Setlist

The Official Music Magazine of the University of Pennsylvania Spring 2010

Slow
Dance
Chubby
 in this issue...
from the editor... plagiariasm
05
editor-in-chief: They say that spring is a time for rebirth. Our winter coats have been put away, the air
David Faber has gradually started to warm up, and green and goldenrod have replaced gray and
layout/design editor:
Anna-Lara Cook
brown as the dominant colors of the season. Yes, readers, spring is upon us, and I, like
many of you, could not be happier. The long nightmare that is the Philadelphia winter
has finally ended; dawn has broken and life has again begun, renewed.
in the USA
web-editor:
Rafe Pilling The world of music, too, has started to come out of its winter doldrums and embrace

summer:
business manager:
the change that’s happening. For months, ever since the weather took a downward

06
Rick Ganz turn, the same, stale old songs have dominated the radio and our iPods. But this static
state has recently thawed, as these have begun to be replaced with new crops, the
fresh results of a long winter spent hibernating in the studio. As in life, it is a time for
renewal. tours, albums, festivals
And while spring may have come and gone quickly, it set the stage for the most
exciting time of year for all music fans: the summer.

08 FLING!
Mirroring the quickly accelerating pace of life, the arrival of summer can only mean
one thing: new music, and lots of it. And not only in the form of new albums (though
there are plenty of those); summer tours are kicking off, summer festivals have begun
in earnest, and new artists have started to present themselves to the world. Like no
other season, summer brings with it the best in music.
Setlist Magazine was
produced Adobe
InDesign CS3, Adobe The temptation of summer lingering there only a few short weeks away has all of us

slow dance
Photoshop CS2, and here at Setlist salivating with anticipation, and we hope that you share our enthusiasm;
Microsoft Office 2007.
but even if you are merely looking forward to summer vacation as a break from school,

10
Fonts used in this
magazine include: Segoe we know you’ll be excited to know what’s out there. Our best writers have done their
UI, Constantia, and Hand homework, finding the best of what the summer of 2010 has to offer, and we are

chubby:
of Sean. Colors used in proud to present that here to you. Inside you’ll find previews of the biggest tours,
this book are standard
Process CMYK colors. This albums, and music festivals headed your way, as well as a look at a campus band that
magazine was printed by is poised for the big time.
ACS Publishing. Photos
on page 12 were taken by
Wherever you end up this summer, take the opportunity to explore the music around
spotlight on a
penn band
Anna-Lara Cook using a
Canon EOS Rebel XS. The you. Though we have done our best, there are thousands more opportunities than
staff of Setlist Magazine what we have been able to describe in these pages, and we encourage you to seek
would like to thank the
University of Pennsylvania
out the best and uncover something new. Leaving school with four months until the
for its recognition of our start of your next class is one of the most liberating feelings a student can have. We’ve This
magazine. been reborn – make the most of it!
publication is

02
David Faber
Editor-In-Chief
SAC
FUNDED Spring 2010
03
Florence + the Machine by Rafe Pilling
Plagiarism (Miley didn’t write this one) ensured that every
note of the song could be within the same scale. In
lay terms, this strategy renders dissonance nearly
impossible, and proves that a catchy tune can be

in the
Soul. That’s what I want when I hear music. Even if you can’t sing or play your instrument, at least give me some
mathematically calculated.
soul. It’s that passion that makes music worth listening to and it is hard to come by. Lucky for us, Florence + The Machine
The first chord of “Party in the U.S.A.” is

