Phillyist Playlist: The Lemonheads at Johnny Brenda's

The Lemonheads (MySpace) was actually the first band this Phillyist ever saw in concert... back in 1993. I was ten years old and enamored with the grunge movement, donning over-sized flannel shirts and trying to grow my hair long like rockers such as Mark Lanegan, Anthony Kiedis, and Lemonhead leader Evan Dando (pictured). Too bad my hair came out wavy instead of hardcore, but that's a different story altogether. The prolific Red Kross opened for Dando's outfit that night, but all I remember about them is that they had a song called "Disco Bitch" that made me giggle. The Lemonheads were always kind of strange bedfellows in the alternative movement, but Dando had the good looks and enough catchy hooks to trump the subversive songs on the album and make him a teen idol.

Fast forward sixteen years, and I'm back and equally psyched to see Dando take the tiny stage at Johnny Brenda's tonight. Though for different reasons this time, beyond the excitement of attending my first rock concert and wondering if it was as crazy as it looked in the music videos (the venue had assigned seating, so sadly, it wasn't). Dando has a different rhythm section this time around, and though he may play catchy standbys from such mainstream albums as It's a Shame About Ray and Come On Feel the Lemonheads, the focus of the set will likely be songs from the long-anticipated covers album, Varshons, Dando's entree back into the weird.

How weird is this album? Well, Dando credits Butthole Surfers leader Gibby Haynes as inspiration, if that's any indication. Though all the songs were written by other people, the 11-track album is said by many to be Dando's most inspired and adventurous creation in decades. Highlights include a Liv Tyler duet on a Leonard Cohen cover, an intense production of Christina Aguilera's gum-pop hit "Beautiful," and a guest appearance by Kate Moss (yes, her) on one of the album's groovier tracks. The album is actually more country-rock than anything else, which completes the circle in an interesting way from the band's more formless punk days in the 80s.

I can only hope Tyler and Moss take the stage with Dando at JBs. If so, you know this Phillyist will buy Tyler a beer... and Moss a pulled pork sandwich.

The Lemonheads with It's a King Thing and Appomattox
Johnny Brenda's, 1201 North Frankford Avenue
TONIGHT, 6/24/09, 9pm
Tickets: $20

Image credit: Flickr user wonderferret