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So what happened here?

June 10, 2022 by Paul Debraski

For nearly fourteen years I was able to keep up this daily blog of books and music.

About a year ago I got a promotion and that changed everything.  I no longer had the time to post everything I wanted to.  Heck, I didn’t even seem to have the time to read all the short stories I wanted to.  Amusingly (or not), just before this new position, I had gotten a print subscription to the New Yorker.  This now means that I (like many others) have a two-foot stack of New Yorker magazines that I haven’t even looked at yet.

For a few weeks I was limiting myself to only the concerts that I went to because that was a little easier to write about.  Although back in the good old days, I used to include photo and links, and I pretty much have neither now. And I’m several shows behind as well.

So I’m still reading books and I think I may try to post some thoughts about them from time to time.  I’d also like to think I have time to write about my concerts, but even those are proving to be challenging.

So let’s consider the blog on hiatus more or less, with occasional posts about things I’ve read or listened to.

The good thing is that I like the new position and wouldn’t change it for the world. I guess I never realized how much down time my old position gave me!

Posted in Paul Debraski | 3 Comments »

Charlotte Lawrence (Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, September 21, 2026) [SUKI WATERHOUSE]

September 22, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 21, 2026] Charlotte Lawrence

I hadn’t heard of Charlotte Lawrence before this show.  I listened to a few songs and liked her.  It turns out that, like Suki Waterhouse, she is an actress (in the show Bad Monkey which I hadn’t heard of), model and singer.

She came out on stage with her band and, I was pleased to her, rocked harder than her records.  Her records had a bit more pop sheen, but live, her band rocked (her guitar player even opened the show by running a beer bottle up and down the neck of his guitar generating interesting sounds–although they were all dressed so preppy, it was hard to take them seriously as rockers).  But that’s okay because they were great.  

Less great was the guy in the baseball hat who held his phone up very high (and was standing right in front of us) for each song and during her talking bits as well.  It was rather much.

I enjoyed Charlotte’s voice immediately–powerful and soaring high.  And the songs were catchy, too.

Before the second song, she said it was written about an asshole and anyone who could relate to that should dance along.  So that was pretty funny.  As was her intro to the third song which was also about an asshole (everyone say fuck you johnny).

I laughed a but when she bemoaned that she missed be young and wild and free (she’s 26), but who knows what her life is like.  And then before the next song, she started crying and said that she lost someone yesterday but she really wanted to keep on with the show.  (I see on previous setlists that at this time she was going to sing a song called Bodybag which, jeez, that’s rough.  It’s a piano ballad and they had unveiled Suki’s piano for this set.  I assume she was supposed to play the piano for this song.  But, damn, how could she play a song like that right now?

She pulled through and sang her bouncier song Fear of Falling and then asked if we’d like to hear a new song.  She started Like a Girl but had to quit after verse or two.  Fortunately, the crowd was really supportive of her and sent their best vibes her way.  I couldn’t help but think about how at a normal job when this happens, you would take a few days off, but I can’t imagine trying to be emotive on stage during this. Continue Reading »

Posted in Charlotte Lawrence, Emmma, Philadelphia, PA, Suki Waterhouse, The Met Philadelphia | Leave a Comment »

Cheekface / Apes of the State / Sad 13 (Underground Arts Philadelphia, PA, September 18, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 18, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 18, 2026] Cheekface / Apes of the State / Sad 13

I saw Cheekface on a whim in 2023 and loved the show so much I couldn’t wait to see them again.  They have been back to Philly three times somnce then and I have been unable to see them. Ugh.

Tonight’s show was the same night as the Bikini Kill show that my wife and I had tickets to.  I really wanted to get to this show, but there was just no way–unless Bikini Kill cancelled (which they didn’t).  They seem to tour annually, so I guess I’ll have to wait until next year to try again.

Apes of the State play folk punk and are from Lancaster, PA.  I feel like I’ve heard of them before, although I can’t find any evidence of that.  They play acoustic folk music but at a breakneck speed.  And with very pointed lyrics (as folk tends to do).  Somehow the speed makes these songs way more fun.