USA
have got it. All you have to do is listen. (And don’t worry, they can sing and play their instruments quite well).
built from the tonic, or first scale note. Next comes
Led by singer Florence Welch, this UK group is a mix of indie and pop, catchy hooks settled in a wonderfully rich,
the subdominant, or fourth scale note, which leads
diverse soundscape. The band is not at all confined to the classic indie ensemble, as they explore all different sorts of
away from the tonic. The final chord (dominant), is
sounds. What really sets this band apart, though, are Welch’s amazingly powerful vocals. On each track she beautifully
build off the fifth scale note, and leads back to the
belts, as her voice takes control of every tune and makes it something special. I have to think it impossible to listen to
tonic. The progression is derived from the circle
this band and not just want to get up, dancing and singing your heart out.
of fifths, meaning the three roots are an ascending
Florence + the Machine first gained attention from NME after touring with bands such as Glasvegas and Friendly
fourth or descending fifth away from each other.
Fires, and in 2009 released the EP A Lot of Blood. A Lot of Love. It included both the single “Dog Days Are Over” and a
Together, they encompass the all major scale notes
brilliant cover of Cold War Kids’ “Hospital Beds.” Later that summer the first full-length album, Lungs, was released to
in the tonic key. Miley’s melody is simply icing
glowing reviews, eventually reaching the number one position on the UK charts. Filled with more of what made the EP
on the cake. She arpeggiates between the first,
so great, pounding vocals and great arrangements, the band did not hesitate to venture into new territory, exploring a
third, and fifth scale degrees - notorious for their
darker side then their first release.
This April, Florence + the Machine came stateside for their first US tour and it began right here in Philadelphia by Emily Orrson high degrees of consonance. The result? A million
dollar opportunity to promote her new Wal-Mart
with a sold out show at The TLA. The stage was draped in floral tapestries and filled with all different sorts of instruments,
On July 29th, 2009, an unauthorized clothing line with Max Azria. And a six month stint
from guitars to harps. As the lights came down, the room was still for only an instant before Welch’s voice tore through
internet leak electrified teens across the country in the hearts of American teenagers.
the silence and the audience erupted. What was so shocking was that Florence + The Machine was able to take their
with the knowledge that cowboy boots could not The I, IV and V chords are notorious for their
songs, already so full of energy, and infuse them with even more. People were belting and dancing throughout the
keep them from Hollywood. Miley Cyrus’ hit, easy popularity, and have been the foundation of
entirety of the show, as the music took held of the crowd and wouldn’t let go. The concert was so filled with energy that
“Party in the U.S.A.,” flooded the international pop music since the beginning. Ritchie Valens’ “La
as it ended all I could do was walk away laughing, in a sort of daze, amazed with what I had just seen.
music scene, topping Billboard charts three months Bamba,” Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone,” and
Luckily for all of their fans, the band already has plans for a second album, with two of the tracks already
later, depressing music majors everywhere, and The Beatles “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” are
recorded. Due out in 2011, Welch said in an interview with NME the new album will be much more scientific, at least in
finishing as Hollywood Records’ fastest selling all built around a I-IV-V circular progression. And
terms of influence. Until then, go out and give Florence + The Machine a listen to discover a great new artist courtesy
single. the list goes on -- even further back than The Isley
of our friends from across the pond.
As country songwriter Harlan Howard Brothers’ “Twist and Shout,” and Chip Taylor’s

history of man-made sounds

once said, “All you need to write a country song
is three chords and the truth.” But if so, the truth
here is decidedly frightening. Supported by the
by Rick Ganz undying adoration of Disney fans and sorority
800 B.C. The stomp: caveman first steps foot out of cave and causes earthquake. The continents girls, “Party in the U.S.A.” is the musical equivalent
appear. Hell yeah! of a boiled and bland garden-variety cabbage. Its
vapid, lackluster lyrics are banal and materialistic,
400 B.C. The grunt: Neanderthals from the northeast region start war against those of the south; and the amplified bass drills its listeners with an
they grunt.
endless repetition of the same three chords. From
0 B.C.A.D. (cause it don’t matter) The awwww. Jesus is born to an adoring crowd. Amen. a musical perspective it is decidedly dull, and
painfully similar to hundreds of other Top 40 hits.
615 A.D. The round of applause. Sliced bread invented. To be fair, one could argue that Miley’s
message appeals to the Nashville brunette in us
1215 A.D. The sneeze. Lilacs are planted from India and everyone has allergies.
all, innocently optimistic and blind to the Botox
1492 A.D. The high-five. Columbus discovers America, dude! Hell yeah! and cocaine of Hollywood. Being a young star in
L.A is nerve wracking, and our homesick heroine is
1520 A.D. The crack. First cricket game results in a cracked bat. a psychological victim in a sea of stilettos. Instead
of deriving confidence from self esteem and sense
1812 A.D. The boom. Star-Spangled Banner written to commemorate large explosions. Ka-boom!
of worth, we can rely on the fact that somewhere,
1875 A.D. The voi-la. Italians create pizza for the first time in Brooklyn, NY with some basil on the some radio station will be playing that Jay-Z
side. song.
Thankfully, we need not draw larger
1902 A.D. The bam. First home run in major league baseball. conclusions about the sanity of the American public
1951 A.D. The shot heard round the world is heard round the world. Bobby Thompson jacks a from the explosive success of this pedestrian party
walk-off homer. song. There is a method behind the madness.
“Party in the U.S.A.” capitalizes on the oldest trick
2010 A.D. Silence. Everyone is in awe of this Setlist issue. Word. in music theory history. By drawing three chords
04 from their adjacent positions in the circle of fifths,
Setlist Magazine Lukasz Gottwald
“Wild Thing” (both of which order the chords I-IV-
V-IV). But “Party in the U.S.A.” is a musical ponzi
scheme. Miley simply stole a paragraph from the
pages of pop music history and regurgitated it
with a flashier music video and patriotic edge. She
took previous investments, and provided the same
material as payment in return. An easy strategy
for a short-term pay-off.
This is not to say that Miley doesn’t deserve
some credit -- her song has been wildly successful
and well-received. There is something to be said for
the structure and functionality of the triumvirate
chord trick, and there exists a degree of respect
for the age-old recipe. However, “the chick who’s
rockin kicks” has stomped out rational perspective
with her raging popularity, and this veneration can
only go so far without a kick from reality.
As students across the country put their
hands up for playing a song, the resentment of
bitter musicians still lingers. At least we can find
some solace in the fact that this is not all our fault,
and that Miley Cyrus has never actually listened
to a Jay-Z song. There is plagiarism and musical
trickery at work here that renders the average
listener helpless. It seems we are just innocent
victims of a Cyrus chicanery.
05
Spring 2010
on the road again... by David Faber

