>>> The landscape of the tribute band economy — a secret, shadowy world where irony is always on the run and fans never know whether or not to put themselves in quotation marks, too — is a strange one indeed, but you know what? Sometimes that is fun, too. So when we tell you that [...]

As soon as we inevitably realize it’s not terrorists (they don’t care about us), please commence to making the requisite cocaine/heroin jokes in the comments.

So, while the soda tax and real estate tax increases were the big items in the new city budget, there was another little tax added in there — let’s call it The Blunt & Loosey Tax! From the Philadelphia Business Journal‘s analysis: The budget also contains a 3.6 cent tax on tobacco products, such as [...]

In the middle of a wave of bad news about the School District of Philadelphia, a reader passed along to us this video, about what happened at Philly’s Pickett Middle School was closed and reopened under an independent charter organization, Mastery Charter Schools. Now, sure, this only happened when the School District of Philadelphia failed [...]

MEDIA ADVISORY MAYOR NUTTER TO DISCUSS CITY BUDGET WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter WHAT: Mayor Nutter to discuss City budget. WHERE: City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room, Room 202 WHEN: Thursday, May 20 2:15 pm TODAY As we speak, The Dude is holding court at City Hall, most likely threatening to cut city workers because his [...]

So if you feel like going to see an advance screening of MacGruber tonight at 9PM, email ihopeiwin[at]philebrity[dot]com with “MUHGROOOOOOBURRRRR!” in the subject header RIGHT NOW. MACGRUUUUUBURRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

The latest clip for Philly ladies Gang was directed by Pig Iron Theatre Co.‘s Dan Rothenberg and gives us a long-absent Missing Persons vibe.

@CrapPhillyDjs, let us be the first to admit it: Joey Sweeney is an absolutely shite DJ.

And the Bicycle Coalition and Sustainable 19125 are doing all kinds of fun, in-kind stuff. Check out either site for the skinny, and remember: Those people in cars? THEY WANT YOU DEAD.

We always new that Jim James was a sweet dude with a big honeybear growl of a voice, and that his band, My Morning Jacket, followed suit in terms of dudely sweetness. But when the Jacket comes through town this time around and plays at Penn’s Landing on August 29th, they’ll be doing something extra-sweet: [...]

Spotted at 1234 Market, The Dark Fields‘ mission to insult and confuse us rages on. We are increasingly less amused. Seeing something around town of note? Cameraphone it to: tips[at]philebrity[dot]com.

We’ve never made any secrets on this site about our abiding, non-ironic love for the French: Quite frankly, look at them — they’re doing it better than you. Anyway, it’s worth pointing out that while Philadelphia was recently stupidly rocked to its stupid core by a spate of teenager-led flash mobs, they’re encountering a similar [...]

>>> Andrew W.K. is DJing/motivational speaking at the P.O.P.E. Just typing that made us instantly drunk and high. >>> Two great tastes that taste great together: Weirdo dronemeisters Growing play the city’s only DJ night devoted to Krautrock and its descendents, Hello From The Children Of Planet Earth, at Kung Fu Necktie. >>> Hey, remember [...]

Just an addedum to all the Phosphorescent hype we’ve been throwing your way lately: New tour dates say that they’ll be playing in Rittenhouse Square on August 11, which can only mean one of those Philadelphia Weekly shows. PW hasn’t announced their summer lineup yet for the year, so consider this a leak. Above, the [...]

“This is what democracy looks like — a win for the people over the establishment, over the status quo, even over Washington DC.” Translation: This is what democracy looks like when it’s me versus a desperate, dying man who switches to a party that would never truly have him, in a state that’s been openly [...]

We had a feeling it might go this way, but for reals: “Special guest” is code for “uh, we’re trying to book someone”; Kelly Clarkson is a name, sure; we have no idea who these other ladies are; and Sarah McLachlan has to be there so the road crew can get their per diems. After [...]

A regular reader writes in with regard to our ongoing coverage of South Philly High, and by way of thanking us for staying on the issue (you are welcome), she also brings up that SPH could very well be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to grand shames perpetuated by so-called educators here [...]

Bedtime Stories, the comedy show that’s been going on for three years, made this clip to promote their next show, on Thursday, May 20 at 9 pm, at Connie’s Ric Rac, 9th and Washington. This month’s theme, of course, is pro wrestling.

From an email sent around to Inky folk by the Once And Future King Of Catholic Publicists: To: All Employees I’d like to invite each and every one of you to join me at Westy’s tomorrow night, Thursday, from 5-7PM for a celebration of the last four years. It’s my way of saying, “Thank you” [...]

But it does in fact exist, so… yeah.