But even their slow songs are spot on

Now I’m not a stranger to being let down
By political movements that die on the ground
But all of those failures they don’t hold a flame
To July 13th ‘24 in Butler, PA

Oh Thomas Oh Thomas
You let us all down
We could have had Donald Trump slumped on the ground
Now instead we have ICE agents all over town
Oh Thomas how you let us down

But we must let his failure be an inspiring tale
And we must take shots even though we might fail
Cause once in a while those shots they do land
And violence is the language fascists understand

Oh Charlie Oh Charlie
Died of direct hit
Taken out by the same bitter hatred he spit
When we speak in a tongue they understand
It defies the boundaries of classes and land

And fascists only speak violence
Fascists only speak violence
They don’t back down to spoken word or acts of kindness
No fascists they only speak violence

Sad13 is the side project of Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz. It’s her more experimental side.  Her songs aren’t mellow folkie songs (as the band name kind of suggests) but rather they are weird experimental songs with sound effects and fascinating noises.  On her new album, the longest song is 1:48. She opened for a show I wanted to get to but couldn’t back in July.  Back then I wrote:  I’m not dying to see this incarnation, but I do hope she is opening for someone one of these days.  So she did, but I couldn’t make it, yet again (which is kind of funny since I’ve seen Speedy Ortiz 5 times).

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Pansy Division / Teenage Halloween / Hot Seat (PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA, September 18, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 18, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 18, 2026] Pansy Division / Teenage Halloween / Hot Seat

Three years ago, Pansy Division played Johnny Brenda’s but I was too busy to check them out.

When Pansy Division first appeared in the late 1990s, I was hugely supportive.  I loved that they were out and proud.  They introduced me to a whole subculture that I wasn’t aware of and which I am still really supportive of.  It almost seemed like it wasn’t much of a subculture anymore until Florida got their hands on it. But whatever.  Evidently the world still needs Pansy Division.

There have been gay musicians hidden throughout rock music history, but when Pansy Division began in 1991 in San Francisco, they were the first to be so boldly open about it.  Founded by guitarist/singer Jon Ginoli and soon joined by bassist/singer Chris Freeman, with the intent of forming a gay rock band, Pansy Division blew the closet doors open. Raised on a diet of 60s pop and 70s punk, their sound was suitably crunchy and catchy as hell. They wrote in-your-face lyrics, but did it with a sense of humor. Not only did their music and stance defy stereotypic norms of rock musicians being openly gay, they also broke gay cultural stereotypes that rock wouldn’t interest gay people.

So glad they’re still loud and proud.

I saw Teenage Halloween open for THICK a while back and thought they were great.   The Asbury Park band plays short blasts of catchy emo songs–lots of punk feelings (their bio says)

At the heart of vocalist and guitarist Luk Henderiks’ lyrics is an urgent longing for community. Despite their often strikingly personal vulnerability, these songs reach out to the wider world, striving to hold themselves and those around them accountable for their actions and to make space for those that need to be heard.

and occasionally fantastic guitar solos (Eli Frank is a total shredder, but doesn’t overuse that skill).  Luk seemed to sing more of the songs, but Tricia Marshall (bass) sang about four or five of the seventeen (!) they played.  I would absolutely see them again.

They played with Wax Jaw a month ago but I couldn’t make that show either.  Crazy that I could have seen them twice in a month at different venues with different openers.

Hot Seat is a Philly band that I hadn’t heard of.  Their blurb says

Punchy guitar and bass riffs, fast as hell drums , and witty vocals make up this Philadelphia four piece punk band. Inspired by The The Distillers, The Muffs, Lunachicks and L7, Hot Seat wants everyone to SCREAM.

And I’d say that’s pretty accurate. They are, without a doubt, a fun live band.

Another fun night in Philly.

 

Posted in Hot Seat, Pansy Division, Philadelphia, PA, PhilaMOCA, Teenage Halloween | Leave a Comment »

Phoebe Bridgers / Alex G (Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul, MN, September 17, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 17, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 17, 2026] Phoebe Bridgers / Alex G

I saw Phoebe Bridgers at Asbury Lanes back in 2018.  It was intimate and very cool.  A few years later, my daughter became a massive Boygenius fan.  I have seen Lucy Dacus like 6 times and Julien Baker 3 times.  But in that time Phoebe hadn’t toured again except with Boygenius.

When this tour was announced, I knew I wasn’t going to go because I didn’t want to go from Asbury Lanes to the Xfinity Center (even if the show was bigger and presumably exponentially better).  But I also knew that my daughter really wanted to see her (we saw boygenius together, but at a festival, not a more personal show).  And, she was going to be away a college when the show was going to happen.

