Mercury Radio Theater (Jo chatted with them back in September) has put together an exciting murder mystery themed event entitled The Death of Mercury Radio Theater, taking place this weekend at Johnny Brenda’s.

Mercury’s most recently released album Kilroy was the final in their LP “Monster Series” installments. Now with The Death of Mercury Radio Theater, the band will kill off their longest running characters, with the only hope of finding the murderous culprit will be left in the hands of the audience.

Mercury will have a number of special guest musicians on hand to help properly eulogize the recently deceased as well as music acts Gringo Hotel and Cape Wrath. Clue themed burlesque interludes will be performed by D20 Burlesque troupe.

Be sure to join Mercury Radio Theater for this eclectic event that will sure to be a feast for the ears, mind and eyes. Help solve the mystery Saturday February 11th starting at 8pm. This is a 21+ over event so remember your ID along with your Sherlock Holmes cap!

Check out the Facebook Event Page here.

The Death of Mercury Theater Radio
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
www.facebook.com/events/ 271382389587485

Johnny Brenda’s
1201 Frankford Avenue (19125)
(215) 739-9684
www.johnnybrendas.com

About a week ago Drew Bacon of Music Box Dynamo sent me a tweet about his ridiculously geeky guitar, The Poppler. After watching the clip that shows off the axe (and his vocal prowess), I had to post a little something about the instrument.

Drew admits that this isn’t the fanciest guitar in the world, a simple Fender DG8 acoustic guitar… but to him, it’s pretty damn special. It’s the guitar he learned how to play music on back in 2007.

Fast forward to 2011, and he’s regularly performing with a better guitar. He spotted his old ax sitting lonely in the corner and broke out pads of paper and pencils, furiously sketching characters he admired.

“It’s a little bit of good and evil,” says Bacon about the art on the guitar, “Superman, The Death Star, Bender, Leeloo Multipass, Lord Voldemort, The Bride, Spiderman, Philadelphia Skyline, Batman, The Joker, Captain America, A Snow Willow Tree, Wolverine, The Man With No Name, Mickey Mouse, an Iron Man [Arc Reactor], and a hidden hometown logo I don’t mention unless someone spots it.”

The whole thing took a little over two months to create, and it looks awesome. And in case you didn’t know, Poppler is a brilliant Futurama reference.

Make sure to check out Music Box Dynamo as they perform all around the city over the year. The song in the video is actually about their first show together. Hit up the band on their official website and on Facebook.

The music of the Beatles is something that, no matter whom you are or what you are into, everyone knows and can appreciate. They are one of the few things on this planet that is truly universal.

So imagine stepping into the shoes of one of these icons to play their music and pay tribute to what they accomplished. This is the situation Steve Landes finds himself in every night as he portrays John Lennon in the Broadway smash Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles. The show returns to Philadelphia from Jan. 31st to Feb. 5th at the Academy of Music and, since Steve is a local guy (from Lansdale) he agreed to answer a few questions about being John Lennon, his own music and returning to Philly.

Were you a big Beatles fan growing up?

The biggest! I was born after The Beatles’ time, but my parents and older sisters were fans, and got me into them from pretty much the time I was born! So yeah, I’m kind of a life-long Beatles fan! My first Beatles records were the old 45s, whatever I could find in boxes in the attic. There was other Beatles stuff up there that used to belong to my sisters – posters, magazines, T-shirts. I just pulled it all down from the attic, put it in my room, and it was all mine from then on in!

Is it intimidating to try and become someone as iconic as John Lennon?

I guess it could be, depending on how you look at it. I think the fact that he’s such an icon actually helps – we could never ever be those people, they’re just so huge, so much a part of our world, so well known. No, our main focus is replicating the music as authentically as possible, and then to set the stage, we embody their character in the show. It’s been a lot of fun to study who he was, how he felt at any given time, where he was coming from musically. All of that stuff helps to bring him to life, and as a fan, has been really eye-opening and inspiring, to see him from a whole different angle. (more…)

Tomorrow, tickets will go on sale for the epic musical event for the sophisticated gamer. The Legend of Zelda: The Symphony of the Goddesses features music that spans 25 years of the Zelda games and showcases Nintendo composer and sound director Koji Kondo’s vast work. A full orchestra will perform 4 complete symphony movements with a cinematic video presentation synced to the music.

