posted by High Voltage Staff | Monday, March 29, 2010 | 6:37 PM
Have you heard Viva City yet? An UK electronic-rock band that will blow your mind. Currently we only have their 2010 music sampler with six tracks, but those six tracks provide a dance party you can't resist. They played our HIGH VOLTAGE event last night at The Viper Room and if their recorded music wasn't enough, their live show took the band to a whole new level in our eyes. With a high energy stage presence, glam rock style and electronic flare it's possible this band might be music's best kept secret at the moment. However, that won't last long... SPREAD THE WORD - VIVA CITY ROCKS!
posted by jade.amey | Thursday, January 21, 2010 | 6:17 PM
The Hounds Below Beat Kitchen (Chicago, IL) photography: Jade Amey
Recognize The Hounds Below lead man? He is also the front man for the Detroit rock outfit, the Von Bondies. Are they just as good? Oh yes, of course. I wouldn't say this band is as energetic and electrifying live as the Von Bondies are, but that's really not a bad thing. I'm sure not a lot of people would know this from listening to the Von Bondies, but if you happen to see a Hounds Below show, I bet the first comparison for Jason Stollsteimer's voice will be Roy Orbison. Not only is there a very clear presence of Orbison in his voice, but there is also a distinct presence of early rock 'n' roll in the music with a tinge of a jumpy blues-folk-soul mix. However you want to describe it, 'it' is good. And they even win without a drummer (which was the case at this Chicago show). Besides this band being so damn great live, it also shows how versatile of a musician Stollsteimer can be. I have a feeling this won't be a short lived project, so keep your eye on this band.
posted by jade.amey | Sunday, January 17, 2010 | 9:39 AM
The Sights Beat Kitchen (Chicago, IL) photography: Jade Amey
Before I get to the photos, I would just like to say that if I had to pick a band for a "Most Exciting Comeback" for 2009, it would definitely be The Sights. After taking a bit of a break from touring and recording, front Sights man Eddie Baranek reformed The Sights into a new band, but they kick just as much ass as before (on stage and on record).
This was the second time I saw The Sights this year; the first was in Grand Rapids, MI in November. After seeing that Michigan show, I jumped at the chance to see them when I found out they were playing in Chicago. Now, I'm all about Michigan music (well known fact) but I honestly didn't get in to this band until late this past summer. I've known of them since 2005 but never listened to them despite all of the recommendations people had given me. It wasn't until this Chicago show that I had started to kick myself for not listening to them almost five years ago . . . seeing them play at Beat Kitchen made me think of all the times I could have seen them when I lived in Michigan and how great they were back then, too (the band has albums dating back to 1999). It was a pretty energetic set despite it being cold and icky outside; concert-goers were still arriving as their set progressed. Though the band that played was in its newest form, with the only original member being Baranek, the rest of the band flew through the old tunes like champs; as if they had been in the band since its conception and then some. The newer songs were in top form, as well. I had bought the band's new 12" Silver and Gold after their set and later that night I was chatting with the band's drummer about it (he goes by the name Skip). He was telling me that he hopes people really like The Sights' new songs because its not quite like the old stuff. He's right. Its not so much the sound of the bands past. The new songs have a bit more to it - definitely a lot of soul and more emphasis on the vocals in the songs - but when one hears the songs, they still have an air of the sound that the band is known for: straight up 'in your face' garage rock.
You will be seeing more and more of The Sights in 2010 with a few shows already set in stone and a new LP, entitled Most of What Follows Is True, to be released within the next year. And now, on to the photos!
posted by High Voltage Staff | Thursday, February 12, 2009 | 1:58 PM
Hell On Heels Tour Semi Precious Weapons / Nico Vega / Von Iva @ The Khyber Philadelphia, PA February 2, 2009 Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak
"Don't Light Them! Light Me! I'm the one who spent 60 minutes making my face fucking flawless!" spat the Seberg-esque platinum, from the stage of the Khyber, as stagehands frantically scurried to fix the lighting situation. Decked out in lycra and patent leather stilettos, Semi Precious Weapons' front-thang, Justin Tranter clearly knows just how fucking fabulous he really is. With Miss Guy spending more time on the turntables than onstage and Theo Kogan displaying herself in more designer ads than punk rock dives, Mr. Tranter has taken the crown as Brooklyn's #1 blonde bombshell. This February Tranter brought his garage glam outfit to Philly for the most explosive display of glittering grime since the passing of Mr. Thunders. (read more)
posted by High Voltage Staff | Friday, December 26, 2008 | 11:01 AM
Darker My Love @ Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, PA December 4, 2008 Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak
Although their latest album, 2, is surprisingly accessible, beards are far from the only fuzziness left of Neo Psychedelic Shoegazers Darker My Love. They may have recently returned from a jaunt with Indie Pop faves the Dandy Warhols, where they appeared as bourgeoning rock stars in the vain of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club circa 2002, but their recent headlining tour returns them to coyly rocking clubs with violent hails of feedback and pleasantly pretentious musicality generally reserved for godlike geniuses of the Lower East Side. Their five-minute looping video of "trippy" footage of deep and mysterious things like fish and teeth was more than a little trite. And many of those who filled the venue were getting a little too into it in an I'm-rocking-out-in-khakis kind of way. And, when you really thought about it, you knew you could never justifiably describe the experience as a modern equivalent to "rockin' with the Velvet's at the Factory in '67." But when the lights went down and you were hit with those screaming waves of hipster psychedelia, you really fuckin' wanted to.