I put in for early access tickets and, amazingly, I was picked and was number 45 in the queue!  My daughter didn’t want floor (understandable), so I grabbed her tickets straight back.  Low enough to be close, but high enough to see over the floor stuff.  And she said the seats were great.

There was no photography or video allowed (their phones were bagged up), so I don’t have a lot of info about the show.  She said it was great, but didn’t give a lot of detail.  Except to say that when Phoebe came to the B stage, she was right near them (the screaming must have been insane).

I’m really happy for her and the two friends she went with.

My daughter liked a few Alex G songs a couple of years ago.  When I asked her how he was, she said “he was okay.”  So there’s that.  She probably should have gone for merch during his set because she said the lines were crazy long.

Posted in Alex G, Grand Casino Arena, Phoebe Bridgers, St. Paul Minnesota | Leave a Comment »

Dying Fetus / Sanguisugabogg / Crowbar / Left to Suffer / Deterioration (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, September 17, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 17, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 17, 2026] Dying Fetus / Sanguisugabogg / Crowbar / Left to Suffer / Deterioration

There was no way I was going to this show.  But I like Sanguisugabogg–not their music, just their social media account.  So I like to know they’re still doing their thing.

Dying Fetus has been around since 1991.  They are from Maryland. Their singer sounds like he’s singing from under the earth.

Sanguisugabogg is from Ohio.  Their singer is a but more understandable, although as their bio says: disgusting gorym but ultimately tongue in cheek lyrics.

Crowbar dates back to 1990!  I can’t believe I’ve never heard of them.  They are from New Orleans and are mire sludgy than death metal.  They have a cool vibe, although I don’t care for te singer that much.

Left to Suffer formed in 2019 in Georgia.  They are heavy and screamy, and describe themselves as “nu-deathcore.”

Deterioration is the brainchild of two brothers from Minnesota.  Formed in 2003, they play relentless of grind with no slow parts or breakdowns. Blast beatings so pure, all tom drums were thrown to the wayside as to not get in the way.  Luckily they were the shortest opener.  They sound exhausting.

So, totally not my scene.  The whole night sounds exhausting.

Posted in Crowbar, Deterioration, Dying Fetus, Franklin Music Hall, Left to Suffer, Philadelphia, PA, Sanguisugabogg | Leave a Comment »

Annie-Claude Deschênes (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, September 16, 2026) [ANGINE DE POITRINE]

September 16, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: September 16, 2026] Annie-Claude Deschênes

I am vey rarely ahead of a trend, but I think I found out about Angine de Poitrine about two days before everyone else.  I recall watching the KEXP show and thinking, wow, I want to see these guys.  And then like two days later, they blew up and everyone wanted to see them. The video went up on Feb 6 and by Mar 16, when this show was announced, I knew it would be hard to get a ticket.  Luckily, I scored a ticket (and paid $34, not $300).

Who even knew if they were going to have an opener.  Well, soon enough, the opener was announced as Annie-Claude Deschênes.  When I looked her up, I couldn’t find any music by her, which is weird since she has an album Les Manières de Table that came out in 2024.  And a new(ish) single from 2025.

So just who opens for Angine de Poitrine?  Well, Annie-Claude Deschênes is a performance artist and musician.  I have just learned that she was in a band called Duchess Says who were on the terrific alien8recordings label and put out three albums between 2008 and 2016.  Not sure what Annie-Claude was doing in the meantime, but she certainly hasn’t lost any front woman skills.

When the rumbling noises of her first song started, a man in a waiter outfit (bow tie, cloth, paper receipt) stood on the stage and shone a flashlight around.  Then Annie-Claude came running out and shouted the end of that first song.  The second song, Culinary Security was more dancey, but the music was very old school synth style.  Indeed, the bandcamp summary of her album says

Inspired by the pioneers of electronic music, LES MANIÈRES DE TABLE is as danceable and melodic as it is disquieting and dystopian. The album proposes to set the table differently by deconstructing the social codes of politeness, and draws from a wide range of influences, notably Steve Reich’s minimalism, Kraftwerk’s synthetic textures, Herbie Hancock’s stylistic diversity and experimental cinema’s unconventional approach to narrative.