Every previous performance has sold out so act fast! Tickets have a wide price range from $19.50 (for lawn/terrace) up to $95.00 and go on sale this at 10am. Don’t miss out on your chance to witness this truly unique concert experience!

For more information, visit the Mann Center’s official website. And list to a track in the video after the jump!

Last week, the National Constitution Center announced a number of events tied to the upcoming From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen exhibit. Parties, screenings, and a special appearance by Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez (the original E Street Band drummer) are just some of the highlights.

The National Constitution Center detailed the events in a press release. Scope ‘em out below. (more…)

Reboot your auditory sensor modules with 8 Static.

The year has been reformatted and a new operating system has been installed. Your robot ears are in need of some nourishment. Don’t worry, 8 Static is back to reboot your brain with some amazing chiptunes. On January 14th, 8 Static will once again be vibrating the floors of Studio 34 with the rumble of 8-bit rocking.

This month features the audible stylings of Burnkit2600, a trio guys that compliment their circuit bent silicon instruments with drums, bass, and occasionally a flute. They bring a mash up of funk and psychedelic sensibilities to delight of your aural receptors.

Ever wonder who is straddling the chasm between punk and chiptune? Ponder no more because Graffiti Monsters are will be here to rock your face off with some classic 8-bit sounds wrapped up in a punk rock duvet. A duvet is punk right?

Maybe you prefer your 8-bit music a bit more thunderous, frenetic, and only made with a Gameboy Color. Enter Kool Skull. With nothing but a Gameboy, this guy will rattle your positronic brain within that bone casing you call a skull. And you will like it.

To delight your eyeballs, local artist and 8 Static veteran visual magician, enso will be on hand to provide an amazing light show.

As always, each show is preceded by a workshop showing you how to bend vintage hardware to your musical will and generally become a chip tune hero. This month’s is being presented by our friend Paul Weinstein AKA Chipocrite who created a rockin’ version of the Game of Thrones theme for The Philly Geek Awards. Before the show, he’ll show you some live Gameboy performance techniques.

Hopefully that will include how to play The Legend of Zelda theme behind your head with your eyes closed.

8 Static
Saturday, January 14th, 2012
7:00pm at Studio 34 – all ages!
$8 / $5 with RSVP right here!

For this week’s Geek of the Week, we talk to Matt Campana, local musician and composer. His work includes an arrangement for the Video Games Live orchestral show, and music cues for Drexel University.

I hope the name of this Drexel U and Berklee College of Music alum sounds familiar to you, as we posted about him back in September.

You’re known for your work in music, how did you get into it?

I started piano lessons in Kindergarten and I took them until 4th grade when we could no longer afford them. That hardship was actually a blessing in disguise. I didn’t play piano for a little because of this, but that’s when I began to develop my “ear” for music.

I started taking lessons again in high school. Due to my ear training any my lessons, I can hear music and play it almost verbatim as to what’s in my head. So, when I hear music it is easy to record it out on the keyboard, edit it, and eventually create a score from it.

At this point, how many instruments can you play?

I play the piano as my primary instrument. I realized that this would be my instrument when someone showed me you could digitally play other instruments using computer software. That’s how I achieve such epic sounds in my music.

However, I also love playing the guitar. I used to carry my guitar around campus so that my friends and I could jam. I was in the Filipino Intercultural Society at Drexel University (FISDU) for all four years of college. Guitar is a staple of FISDU hangouts. It helped me make friends.

I also know enough violin and drums to compose for it and enough drum technique to program for it when recording my music.

Tell me more about your work with Video Games Live. What did you do? I went to VGL once in Anaheim, CA at BlizzCon. Do you know any sweet Blizzard tracks?