For some of us, summer is at time to travel, criss-cross the globe, and see the sights. For others, it’s a time to return home,
spend time with the family, and maybe make a few bucks. For others, it’s both. But wherever you happen to spend your
summer, one thing is for sure: you won’t be far from a great live show. Some of the biggest names in music have hit the
road for the summer of 2010, and with so many options, it may be hard to choose just one. Here’s what’s coming your
way:
it’s HOT
2010’s most anticipated summer albums
Though there are many things to look forward to about the summer, without a doubt one of the best is the summer
by David Faber

blockbuster. And not just movies either; scoring a hit summer album is the peak of success in the music industry, garnering
Dave Matthews Band attention, radio airplay, and, perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to make more music in the future. So who will
May 28 – September 15 (49 dates) become this year’s hottest summer artist? Well, we can’t predict the future, but here’s what we’re excited for:
Tickets: $40-75
The boys of summer are at it again, this time with a four-month, 49-date national tour that includes a headlining gig at LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening, May 18
Tennessee festival Bonnaroo on June 13. Lead singer Dave Matthews and his band have made a habit of spending the Scoring a hit album is tough. Repeating that success with a second hit album is nearly impossible. But three hit albums?
summer on the road, becoming the highest grossing artist on tour of the past decade. The numbers don’t lie; this show is Well, it hasn’t happened yet to LCD Soundsystem, but if history is our guide, it’s a near certainty. Their first two albums
better every time. have garnered near-universal praise, and their upbeat dance tracks are a staple of any DJs most played list. If you don’t
know of them yet, you will.
John Mayer – The Battle Studies Tour
July 16 – September 11 (34 dates) Drake – Thank Me Later, June 15
Tickets: $36-75 Since exploding on to the scene with “Best I Ever Had” in summer 2009, Drake’s meteoric rise to prominence has
It’s no secret John Mayer puts on a great show. Last time he came to Philly, he invited a young boy on stage to play guitar surprisingly come without his release of a studio album. Well, that’s about to change with his release of Thank Me Later,
with him in front of 20,000 screaming fans. But just when you thought he couldn’t get any better, when the spring leg of one of this year’s most highly anticipated summer releases. First single “Over” is already flying up the charts, and with the
his tour finished up in April, Mayer decided he hadn’t had enough. And so the multiple Grammy-winning artist added an backing of Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment behind him, this one could be huge.
additional 34 dates to his tour, instantly melting the hearts of fans everywhere.
Eminem – Recovery, June 22
Rihanna – Last Girl On Earth Tour Originally planned to be a sequel to 2009’s platinum and Grammy winning Relapse, his newest album Recovery has turned
April 16 – August 28 (58 dates) out to be anything but. Already voted the most anticipated album of 2009 by XXL magazine (when it was first scheduled to
Tickets: $25-100 be released), Eminem’s seventh studio album has a lot of history to live up to and a lot of excited fans waiting to hear his
Despite the ominous sounding title, the packed arenas for Rihanna’s tour in support of her latest album, Rated R, are sure latest creation. Can he deliver for an unprecedented seventh time? We think yes.
to showcase the antithesis of her tour’s name. With her fifth number one song in as many years still riding high on the
charts, she’ll have a lot to show off on stage. Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D., Vol. 2, Release Date TBA
Though they are currently in the midst of an 11 month, 94 date world tour, the world’s most popular band isn’t slowing
U2 - 360⁰ Tour down. In fact, they’re accelerating. After last summer’s The E.N.D. spawned an unbelievable four top 10 singles (three
US Leg: June 3 – July 19 (16 dates) of which rose to number 1), The Peas are set to release the sequel to their massive success from less than one year ago
Tickets: $30 – 250 sometime this summer. Look for the album’s lead single in the next few weeks.
Though they started last summer and have completed both a European and North American leg already, global icons U2
are back for a second round. Their show is unlike anything you have ever seen, a giant show-in-the-round where no seat in Maroon 5 – Hands All Over, TBA
the arena is a bad one. Tickets are a hot commodity if they haven’t sold out already. Maroon 5? Who? Yes, the band that brought you hits like “This Love,” “Harder to Breathe,” and “Makes Me Wonder” is

better than Woodstock

finally set to burst back onto the stage after a near three-year absence. Their return, however, is bittersweet; lead singer
Adam Levine has hinted that the album will probably be the band’s last. Better get this one while you still can.

