Band Love

Pepper’s Ghost Countdown: 7 Weeks!

Posted on by Kristen

I’m more than a little excited to tell you that my first favorite band (you know, the one that got me into…well every other band I’ve ever fallen in love with) is playing a reunion show January 22nd at The Grape Room in Philadelphia.

Pepper’s Ghost is a rocky/poppy/Beatles-esque band from Philadelphia, PA. The group centers around two brothers, Anthony and Michael Montesano, who share in the singing, specializing in catchy choruses and hypnotic harmonizing. Joining Anthony and Michael is Zil (Pawnshop Roses) on drums, Dave Hartley (War on Drugs, Nightlands) on bass, and Rob Bennett (Automatic Fire) on everything else (keys, guitar, mandolin, saw).

They released their first album, Opening Night, back in 2001. This recording was taken from a live show at The Trocadero and features a horn section and back up choir.  This was followed by an EP in 2002 (Bang) which offers one of my favorite, but rarely performed Pepper’s Ghost songs “Addiction.” In 2005, the band released their record label debut, Shake the Hand that Shook the World. This CD is full of fun poppy sing-along friendly tunes, including my college anthem, “Friday Night in Philadelphia.”

Shake the Hand that Shook the World got Pepper’s Ghost their first big national tour. It also got the band a number one hit on the singles chart in Canada with “You’re In My Heart (Little Pretty).” In the aftermath of this release, the band seemed to take a turn to an edgier, more rockin’ sound exemplified in their 2006 The Vet EP with songs like “Dirty Bomb” and “4 Letter Friend”. The following year they released their most recent CD, Let The Players Have the Ball. This CD was also a live recording featuring some old favorites, a few new tunes, and even a Bowie cover (“Cracked Actor”).

And now you know a tiny bit more about my favorite band. Only 7 weeks until I get to see them again. Let’s get excited!

~ Kristen

for last week’s countdown post

Pepper’s Ghost Countdown: 8 weeks!

Posted on by Kristen

go here and scroll down to January 22nd. Two words have never made me happier.

It’s been nearly 4 years since I’ve seen my favorite band take the stage. This little reunion show may not be exactly like the old days (Pawnshop Roses’ bassist Mike Walsh is rumored to be subbing in for David Hartley), but just the idea of hearing old favorites like “All I Know” be performed once again, makes me giddy with anticipation. Of course I will be there. In Philadelphia.  It won’t just be a reunion for the band. I’m hoping all the old Pepper’s Ghost family shows up to celebrate. If you are one of them (or even if you’re not), mark  your calendar now! Janurary 22nd. The Grape Room. ‘Cause you know, “it’s better when you’re here.”

~ Kristen

p.s. This video brings back SO many memories…FYI it was shot at my favorite venue (RIP The Point)

p.p.s. look forward to weekly reminders of this, one of the most anticipated events of my year.

Scarlet Grey!

Posted on by Amanda

With Scarlet Grey’s Sky and I video release show less than a week away I wanted to share a story with you about one special experience with the band…

It was sometime in mid October and K and I were spending our Saturday helping at the shoot of Scarlet Grey’s newest video “The Sky and I.” Now how did we manage to score such a sweet gig you ask…

Scarlet Grey.

They posted on their Twitter and Facebook about the shoot and said they needed some assistants and would anyone want to help? First off, how many bands do you know who openly invite all their friends/fans to come help out on a video shoot? So, naturally K and I jumped at the opportunity to help our new band love and chance get to know the guys better (we had just met them a week or so before!).

Everyone on the set was so nice that it made the whole day fly by so fast! It was such an honor for me (well both of us), to share this time with them because we all were part of the process of something really special. The shoot was a blast and while I’m not at liberty to divulge any details about it, I can tell you that it will be a fantastic video. If you want a sneak peak, here is a photo Ben took from the set that day.

If you haven’t already, check out Scarlet Grey on Myspace and you can follow Ben and the band on Twitter. You will love them.

And be sure to get your tickets to the Scarlet Grey Sky and I release show on December 2nd at The Troubadour with The Young Modern, City (Comma) State, and Killola.

<3<3<3

New Band Love: Lakes

Posted on by Kristen

It’s official. I am in love. I’ve only seen Lakes twice now, but they’ve managed to carve out a little place in my heart. What did it? Well, they have great tunes, the kind of energy on stage that will cross a room and lift you up off your chair, and a spirit that just seems to radiate joy and warmth. They are the kind of band you not only want to listen to, but just want to hang around.