I have worked with Video Games Live for 40+ shows. For the show, I have done everything from running a pre-show Guitar Hero competition, managing volunteers to actually intro MC-ing the show in front of 3,200+ people on Broadway. The largest credit I received was for my stage production work with them on their PBS national broadcast Blu-ray release. I helped in the setup and flow of the live event, ensuring on-stage events happened on time. It went beautifully and it’s available on iTunes!

Speaking of Blizzard, I was once backstage when three-time Emmy award-winning composer, Russel Brower (WoW/SC composer) walked over. He had his laptop with him and proceeded to show my boss, Tommy Tallarico, the then-unreleased theme of StarCraft II. I almost died, I was so glad I brought a change of pants. It was the “Wings of Liberty” title track; it’s incredibly intricate. That was definitely a highlight. (more…)

I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but Geekadelphia likes to get down. It ain’t  all space marines, 10 sided dice, and zombies over here. Sometimes we like to hit up Tatooed Moms in our best moustaches and throw a few back. Other times it’s watching Invincible shut it down over at Kung Fu Necktie. Good times had by all. But we’re always on the lookout for something new to check out when we have to come up from Skyrim for air. Well, I think we’ve found it… Rock and Awe.

From the Kickstarter page:

This season, Jess Conda is a resident artist at Brat Productions, a Barrymore Award winning non profit theater company that has been making cutting edge, boundary re-defining theater since 1996. As part of her residency, Jess will develop and perform as lead artist in a cabaret series that explores the intersection of rock and roll and theater.

These cabarets will involve collaborations with rock musicians and theatrical actors and directors from the Philadelphia area. Each show will have fully realized production values and will be presented as part of Brat’s 2011-2012 season. From Jess:

This series marks a major personal step forward as a lead artist on a project that I am conceiving and developing. These shows aim to find the bridge between the rock and the theater world, as well as do what Brat and I do best–create theatrical events. This residency also marks my first attempt at personal fundraising, another critical part of being an independent artist making original work. Every little bit helps make the series better, pay artists for their time, and helps me grow and define myself as an artist.

You read that right. Rock and Roll cabaret. Jess and Brat have already set up the themes for all three shows, and things are looking pretty good. Check out the list below and then head over to the Kickstarter page and show them some love. You’ve got some time to plan, so if you’re headed to any of the shows next year be sure to let us know. We’ll be there… as long as there aren’t any more Riddler trophies to find.

Rock and Awe Performance Details

Jan 19-21 ETERNAL GLAMNATION
A spectacle of glitter and pop with Brat alums appearing as their Glam Rock alter egos.  Featuring music by David Bowie, TRex, Roxy Music and more

Mar 29-31 LET’S START A WAR
A government-sponsored cocktail party where lounge music collides with punk rock and punk rock wins.  Inspired by the music of the Dead Kennedys.

June 14-16 GET BEHIND ME SATAN
A romantic fantasia set to the White Stripes’ album Get Behind Me Satan.

All shows will be at RUBA Club Studios, 414 Green St., Philadelphia, PA  Doors at 10:00, show at 10:30pm

The Project: Rock an Awe: Three Rock and Roll Cabaret Events

Creator: Jess Conda

The Sweet Spot: $25 will get you a Rock and Awe messenger bag pin and a signed show flyer designed by one of the artists working on the series. Take a look at the video above to get an idea of how sweet that is. For double that you’ll grab all of that goodness and get two tickets to the show of your choice.

Funding Deadline: December 18th, 2011

More Info: Hit the official Kickstarter page, Jess’ Facebook, or the Brat Productions website.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com

As most of you know, we’re huge fans of Chipocrite here on Geekadelphia. You might have caught him performing at Lebowskifest at the TLA earlier this year, and back in the Summer, he wrote the theme song for the Philly Geek Awards, which you can absolutely still download from us.

Well, he was recently nominated for the Deli Philadelphia’s Featured Artist poll, and we sure would love to see him on there. Just head over to the site and look for the voting column on the right hand side there. Select Chipocrite and vote. Note, if you select anyone else, YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG.

Voting ends December 1st, so share the link. Let’s get him up there.

A band performing at PhilaMoca. Just picture chiptuners instead.

