Dr Sardonicus

Well, a little later than last year, but the Crocuses have started to bloom, maybe this horrible Winter is finally going to be over

I, and quite a few others, braved the cold to see the effervescent Nellie Mckay, at the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center(whew!) She was like a breath of Spring air(which could be a long time coming)

Neko Case, at the Queen, in Wilmington, De. Love seeing great artists close to home. She was excellent, and her band top notch, and because she could see me, and I was behaving myself(well, mostly because she could see me) no photos. Just imagine her and her band in the stage setup shot

My first show of the New Year, the mysterious and magical Cate Le Bon, at the Transfer. The album she released last year, "Micelangelo Dying", was one of my favorites of the year, and her band, as always, was stellar

Shows I saw this year, I visited 7 venues I had never been to before; Argilla Brewing Co., Ting Pavilion, Concert Under the Stars, The Rusty Nail, Kelly's Logan House, Wiggins Park, and City Winery. I also went to a House Show with tickets as opposed to a House Show with a drunken brawl

Merry Christmas!

Since it's that time, my favorite albums of the year, somewhat in order

Built to Spill, at the Transfer, probably my last show of the year, it's nice to go out on a high note(and there were a lot of them) an almost 2 your long guitar extravaganza

I finally got my list of favorites together, so here you go

Saw them when they played the Transfer, great show, interesting conversation, including the fact that Sima and Liam are siblings

Last night, Speedy Ortiz at Johnny Brendas, bringing the heat on a frozen night. If Built To Spill hadn't announced a surprise tour for the end of the year, I would have begun and ended 2025 seeing Speedy

Alright, finally a song I voted for made the XPN 885 Greatest Cover Song Countdown, David Bromberg coming in at 393 with a live version of "Mr. Bojangles. #XPNCountdown

The Beths, at the Transfer, touring in support of their latest album "Straight Line Was A Lie" one of my favorites of this year, great harmonies and they rock hard when they feel the need

And hopefully TRUE covers, there have been a few "covers" done by the original artist, isn't that against the rules

Last night, The Aimee Mann &Ted Leo Christmas Show with Nellie Mckay,Paul F. Tompkins & Josh Gonderman at the City Winery. Songs, skits and general foolishness to get one in the Holiday Spirit

Her dog Arrow, really well behaved, he kept her company but he wasn't much of an accompanist

The Mynabirds, aka Laura Burhenn, at a house show(there's a first time for everything) playing songs from her just released album "It's Ok To Go Backwards If You Keep Moving Forward", her first album in almost 10 years

Wednesday, bringing their psychotic blend of Country, Psychdelica, and Rock to the Transfer. They have a new album out, the excellent "Bleed" and I believe the dolls and stuffed animals represent the setting for a malignant nursery. Unhinged goodness

Daffo, at the Transfer, just got back from touring Europe, sure sounded good for a band who could be suffering jet lag. They're doing all this touring to promote their first album,"Where the Earth Bends", it's really good + inexpensive, only 10 bucks at the merch table, what a deal

Grace Vonderkuhn, Delaware's finest, at the Arden Gild Hall, also promoting a new album, her "Into the Morning", that came out at the end of August. A more savage approach, the drummer ended up drumming the kick drum's mic off of the riser trying to keep up with her

Sug Daniels, at the Arden Gild Hall, doing a mini tour promoting her first album, the just released yesterday "I Believe In You", a diverse collection of songs that displays her many talents well

Flock of Dimes, at JohnnyBrendas, playing their latest album "The Life You Save" in it's entirety, always nice when a band does that, I'm sure to hear my favorite song from it. They finished up with 5 of their best songs from previous albums

Icelandic Enchantment with Of Monsters and Men, at The Met, touring in support of their latest album "All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade"; they closed the show with my fave song from it, the epic "Fruit Bat"

Nice costume, but Trick or Treat was last night

Belly, at the Underground Arts, a little closer this time, made them sound even better, if that's possible

Belly, at the 9:30 Club, touring on the 30th anniversary of their second album "King", my favorite one of theirs. First set was "King" in it's entirety, then after a very short break (about 7 minutes) they came back out for a second set, which was comprised of hits and wonders

I'm at the 9:30 Club to see Belly, it's Howard University's Homecoming, the streets are impassable, mistakes have been made, but this is a new one

Big Thief, at a seriously sold out Met, touring in support of their latest excellent album "Double Infinity" which is not nearly as long as their excellent double album "Dragon New Warm Mountain....." A great live band, their closing song "Spud Infinity" encapsulates their musical abilities and joy

The Headliner was the legendary Northwest band, Team Dresch, playing in their entirety the albums "Personal Best" and "Captain My Captain". They also came close to running afoul of the curfew, finishing with only two minutes to spare.

Whether due to lazines or old age I didn't listen to the openers for last nights show at the Church. To my surprise and delight Noun is the new project of Marissa Paternoster(guitarist of the late, lamented Screaming Females)