Almost Arlington! Show in Vineland

Here’s what Tom says:

Well, it’s a show in Vineland, NJ with some other really good bands that I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with before to open for Just Surrender.  

This is a show for just playing songs and enjoying the time with our friends rather than stressing over every little aspect.  We will have a new lineup soon and we’re anticipating a new bass and drum section, so we won’t be the tightest sounding live band, but this show is all about having fun.

I have presale tickets at a discounted price so if you would like to get them from us just go on our myspace and send us a message – we will find a way to get them to you.

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Here’s an old video. I took this last year of the band with all of the old members. Sorry about the distortion– I was really smart and filmed next to the speaker.

Almost Arlington!

The lead guitarist for Almost Arlington has been one of my best friends since kindergarten. In the midst of a terrible cold he was able to answer a few questions about the *new* band.

 

You’ve been through a lot with Almost Arlington; being the only original band member, you’re really persevering. Where do you feel you are at with the band’s progress as of now? Being the only original member from afar really just makes me seem like a bit of an asshole doesn’t it?!  hahahaha..  But honestly, no matter how bad things have always seemed to get I never backed down.  I come from a very unique background where things in life have always tested me to give up and just take a backseat but no matter what I’ve always seemed to have gotten right back up.  I am sure that being in the type of business that I have been working in for the past 3 years, losing my father at an early age and being surrounded by the most amazing group of family and friends you could ask for has helped teach me a few things about perseverance and love.  I love this band more than anything

Last minute Valentine’s Day plans, even if you hate Valentine’s Day

If you haven’t found anything compelling to do on Valentine’s Day yet, shame on you.  … Not really, you still have a few days.  There are a ton of things to do in Philadelphia for the holiday, even a surprisingly large amount of events for anti-Valentine’s Day people.  Actually, I don’t understand those at all. Why would you angry V-Day-haters try to join forces with equally angry V-Day-haters and go to a specifically-V-Day-hater event?  Just do something completely NOT Valentine related.  But if you’re not convinced, here’s what gophila has for you to spend your Angry Heart Day:

1. Philadelphia’s Largest Singles Anti-Valentine’s Day After Work Party.  This one doesn’t really make sense though.  The description calls it an “anti-Valentine’s Day bash,” but it’s clearly for singles to meet one another. It even has icebreaker games. Tickets are $20 and up, and it might be for 21 and over after a certain time, so if you’re really into checking out this party of contradictions, call 877-668-6338 to find out. Thursday, February 12.
2. Singles Anti-Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt. I don’t know how you’d meet the love of your life during a scavenger hunt, but maybe it’s worth a shot? You’re allowed to use SEPTA to get around with your group.  That’s the laziest thing I have ever heard.  Maybe I’m not adventurous enough for this, but it doesn’t appeal to me at all. $20 tickets, Rum Bar Lounge at 4:00 on Saturday.
3. OKAY, THIS ONE IS THE BEST. Attention, really anti-V-Day teens. Stupid Cupid: An Untraditional Valentine’s Day Celebration is for 12-18s who really hate Valentine’s Day. That is basically what the description says.  You can share anti-love poetry (no lie, not making it up) and share them with the group.  That’s today, at 3:00 pm, which, by the time I finish this post will already have started and hopefully you’ll have missed it.

Enough of the bad ones.  Here are a few pro-V-Day things to check out that won’t empty your wallet:

1. Go skate at Penns Landing!  The Blue Cross River Rink has a new event called Sweetheart Skate.  8:30 on V-Day, tickets are $15 and are available in advance here.  Go do it!
2. Go see Ben Folds at the Electric Factory. See my first post for more details.
3. Free psychic reading with Gro Mambo.  It’s free, and in the spirit of Valentine’s Day he’ll be doing love readings.  Go ahead, you know you’re curious. This could be interesting for couples, provided he says good things I guess. It looks like you may have to reserve a spot, so call 215-459-2043.
4. If you’re looking for a cool place to go but you’re not trying to book an event, take your date to Naked Chocolate on Walnut and Juniper. It’s like a bakery, but everything they sell is made of chocolate.  You may not find a seat, but the Aztec hot chocolate is totally worth standing for a few minutes.
5. Take a walk down South Street and stroll through Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic garden. I’m not going to tell you where it is, but it’s really cool and unconventionally romantic.

