by Donte Kirby
The last Communion Club Night in Philly (just until September) was this Thursday. The evening showcased a variety of different music, as always, at Underground Arts.
Dirty Dollhouse (all photos, Donte Kirby)
The first act of the night in the black box area of Underground Arts was Dirty Dollhouse. For those like me who haven’t been to Underground Arts since the last Communion, you will be in for a shock at the makeover the black box area has undergone. It now has a huge couch, sleek tables and decorative rugs taking on a more lounge setting. It’s a stark contrast from the amateur theater setting of old.
Dirty Dollhouse, a three piece of local ladies, were the most subdued acts of the evening, but easily contained the best vocals of the night. The harmonies of Vanessa Winters (of The Lawsuits) and Amber Twait are like chocolate, sweet Godiva for the ears.
Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas
First on the front stage was Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas hailing from the Motor City. Their set was the most upbeat of the evening and garnered the most movement from the crowd. You could see in the way Hernandez and the Deltas danced throughout the whole set that they enjoyed the music as much as the crowd. The songs in their set spilt between tracks from their latest EP, Demons, and their first debut album, Secret Evil, to be released this August.
Catfish and the Bottlemen
Katie Frank and the Pheromones
Katie Frank and the Pheromones were a local five piece that displayed a traditional rock sound with a hint of country twang if my ears weren’t mistaken. The UK’s Catfish and The Bottlemen went on next, all clad in black, drowned in red light. Their sound wasn’t quite as dark or metal as you would imagine, but it did pack a punch. The contrast between Katie Frank and The Pheromones’ sound and Catfish and The Bottlemen is an example of Communion Club Nights biggest strength and weakness. The variety in sound can be either refreshing or jarring and personal preference is what decides which camp you fall in.
Desert Noises then Tutlie closed out the final night of Communion Club until September. Fans were singing along for the Desert Noises and the two female singing leads of Tutlie voices drew you in and didn’t let go. I’ll miss Communion Club Nights. It was like a box of chocolates…except I was fairly certain I’d like what I was going to get.