posted by High Voltage Staff | Sunday, December 7, 2008 | 10:10 AM
Paramount Styles @ The Khyber Philadelphia, PA October 12, 2008 Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak
When Girls Against Boys' Scott McCloud found himself at Philadelphia's Khyber, promoting his latest project, Paramount Styles, he found himself looking at an audience of a little more than a half-dozen, comprised of music journalists, probable record store owners, and others who realize that Venus Luxure No. 1 Babyis as important as Siamese Dream. Random, roaring waves of sound crashed into the set from those watching the Phillies game in the next room and in-between songs the Hip-Pop being spun upstairs seeped through the floor. Apparently Post-Noise Minimalism isn't exactly in vogue. (read more)
posted by High Voltage Staff | Friday, September 12, 2008 | 2:19 PM
Liz Phair @ Theater of the Living Arts Philadelphia, PA August 27th, 2008 Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak
Even at 41 Liz Phair sounds just as earnest singing songs about one-night stands, pre-teen fornication, and "cunt(s) in spring" as she did fifteen years ago on Exile in Guyville. On August 27th Rock N Roll's favorite MILF found herself gracing the stage of TLA, performing the album in its entirety in celebration of the anniversary. (read more)
posted by High Voltage Staff | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 | 10:11 AM
The Cute Lepers @ The M Room Philadelphia, PA August 19th, 2008 Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak
Can't Stand Modern Music, the title of the debut LP from power-pop outfit The Cute Lepers, couldn't be more suitable to describe their August 19th gig in the heart of Fishtown, Philadelphia's hippest locale and the regular stomping ground of over-hyped, underimpressive Phooklyn acts like Vampire Weekend and the Dirty Projectors. While the New York Dolls-inspired Seattle six-piece, lead by Steve E. Nix of the Briefs, only attracted about two dozen, it was certainly the most badass gathering in the City of Sisterly Affection since David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain hosted the city's most decadent Valentine's Day celebration. The band, crowded onto the not-exactly-spacious stage, proved to be a glamorously sleazy oasis of Rock N Roll in the middle of a neighborhood comprised of Vice magazine's target audience and American Apparel employees. (read more)
posted by High Voltage Staff | Wednesday, September 3, 2008 | 4:08 PM
Rock The Bayou has come and gone; and what a fabulously hot time was had by all. Highlights for us included Kix, Sammy Hagar, Jetboy, the sunday night All Star Jam at the official after party held at Meridian, the breeze that picked up on Monday, Dee Snider's stage banter, and so much more. Disappointments included heat stroke, Bret Michaels and The Rock of Love - Season 3, Dangerous Toys, and having the festival come to a close. Check out some photos we got over the weekend:
posted by High Voltage Staff | Monday, August 25, 2008 | 9:52 AM
A Personal Look at Outside Lands By: Chelsea Schwartz
This past weekend 60,000 music lovers crowded into Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to attend the inaugural Outside Lands Festival. Brought to us by the co-founders of Bonnaroo alongside one of the most successful promoters in San Francisco - Outside Lands provided concert-goers with an all around experience of what San Francisco is about.
Music kicked off on Friday late afternoon with Steel Pulse hitting one of the six festival stages to an audience of anxious Radiohead fans who were already holding spots for the bands end of the night set. Over the course of the weekend we'd see Tom Petty, Rogue Wave, Matt Nathanson, Regina Spektor, The Black Keys, ALO, and many more.
One of my favorite sets of the weekend was Beck's 17 song set performance which included an array of selections from all his albums minus Mutations. 'Hell Yes' was performed entirely by 808s (video clip below) and 'Loser' was introduced by a very cool bluesy slide guitar jam. And I have to say, in all my experience, 'Where Its At' was the best I have ever seen it.
Also stellar, as usual, was Radiohead's killer light and video setup. Just YouTube anything from Radiohead at Outside Lands and you'll see what I mean. Their set list was also impressive as they played more "hits" than any other time I've seen them, including my old personal favorites 'Just' and 'Fake Plastic Trees.'
New favorite Radiohead song (thanks to its live performance): 'Reckoner' off of the new album, In Rainbows.
If you needed a break from the music, the Dell Dome provided tons of options from creating your own digital mix tape to rockin' out your hair! And the food and wine provided by San Francisco's own local favorites was quite a treat. Not to mention the festival proximity to the Haight Street area provided excellent post show opportunities.
While one is never quite prepared for the extensive walking of a music festival (no matter how many you've been to previously), Outside Lands was overall a fantastic vibe and a very well done festival, even with all the Beck fans tearing down the chainlink fence to race over to Radiohead's upcoming set faster.
posted by High Voltage Staff | Friday, August 1, 2008 | 9:43 AM
Check out the High Voltage Kill Hannah Photo Gallery from their Los Angeles performance at the El Rey Theatre on July 19th! Click the photo below to see more images.
posted by High Voltage Staff | Friday, July 18, 2008 | 10:51 AM
Peter Murphy @ The Trocadero Philadelphia, PA June 29, 2008 Reviewed By: Izzy Cihak
Well, it seems as though Ziggy and the Spiders are fighting again. After nearly two years back together and their first studio album in 25 years Bauhaus have broken up for the third time. With this, Love and Rockets are now playing some of this year's biggest festivals and Peter Murphy, who's looking more and more like John Waters as Caligari's Cesare every day, is bringing his "Retrospective" tour to half-capacity clubs across America. (read more)
Have you heard Viva City yet? An UK electronic-rock band that will blow your mind. Currently we only have their 2010 music sampler with six tracks, but those six tracks provide a dance party you can't resist. They played our HIGH VOLTAGE event last night at The Viper Room and if their recorded music wasn't enough, their live show took the band to a whole new level in our eyes. With a high energy stage presence, glam rock style and electronic flare it's possible this band might be music's best kept secret at the moment. However, that won't last long... SPREAD THE WORD - VIVA CITY ROCKS!
April 4, 2010
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