The lyrics were in English and French and song three, Phones, saw Annie-Claude taking a (prerecorded) reservation.   I should mention that on stage this whole time was a small table and two chairs.  After this song, the waiter, who had been polishing the table, put flowers and several Reserved signs on the table.  Menace Minimale was more dancey and I enjoyed the way Annie-Claude moved in a robotic way to the synth blasts and chord changes. Continue Reading »

Posted in Angine de Poitrine, Annie-Claude Deschênes, Duchess Says, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

Sparta / Public Opinion (Warehouse on Watts, Philadelphia, PA, September 16, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 16, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 16, 2026] Sparta / Public Opinion

I really enjoyed seeing Sparta in 2023.  They’ve been around a couple of times since then and yet I can never make their shows.  Tonight’s show is up against Angine de Poitrine, so sorry, Sparta.

Public Opinion is a punk band from Denver.  It’s like 90’s era guitar rock–simple catchy, loud and brash.  Initially, I wasn’t that impressed, but with more listens, I dig them.  Nothing special, but solid and, I’m sure a great opening act for Sparta.

 

Posted in Angine de Poitrine, Philadelphia, PA, Public Opinion, Sparta, Warehouse on Watts | Leave a Comment »

Danny Elfman (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, September 16, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 16, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 16, 2026] Danny Elfman

I felt like this concert was announced suddenly and with no warning (which is how Danny likes it, I’m sure).  I was super interested in going, but it was on the same night as Angine de Poitrine and there was no way I was missing that, even if this was Danny’s first tour in 30 years.

I remember Danny from his Oingo Boingo days and obviously everyone knows his from his hundreds of fantastic scores.  Since I had no plans to go  to this I didn’t give a lot of thought to what the show would be like.  so I’m fascinated by this review from Loudhailer magazine:

Danny Elfman has done a few one-off festival performances in recent years, but his stop at The Fox Theatre was only the second show of his first actual tour with a band since 1995 – and it absolutely rocked. How could it not, given an all-star backing that included guitarists Nili Brosh from Dethklok, Robin Finck of Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle bassist Matt McJunkins, and Josh Freese, who has drummed with everyone from Devo and Guns N Roses to Foo Fighters. Putting a supergroup like this together meant that Elfman was never going to just replay nostalgic Oingo Boingo hits or film scores. That would have been a waste of the overwhelming talent on stage. Instead, songs from the ’80s new-wave era were rebuilt in a more industrial metal style. 

 The sonic reinterpretation ran throughout the night, with Oingo tracks like “Ain’t This The Life” and “On The Outside” trading their new wave brightness for a much heavier grind. Most of the show fluctuated between Oingo classics and tracks from Elfman’s 2021 solo record Big Mess, which didn’t need the same makeover since they were written with exactly this sound in mind.  Another standout of the night was the one and only piece of Elfman’s film work that made the set: a metal version of “This Is Halloween,” which Elfman played in a Jack Skellington-style jacket.

The 80-minute, 20-song set closed with Boingo classics “Only a Lad” and “No One Lives Forever,” followed by an encore of “Who Do You Want to Be.” Thirty years after Elfman last toured for a living, the songs didn’t sound preserved and replayed. They were rebuilt and renewed.

So how about that

Danny Elfman at Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, The Met Philadelphia | Leave a Comment »

Circa Survive / Geoff Rickly / Boo Boo Spoiler // Circa Survive / The Waywords / Queen of Jeans // Circa Survive / From Indian Lakes / Air is Human (Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, September 15, 16 & 17, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 15, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 15, 16 & 17, 2026] Circa Survive / Geoff Rickly / Boo Boo Spoiler // Circa Survive / Queen of Jeans / The Waywords  // Circa Survive / From Indian Lakes / Air is Human

I’m not sure when I heard about these three shows, but as soon as I looked at them, they were all sold out.  So, regardless of whether I wanted to se Circa Survive (I did), I was too late.

I didn’t know Circa Survive at all until 2022, and was really surprised to hear that they were from Philly (which is why these three shows sold out so quickly).  Back in 2022, they sold out two nights at Union Transfer and then cancelled the show last minute.  They’re alt and emo and I’m just really surprised I’d never heard them before.  They are obviosuly huge in Philly, but I’m not sure just how big they are elsewhere.   I like that all of the bands on the bills are either from Philly or NJ.

Geoff Rickly is the singer for Thursday, who I had hoped to see at Underground Arts recently but which I couldn’t get to.  As a solo performer, Rickly was fantastic.  He told little stories before each song and played a mix of solo and Thursday songs.  I assume he’d be solo here for this as well.

