Philadelphia Grand Jury - Jimmy's Den, 4th June 2016
Words: Karen Lowe
Jimmy's Den really is a special place. Dark, dingy, reminiscent of days gone by and always a fun little joint. On this particular night, the first thing punters were asked was to put their name down on a sheet of paper next to a particular song... if you were brave enough to get up for a spot of Philly Jay Karaoke!
Before this was to happen though, Perth locals Good Try hit the stage with their garage pop songs about Rocky, the dog. They also sang The Greatest, Nice Guy, Prescription and Steve Buscemi Eyes.
They were a fun little band that made you want to bop around. People were up and dancing and the drummer, lead singer and bass player swapped instruments at various stages (with the drummer playing the guitar left handed and upside down). They finished their set with Dead, Fan Girl and It Only Hurts. Perfect little opener for the night ahead.
An interesting fact about Philadelphia Grand Jury is that Dan W Sweat was the original drummer until Art vs Science started to take off. While they have had some fantastic drummers breeze through, it is good to see Dan W back on the drums.
Philly Jays (as they are affectionately known) opened their set with Ready to Roll, Chris is in a Jam and Wet Weather Holiday. “These kind of songs are bad for your health” they told the crowd before breaking out with I'm Going to Kill You and When Your Boyfriend Comes Back to Town.
“I don't know about you but I love Karaoke. Philly Jays will be your backing band!” Berkfinger jumped into the crowd for Save Our Town while rolling on the floor then laying there singing. After he got his guitar, he got back down to the floor before Going to the Casino. “This is the beginning of the weird concert!”
Before this was to happen though, Perth locals Good Try hit the stage with their garage pop songs about Rocky, the dog. They also sang The Greatest, Nice Guy, Prescription and Steve Buscemi Eyes.
They were a fun little band that made you want to bop around. People were up and dancing and the drummer, lead singer and bass player swapped instruments at various stages (with the drummer playing the guitar left handed and upside down). They finished their set with Dead, Fan Girl and It Only Hurts. Perfect little opener for the night ahead.
An interesting fact about Philadelphia Grand Jury is that Dan W Sweat was the original drummer until Art vs Science started to take off. While they have had some fantastic drummers breeze through, it is good to see Dan W back on the drums.
Philly Jays (as they are affectionately known) opened their set with Ready to Roll, Chris is in a Jam and Wet Weather Holiday. “These kind of songs are bad for your health” they told the crowd before breaking out with I'm Going to Kill You and When Your Boyfriend Comes Back to Town.
“I don't know about you but I love Karaoke. Philly Jays will be your backing band!” Berkfinger jumped into the crowd for Save Our Town while rolling on the floor then laying there singing. After he got his guitar, he got back down to the floor before Going to the Casino. “This is the beginning of the weird concert!”
While the Karaoke portion of the show started off with PGJ’s track Good News (and the the crowd loved it), “So You Think You Can Philly Jays?” really started with a cover of David Bowie's Let's Dance. Though the two guys who jumped on stage started off well, they did lose it in the middle as they lost their place in the song.
Other songs covered included Liam Lynch's United States of Whatever (such a brilliant song); TLC's Waterfalls (where one rather tall woman got up for the rap part - and pulled it off superbly!); Weezer El Scorcho (a great rendition there!); Prince's Kiss (wouldn't be karaoke without a Prince song); Presidents of the USA Peaches (sung by Good Try) and The Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), which had the whole audience screaming out at the top of their lungs.
After a rendition of The Strokes You Only Live Once (where our tall lady stepped off stage shouting “O'Doyle RULES!”) the two highlight songs for “So You Think You Can Philly Jays?” would have to have been the White Stripes My Doorbell (apparently it had “been a disaster except for here.”) and the best version of Shania Twain's Man! I Feel Like a Woman with Adam, the hero of the night, singing his little heart out with flair as he flicked his imaginary hair each time he sang the title.
The last song of the night was PGJ’s own I Don't Want to Party (Party). Everyone in the room was jumping up and down, singing as loudly as they could. No one wanted the party to end but end it must.
The thing about the Philly Jays is that they are a happy-go-lucky band. They have lighthearted songs that you just can't stand still to and they infect the whole audience with their high energy. Looking around the room, you could see big smiles plastered over everyone's face. At the beginning of the night, people were worried about how the karaoke part would go. No one needed to have worried though. It was the Philly Jays doing it. Probably one of the few bands that could pull off a Karaoke Night and ensure fun is had by all.
Other songs covered included Liam Lynch's United States of Whatever (such a brilliant song); TLC's Waterfalls (where one rather tall woman got up for the rap part - and pulled it off superbly!); Weezer El Scorcho (a great rendition there!); Prince's Kiss (wouldn't be karaoke without a Prince song); Presidents of the USA Peaches (sung by Good Try) and The Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), which had the whole audience screaming out at the top of their lungs.
After a rendition of The Strokes You Only Live Once (where our tall lady stepped off stage shouting “O'Doyle RULES!”) the two highlight songs for “So You Think You Can Philly Jays?” would have to have been the White Stripes My Doorbell (apparently it had “been a disaster except for here.”) and the best version of Shania Twain's Man! I Feel Like a Woman with Adam, the hero of the night, singing his little heart out with flair as he flicked his imaginary hair each time he sang the title.
The last song of the night was PGJ’s own I Don't Want to Party (Party). Everyone in the room was jumping up and down, singing as loudly as they could. No one wanted the party to end but end it must.
The thing about the Philly Jays is that they are a happy-go-lucky band. They have lighthearted songs that you just can't stand still to and they infect the whole audience with their high energy. Looking around the room, you could see big smiles plastered over everyone's face. At the beginning of the night, people were worried about how the karaoke part would go. No one needed to have worried though. It was the Philly Jays doing it. Probably one of the few bands that could pull off a Karaoke Night and ensure fun is had by all.