Are you a fan of the up and coming geektastic music scene in the Philadelphia area? Chiptune is taking America by storm, and Philadelphia is a hub for the Chiptune movement. SKGB is a West Philadelphia based Chiptune aficionado, and he’s coming out with some new tunes!

SKGB is having a Record Release party at PhilaMOCA this Thursday, November 17th. You should definitely check it out. The night starts off with an open mic, bringing new local talent into the Philadelphia Chiptune world. Do you have some Chiptune delights you’ve been dyeing to share with an audience? Guests can hit the stage at 8!

The night officially kicks off at 9pm with Dain Saint (of Cipher Prime fame) who fuses Jass and keyboard to present a soulful 8bit sound. He might throw in some Dubstep for good measure! Next, TreyFrey brings the dance beats to the evening, and I hear his beats are pretty epic.

After these two warm you up for the evening it’s time to listen to SKGB bring his robot overlord loving, bass driven beats to your eardrums. To accompany this awesome 8bit event, PixelSeed will provide visual effects for all of the acts. Why would you want to miss this event?

So go support local music; especially local Chiptune music! For more information, go RSVP to the Facebook event. You won’t want to miss this.

Everyone knows that I love local music. I also happen to like Sci-Fi. Well, I found a local band that mixes those two fantastic things together! AND they add an element of theatrics to each performance. They’re called S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., and they’re pretty much one of the coolest things to hit the Philadelphia music scene in a long time.

Not only is the music complexly structured and dramatically theatrical; the theme that accompanies this band is out of this world (quite literally in fact). Sent back in time from the year 2776 AD, moments before the human race invades and destroys his home planet, S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D. prototype G7ANGEL591S: “Gabriel Starwood” has come to planet Earth. Landing before the dawn of man, Gabriel Starwood is entrusted with the mission to alter the course of Earth’s history in order to prevent his planets destruction.

I had a chance to sit down directly with Gabriel Starwood in order to understand his mission further. He (errr it?) was happy to oblige.

What does STARWOOD mean?

S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D. is the acronym for my make and model. I am a Sociopathic Time Altering Robot Warrior Of Organic Design from the planet Vitrus. I am capable of entering and controlling the human body by transferring my CPU’s Neural Network to the brain of my choice through my self-replicating nanite-infused sperm, ultimately providing total control over any and all who come in contact with my ejaculate.

The “Main Host Body,” currently an unemployed 30yr old West Philadelphian entertainer, will be inhabited by the S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D. Neural CPU until the body is found lacking in usefulness, at which time I will find yet another “Main Host Body” for my yocto-sized processor to inhabit. (more…)

From February 17-September 3, 2012, never before seen pieces of Rock N’ Roll Legend Bruce Springsteen’s life will be on display at The National Constitution Center.

Philly will be the only stop on the tour of “From Asbury Park to The Promised Land,” the comprehensive Springsteen exhibit, which features early audio cuts and newspaper clippings of The Boss’ time with forgettable acts such as Child and The Castiles, long before he hit it big with The E-Street Band and going solo. The coolest listening station making the tour, though, is the successful 1972 audition recording that secured The Boss a contract with Columbia Records.

While Springsteen was officially a Jersey boy, he’s part of our local DNA, on par with our cracked symbol of liberty and the goddamn cheesesteak. For those of us in our mid-thirties to forties, The Boss was part of our musical heritage moreso than Mick and The Stones ever could be. Most notably, Springsteen found a way to compose music based around Americana and the concept of patriotism without sounding like an asshole, which is an achievement unto itself.

The exhibit will feature more than 150 Springsteen trinkets, like the Fender Esquire that graced the cover of his timeless record “Born to Run,” his Academy Award for “Streets of Philadelphia,” his 1960 Chevy Corvette, and the saxophone used on “Jungleland,” once owned by the late Clarence Clemons.

Tickets for the exhibit will set you back $24.50 if you’re an adult, and only $12 for little Bruce fans age 4-12 (who were probably conceived to the sweet sounds of Born in the U.S.A. in the back of your Dodge Omni, anyway).

For more information, visit the Constitution Center’s official website.