Lightning·Bug (lahyt-ning-buhg) – noun, plural: bugs
Any nocturnal bioluminescent beetle of the family Lampyridae, characterized by a soft body with a light-producing organ at the rear of the abdomen.
Lightning Bug hovers somewhere between the twangy guitars and lyrical poignancy of Modest Mouse, the careful attention to rhythm and instrumentation of Paul Simon's Graceland, and a less-funky-more-rockin' version of The Talking Heads. They write music about the dissonance between the innocence of youth and the disillusionment of modern living as evinced by lovers, sinners, politics, bears, dogs, eggs, candles, a two-headed beast, summer camp, pine trees, and the impending apocalypse.
Their songs feature the catchy, belt-along choruses of over-driven Indie Pop, a dash of chest-thumping Americana, as well as a pinch of exotic rhythm. A slurry of instrumentation, including synthesizers, over-driven guitars, banjo noises, e-bow, tin can, chimes, and melodica hallmark their sound. Though their music can be danceable, nostalgic, beautiful, bizarre, or triumphant, "whether or not it rocks" is the yardstick by which they measure their success.
The band formed in early 2005 at Skidmore College in upstate New York. Since their move to Philadelphia in 2007, they have played at many of Philly's most well known rock venues including: M Room, Northstar Bar, the Khyber, Doc Watson's, World Cafe Live, Lickity Split, The Note in West Chester, O.N.E. in Rittenhouse Sqare, the Tritone on South, as well as New York City's Crash Mansion, Allentown's Croc Rock & Delaware's MOJO 13.
The band was recently honored as WXPN World Cafe Live's Best of Philly Rising Standout Performers for the month of July. Check out the write-up on them in the December issue of the Philly music zine Origivation.
The
Deli Magazine has reviewed their new EP as Philly CD of the Month for October 2008 calling it "a luminous tribute to Pennsylvania's official state insect... [Lightning Bug tells] stories of traveling, restless energy, young love, and friendship, which all characterize the endless summer nights inhabited by their glowing winged namesake."
Also check for (and feel free to request!) Tiny Machine Fingers on 94.1 FM Philly's WYSP Sunday's between 9-10 p.m. during the Loud and Local show hosted by Tommy Conwell.
The Lightning Bug is the state insect of Pennsylvania. Conventional wisdom suggests that fate is at hand and rock and roll/entomological history is in the making. Click the link below to download the "Lightning Bug EP" and check out the band's live shows for CDs, T-Shirts, buttons, and more (soon to come: one of a kind Lightning Bug skateboard deck...seriously!). Lightning Bug loves you very much.
