The consistent message throughout Wednesday night’s show at Underground Arts reflected that of the golden rule: treat others as you’d wish to be treated. Palehound lead singer and guitarist El Kempner said we need to look out for each other, make safe spaces. This was echoed by Ratboys‘ Julia Steiner, who talked about community and compassion. Both called attention to three organizations the bands had chosen to raise funds for over their string of east coast tour dates: Trans Lifeline, National Network of Abortion Funds, and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
youbet | photo by Megan Matuzak for WXPN
The night opened with a band jumping on the opportunity to cut their teeth out on the road, Broolyn’s youbet, who might be “green” in terms of being a post-COVID band, their music is nostalgic of late 60s psychedelia wrapped up in modern lo-fi stylings. It was immediately apparent that singer/guitarist Nick Llobet has one of those voices that turns heads and keeps them there. One in a million. Distinguishable.
Micah Prussack, on bass, vocals and banter, also shined bright Wednesday night. Their bass lines were tactful and frequently in the driver’s seat melodically, guiding the songs during the set. A masterful example from the Underground Arts show of this took shape in “Peel” off Way To Be released earlier this year.
Palehound | photo by Megan Matuzak for WXPN
A few songs into their set Palehound brought the house lights up. Stupefied, no filter, Kempner expressed amazement at the amount of people in the room. It was an icebreaker moment, and they shared that they were getting gender affirming surgery in six days, something they said they’ve wanted for a long time, and something they said anyone should have access to.
Palehound had Wednesday night’s crowd thrashing, bouncing and for one, a lighter in the air, like for “Good Sex” or “Cinnamon,” which showcases Kempner’s guitar prowess. The oscillation between existential highs and lows didn’t seem to phase anyone, even during a somber solo performance of “Your Boyfriend’s Gun.”
Ratboys | photo by Megan Matuzak for WXPN
Julia Steiner of Ratboys was equally enthralled with the size of the crowd, also touted Philly for having good rock clubs — admiring the ambiance of Underground Arts — and “the best vegan donuts in the country” (we can only assume she meant Dottie’s Donuts). The Window, released a little over a year ago, was sprinkled throughout the set, like “It’s Alive!,” “No Way,” and the title track. The high from the album doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon, not for the Chicago four piece and definitely not for the Underground Arts crowd.
About halfway through, Steiner hesitated telling the story behind the next song, remarking that they tell it every time they come to Philly. The crowd wasn’t accepting that and egged her on. For those not in the know, “Elvis is in the Freezer” is about her cat, Elvis, who passed away while she was at college. With Steiner in mind, her mother preserved Elvis for Steiner’s return to do the “big family funeral.”
The band also introduced fans to their next chapter Wednesday night, a song called “Strange Love.” Simply put, it’s Ratboys songwriting at its purest. “Strange Love” is upbeat, a little twangy and definitely danceable at a show somewhere like Underground Arts, all the way to letting off steam in the bedroom.
Ratboys ended the night with a “Black Earth, WI” off The Window. Guitarist David Sagan really laid into his solos which had some of the crowd screaming his name at the top of their lungs. While the night had sobering moments, there was also joy in the safe little bubble the bands and the Underground Arts crowd lived in Wednesday night.