popwreckoning updates

TONIGHT! Lebowski Fest storms Philadelphia
We’re Only Show Biz Losers: Fans or Freaks
The Extraordinaires @ Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia

TONIGHT! Lebowski Fest storms Philadelphia

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 09:00 AM PDT

Tonight marks the debut of Lebowski Fest Philadelphia. The Speed of Sound Tour lands tonight at the Electric Factory (7th & Callowhill) for the movie party, featuring performances by Black Diamond Heavies (a must see!) and The Pin Heads, Lebowski Fest creators Scott and Will. A screening of the movie will follow.

The movie party is all ages (meaning slim to nil chances of any necessary White Russians) and doors are at 8:00. Admission is $20 (get tickets!) — come down for a good night of great music and the greatest movie of all time.

If you can’t make it tonight, definitely be there tomorrow night for the bowling party in Northern Liberty’s North Bowl (2nd & Poplar). There will be bowling, costumes, trivia and other contests. Your ticket — $25 Advance / $30 Day (get tickets!) — includes bowling* and shoe rental. The bowling party is ages 21 and over — sorry kids, you can’t have a Lebowski Fest without more White Russians than humanly consumable — and kicks off at 8pm at North Bowl.

I will undoubtedly be there. In costume on Saturday night, too. The more creative the better. If you read PW and are planning to attend Lebowski Fest, leave some love here on the comment thread. I’ll have PW stickers to give away both nights of Lebowski Fest, so say hey to the brunette with the Press sticker (assuming I’m the only one, who knows. ha!). Come have fun! Some costume ideas below from this year’s 8th Annual Lebowski Fest in Louisville.

Lebowski Fest: website | tickets

*Bowling is general admission and not guaranteed (so get there early to score a lane!!). Bowling shoes not required with any non-dark soled shoe.

August 6, 2009 — 8th Annual Lebowski Fest – "Mark it 8." (1)
August 6, 2009 — 8th Annual Lebowski Fest – “Mark It 8″ part 2 (1)
July 8, 2009 — the 8th Annual Lebowski Fest in Louisville THIS weekend! (0)
April 23, 2009 — LebowskiFest 2009 (0)
April 16, 2009 — Beirut @ Electric Factory, Philadelphia (0)
April 7, 2009 — Beirut to play Philadelphia’s Electric Factory (0)
March 9, 2009 — Miniature Tigers with Ben Folds @ Electric Factory, Philadelphia (0)
January 12, 2009 — Punk Rock Flea Market Rescheduled! (0)
November 25, 2008 — The Whigs with We Are Scientists and Kings of Leon @ the Electric Factory, Philadelphia (3)
November 17, 2008 — Gang Gang Dance, Of Montreal @ Electric Factory, Philadelphia (1)

We’re Only Show Biz Losers: Fans or Freaks

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT

Fans or Freaks

Fans are a vital element in what makes the music business work. Without them the industry would implode on itself, as is evident by the current state of the industry.

Despite being such a necessity, fans are a bit looked down on, and not just they way you might think. Everyone pictures big shots in suits treating focus groups like lab rats and devising marketing plans to trick the lowest common denominator of music fans into buying he next big thing. I know all too well that this is going on. I wrote a marking plan in college that made me feel so dirty I had to take a shower… or 12.

There's another side of it that doesn't begin to tackle the fans who's letters are delegated to the "psycho fan mail" box or voicemail message that require calls to their local police department out of concern for their well being.

People in power look down on the act of being a fan, even when it's someone they know personally. Never mind the necessity of fans to make the business work, you would just expect anyone who chose to spend their life working in music to actually enjoy and appreciate it. It's like they've been on this side of things for so long that they've forgotten what it's like to really enjoy music.

For example, I buy records the day they're released. I travel to see the bands that I love. Not only do I actually go to see bands perform, I even get there early enough to see the opening act, even when I'm not going just for the opener.

My coworkers do not.

When I come in recounting a 36-hour cross country trip to see a band or that I was out until sunrise after a show, they stare at me like a sideshow freak and make snide comments. I work in a casual office of alleged music fans but my friends with stuffy corporate jobs get a better reception to the recaps of their weekends.

It seems the only position lower than the assistant, is an assistant who is out about their fan status at work.

-The Assistant

If you have any questions about what I do, the workings of the music business, or just the perspective of an insider, then please post them in the comment section. I'll do my best to answer them. On any given day I work with management, labels, book agents, publicists, venues, marketing people, promoters, radio, web masters, and loads more, so I have plenty of dirt to dish.

September 18, 2009 — We’re Only Show Biz Losers: Beware: Assistants in Power (0)
August 31, 2009 — We’re Only Show Biz Losers (0)

The Extraordinaires @ Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia

Posted: 25 Sep 2009 07:15 AM PDT

This past Sunday, hometown The Extraordinaires played their first Philadelphia show since their record release party back in June. They received a warm reception at Fishtown’s Kung Fu Necktie, opening for the UK’s Fanfarlo. Jay Purdy and crew treated their fellow Philadelphians to songs old and new as the crowd danced around, sang along and simply admired the local legends.