by Lee Marcus

Mimicking the peace, unity and love that made
1969’s Woodstock such a powerful event in
American culture is a lofty goal. Throughout the
past decade, though, music festivals have rose in
popularity as event planners seek an eclectic mix
of bands and even more massive crowds. The
following four events are some of the premier
music festivals in North America.ton to Austin
City Limits in Austin, Texas. Music festivals have
gained in popularity as Americans seek a sense of
community through the love of music.
Bonnaroo, June 10-13, 2010
This four-day bash on a 700-acre farm in Manchester,
Tennessee has arguably the greatest variety of bands, ranging
from Philadelphia’s own Dr. Dog to classic rock legend John
Fogerty. A 4-day pass includes music and comedy, a campsite
(nearly 70,000 of the 75,000 “Rooers” sleep in tents on one
part of the farm), and an amazing community experience
(everyone loves living like a Hippie!). 2010 headliners include
Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z,
and Weezer.
Summerfest, June 24-July 4, 2010
Inauguarted in 1968, Summerfest takes place in a 75-acre
park in Milwaukee. Over 700 bands perform on 11 stages
throughout the festival’s 11 days. Also included are fireworks,
local vendors, and other special events. Summerfest
holds the Guiness World Record for biggest music festival,
attracting between 800,000 and 1 million people each year.
The organizers mix local and national talent and provide
something for everyone, no matter age or music interests.
2010 headliners include Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,
311, Eric Clapton, O.A.R., the Roots, and Modest Mouse.
Lollapalooza, August 6-8, 2010
Three days of music in Grant Park, Chicago amplify Chi-town’s
already impressive music scene. Focusing on alternative,
hip-hop, and punk bands, and peppering the scene with
comedy and dance groups, Lallapalooza is a performing arts
heaven. The festival started in 1991 and helped raise the
popularity of now-famous acts like Pearl Jam and the Red
Hot Chili Peppers. 2010 headliners include Green Day, Lady
Gaga, Arcade Fire, the Strokes, and Phoenix.

