Elvis Perkins in Dearland autographed 7"

Autographed after their set on June 19, 2009 at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA.

Here's my review of the show and video of the band autographing the record

Review: Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Philadelphia June 19, 2009

(photo: Mike Webkist)

While Elvis Perkins is clearly a formidable performer on his own, he's all the more impressive when backed by his remarkably gifted band, Elvis Perkins in Dearland.

Throughout their 40-minute set for WXPN's Free at Noon concert series (archived here), band members often alternated instruments including organ, trombone and electric upright bass and harmonized vocals with expert proficiency.

The band's set comprised tracks mostly from their 2009 record, "Elvis Perkins in Dearland," covering a variety of styles including vintage folk, New Orleans-influenced celebratory jamming and vintage rock and roll.

Their drummer stepped out from behind the kit on two occasions, strapping on an over sized marching band drum and dancing merrily on the stage.

The kinetic interplay between the members of Elvis Perkins in Dearland is truly an artistic accomplishment. It's an intently focused group on stage and one that bonds with its audience on a personal level.

Many bands can play together well, but are they really connecting when they play, or just going through the motions?

The melancholic and moving lyrics and music that comes from Perkins' pen are clearly the catalyst here; but it's the live setting and skilled individuals that comprise Perkins' band that sets them apart from most.

There's a bittersweet joy in the music of Elvis Perkins in Dearland. I recommend you spend some time listening to it, because I believe it is something is exceptional.

Here is footage of the band signing some vinyl during a meet and greet after the show.

Elvis Perkins in Dearland meet and greet, Philadelphia from Dave McG on Vimeo.

Camera Obscura perform "French Navy" on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

I do not understand why talk show hosts slam down the album cover when announcing a band. Letterman did it the other night when Sonic Youth was on.

Watch Craig Ferguson do it when introducing Camera Obscura:



As for Camera Obscura, I like the band's retro apparel.

And their new album, "My Maudlin Career," is pretty spiffy.

Dinosaur Jr. Daytrotter Session June 2009

Here is Dinosaur Jr.'s contribution to Daytrotter.com's sessions archive.

Four performances exclusive to this session: Severed Lips, Repulsion, Crumble, Back to Your Heart.

I saw Dinosaur Jr. in May 2009 at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA. After a painfully long problem with J's amps, they brought the rawk all loud and what not.

There was some insanely high Dinosaur Jr. "fan" who almost certainly was tripping balls, as the kids say.

He kept yelling between songs, "Dinosaur Jr. is the BEST BAND EVER!"

J seemed amused, but Lou was not. He pointed out that Led Zeppelin was "pretty good" and then gave the "fan" a big thumbs down.

A few moments later, an audience member turned around and clocked the "fan" for being so out of it and repeatedly bumping into him.

The "fan" deserved it.

Skate Jam, Sunday June 21 in Wilmington, DE

The Wilmington Skate Project is hosting a skate jam on Sunday June 21st in Wilmington, Delaware, between Market and Shipley on 10th street (map).

Skaters will be lining up to do tricks and show off their skills 12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m.

I've been to one of these events before. It's pretty inspiring to see kids of all age getting out there and tearing things up.

The Wilmington Skate Project has raised nearly half of the necessary funds ($800,000) to build an honest to goodness free skateboarding facility in the city.

The group points out that "quality skateparks have many benefits for cities and communities including, increased tourism and detering crime."

Yeah, it gives kids something to do. Makes sense to me.

While I was an amateur skateboarder in college, it's rare that I'll dust off the deck these days.

Call it a lack of coordination or an unwillingness to risk a trip to the E.R. because I was the adult who tried to skate and ended up breaking his wrist.

Anyway, I just used a skateboard to get from point A to point B.

Unlike me, skaters who show up on Sunday to the Skate Jam are the real deal.

Mike Watt and the Missingmen, May 1, 2009, Lancaster PA

Here's video I took of Mike Watt and the Missingmen at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA on May 1, 2009. Shot with a Flip Mino.

1 of 6 Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Lancaster, PA, May 1, 2009 from Dave McG on Vimeo.

2 of 6 Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Lancaster, PA, May 1, 2009 from Dave McG on Vimeo.

3 of 6 Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Lancaster, PA, May 1, 2009 from Dave McG on Vimeo.

4 of 6 Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Lancaster, PA, May 1, 2009 from Dave McG on Vimeo.

5 of 6 Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Lancaster, PA, May 1, 2009 from Dave McG on Vimeo.

6 of 6 Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Lancaster, PA, May 1, 2009 from Dave McG on Vimeo.

Review: Henry Rollins finally comes to Delaware

Henry Rollins' show at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware was another first for the first state:

It was Rollins' first ever performance in good ol' DE.



Rollins said as a kid he visited Rehoboth Beach with his mom and had good memories about Delaware.

His spoken word performance on June 7, 2009 was a great booking for the Grand in my opinion, although I was surprised the venue was only 2/3 full of Rollins fans.

Surely there are more than 1,200 Rollins fans in the DE/PA/NJ area.

Maybe it's the Rollins prejudice; there are many people who don't realize that Rollins has evolved into a superb story teller and those who even go as far to say Rollins ruined Black Flag.

Rubbish.

Rollins remains right on the mark. His sets average two and a half hours of non-stop talking; a mini-odyssey of travel, cultural observation, politics and several personal anecdotes.

He remarked several times that he's hurtling towards fifty (he's 48.) But you wouldn't know it from his stamina and intensity. Rollins gives the audience their money's worth and approached storytelling and his life adventures with the unbridled enthusiasm of an 18-year old.

One of the highlights of the night included Rollins recounting his commencement speech at Sonoma College and interactions with the school's intellectual elite. You can read the whole speech on Henry's site.

During his two and a half hour set, it remains clear that Rollins continues to guided by the same intense, if not maniacal, work ethic of the early SST records crew; you can never work and perform hard enough.

Rollins has evolved into an insanely energetic storyteller and an entertaining performer.

He's funny, a self-made intellectual and is one of those people who actually tries to make the most of every day and every opportunity life hands him.

And I think that's pretty darn cool.

Go get some Rollins stuff from amazon.com.