Our hot water heater, which is down in the basement, has been leaking for the past two days and consequently we've had to turn off the water in order to stop the flow. We can turn it on briefly to take a shower and do other basic things but until it's fixed, we have to pretty much leave it off. The plumber's been here once already and unfortunately has to come back again today, as the fellow he sent to do the job the first time didn't do it right. In fact, while [...]
Some photos from this past Friday night's all local show at Johnny Brenda's in Philadelphia. It was a packed house from the get go as Bitter Bitter Weeks kicked off the night with an excellent set that focused on the more rock side of their catalog and left the quieter numbers at home this time for a high energy set that recalled at times the southern jangle sound of early REM or Let's Active . Up next was Missing Palmer [...]
Another weekend in upon us. Of course that means great shows playing the area. Here's what to check out. Friday The Oranges Band are set to release their new album The Oranges Band Are Invisible upon the masses and to celebrate the new disc, they are having a little shindig at the Ottobar with a few friends from the area. Also on the bill are Gary B & The Notions , [...]
rhett miller ain't that strange bitter bitter weeks peace is burning like a river the shins sea legs sufjan stevens ring them bells sloan i understand tom waits jayne's blue wish wilco panthers joan as policewoman we don't own it heatmiser pop in g judee sill jesus was a crossmaker
It's hard to maintain journalistic objectivity when you are reporting on a band you feel so passionate about. Such is the case with me when it comes to talking about aderbat. As mentioned in my earlier cd review of the band's recent effort We Belong To The Sea, I am a bit past the point [...]
My apologies to Lillie Ruth Bussey for missing her set as I arrived at Johnny Brenda's this past Thursday Night for Aderbat 's Cd Release party just as Bitter Bitter Weeks was taking the stage. They opened with one of my personal favorites of theirs, Lo-Res and the night was off to excellent start. Bitter Bitter Weeks jangly shimmering guitar pop sounded excellent despite the fact that Brian McTear was having some trouble with his [...]
Shows are light this Thursday. Here's what to check out: It's a CD release party at Johnny Brenda's in Philly for Aderbat . Due out today is We Belong To The Sea , "a missive on longing, memory and the experiential Life". Joining the party are Philly bands East Hundred , finishing on a new album themselves, and Bitter Bitter Weeks . If you miss Aderbat tonight, they will also be releasing at The Factory in Doylestown Friday and down at the [...]
Lots of good shows to kick off the weekend. So get out there and check them out! The big ticket item Friday is violinist Final Fantasy , fresh off the Arcade Fire tour and supporting his new album. With him is Alberta native rapper-producer (a Canadian rapper?) Cadence Weapon . Don't let the north of the border thing fool you. He has quite the musical heritage. You can find them at the First Unitarian Church . Final Fantasy - This Lamb Sells Condos Cadence Weapon - [...]
Inspired by my guest post today over at The Late Greats , here's a Philly music bonanza for you to check out. When The Duke asked me to pick my Philly 7 From '07, I couldn't just stop it at 7 and decided to take it to the limit. Worst Trip - Dr. Dog Dr. Dog myspace Ball of The Dead Rat - The Teeth [...]
Brian McTear started Bitter Bitter Weeks some time around 2001. Though he ultimately aspired for it to be a band, he released two full length albums more or less as solo efforts in 2003 and 2004. The third album, Peace is burning like a river, finally sees the band vision come to life. McTear began in the early 1990s with his band, the Marinernine. That lasted for nearly eight years, taking him from late high school, into and beyond his college years. When the Marinernine split up he focused on producing records, finding the likes of Matt Pond [...]
This past Thursday at Johnny Brenda's was another display of the amazing musical force that is currently swirling in Philadelphia. The A-Sides were celebrating the release of their brand new Vagrant Records CD Silver Storms (rls date 9/18/07) and brought The Capitol Years and Bitter Bitter Weeks along for the ride. It was a packed house for an all around astounding night of music kicked off with one of the best sets I've seen Bitter Bitter Weeks play yet. Capitol Years were up next, my first time seeing them and [...]
