The Owlery

The features blog of The Temple News

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Tuesday

18

March 2014

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Who’s playing this week?

Written by , Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Music

3/18 The War on Drugs

Union Transfer

Doors at 8:00, Show at 8:30

$18

All Ages

Hometown rockers The War on Drugs have been enjoying a great deal of attention as of late. Their forthcoming record, “Lost in the Dream”, which is due out March 18, is currently streaming online via The Guardian, and displays a brazen showing of working class rock’n’roll pride with vocals that pay tribute to The Boss and lyrics that are deeply introspective. The Philly boys are looking to spread the good word of “Lost in the Dream” via a tour that’ll take them both through the states and Canada. Conveniently enough for the former Kurt Vile associates, their romp kicks off in their very own backyard at Union Transfer. 

3/23 Solids, Cassavetes

Kung Fu Necktie

8:00

$10

21+ 

Straddling the line between delicate and dissonant, harsh and melodic, and bummed out and effervescent are two-piece emo act Solids. Thus far they’ve been flying a bit under the radar, but the release of a stellar 2014 LP entitled “Blame Confusion” may change that. The Montreal noise punk duo will be schlepping back to the great white north after paying Austin a visit for an extended stay at SXSW, and en route is a stop at Philadelphia’s Kung Fu Necktie. 

3/24 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

Union Transfer

Doors at 8:00, Show at 8:30

$15

All Ages

Relentless upbeat and aggressively catchy electro indie pop from…Detroit? Yup. Despite gloomy surroundings, the Motor City duo finds plenty to be optimistic about, and channel this through an infectious blend of groove-friendly beats, fluttering synths, and shimmering guitar riffs. In support of their latest release, a full length entitled “The Speed of Things”, DEJJ are in the midst of a month and a half long full US tour.

Sunday

22

December 2013

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Saves the Day set as Asbury Lanes sees proposal

Written by , Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Music

A couple months back was the last time I saw Saves the Day. Unfortunately, its set at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer was unceremoniously interrupted by someone in a 7 Seconds hoodie who took issue with the fact that the band had chosen to perform a set comprised largely of newer material. He made this apparent by nearly getting into a physical confrontation with the group’s founder, Chris Conley.

So it is with no shortage of irony that the band’s set at Asbury Lanes, situated on the Jersey Shore, was met with another interruption.

This time it came in the form of a marriage proposal.

In the spirit of giving, Saves the Day is in the midst of embarking on a nine-date acoustic tour. Performing a whole plethora of old songs, rarities and various other deep cuts, it’s a tour that emotional 90’s kids have been clamoring for for quite some time. Joining them on the holiday romp are Jon Simmons of Doylestown, Pa. quintent Balance and Composure and Walter Schriefels of Quicksand and Rival Schools, as well as countless legendary New York Hardcore groups.

Kicking the night off was Simmons.

Simmons powered through a set of originals, covers (including one of Neutral Milk Hotel b-side “Engine”) and Balance and Composure tunes. Specifically from the B&C catalog, he performed “As Planned,” one of the group’s oldest songs, and “Dirty Head,” off their latest record “The Things We Think We’re Missing.”

Schriefels’ set consisted of acoustic arrangements of Quicksand and Rival School songs, as well as of New York Hardcore classics “Start Today,” by Gorilla Biscuits, the hardcore group that he was a part of, and “The Storm,” by legendary straight edge outfit Judge.

Schriefels left the audience with several final words of wisdom.

“If you ever feel like you can’t pee,” Schriefels said. “Play a game of hide and seek, it’ll come right out.”

Saves the Day followed this by proceeding to play pretty much everything.

Three-fourths of the way through the band’s set, a spry, wiry young man was called to the stage, who promptly brought up his girlfriend. After a bit of showmanship, and a confession from his girl that Saves the Day is her favorite band, he popped the question

She said yes.

After playing for nearly an hour-and-a-half, Conley retook the stage, Corona in hand, and led the band in a sloppy and drunken rendition of Weezer’s “El Scorcho.” Borderline euphoric, Conley reemerged on stage for a final time, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, and led the crowd in an entirely unplugged version of “Ten Miles Down,” a fan-favorite off the group’s first record “Can’t Slow Down,” which was released when Conley was just 18.

The madness will resume tonight at The Ottobar in Baltimore, and Sunday at Philadelphia’s First Unitarian Church. If you were nimble enough to grab a presale ticket, enjoy the insanity.