What’s a better way to honor America’s independence then celebrate one of its own inventions, punk-rock? Yes, before Johnny Rotten declared his need to be an anarchist there was Richard Hell, Johnny Thunders, and of course Joey and Dee Dee Ramone. Who can forget the Godfathers (and Godmothers) of the genre Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Wayne Kramer, and Patti Smith who oversaw the formation of the dirty, heroin-fueled scene in NYC, to which birthed thousands of imitators and detractors?
In honor of the forefathers, modern punk hero, Jay Reatard, will play Johnny Brenda’s after the last firework has torched the sky with his own version of two-minute power chord punk anthems. Still touring extensively off his 2006 Matador Records release Blood Visions and a number of EPs, Reatard and his band will confront the tyranny of living life in the digital age. Except this time expect much less blood shed and much more shoving. It couldn't be more appropriate (or maybe it's an abomination) that singer/songwriter and guitarist TV Smith of the legendary British punk band The Adverts will be opening the show. The Adverts are said to have formed right after the first show of that other queen saving punk band in 1976. Oi!
If you find yourself in West Philly on the eve of July 4th, check out Breakfast and Dessert’s own version of a punk rock show. The show will feature such acts as Against Me!-inspired (when they were good of course!) You, Me, and T-Rex, Texas’ DIY purists MUHAMMADALi, local art-rock foursome Ayoshistori, and New York's punkers Sleepies! Breakfast and Dessert likes to keep their location a secret so send an e-mail over to breakfastanddesster@gmail.com. How punk is that?
Jay Reatard w/ TV Smith at Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave, July 4th 10 p.m. (After the fireworks), $12 21+, www.r5productions.com
Breakfast and Dessert, E-mail for location at breakfastanddessert@gmail.com, July 3rd 6:30 p.m., $3, www.myspace.com/nobrakesphilly
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