Some photos from the early afternoon portion of this weekend's WXPN XPoNential Music festival at Wiggins Park on The Camden NJ waterfront. Cheers Elephant kicked the day off on the Marina stage in fine style with an outstanding set, followed by new wavey sounds of Zolof The Rock And Roll Destroyer and then the rhythmic indie rock of Delaware's Spinto Band on the main stage.


Cheers Elephant

Some photos from Sunday, June 22, Day 3 of Philadelphia's Popped! Festival at World Cafe Live. The home team made up the bulk of the lineup today with some of Philly's best bands playing. I arrived in plenty of time time to grab a Grimbergen Dubbel Abbey Ale from the bar and stake out a prime spot to catch Cheers Elephant kick off the days proceedings with a dazzling set in the upstairs bar, showing why they are one of Philly's hottest bands right now. Spent some time chatting with Jessica from Popwreck(oning) in between sets. Next up were The Vandelles, a band I had not only not seen before, but had never heard of. Well, I won't be forgetting them anytime soon because their reverb laden psychedelic laced sound was amazing, with a sound falling somehwere between Jesus And Mary Chain and The Black Angels. They also delivered the "girls can rock too" moment of the festival in the powerhouse rhythm section of Suzanne Pagliorola and Lisha Nadkarni on drums and bass respectively. Then it was downstairs for Gildon Works who delivered one of the best sets of the weekend, their shoegazey psychedelic blend was absolutely massive sounding. Then it was back upstairs for one of my favorite Philly bands The Swimmers, who despite having to use a fill in bass player for the afternoon, sounded as fantastic as always. At this point the downstairs stage took a weird turn toward the performance art side with one man avant garde poet guitarist PWRFL Power up next. Three songs and it was back upstairs for me where I spent some time hanging out with Carly and Royce from Girl About Town for a bit while Takka Takka prepared to play. Caught most of Takka Takka's interesting set before heading back downstairs to see the much buzzed about Tickley Feather. More avant garde performance art tinged music that continued the theme started earlier. Although much more great music still remained, it was at this point I had to jump ship and make my way across town to the M room for my Bag Of Songs night, more on that coming soon...
Cheers Elephant The Vandelles Gildon Works The Swimmers PWRFL Power Takka Takka Tickley Feather The Downstairs Stage

Some photos from last night's incredible show at a packed Khyber in Philadelphia. The Major Leagues cancelled, so first up was The New Motels with an excellent set of what I can best describe as alt country power pop. Cheers Elephant was next with a phenomenal show that I'd probably have to call the best set of live music I've seen so far this year. Like the last forty years of rock and roll all spun together and spit out again as something brand new, it was amazing. Do not pass on your chance to see these guys soon, as they aren't going to be playing small clubs for long. Closing out the night was a raucous set of eclectic, noisy, pop from Drink Up Buttercup, another of Philadelphia's finest live bands at the moment. Three fantastic Philadelphia bands to keep an eye out for in 2008 and beyond.
The New Motels Cheers Elephant Drink Up Buttercup

Looking for something to do in the Philadelphia area tonight ? Head on down to The Khyber for the final night of the Cheers Elephant / Drink Up Buttercup January residency. Four great bands to keep your winter night warm.
I'll be there, stop by and say hi.

Tuesday January 29th
Drink Up Buttercup,Cheeer Elephant,The New Motels, and The Major Leagues
8 PM at The Khyber 56 S. 2nd Street Philadephia, PA 19106

MP3: Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies
[MYSPACE]
MP3: Cheers Elephant - Wide Eyed
[MYSPACE]
MP3: The New Motels - Modern Thinker
[MYSPACE]
MP3: The Major Leagues - Equal Uncle
[MYSPACE]