From the psych-rock echo in “Mr. Pie Eyes” to the chamber pop chorus in “Lovers Play Dead” to the alt country jangle of Young Ladies, they have drawn on numerous influences to build a very distinct Drink Up sound. Lyrically they consistently maintain a respectable obtuseness/wit ratio to secure their “indie” cred. It is often the play between the words and the music that really shape the song’s overall draw.  

 

The release of the forthcoming Born And Thrown On A Hook will truly define Drink Up Buttercup’s starting point and lay the tracks for greatness that is sure to follow. Be sure to pick it up when it is released on March 23^rd, but be even more sure to catch the full Drink Up experience and see them live as I’m sure 2010 is going to be a big year for this Philly act. - Emma Zumberge, The World in a Paper Cup