06 07
Setlist Magazine Spring 2010
 wet dogg flung Onstage
fling under april showers
by Rivky Mondal
There are few things in this world not involving free booze or official Penn
scarves that could get a horde of a few thousand college kids to spend hours in arctic
temperatures and freezing rain. Yet there are even fewer instances where you have
Shwayze, Kid Cudi, and Snoop Dogg all performing on the same night, on the same
stage, and before the same waterlogged, yet adrenalized, mass of college students.
Some claim that it was Shwayze’s pelvic thrusts that made it all worth it. It could
also have been Shwayze’s performance of “Rich Girls” that got the entire audience to
simultaneously think “Screw it,” and throw off their ponchos to get in some bump
‘n’ grind. The duo performed “Buzzin” and “Sally is A...” among other songs from
their recent albums. Though by the end of Shwayze’s performance the crowd was
growing restless, and the numerous boos accumulated, threatening to drown out the
applause.
Yet cheers and jeers subsided to a murmur when two jets of light streaming
from the headlights of a Lincoln Navigator - a vehicle that is the very epitome of
brolic might I add - pierced the darkness of Franklin Field. Everyone knew it; Cudi
had arrived. Kid Cudi (otherwise known as Mr. Extravagant, Moon Man, or as I prefer,
“Super-cut-lery-alistic-leaner-ala-docis”) wasted no time with introductions and
launched into “Soundtrack to My Life” for his opening song. He jumped, skipped,
bopped, and skidded across that stage, doing it all, mind you, in his trademark pair of
skinny jeans. When he pointed to the audience and smirked, they exploded in shouts
and applause. When he screamed “Kid,” we returned with “Cudi.” “You’re here for ME!”
he announced to the crowd, a declaration that could be interpreted as that of an
egomaniac, which Cudi has every right to be. Cudi performed hits like “Day n’ Nite,”
“Pursuit of Happiness,” “Enter Galactic,” along with lesser known joints like “Sky Might
Fall” and “Alive” featuring Ratatat.
When the concert’s main act Snoop Dogg came on, the audience’s energy and
marijuana levels skyrocketed. Overall, Snoop lived up to his title as a seasoned rap
veteran, providing a solid performance that captured the audience the entire time.
Songs included classics like “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Gin and Juice.” Snoop Doggy
Dogg wasn’t all jokes though; he left the crowd with the words, “Peace, love, and soul,”
not to mention the sagely advice to brush your teeth, thank God, and smoke weed.
08
Setlist Magazine
This year I got to play in the quad during Fling
with my band, Colonel Mustard and the Foreign
Policy. This was the second time we’d played Fling,
but I didn’t expect the experience I got this year.
Even after practicing our setlist enough to make
me sick, playing it live in the quad still showed me
different and surprising things about the music I
was playing, and really let me have an interesting
and exciting experience as a performer.
Friday afternoon, we got to the quad and
loaded our stuff out of the car only to find our set
pushed back half an hour to 3:00. I appreciated
the extra time, since we could play when more
people were at the quad and I could see the samba
ensemble, but it’s always hard when you’re ready
to go and someone tells you to wait. It’s even
harder when you start to relax, and then you get a
text from ten minutes before you’re supposed to
be at the stage that you need to be at the stage
NOW. Logistic hiccups aside, by the time we got
all set up onstage, I was ready to play.
The last band wasn’t much of a crowd pleaser,
so I was looking out at a pretty barren upper quad.
It didn’t faze me; I saw the same situation last year.
After a last minute change to our first song, Pascal
clapped his sticks to count us in, and the first notes
of Paparazzi rang out over the quad. Immediately
the crowd changed. People walked up to the stage,
hearing a familiar song, but not quite being able to
put their finger on what it was. Then Garret started
into the lyrics, and as recognition swept over the
crowd I heard their voices coming together into
one big “WOOOOOO!!!!” There’s really nothing
better than to be up there playing and to get that
by Kevin Shapiro
instant, inarticulate but still vivid feedback of a
screaming crowd. By the end of our first song, we
had drawn a pretty sizeable crowd to the stage.
We rode that wave for a few more songs.
Then, we got to introduce our guest vocalist Sam.
We had practiced a little jam fill the time while she
was coming on stage, but it had a totally different
feeling when we played it live. We didn’t plan on
it being this way, but it felt like we were playing
her theme music. I was totally taken aback, in the
best way possible, to see the exact same music
take on a new context on stage. And that was just
a minute long break between songs.
For our next (and what would be our last)
song, we totally hit the brakes and played Killing
Me Softly. It’s really empty: a bare bones, drum
and vocals song, and Sam and Pascal made it
sound full. I think it had something to do with
the natural reverb in an enclosed space like the
quad, but that’s up for debate. What I do know is
that it sounded so much better than it ever did in
practice.
I was loving every second of our set, and I
was ready to close it out with Love in This Club, but
we got the sign that our time was up. We pleaded
with the stage manger to let us play one more;
the whole crowd was chanting “One More Song!
One More Song!,” but the fling staffers didn’t care,
and so faced with the choice of leaving peacefully
or getting our mics cut, we started to tear down.
Even as we packed everything away, the crowd was
still screaming for us, and I got to leave the stage
feeling proud of our performance. As a performer,
that’s the only thing I really need.
09
Spring 2010
 chubby
slowdance
Sometimes all it takes to get a band
practice going is a couple of Philly cheesesteaks.
Riley McCluskey, lead singer of the all freshman
band Slow Dance Chubby, enters the room with a
brown paper bag, the aluminum foiled sandwiches
poking out like silver nuggets, and proceeds to
toss them out to his band members. “Way to get
me one, man!” says Tom Krane, the band’s rhythm
guitar and back-up vocals, as he cradles his guitar,
strumming away. Though Slow Dance Chubby’s
success does not lie entirely in its cheesesteaks, the
band’s recent signing with Wanted Records and
their impressive repertoire of venerable modern
rock influences (not to mention their boyish good
looks) prove that this tongue-in-cheek group of
guys is a force to be reckoned with.
When asked to sum up the essence of Slow
Dance Chubby in three words, the band answered
with “Raw Sex Appeal,” “Jungle Juice Induced,”...
and “Slow Dance Chubby.” “We like to think of
ourselves as a funny band,” says Krane, “But Riley
is the one with the most personality. He’s like the
best frontman I’ve ever had, but his voice is always
gone because he’s such a party animal.” McCluskey
was once part of a comedy band, with a sense of
humor comparable to the HBO show “Flight of the
Conchords.” According to Krane, McCluskey just
“came along” when the band started off as a group
of guys just looking to jam.
“This band is kind of my brainchild,” explains
Krane. “I spent all of NSO asking people if they were
musical. Then I found Mark [Kane, bass], and our
mutual friend was Aaron [Kirkbride, lead guitar].
And Luben [Li, drums] is my roommate.”
The band is not, however, just a group of
haphazardly tossed together hoodlums with no
experience and no knowledge of musical history.
Krane was a member of a signed band back in
www.myspace.com/slowdancechubbymusic
www.facebook.com/slowdancechubby
by Rivky Mondal
the motherland of LA, until the record company
went bankrupt and his band got dropped. As for
the other guys, they were all avid members of the
music scene in their respective high schools.
But now, with broken up bands and high
school in the past, it looks like Slow Dance Chubby
is soaring headlong into something big with its
signed record deal and four gigs and counting.
They’ve played Marbar twice, Coachella, and
South by Southwest. Did I mention they played
the Freshman Formal with a recorded 729 member
audience? “I guess that means we’re legit,” as a Slow
Dance Chubby Facebook group status proclaims.
Yes, Setlist can agree that this group is oh-
so-legit given its musical influences: with Kings of