It's the start of the last weekend of summer. The Phillies game is over, the Eagles are just going through the motions in pre-season, so get to Johnny Brendas tonight (Thursday night)! It is an all local show with The Capitol Years , Bitter Bitter Weeks , and the CD release party for The A-Sides . From the looks of it, this may be the last time for at least a month to see them in the area. Oh, and its for a good cause with all proceeds going to charity. The A-Sides [...]
Bowerbirds Mark, Beth,and Phil of Bowerbirds Bowerbirds were formed by Phil Moore and Beth Tacular with Mark Paulson (violin, piano, and bass drum) joining shortly after. Phil's and Beth's vocals are similar to Ivan and Kelly of fellow North Carolina band the Rosebuds, whom Bowerbirds have performed with. However, Bowerbirds' sound is acoustic, gentle, and more organic, lacking but not missing the Rosebuds' thick synth grooves. Phil and Beth live together in their "bower" in the woods, and these [...]
Philadelphia's WXPN is hosting the Xponential Music Festival , a 4-day event to be held July 19-22 at Wiggins Park in Camden, NJ. I'm hoping to go Friday night. They've got a pretty good line-up of folks, surprisingly varied. For instance, Friday I'm most interested in seeing three Philly-area bands, The A-Sides , Eastern Conference Champions , and Bitter Bitter Weeks , also Bob [...]
Como productor, el norteamericano Brian McTear ha estado detrás de discos de Mazarin, Matt Pond PA o Danielson, entre muchos otros. También músico y compositor, en 2002 creó Bitter Bitter Weeks , su propio proyecto musical. Peace Is Burning Like A River es su nuevo y tercer trabajo, en el que está muy bien acompañado por Amy Morryssey (The Novenas), Rick Menck (Velvet Crush), Jesse Gallagher (Apollo Sunshine), Mike Fleming (The A-Sides) o Brian Christinzio (BC Camplight). Danger In The Halls y Once And For All son dos de [...]
Before I head out and enjoy the sun, I thought I'd post some MP3's I bumped into from the past week or two. Enjoy your Sunday. Morning Pages - It Makes Me Cry Bowerbirds - In Our Talons Yeni Raki - You're Not Helping Sam Champion - Like a Secret Cracklin Moth - My Heart is Leaking Takka Takka - Draw a Map [...]
Bitter Bitter Weeks is mainly the work of producer, musician and singer-songwriter Brian McTear who has just released his third album Peace Is Burning Like A River. The album features Ric Menck (of Velvet Crush) on drums, Amy Morrissey on backing vocals, Mike Fleming on bass n& backing vocals; Brian Christinzio (you may know him as BC Camplight) on piano, organ, glockenspiel and Jesse Gallagher
XPN likes Augie March, also. Best of the music I got emailed to me yesterday: Frankel ~ Thermostat , Tooth Decay RIYL: Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Tupelo Honey, Sweet Honey on the Rocks Spiritual Mansions ~ The Tumbler RIYL: Gymnasts in leotards Bitter Bitter Weeks ~ Terrified RIYL: Bands from Philly
Bitter Bitter Weeks - Lo-res This past Tuesday saw the release of the excellent new disc from Philadelphia's Bitter Bitter Weeks , Peace Is Burning Like A River . The first two Bitter Bitter Weeks records were essentially solo records by Brian McTear . For this disc the he wanted to develop a more complex and orchestrated sound and enlisted supporting musicians and featured guest performances by members of Mazarin , Apollo Sunshine , The A-sides , BC Camplight , The Velvet Crush and [...]
Hump Day, and it couldn't have come sooner. Things have been dragging this week at the office and the sunny days and high 80 degree temps have made none too excited to be inside from 8-5, but today's offering of free chili dogs, elephant ears, ice cream, and soda from the HR department should appease anyone who's got their finger on the fishing pole hiding under their desk for the time being. War and Censorship at Wilton High By Amy Goodman Last Sunday night, as millions of Americans [...]
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