popwreckoning

Punk Rock Payroll artists The Extraordinaires (pictured) and Dangerous Ponies will share the stage with vaudeville-inspired Brooklyn band The Lisps on Wednesday, March 3 at Johnny Brenda’s.

The Extraordinaires, Dangerous Ponies, The Lisps
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 N. Frankford Ave., Phila PA
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
doors @ 8PM | 21+ | $10
Advance tickets for the show are on sale now.

You can also catch The Extraordinaires at this year’s SXSW in Austin, TX.

The Extraordinaires: website | myspace | Battle of the Vans EP review | @ johnny brenda’s | @ kung fu necktie
Dangerous Ponies: blog | myspace
Punk Rock Payroll: website | myspace

This past Sunday, hometown The Extraordinaires played their first Philadelphia show since their record release party back in June. They received a warm reception at Fishtown’s Kung Fu Necktie, opening for the UK’s Fanfarlo. Jay Purdy and crew treated their fellow Philadelphians to songs old and new as the crowd danced around, sang along and simply admired the local legends.

The Extraordinaires: website | myspace | Battle of the Vans EP review | @ johnny brenda’s

The minute I walked in the door for Sisters3 CD release party I knew that this was going to be one of the best, most fun shows I’d ever have the pleasure of attending. Immediately upon getting my hand stamped, performer Paco Fish asked me if I’d like a party hat — I chose orange — and saw Johnny Brenda’s decorated with streamers hanging from the ceiling while the stage was adorned with balloons, presents and stuffed animals in party hats.

As soon as the music got underway, my suspicions of a fantastic show were confirmed. Sisters3 kicked off their party with a lovely song a capella before introducing emcee “Santa Claus” to officially start the show. We were later tipped off that Santa was actually the younger brother of Sisters3. His shtick involved telling an unbearably corny joke and introducing bands. He made it work, though. I think it was the mask.

Sisters3: Anna Christie, Beatrice, Cassandra

Emcee, Santa Claus

It’s a rare thing for any Philadelphia resident, no matter how shallowly submerged in the Philadelphia music scene, to not have heard of Hezekiah Jones. For months I’d heard the name all around the city, often playing shows in local hotspots, yet it wasn’t until the Sisters3 CD Release party that I was able to see the group in action.

In my opinion, there is probably no better act to pair Sisters3 with on a bill than Hezekiah Jones. While listening to the beautiful sounds that emanated from the stage, I was mentally kicking myself in the face for not having made it top priority to see this six-piece sooner. Front man Hezekiah’s (nee Raphael Cutrufello) vocals were subtly sexy against the country-tinged (think Jenny Lewis) folk pop that the rest of the band created around him.

Hezekiah Jones

Whenever I think of The Extraordinaires, who followed Hezekiah’s set, I cannot separate them from famed fellow Philadelphians Man Man, which is nothing but positive as my love for the often outrageous Man Man is no secret. I first saw the five perform opening Man Man’s CD Release show back in April of this year and was excited to find another band with the same avant garde sound.

Friday night, the Extraordinaires not only embraced the show’s party theme, but kicked it up a few hundred notches following the more serene set of Hezekiah Jones.  The Extraordinaires upbeat and funky sounds got the crowd moving, especially Sisters3 who made it their business to be front and center during the set.

The entire set was non-stop party time fun, but it was “A Cactus Named Hi-Five” that really threw everything into high gear. Not a body in all of Johnny Brenda’s was still as front man Jay Purdy split some riffs on his fishtar [fig. 1]. It is without a doubt that the Extraordinaires amped up the crowd and settled them in for the best that was yet to come.

The Extraordinaires

Jay Purdy

Upon receiving Star Spangled back in July, I was absolutely impressed with what Anna Christie, Beatrice and Cassandra had done with their debut full-length. I’d seen the trio perform previously so I expected a tight and lovely set, and what I was met with Friday night was so much more than that.

The single a capella song at the beginning of the evening was only a preview as to how wonderful Sisters3 are live. Anna Christie sang and played guitar with a burning passion as Cassandra effortlessly tickled the keys and Beatrice provided percussive flourishes that make each song complete.

On “Soldier Song,” cabaret performer Paco Fish enchanted the audience with what can only be called a regressive strip tease. He emerged from backstage in a Marine uniform before shedding a layer of clothing to reveal Army fatigues. Over the course of “Soldier’s Song,” Paco slowly reverted to a state of toddler-dom, stomping around playing with a toy gun in a wonderful display of striking social commentary.

Paco Fish

The entire set performed by Sisters3 was stunning. Be sure to see them for yourself when they play a smattering of dates in and around Philadelphia this fall. You can also catch the at CMJ 2008.