Leon taking the lead, we’ve got John Mayer, the
White Stripes, Radiohead, and, you guessed it,
Lady Gaga. They’ve been known to cover Kings of
Leon and MGMT songs during their gigs, but as
for the artist to invite for a chill jam session, it’s
John Mayer all the way.
One would think that the boys would let
the record deal, the shows, the growing fan base,
and drug-induced hotel orgies (but that’s “off the
record” as the boys like to say) get to their heads,
but it’s just the opposite. “It’s nice to see people
that we don’t recognize in the audience, when
it was usually just our friends coming to see our
shows in the past,” says Krane.
If the guys continue to beast shows, stay true
to their modern rock roots, and remain the down
to earth fellas we groupies - I mean, fans – fell in
love with, they will surely go down in Penn music
history. As for the meaning behind the name “Slow
Dance Chubby,” the band suggests that readers
urbandictionary it; you might just get a rise out of
it.
11
Spring 2010
 JM
ohn ayer
21 February 2010
by Emily Orrson
From the opening chords of “Heartbreak Warfare,” John Mayer held a captivated
audience. Dressed in all black and veiled by a screen of projected colors, Mayer’s profile was
revealed as the partition receded and a chock-full Wachovia Center forgot that this was the
man who had referred to his penis as a “white supremisist.”
Although the 32-year old guitarist may be best known for his celebrity girlfriends and
tabloid prescence, Mayer is first and foremost a fantastic musician and dynamic performer.
Tracks from his new CD Hearbreak Warfare such as “Perfectly Lonely” and “Half of my Heart”
thrilled fans in a lyrical release of emotional shrapnel and virtuosic display of blues guitar.
These cuts were mixed with old favorites like “Waiting on the World to Change” and “Gravity,”
which showcased Mayer’s high profile popularity and delighted fans.
But Mayer’s Playboy transgressions still seethed underneath a guise of veneration and
excitement, and the artist seemed eager to rectify his offenses. He catered specifically to the
audience, repeatedly thanking them for their support and adoration. In a touching gesture,
Mayer called up 11-year old Austin Christy to play “Belief,” and let Christy keep the red Squier
guitar he borrowed for the duet. Mayer even made a point of turning to sing to the unfortunate
audiencemembers seated in his periphereal vision, and cavalierly joked “see you all on chat
roulette later tonight!”
“I’m so thankful to be your ace in the hole,” Mayer told the crowd before an encore
featuring “Who Says.” “These are not just tickets anymore, they’re in your wallet, in your back
pocket, in your dresser drawer,” he continued, indicating that his loyalty lay with the audience,
not their money. Inspired, elated, and satisfied, smitten fans left Wachovia in love all over
again, and it seems the feeling was mutual. A few hours after the show, Mayer tweeted, “8 out
of 8 band members agree, Philly is always an awesome show. XO J.”
12
Setlist Magazine
Coheed & Cambria
science fiction and music? by Amanda Urena
On April 14th, Coheed & Cambria’s Year of the Black Rainbow was the number
2 album after its release the day before. Well known for their heavy metal and
progressive rock sound, as well as lead singer Claudio Sanchez and his famous hair,
all of Coheed and Cambria’s albums are concepts based on “The Armory Wars” series,
science fiction stories written by Sanchez. The name of their newest album, their fifth,
was taken from the book “Year of the Black Rainbow” that was written as a prequel to
the series alongside Peter David.
This album was long awaited for three years, so the band had to live up to their
name with this work. Unfortunately, they missed the mark. It is a bit disappointing, but
it is hard to expect similarly great albums from a band after their earlier successes.
There is some variation in this album that does make it interesting, such as
Claudio Sanchez using a new screaming technique, which is normally associated with the screamo genre. This album tried to
add hooks, but it just doesn’t have the same effect as on previous albums.
The music of this album was not inspiring like the music of the past. It is even harder to treat this album as a separate
entity because it is part of a structured series of stories and concepts.
The album does deserve some credit because the technical guitar skill is still there. The only thing missing is Sanchez’
voice, a letdown because this album lacks the passion of previous ones. In songs like “Pearl of the Stars,” this can especially
be seen in the weak background music. Going acoustic for this song may have been a better touch.
The difficulty every band faces in trying to get past previous success and produce even greater albums is sometimes
insurmountable. With this in mind, Coheed and Cambria have fallen short of their previous work, producing an album
that is just okay. But for those fans that are still loyal, the album did hit the top of the charts, which makes it a worthwhile
purchase.
Wesdogg
by Lee Marcus
rapped up at penn
Rap music evolved lyrical verse complimented with African rhythm into so-called
“gangsta rap” that dominated the late 1980s and early 1990s. But that was nearly
twenty years ago. And that’s what makes Wesdogg’s My Low Rider so refreshing: it’s a
new type of style (shall we call it east-west?), that’s clever, creative, and even comical.
The album opens with “My Low Rider,” immediately demonstrating Wesdogg’s
musical ability. It’s variety of influences are intriguing, and the raps showcase Wesdogg’s
lyrical skill, flowing smoothly with the captivating rhythm. Perhaps what makes the
album so impressive is Wesdogg’s ability to dissolve his words in a backdrop of
fresh beats. When you listen to “Buy You a Walrus” it’s impossible not to admire the
creativity: “Take a look at a map / buy any country there is / be like Jolie and adopt a
couple kids.”
It’s easy to relate to Wesley Skold, an 18-year-old UPenn freshman from Maine, because he is unique. We all are,
after all, but Skold is different than most rappers. He combines elements from early hip-hop performers such as the Sugarhill
Gang with the lyrical skill seen in the likes of B.O.B.
Some rappers are afraid to take risks; Wesdogg is the antithesis. “Bass Booming,” builds respect; what other artist
politely raps about dancing with women? Sure, he has some of the arrogance of other rappers and boasts a “VIP necklace,”
but he makes it clear that the “ladies look nice.” They’re not hos or bitches, they’re ladies; and they look nice, not hot or
banging. Wesdogg seizes respect, both as a musician and as a gentleman.
“Getting My Rhyme On” is an informative track that explains how to spell Wesdogg’s name, emphasizing that it’s
“one word, two G’s.” While the track is better suited to a mixtape, it signals the transition from expected rap and R&B to an
eclectic fusion of musical styles.
“Baby Gangsta” begins with a reggae chorus, and Wesdogg’s rap travels from Los Angeles’ alternative west coast
style to that of New York’s east coast by song’s end. “You and Me” is the album’s slowest song, an18-year-old asking a girl
out through the medium of rap, and showcases Blake Hawley’s ability to mix jazz and funk on guitar, complimenting the slow,
personal seduction of Wesdogg’s music.
Wesdogg’s first ablum, My Low Rider, is clearly a sign of good things to come. It showcases a fusion of international rhythms,
musical skill, and lyrical cunning. If a coming album can be a bit more fluid, Wesdogg’s creativity and
talent will bring him to even greater heights. 13
Spring 2010
 Broken Bells
don’t ring by Amanda Urena
summer 2010:
Friday, May 21, 2010
Fans of The Shins would say that lead singer James Mercer is similar to Midas in that Coheed and Cambria, Circa Survive, Torche – Electric Factory
anything that he touches turns into gold; this is not the case, however, with the new self-
titled album from his side project Broken Bells. Despite the album being less than stellar, Monday, May 24, 2010
though, it is still worth a listen. Flobots, Champagne Champagne – The Trocadero Theater
Expectations were so high for this album because of the success of other artists’ side
projects (such as The Postal Service, side project of Ben Gibbard, lead singer of Death Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Cab for Cutie), as well as the talent behind this one. Mercer is one-half of the duo that is