Boo Boo Spoiler is a DIY band from Philly that’s managed to build a considerable amount of hype off the strength of their live shows, and none of that magic is lost in the studio; in fact, it’s only amplified.  The Philly shoegaze scene is boiling over with talent right now and these guys are great.  I hadn’t heard of them, but I really liked what I listened to–shoegaze with some fun, weird elements.

Queen of Jeans is a Philly band who I’ve seen on a lot of marquees.  I feel like for a while, back before the pandemic, they were opening for a lot of shows that I didn’t go to.   I see now that they haven’t done much since 2019, but they came back with a new album last year.  They are poppy and delightful.  For some reason I thought they were more punky.  I’d be happy to see them live, but once again I’ve missed them.  Their new album is great.

The Waywords I can’t find a single thing about them online.  I wonder who they are.

I saw From Indian Lakes open for L.S. Dunes.  But by the time I walked in, From Indian Lakes were almost done.  They released their first record since 2019 mid last year, which falls under a shoegaze, indie rock type of genre. The latest album of Head Void was a lot heavier than Dimly Lit in 2019, but compared to L.S. Dunes it’s quite tame.  They are apparently the brainchild of lead singer Joe Vann (Joey Vannucchi) a totally understated front man, who was also pretty funny, replying to fans shouting things and generally keeping the mood light.  We saw about three songs in full and I really liked their vibe–very chill and shoegazey.  Although, live there was a harsher element than the soft shimmer of the album.

Air is Human is a duo from Philly. They mix explosive beats and emotive Rhodes piano with bold and atmospheric guitars. Blending influences from downtempo and ambient with kraut and psych rock, the sound is loud and enveloping.
The description is pretty apt.  It’s definitely experimental and unusual, but is really catchy and intriguing–the “enveloping” part is totally accurate.  I’m very intrigued.

Continue Reading »

Posted in Air is Human, Boo Boo Spoiler, Circa Survive, From Indian Lakes, Geoff Rickly, Philadelphia, PA, Queen of Jeans, The Fillmore Philadelphia, The Waywords | Leave a Comment »

President / Showing Teeth / Cenobia (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, September 15, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

September 15, 2026 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 15, 2026]

I had not heard of President until this show was announced. And I was surprised by the backstory

President are an anonymous English band formed in 2025, who blend metalcore with electronica.  The band had released no music and were unknown until they were announced to play at that year’s Download Festival, sparking speculation to their identity. Their frontman, the eponymous President, is described by Revolver as “silver-haired, wearing an eerie, not-quite-lifelike mask etched with deep wrinkles and radiating wax-figure unease.”  The band’s current lineup consists of The President (vocals), Heist (guitarist), Protest (bassist) and Vice (drummer).

Then I saw that this how was announced with a lot of hype and I considered getting a ticket until I read all the hatred sent at the band.  And when I listened to them I didn’t like them, so no ticket for me.  Of course, it sold out really quickly, so my attendance was not needed.

I was really surprised at how soft the vocals are (for the most part).  This is a pretty decent description from GhostCultMag

the verse creates space for emotive soulful vocals to lure you in for a big, anthemic, hooky chorus. To market this as metal, you also need to throw in some djent guitars with technical drumming. But don’t worry, to take the sting from this, we’re mixing in multiple layers of harmonized vocals with a dab of auto-tune as the icing on the cake.

They turned out to be the least interesting of these three bands (despite the masks).

Showing Teeth is another new band that I hadn’t heard of.  The confusing Wikipedia entry starts

Addison, known professionally as Showing Teeth, is an American vocalist, songwriter, and heavy metal musician, from Nashville, Tennessee. Her debut extended play, A Fate Worse Than Loneliness, released in September 2026.

The vocals are intense and varied–lots of screaming, a bit of growling and then some gorgeous high soaring vocals.  The music is electronically precise and really heavy/crazy.  I would love to see her live.

Cenobia is a solo artist from Sydney, Australia. She writes music for him. He will never hear it.

That’s what her bio says in every place she posts it.  I’m intrigued by her and fascinated to see that many people were going to these shows just because of her.  Which is shame because in late August, she had to drop from the tour

“A message to her beloved collective.
It is with great devastation that she must announce her withdrawal from the upcoming PRESIDENT North American Campaign Trail.
She fought tooth and claw to make it so, but the divines were not in her favour.
It is not yet her time. She shall cross your lands when the hour is right.
Know that she is forlorn
With sorrow,
Cenobia“

Posted in Cenobia, Philadelphia, PA, President, Showing Teeth, Theatre of Living Arts | Leave a Comment »

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