Echo and the Bunnymen

They're back and their new album, The Fountain, hit stores today. Here's their first single, I_Think_I_Need_It_Too.mp3




Check out some reviews:
Guardian
MusicOMH
TheIndependent
BBC



If you're looking to check them out live on their huge tour, they'll be at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA on Nov. 20th, and in NY at the Hammerstien on Nov. 22nd.

McGillin's Old Ale House

From McGillin's press release:

McGillin's Olde Ale House has planned a series of author readings highlighting books that feature McGillin's - from suspense novels to beer guides and from comic books to business how-tos. Share a beer with New York Times best-selling author William Lashner, as well as beer experts, a comic book writer and the doctor of encouragement."Authors, artists and actors have been making their way into McGillin's for nearly 150 years," said Chris Mullins, owner of McGillin's, Philadelphia's oldest continuously operating tavern. "So it's probably not surprising that the tavern has started to make its way into crime novels, beer guides and even comic books. We're thrilled to invite patrons to share a beer with some of this generation's finest authors." McGillin's will host Joe Sixpack, author of Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide: A Reporter's Notes on the Best Beer-Drinking City in America, Lew Bryson, author of Pennsylvania Breweries, Duane Swierczynski, author of "The Punisher" comic book, William Lashner, author of Blood & Bones and Dr. Lewis Losoncy, author of Early Poppers: Growing when the Heat is On. The author events, held at 6 p.m. on a series of Tuesday nights throughout August and September, are complimentary. Moreover, pints of McGillin's 1860 IPA will be reduced to $2 pint during the events. Details follow:

Joe Sixpack, Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer GuideDebut of McGillin's 1860 IPA & Countdown Clock Begins Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Joe Sixpack (a.k.a. Don Russell) will read from his book, Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide: A Reporter's Notes on the Best Beer-Drinking City in America, starting at 6 p.m. The evening will culminate when "Abe Lincoln" (who was elected president the year McGillin's opened) will tap the first firkin of McGillin's 1860 IPA. This beer was created by Stoudt's Brewing for the tavern's upcoming 150th anniversary, which begins in 150 days. In addition, a giant clock will begin counting down to the historic tavern's anniversary celebration, which begins in 2010.
In his Philly Guide, Russell calls McGillin's Olde Ale House "loud, noisy, and fun downstairs, quiet room upstairs, good beer everywhere." He mentions the burgeoning neighborhood-renamed Midtown Village, as well as the list of celebs that frequent the historic tavern. Decorated with its original, 19th-century liquor licenses, the bar has been a favorite lunchtime spot since the Civil War, when it was called The Bell in Hand...Today, it pours a nice range of area microbrews and serves a very affordable menu." Russell, who is also author of A Stocking Full of Beer: The Cheeriest, Tastiest, Most Unusual Beers of Christmas and beer columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, is one of America's best-known beer writers. He has traveled to Belgium, France, Iceland, Israel, Austria, Germany, Norway, the Caribbean and throughout the United States and Canada in search of great beer, and great stories. No cover. Samplings of three beers (McGillin's Real Ale, McGillin's Genuine Lager and the new McGillin's 1860 IPA) for $5. Pints of McGillin's 1860 IPA reduced to $2.

Lew Bryson, Pennsylvania BreweriesTuesday, August 11, 2009
Chat about breweries and brewpubs with beer expert Lew Bryson, starting at 6 p.m. Bryson is author of four regional brewery guides, including PA Breweries, which provides information about 53 of Pennsylvania's breweries and brewpubs. In his book, Bryson calls McGillin's "a great place to have a beer with a buddy or your spouse, and they have some really good stuff on tap." Bryson is the managing editor at Malt Advocate magazine, the country's leading whisky publication and writes for a variety of trade and consumer publications. He also writes about beer, whiskey, and drinking at his blog, "Seen Through A Glass." He was the winner of the 2008 Michael Jackson Beer Journalism Award (trade and specialty media).

Duane Swierczynski, The Punisher Tuesday, August 25, 2009
American crime novelist Duane Swierczynski, who wrote about Frank Castle's escapades in Philadelphia for Marvel Comic's "The Punisher," will sign copies of the newly-published trade paper back starting at 6 p.m. For the comic book, Duane created an historic tavern, called Interesting Times Pub, which was modeled after McGillin's. Swierczynski is the author of several crime thrillers, most recently Severance Package, which he's adapting into a screenplay for Lionsgate Films. He also writes the monthly Marvel series Cable, and has written about Wolverine, the X-Men, Moon Knight, Werewolf By Night and the Immortal Iron Fist. He's the former editor-in-chief of the Philadelphia City Paper.