albums...
Holly Miranda – Kung Fu Necktie
Broken Bells; producer Danger Mouse (real name Brian Burton) forms the missing piece.
James Mercer is best known for his other band, The Shins, who have enjoyed success and Thursday, May 27, 2010
popularity ever since their formation in 1997. Imogen Heap – Tower Theater
If you are expecting The Shins, on first hearing you’ll be a bit disappointed. This is an album you need to go into without any
preconceived notions of what it may sound like. The album is not bad if you give it a second chance with a different mind set.
Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain – Keswick Theater Week of May 16
Band of Horses – Infinite Arms
It is obvious that Mercer is trying to deviate from the alternative-folksy music that he is normally associated with. He Saturday, May 29, 2010 The Black Keys – Brothers
had begun deviating from his sound while with The Shins on the albums Oh’ Inverted World and Wincing the Night Away, Of Montreal, James Husband – Theater of the Living Arts LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening
but the audience could still fully appreciate the music, lyrics, and Mercer’s voice.
Many of the sounds of this album sound recycled, as if pieces of it are taken from elsewhere. “The Ghost Inside” Thursday, June 3, 2010
sounds like the entrance to something Regina Spektor wrote. You also hear a hint of Modest Mouse in “The Ghost Inside” The Guggenheim Grotto – Tin Angel
Week of May 23
as Mercer uses a falsetto. In songs like “Vaporize,” Mercer loses his unique voice and starts to sound like Brandon Flowers of Piles – Goon Affiliated
The Killers. “Mongrel Heart” sounds very much like K-O. Stone Temple Pilots – Stone Temple Pilots
Friday, June 4, 2010
The musical theme is kept throughout the album, but nothing truly arouses the senses. The drumbeats are simple The National, The Antlers – Electric Factory
and tend to sound repetitive. Most songs actually drown out both Mercer’s voice and the lyrics, which is really a shame. The Week of June 6
most experimental part of the album is the end of “Your Head is on Fire,” but the best songs use less of the experimental Saturday, June 5, 2010 Deer Tick – The Dirt Sessions
tricks, including “The High Road” and “The Mall and Misery.” The National, The Antlers – Electric Factory Hot Hot Heat – Future Beads
This isn’t the distinct “Shins sound” that fans normally identify with; rather, it is a mesh of different sounds that aren’t as “The Roots Picnic” feat. The Roots, Clipse, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Run D.M.C.,
original, but are still worthy of a listen. Vampire Weekend, and others – Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing Week of June 13
Drake – Thank Me Later