Set List:
Heart Disease
Soldier Song (feat. Paco Fish)
Patsy Cline
Little Lainy Lou
Giggling Gremlins
Bermuda Triangle
Carousel Song
Alien Baby
Morning Glory
Subway Song
Sea Song
Star Spangled (download)
All The Working People
Constance
Counting Footsteps

Sisters3: website | myspace | Star Spangled review
Hezekiah Jones: website | myspace
The Extraordinaires: website | myspace | Battle of the Vans EP review

Check it dear Philadelphia darlings!

This Friday, September 12, the abfab Johnny Brenda‘s will be hosting the CD Release show for local songbirds Sisters3. Their debut album Star Spangled which just dropped is marvelous (read about it here!)

Supporting the sisters three (Anna Christie, Cassandra and Beatrice) will be fellow Philadelphia acts Hezekiah Jones and The Extraordinaires.

Cost is $10 or $18 with beautiful Star Spangled (which comes highly recommended from PopWreckoning).

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Preview “Star Spangled” from the album
[audio http://www.sisters3music.com/songs/spang.mp3]
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Doors are at 8PM and the show starts at 9:30PM. Should you be the early bird type, grab some dinner downstairs — we recommend the Cubano sandwich — and they’ve always got great beer on tap.

Ed.-in-Chief Jessica and photographer Ed Roper will be in attendance and more likely than not a handful of the Philadelphia music community to show support.  Come hang out!

Sisters3: website | myspace | Star Spangled review
Hezekiah Jones: website | myspace
The Extraordinaires: website | myspace | Battle of the Vans EP review

I first came across Philadelphia trio Sisters3 this past Valentine’s Day when they performed a show rife with local talent at Northern Liberties’ Fire Bar and Grille, most commonly referred to as The Fire. I was there that night to see songstress Birdie Busch perform but was glad to have arrived early once I’d heard the lovely sounds of Sisters3.

I hadn’t again encountered the group until I ran into acoustic guitarist and lead vocalist Anna Christie at Philadelphia Popped! Festival while interviewing Hoots & Hellmouth, another local act, and again on day 2 of this year’s Virgin Mobile Festival. We chatted a while and discussed the girls’ release of their debut full-length Star Spangled.

Star Spangled features 13 minimalist tracks focusing on Anna Christie’s songbird vocals that are both strong and beautiful. The three part harmonies created along with Beatrice and Cassandra are rich and phenomenal. From start to finish, Star Spangled is beautiful and cohesive through its love and nature motifs. The album begins with a brief but sweeping piano melody later joined by a soft violin part before tambourine kicks in atop low keys on “Heart Disease,” a tune of love and longing.

“Heart Disease” jump starts the records showcasing the sisters’ beautifully blended harmonies over the music’s retro girl pop vibe and sweet xylophone undertones. “Patsy Cline” follows in the same retro girl pop vein with a tinge of country while showcasing the warm quality of Anna Christie’s vocals in contrast the more nasal quality of Beatrice’s and Cassandra’s vocals.

My favorite track on the record is “Little Lainy Lou,” a soulful and jazzy number about a young girl who loved to dance. The chorus is completely fluid with low harmonies and has a sultry air about it thanks to guest snaps and ch ch chas by Dave MacIntosh. “Little Lainy Lou” is absolutely catchy and the kind of radio song I would expect to hear on WXPN.

The title track follows with a folkier sound and immediate hook as Anna Christie sings about her American dream versus the daily grind that gets her down. She croons with the best of them through the drawn out verses before the album takes a more lighthearted turn with “Giggling Gremlins,” complete with slide whistle and upbeat, melodic keys.

The girls’ vulnerability shines through in the songwriting on “Subway Song” as Anna Christie sings, “Prince Charming missed his cue a thousand times / I don’t even think he memorized his lines.” The devastating and heavy tone of “Subway Song” is lifted as “All The Working People” blasts through with a jaunty and infectious beat that has definite radio potential.

The most experimental track on the record is “The Soldier Song” with its warped keys and ending drum beats. The amps on this track seem to go to 11 as Anna Christie sings, “I will sing for you / I’ll be your musical! / Will you wind me up? / Wind me up (x3)” with passion, intensity and increasing volume as the song draws on. Another personal favorite is “Morning Glory” due to its referencing Roman mythology (“Mercury is standing still / the winged messenger took a sleeping pill”) and it’s hook-laden chorus.

The record ends with a soft and gorgeous instrumental track that betrays classic training and would fit perfectly in any love scene in a black and white film. It’s lovely and low piano melody will relax you after a stressful day or lull you to sleep if you sit back and close your eyes, sinking into the sounds. If you’re the patient, or forgetful, type and allow the record to play on another minute, you’ll be rewarded with a brief hidden track.

Sisters3′s Star Spangled is a beautiful album start to finish and it more than a fine offering as a debut album. Anna Christie, Beatrice and Cassandra have created a true gem. You can catch the trio live at their CD Release party at Johnny Brenda’s on September 12th with fellow Philadelphians The Extraordinaires and Hezekiah Jones.

Tracklisting:
01. Introduction
02. Heart Disease
03. Patsy Cline (download)
04. Little Lainy Lou
05. Star Spangled (download)
06. Giggling Gremlins (download)
07. Subway Song
08. All The Working People
09. Bermuda Triangle
10. Counting Footsteps
11. The Soldier Song
12. Morning Glory
13. Constance
14. hidden track

Sisters3: website | myspace | CD release show
Vibewrangler Records: website | myspace

Philadelphia DIY Punk Rock Payroll has gone digital! Most of their audio catalog is now available through most digital retailers thanks to digital distributor Built by Icon. Right now, you can download individual songs, entire albums, and a few previously unreleased tracks viaiTunes, mp3.com, emusic, Amazon.com, and about 110 other download sites you’re probably familiar with.

Along with the pay sites, you can now stream most of Punk Rock Payroll’s catalog via Pandora in addition to many blogs and podcasts. The tracks that are not currently up or available through any of the above mentioned outlets/resources will be in the next 4-6 weeks.

PRP has recently added Lux Perpetua to the digital catalog. Lux Perpetua is the solo project of Justin Wolf, whom you know from the Extraordinaires. Videos will soon be available featuring the inner workings of PRP HQ: they’ll be posting short interviews with band members on the label, as well as the people behind the scenes, and a few random videos of the city they all call home, Philadelphia.

the Extraordinaires’ Tour Dates:
July 26 – Greenville, NC @ Spazzatorium Galleria (w/ Tavo Carbone, Where the Buffalo Roamed, Mosied Ponies, Run Dan Run)
July 27 – Charleston, SC @ House Show – 322-B Sumter St (w/ Sarah Bandy, Beaks and Claw Family Band)
July 28 – Norfolk, VA @ The Tap House (w/ Little Trooper)
July 29 – Washington, DC @ Velvet Lounge (w/ Light Pollution, The Holy Attack)
July 30 – Glen Mills, PA @ Rachel Kohl Library (w/ Tavo Carbone)
July 31 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s Mambo Movers Showcase & Fundraiser (w/ The Sounds of Keleidoscope, The Company Corvette, Dog and Pony)
August 1 – Philadelphia, PA @ TBA (w/ Tavo Carbone, Light Pollution)
August 4 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks (w/ Light Pollution)
August 15 – Philadelphia, PA @ Danger Danger Gallery Third Anniversary Fest (w/ Human Host, Height, Little Trooper and more!)
September 6 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Tiberino Museum (w/ Lux Perpetua)
September 12 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s (Sisters 3 CD Release Show! w/ Hezekiah Jones)
September 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Khyber (w/ Child Bite, Kill You In The Face)

PRP’s other signee Kill You In The face has a new song on MySpace called “Maybe Next Year” that you should check out along with the electric version of “Cut and Run” from the Battle of the Vans EP. The guys will be previewing some new material while touring this summer (dates below) for the new recording they’re working on.

Kill You In The Face Tour Dates:
Aug 05 – Philadelphia – The Khyber
Aug 09 – Queens, NY- Wonderland
Aug 30 – Trenton, NJ – Hamilton Lanes
Sep 30 – Philadelphia – The Khyber (w/ The Extraordinaires)

Punk Rock Payroll: website | myspace
The Extraordinaires: website | myspace
Kill You In The Face: website | myspace | review

Philadelphia DIY label Punk Rock Payroll will soon be moving to a new location to accommodate their ever-expanding roster and wares. Chances are, a party/PRP showcase/block party will ring in the new location once it’s announced and set up, so be on the look out for that. It’s sure to be an amazing time!

Speaking of wares (a couple sentences ago), there are less than 100 books remaining for the first pressing of The Extraordinaire‘s Short Stories. Future pressings will of course include the storybook, but with alternative art, so order a first edition now! Punk Rock Payroll is also steadily working on making their entire catalog available for digital download.

News from The Extraordinaires:

“hey extraordi-fans and extraordi-family!

a few monday’s ago we had our first show since jay’s return from china! we played with some great friends which made it special for us. i want to express my gratitude towards birdie bush, akudama, and kentucky nightmare for sharing the night with us. if you aren’t familiar with any of those bands check em out!

welcome back jay and jay’s mom joann! their chinese vacation sounded out of this world! it was packed full of great walls, hot air balloon rides, terra cotta warriors, and olympic torch sightings! i’m jealous!

now that jay has returned, the extraordinaires are writing and performing in full force! as you may or may not know we are working on new material for a new album which should be out in the fall! i don’t want to give anything away as to what the album may be about, but we will be playing new songs as they become show-worthy. we are all really excited about the new material because this will be the first album that we collectively write and record as a five piece band!