William Lashner, Blood & BoneTuesday, September 1
New York Times bestselling author William Lashner, will read from Blood & Bone, a book whose characters enjoy a brew at McGillin's, starting at 6 p.m. Lashner is author of seven suspense novels. His Victor Carl novels, which have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have been sold across the globe, include Killer's Kiss, Marked Man, Falls the Shadow, Past Due, Fatal Flaw, Bitter Truth and Hostile Witness.

Dr. Lewis Losoncy, Early Poppers: Growing When the Heat Is OnMotivational Psychologist & the Dr. of EncouragementTuesday, September 8

Experience an inspiring evening of motivation with Dr. Lewis Losoncy, one of the world's leading experts on encouraging yourself and others. His newest book, Early Poppers: Secrets of Self-Starters provides motivational wisdom to lift your spirits and finds humor for dealing with challenges, stress and anxiety. In his book, Dr. Lew cites long-time McGillin's employee, John Doyle, as an example of a superstar of customer service. You will discover the role of courage, attitude, belief, acceptance, optimism and strengths to change your life and become an Early Popper.Dr. Lew has written 22 books on encouragement, attitude, teamwork and motivation. His most recent books are If It Weren't For You, We Could Get Along: How to Stop Blaming and Start Living; The Motivating Team Leader; and Turning People On. He is the motivational psychologist of the L'Oreal Corporation in New York-Paris and has spoken to audiences throughout the world. He has appeared on CNN, CBS This Morning and in Science of Mind, the Wall Street Journal and Psychology Today magazine. Dr. Lew is the founder of Attitude Modification and the developer of Encouragement Therapy. He lives in Center City, and is a committed Phillies fan. Starts 6 p.m.

Psychedelphia

I got to sit down at Chris's Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia just as Psychedelphia was setting up shop. I was excited to check them out based on their name and venue alone, but I wasn't sure what variety of jazz/psychedelic music I was going to get. When they took the stage, what I ended up getting was a well-organized, tonally pleasing jam-band that managed to skirt past predictability without getting inaccessable. Think of a less over-ambitious Phish, with Greatful Dead major chord optimism and an occasional splash of King Crimson-esque segeuways and time signatures. Not willing to let these guys slip by, I cought up with lead guitarist Kenn Mogul after the show, for a chat.


MM: Who are all the band members? How long have you guys been playing together?
Kenn: Alden Parker plays rhythm guitar, John Olsen plays bass, Adam Pasqual plays drums. We’ve been together since last August.

MM: How did you guys get started?
Kenn: Alden is from Tennessee. Adam, John, and I are all from the Pottstown area in PA. I got back from a 7 month spiritual retreat. There was an open jazz jam at this venue called Chaplans. We played together at this weekly, free form jam session for a few weeks, and we decided to start working on original material in mid-August'08. Our HQ is this place called the Nuke Farm near the power plant in Limerick.

MM: What are your influences?
Kenn: We have all different influences. The most common amongst us is the Beatles. You probably would HEAR that as much from our finished result though. Alden’s big in to Widespread Panic, Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones, Phish… one of my biggest influences is Steve Kimmock. We have a heavy San Francisco, Denver influence, what we’re doing isn’t really don’t in Philadelphia.

MM: What’s the songwriting process like?
Kenn: I write 95% of the music. I write melodies in my head; I think every melody tells a story, so when I think of something, I write the melodies down with words in story form.

MM: If you don’t mind me asking, can you tell me a little bit about your 7 month spiritual retreat?
Kenn: I had just got out of the band Mogul’s Brew. Some people achieve a decent amount of success, then when the shit hit’s the fan, ya kinda go a little crazy. I sorta went the Jack Kaeroak route, Denver was the first stop. I wrote a lot of songs. Every player has to realize what they’re capable of... And then deal with the fear of what you’re capable of.

MM: Forgive the stereotypical question based on your guys sound an appearance, but… do guys, uh.. partake?
Kenn: That was a big part of the past for a few of us, but we’re all clean now and just enjoy a few beers.

MM: How long have you been playing guitar?
Kenn: I picked it up at ten, and eventually I dropped out of high school to tour with Face Down Angels. My family wasn’t thrilled, but they weren’t terrible about it either--they were just like, “you’ll learn…” and they’re right. I am learning. I know about a million ways to do it wrong, Pychedelphia is my attempt to do it right.

MM: Do you guys have any CD’s to offer?
Kenn: We record all our shows live. We have an EP that we recorded about a month after we started. We’re currently working on an LP that’s half live, half studio.

MM: Have any labels approached you guys?
Kenn: Yea, we’ve been approached a few times but we’re trying to keep it very DIY at the moment. On the horizon, we plan to look for a band to dour with on the east coast, then maybe head out west.

Pychedelphia - Submerged.mp3

Check out Psychedelphia at The Northstar Bar on June 12th, and visit them on: