They're a Knockout

Former members of Blue Sinatra and Fantastic Plant are now part of a new evolution, Sonny Knockout. Their first show was at Connie's Ric Rac in the Italian Market in Philadelphia. The biggest difference in this band is leader Greg Harrigan handing lead guitar duties in a tighter, louder-rocking four-piece unit.

Studio magic

The Absolute Zeros invited their fans to Cedar Street Studios in Port Richmond to be included as part of their live recording session. The studio was in a former casket factory so the building was retrofitted with air conditioning and new bathrooms. Since it was an open studio there were no dividers between the mixing board and the band. There were also plenty of extra instruments available to play on as well as some vintage keyboards and an electric organ but was not certain if they still worked. The Zeros played a short set, bebuting a new song. Three Flip cameras captured the visuals.

Sunshine Superman featuring acoustic bass and a singer from Italy performed next. People talked during their set which was not recorded but I still felt it was a little rude considering the venue.

Since it was close to the anniversary of 9/11 a large flag hung above the performance area as you can see below:

A true Legendary venue returns

The second part of my back-to-back trips to Philadelphia featured my first vist to another recently reborn venue. The Legendary Dobbs which was the Pontiac Grill when I visited once before way back in 2004. It was one of the best venues for music in Philadelphia back in the '80s and early '90s and it seems to be trying to be that again. The sound levels were good if a bit loud and the place has a nice vibe to it. The interior is basically the same at it was at the Pontiac with a revamped stage. And like at Grape Street a video screen drops down between bands. I was there to see the Absolute Zeros for the first time since their EP release party back in May. The band had honorary member Joe Randle helping them out on keys and harmonica. Later we hung out wtih some of the bands' friends including a few visiting from Brooklyn and listened to the other bands.

Another Triumph for JAB

I was very happy when I first heard JAB was peforming at Triumph Brewery's New Hope location. They were first there on a Thursday night when I wasn't able to attend, but didn't have to wait very long for them to get a Saturday night gig. I hadn't been to this Triumph in a few years, so I was looking forward to going back. So many good memories there. It was great for the band to have a high-quality sound system and a whole new group of people to experience a band I had gotten to know very well over the years. We were a bit disappointed when many of those new people left after midnight. Still, the JAB regulars who made the trip out there had a great time. Between sets some band members and I helped hand out homemade copies of their second EP featuring favorites "All Amp'd Up," "Big Mama's House" and Les McCann's "Compared To What."