Dr. Dog
Sunday June 6, 2010 The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang
by Mike Rubin Broken Bells, The Morning Benders – Electric Factory Rooney – Eureka

bringing the 60s back to life Thursday, June 10, 2010 Week of June 20
I wasn’t lucky enough to be born in the 50’s. I never got to wildly anticipate the Beatles’ or the James Taylor, Carole King – The Wachovia Center Chamillionaire - Venom
Beach Boys’ newest releases. Classic rock, too, was well before my time, and unfortunately The Guggenheim Grotto – Tin Angel Eminem – Recovery
contemporary popular music has shied away from that psychedelic sound I love so much. Diddy – Last Train to Paris
Is there a band today that can satisfy my craving? Why, yes, there is: Philly-based indie band Friday, June 11, 2010
Dr. Dog. 3OH!3, Cobra Starship, I Fight Dragons, Travie McCoy – Festival Pier at
Dr. Dog has been compared to classic rock bands since their inception. Shame, Penn’s Landing
Date TBA
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D. Vol. 2
Shame, their newest album, continues this trend (both a good thing and a compliment).
Maroon 5 – Hands All Over
The first three songs all play like they all belong to other bands: “Stranger” sounds like the Monday, June 14, 2010
Sheryl Crow – 100 Miles from Memphis
Beatles circa Magical Mystery Tour, “Shadow People” does Crosby, Stills & Nash harmonies Eagles, Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban – Citizens Bank Park
Ne-Yo – Untitled
as well as the original, and “Station” belongs on The Band’s Music From Big Pink. All of these
The Strokes - Untitled
cuts are excellent and possess a certain easy-going, highly accessible charm. Dr. Dog may Saturday, June 19, 2010
not seek to challenge, but they do seek to please. Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Easton Corbin, Josh Thompson, Justin Moore,
The rest of the albums’ tracks are mostly hit, with the occasional miss. “Someday” trades a dark, lo-fi verse with Steel Magnolia – Susquehanna Bank Center
an effortlessly catchy chorus. “Where’d All The Time Go?” is an oddly beautiful and peaceful track with a unexpected (and Jill Scott, Maxwell – The Wachovia Center
completely appropriate) guitar solo. These tracks are the album’s highlights, demonstrating that Dr. Dog is capable of writing
pop songs of the highest quality. Only the occasional is not up to snuff or forgettable, the most obvious offender being Sunday, June 20, 2010
“Mirror, Mirror.” The song’s sections and lyrics sound stitched together, creating something less than the sum of its parts. “Bamboozle Road Show” feat. Boys Like Girls, Forever The Sickest Kids,
Both bassist Toby Leaman and lead guitarist Scott McMicken sing lead on the album. Neither would win American Good Charlotte, LMFAO, Simple Plan, Third Eye Blind, and others –
Idol, but their voices suit their material perfectly and contrast nicely. Think Lennon/McCartney or Joe Strummer/Mick Jones Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
of The Clash. The human voice is as much an instrument as a guitar or piano, so hearing two keeps the songs both fresh and
idiosyncratic. Monday, June 21, 2010
I realize that I have mentioned many different bands while attempting to describe the sound of Dr. Dog. While my The New Pornographers, The Dodos, The Dutchess and the Duke –
comparisons are accurate, Dog is not a Beatles or Band clone. Their sound is not revolutionary, but they own it because Trocadero Theater
14 of their gorgeous harmonies and excellent song writing. Shame, Shame perfectly captures the 15
Setlist Magazine free feeling of the 60’s and showcases a fine band at its best. All information courtesy of pollstar.com (for the concerts) Spring 2010