Hopefully this sparked some kind of idea.  Don’t hate on Valentine’s Day! I work at Hallmark and I still won’t attend the [weird mingling events that disguise themselves as] anti-Valentine events.

Aspiring musicians and general local music lovers, check this guy out.

I interviewed guitarist/singer/songwriter/Rowan student/extraordinaire Zach Caruso for Rowan University’s newspaper, The Whit. He’s got a really unique, fresh new sound, and he uses several different guitars in his music. I had a great response from Zach, over 2000 words, but I had to cut the Q&A down to 600, which I was really bummed about. His answers are really interesting. Here is the uncut version of the interview.

Check out his music and upcoming gigs at www.ZachCaruso.com

 

1. Your site says that Green Day and The Black Crowes sparked your interest on the guitar, and that you’re self-taught.  Did you start by learning to play their songs by ear?  What I am wondering is how you started writing your own music.

            I remember at the age of 3 or 4, my parents would crank up music in our living room.  Stuff like Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Mellencamp, The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan.  So those bands really introduced me to music.  I even got to see acts like Ray Charles, Huey Lewis and The News, Bonnie Raitt, Al Jarreau, all in concert when I was a kid. Green Day was the first band to really make me want to play guitar.  I still remember when “Time of Your Life” came out and it was huge.  I was in grade school, probably 7^th grade or so, and I was totally captivated by it.  My goal was

First Post

It’s about time I start writing. My goal for this blog is to give 18 to 21-year-olds a place to check for event dates and reviews in Philadelphia and just over the bridge in South Jersey.  Events where your fake IDs aren’t necessary. I’ll be 21 in 2 weeks, and I wish I had found a site with ideas like (I hope) this blog will have soon.

Here are a few things I have heard about for February:

2/6: First Friday! That would be… tomorrow. http://www.firstfridaymainline.com/ 

Now – 2/8: Philadelphia International Auto Show at the Convention Center.  I went to this one year, and it’s nuts.

2/5 – 2/8: They may be sold out already, I don’t know, but Broadway’s Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp are starring in RENT at the Academy of Music.  Check out http://www.kimmelcenter.org/ for tickets and information. If I hadn’t seen RENT like a billion times in NYC, I’d see this show. Who doesn’t enjoy a good rock opera?

2/8: Go make out in LOVE Park!  Ted Passon and All Ages Productions are filming a commercial for the “Stay Over in Philly” campaign from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at 15th and JFK, and they need lots of extras!  You could make out on a real commercial! They’re all for unique dress, too… personality is probably your best bet for actually getting filmed. I’m totally going to try to be there. It’s going to be really nice weather; I think the news this morning said 61 degrees!

2/11: Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish (remember them?!!?! …am I the only one excited about this? Probably) is playing at World Cafe Live, doors at 5:00 pm, show’s at 8:00. Visit WXTU.com to win tickets. Only Wanna Be With Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

2/14: I’m going to do a separate entry for V-Day, but I want to post this one here. Ben Folds is playing at the Electric Factory on 7th and Willow. If you’ve never seen him live, go. Really, go.  Tickets are $35. Under 21s are standing room only, which is pretty cool, because if you’re really crazy you can cram yourself to the front of the stage. http://www.electricfactory.info/ 

2/20: If you’re into punky pop bands, Almost Arlington is doing a show in Cherry Hill, NJ. I really like these guys; I followed them to a few shows this past summer, and it’s always a good time.  They’ve got a few new band members, who Tom Camp (the band’s lead guitarist) tells me are really talented. I’ll post when I find out the exact address. In the meantime, check out their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/almostarlington 

2/26: Loie Bistro and Bar has Pittsburgh’s DJ Nugget spinning with DJ Royale.  Since every Thursday is college night at Loie, they’ve got some good food specials, including 25-cent wings.  If you get there before 11:00 pm they won’t card you, so plan on doing this ahead of time! Besides, the later it gets the more PACKED it’ll be; I can tell you this first-hand. 128 S. 19th Street. http://www.loie215.com/loie215/