What really cemented LAKES’ status as my new band love, however, was the impromptu mini set the band played outside before the show Weds night for some fans that couldn’t get into On the Rox. We were walking towards the venue and heard some music coming from a small circle that had gathered on the street. I saw an accordion rise above the heads and I knew who we’d find at the center of the gathering.

LAKES put on an amazing set later that night, but it was the tunes played out on the street, so raw and inspired, that were really the highlight of my evening…along with the prayer we all gathered to send up before the show that put the joy back in my heart and reminded me why I go out of my way to discover (and pass on to you) such musical treasures.

Definitely check out LAKES and their CD, The Agreement. And keep an eye on my calendar for upcoming shows!

 http://www.lakesband.com/

ALSO, the band just released this video for one of my fave Lake’s songs “Back in Your Head”

Listen and Love!

~ Kristen

New(ish) Band Love: Scarlet Grey

Posted on by Amanda

So awhile back I was up in LA on one of my music binges with my LMN cohort and came across a new band I fell head over heels for. Normally, I don’t pay much attention to opening bands. I blame it on my youth spent listening to poor openers while waiting for the bands I came to see. I learned how to skip the openers (or ignore them) to get to the good part. I’m the first to admit that only a handful have really caught my attention.

Well, this lovely band definitely made me take notice. They emitted this type of energy you usually don’t see in openers and it was really captivating! At first, Scarlet Grey reminded me a bit of The Academy Is… (one of my favorite bands) but there was something else there I couldn’t pinpoint at the time. After a chat with their merch guy, I found out they had toured with AFI (not on the west coast of course) and that’s when I realized they they were this wonderful hybrid of AFI and The Academy Is… As HitPredictor.com said, they are “Pop… with dirt under it’s nails.” You can check out their interview with Scarlet Grey here.

Even if you aren’t a fan of The Academy Is… or AFI I suggest you take the time to check them out. If you like catchy dark tunes they are worth some investigation. I can tell you that they got me hooked and I’m not the easiest person to impress right off the bat. If I still don’t have you convinced, you can check out their Myspace page and see for yourself if they are your style. Fortunately for you, they have a show tonight (Sept. 9th) at The Roxy where you can check them out in person!

For some curious folk about the band, Scarlet Grey’s frontman Ben Grey wrote an article for Sound Alarm about “Six Things Never to Say on Stage.” Also, you can check out Scarlet Grey on Twitter or follow frontman Ben Grey or both, depending on your style 😉

Enjoy friends 🙂

~Amanda

Overdue

Posted on by Amanda

There has been quite a bit on this girl’s mind about things she wants to post but hasn’t been able to write about. Well, now it’s time to share some thoughts and love with some overdue updates.

I hope you enjoy the forthcoming musings, ramblings, and recaps I’m about to send your way. Sit tight. The love is about to start 🙂

~Amanda

Fall in love with Ferras

Posted on by Kristen

I don’t tend to download via ITunes (or any similar site) because honestly, I like having the actual CD complete with CD booklet. But yesterday, I finally redeemed this ITunes gift certificate someone gave me for my birthday several months ago. I had been eyeing the other Biffy Clyro CDs for some time now so I got their second “most popular” CD, Puzzle. I had $5 left over so I was going to surf the ITunes universe to find something completely new to try…but then, as I was cruising my traditional websites I stumbled upon the realization that one of my favorite artists, Ferras, had realized some new material in the form of an EP titled Interim.

So much for discovering some new music…I put the remainder of my gift certificate to use and downloaded the EP. I’ve been listening to Ferras nonstop all day. The new EP, the old CD, Aliens & Rainbows, YouTube videos of nonrecorded Ferras originals and covers….I just can’t get enough!  

The emotion that Ferras can elicit between his gorgeous voice and the delicate touch of the piano is reason enough to check him out, but he’s also an incredibly captivating person. The few times a year he decides to come out and play at The Hotel Cafe are not to be missed…especially since most of my favorite of his songs have not been recorded and you never know what cover he’ll pull out of his hat. This is the man that actually got me to listen to Lady Gaga after he did a cover of her song, “Paparazzi”.

Anyway, since I seem to be in obsession mode here, I thought I’d share some videos…

Listen! Learn! LOVE!

~ Kristen

A song he finally recorded on Interim:

A song he wrote and performed with Katy Perry:

Pure awesomeness (from the last time I saw him play):