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North Philly isn't so bad. I'm used to South Street, but this had quaint shops and eateries as well.

So let's talk about the show.

Johnny Brenda's is a new bar in an old area. It's actually quite nice on the inside, especially upstairs where the very tiny stage sits in a corner of the room. There were two pub style tables with six stools and everyone else had to stand. Fortunately, my crew snagged a table and stole a stool, so the four of us had seats only five feet from the stage.

Doors opened at 8:30. A "band" (and I use that term very lightly) called "Bears in Heaven" were the openers for "The National." Maybe it was the fact that it was nearly 100 degrees in the venue, maybe it was the fact that this "band" didn't come out on stage until 10:30...I didn't like their "music" at all. I hope everyone else did. I hope I was just being a hot, irritable snot. I couldn't understand a word the singer said and I should have been able to catch it since every single song consisted of echoing vocals. Aside for behaving as though he had stepped into a cave for the first time, he also was doing something on possibly a keyboard. But to me it amounted to pushing the demo button on a cheap Casio. The mustache on guitar strummed so furiously that his entire right arm swung back like he were hitting a golf club. Every single time he strummed the guitar he would swing his arm back. I don't know what he thought he was doing, but it added nothing to the sound or quality of their performance. The man dressed from head to toe in white (white t-shirt and white denim) also did some sound mixing casio demos.

Hold your horses, this isn't all bad. Their drummer and bassist were excellent. The music all had a great beat that you could really get into So to you two guys, I'd say...start new with another band and leave that "band."

And now for the main act.

"The National" didn't get set up on stage until 11:20-ish. By that time I was literally sweating like a football player in the heat of a game. I was disgusting myself. And every man in that room was dripping with sweat. Horrible.

But.

"The National" turned everything around for this sardine, because I was entranced by their performance. They are incredible on albums, but seeing them live was an experience like no other. This might well have been my favorite performance of all the indie bands I have seen. I can't put it on the top of the list due to the insane amount of time waiting for the band to play and the sauna-like venue.

They are out on tour to support their new album Boxer which is just freaking awesome.

Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Bryan Devendorf, and Scott Devendorf are five of the most amazingly talented musicians I have ever seen. They switch off at each song and trade instruments. And man are there instruments...guitar, bass, piano and drums, with brass, woodwinds, strings, and organs. Each member handling multiple different parts of the show. If you get a chance to see them, do it, it's awesome. They are currently on their way up to Canada.

The National - "Racing Like A Pro" (mp3)

Buy their music!

Labels: Johnny Brendas, The National

Well it will be part of the afternoon and into the evening...and a late night.
We're heading up to North Philly for two super fun reasons.

1. The Art Star Gallery is having a craft fair type thing and I'm covering the piece for VENUS. If y'all head up that way you should stop by this weekend at some point. They are open until 7 p.m. today.

2. The National is playing at Johnny Brenda's and we've got four tickets! Fun times, I am super psyched. I hope they play "Green Gloves" but anything will be awesome!

Grab the "Green Gloves" mp3 above...

And here are some other fun tracks for ya!

Chemistry - "About You" (mp3)

Spoon - "Chips and Dip" (mp3)

Labels: Chemistry, music, The National