WE HAVE SHOWS! YOU NEED TO BE ENTERTAINED!!!!!

Jun 28 – phila, pa @ Fishtown house show (w/ An American Chinese)
Jul 16 – williamsburg, ny @ Union Pool * (and Frankpollis, The Dig)
Jul 19 – phila, pa @ The Other Green Line * (and Helios Eye, Soft People)
Jul 21 – wilmington, de @ 700 Social Club *
Jul 22 – baltimore, md @ tba
Jul 23 – washington, dc @ Grog & Tankard *
Jul 24 – charlottesville, va @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar *
Jul 25 – lynchburg, va @ Speakertree Records *
Jul 26 – greenville, nc @ Spazzatorium Galleria *
Jul 27 – charleston, sc @ House Show *
Jul 28 – norfolk, va @ The Taphouse * (and Little Trooper)
Jul 29 – washington, dc @ The Velvet Lounge ^
Aug 02 – phila, pa @ tba ^
Aug 04 – pittsburgh, pa @ Garfield Artworks ^

* w/ Tavo Carbone
^ w/ Light Pollution

we will be updating the myspace soon and we will keep you posted! can’t wait to see you!

love,
matt
the extraordinaires” [sic]

News from Kill You In The Face:

“mike romeo (go guitars!) has kept himself very busy not working so much, to produce music videos instead. to check out his current work in progress, the video for “Diablo” here:

meanwhile, alejandro torres (go drums!) has been m.i.a. in south america (somewhere in colombia) for the last few weeks, visiting family and friends, and getting some much needed rest after finishing up recording a few new tracks for their next upcoming release .

adam plante (go bass!) has been spotted a few times at south philly’s favorite watering hole “the tap room,” wearing a disguise to avoid being mobbed by fans and single women. in his down time, he’s been working on the kyitf website.” [sic]

Tour Dates:
Jun 22 – phila, pa @ the khyber
Sep 01 – baltimore, md / washington, dc
Sep 02 – richmond, va
Sep 03 – raleigh, nc / chapel hill, nc
Sep 04 – savannah, ga
Sep 05 – jacksonville, fl
Sep 06 – asheville, nc / charlottesville, va
Sep 07 – somewhere in delaware

Punk Rock Payroll: website | myspace
The Extraordinaires: website | myspace
Kill You In The Face: website | myspace |
f=”http://www.blogger.com/popwreck.blogspot.com/2008/05/kill-you-in-face-fire-battle-of-vans-7.html”>live/ep review

Dear Extraordinaires Superfans!,

Another month has passed since the last Punk Rock Payroll newsletter. Since then The Extraordinaires finished their most successful and fun tour to date! A special thanks to Man Man for bringing us along! Another special thanks shall go to Frede and Misty for making it possible for us to bring our amazing merch to set on the table every night!

Unfortunately, the tour couldn’t last forever, and we are now at home recuperating from the lack of showers and sleep that the road wasn’t able to offer.

Right now Justin is in Charlottesville hanging out with his mommy and daddy. I’m sure they are very happy to have him around!

Jacob is hanging out with his roomates in West Philly in their hot tub drinking PBR (poor Jacob).

Peter Hurd is back at work and making Alice (his girlfriend) happy. He never takes a break from being awesome.

If you are in the Philly area, his other band Company Corevette is going to play at the tattoo convention on April 18th. Definitely go check them out and get that tattoo you’ve always wanted.
Jay is working his ass off trying to make some extra money for his China vacation he is about to go on. He’s going to fly out in about a week with his darling mother (Hi, Joann) to visit his sister, Andrea, who has been living out there for about a year or two now! Jay will be missed.

Since I’ve been home, I have cut my hair, and now my friends have a harder time recognizing me. I just finished making a birthday present for my mother, Moira.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

We have a show coming up this weekend at Haverford College. It is happening Sat. April 19th, probably around 8ish pm. If you are in the Philly area, come check it out. After that show, Jay will be leaving directly for the airport (lucky bastard).

All of us in The Extraordinaires are currently writing as much music as humanly possible, gearing up for a new album we will begin recording in June! You should start buying extra socks now to stock up, because they will be rocked off when you hear the new album!

If you live in Philly, we will see you around! If you live elsewhere we will see you in the fall!

Love, Matt Gibson
and the rest of The Extraordinaires Crew

The Extraordinaires: website | myspace
Punk Rock Payroll: website | myspace
[where: 19145]
[where: 19145]