May 27, 2006
Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida, Musicians
Holiday Inn, Packer Avenue, Sat., May 27, noon.
On Philadelphia: "We've been here once before," says Kenichi Yoshida through an interpreter. "2004, September, played in the store at Tower Records. We got cheesesteaks here. We got a cab and went to-what's it called, with the neon sign? We went to the busier one. When we played here, we had plenty of Japanese audience members, which we were surprised about. We really didn't think there were many Japanese here in Philadelphia. American audiences react quickly to the music, so it's easier for us to play. The reaction is different between the Japanese and the American audiences. The Japanese are more quiet. American audiences, they clap hands between the songs. The biggest impression in Japan of Philadelphia, the biggest thing we know, is Rocky. We've seen it. We liked it."
The Yoshida Brothers III was released in March on Domo Records.
Posted by jfusco at 03:37 PM
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May 24, 2006
Michael Showalter, Comedian
Trocadero, Sat., May 13, 6pm.
On Philadelphia: "I grew up in Princeton and would come to Philly for Mummers parades and Phillies games. I'm a Phillies fan from back in the Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton era, which was a long time ago. I did an M. Night movie here-Signs. I ate a couple of cheesesteaks while here for that. We were filming right outside Philadelphia. I had one scene. It's the scene in the Army recruitment center, and I'm the white-trash guy they think is causing all the trouble. I liked working with him. Philly's a college town, so I'll do some jokes geared to that onstage. My last show here was probably two years ago at the TLA. Now I'm here performing by myself for the first time. I'm very excited."
Michael Showalter is currently on tour with Eugene Mirman and Leo Allen.
Posted by jfusco at 01:31 PM
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May 13, 2006
Ice Cube, Rapper and Actor
Theater of Living Arts, Sat., May 13, 10pm.
On Philadelphia: "I've always had a good Philly audience. I've never had the problems that a lot of people have who say Philly's kind of hardcore, you know. They've always shown me love. I don't know what happened with this promoter this time, but it's still going to be all love. I did the Spectrum once with N.W.A., and it was a memorable day because it was the day one of Dre's brothers got killed, and so it wasn't really that festive and he had to leave. My man, I like Beanie Sigel. Beanie is dope, and Cassidy is dope. I always wanted to go to the Vet before it got knocked down, but I don't know too much about Philly."
Ice Cube's new album Laugh Now, Cry Later will be released June 6.
Posted by jfusco at 01:11 PM
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May 04, 2006
James Hunter, Musician
World Cafe Live, Fri., May 4, 4:30pm.
On Philadelphia: "I've been staying here in Philly since January because the record company is based here. It's been quite hospitable. I grew up in eastern U.K., near the water in a little village. I find the vibe here sort of gentle. My musical influences are Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, and the vocal group the Five Royales, who a lot of people credit with transferring R&B into soul. One of my favorites is Jerry Butler, but his Philadelphia period isn't my favorite. I do get to like that '70s Philly soul stuff more as time goes on. Obviously it's a foreigner's first impression, but people here don't seem to be as much a bunch of bastards as they are everywhere else. People shout out friendly things. Me and my girlfriend, we've only been together a year and we're still at the soppy hand-holding stage, and this young lad shouted out that we made a nice couple, which was just an unnecessarily nice thing to say."
James Hunter's latest CD is People Gonna Talk.
Posted by jfusco at 01:09 PM
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