Chris Forsyth has spent years in Philly building his reputation as one of the city’s premier solo guitarists. On his latest venture, the Pew Fellowship recipient and former private student of Television guitarist Richard Lloyd has gathered pals Paul Sukeena (Spacin’) on guitar, Steven Urgo (ex-War on Drugs) on drums, and Peter Kerlin on bass, backing him as the Solar Band, to help Forsyth explore the experimental landscape of music that he likes to refer to as “cosmic Americana,” which is heavily influenced by beloved psych rockers the Grateful Dead. Chris Forsyth and the Solar Band are planning the release of their debut LP, Solar Band, this fall via Paradise of Bachelors, which was produced by Jeff Zeigler, who will opening the festivities tonight with his intergalactic ambient drone project with highly respected indie harpist Mary Lattimore. And returning to town this evening will be another gifted guitarist and former City of Brotherly Love resident Daniel Bachman with his John Fahey/Jack Rose-inspired plucks and strums. It’s a jam-packed evening of headie music upstairs at JB’s that you really don’t want to miss! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran

On his latest release, Something Wild (Salinas), Michigan transplant Sam Cook-Parrot, a.k.a. Radiator Hospital, issues a series of penetratingly personal confessional style songs. “Great Escape,” the LP’s second track, immediately bursts with its pop-rockin’ energy as ragged guitar and infectious percussion lay the foundation to a playful/personal narrative – “I’ve heard so many stories, all of them ended with you and me” – eventually transitioning into “so happy birthday baby you’re so much older than I thought you would be” and fades with the harmonizing of “it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.”

“Our Song” is another rambunctious song in which Cook-Parrot navigates the listener through a series of snapshots of a failing relationship. Sam’s vocals ache with anger as he reveals episodes of deceit and despair, and the chorus lays it all on the line: “You won’t get off that easy, don’t say that you love me. When you know that you don’t. If you’re thinking that we’re through, I won’t hold it against you. You know that I won’t.”

“Are You Feeling Me?” finds labelmate Allison Crutchfield (Swearin’) taking the lead vocal in a punk-edged yet polished flash, finding a dichotomy between the instrumental aggression and her calm, clear tone. “Your Boyfriend” begins as a simple albeit gut-wrenching love confession. However, as Cook-Parrot’s vocals and guitar playing gather momentum, the switch is flipped, and the song takes an electrifying turn. Sam, who had seemingly been isolated and alone, is joined by a full accompaniment, and what initially had an air of vulnerability transforms into strength, punctuated by a raucous searing electric guitar solo by Swearin’s Kyle Gilbride. “Your Boyfriend” serves as a fine example of how Cook-Parrot succeeds in showcasing lyrics through musical minimalism, but is equally capable in heavier band-oriented scenarios.

Radiator Hospital demonstrates through Something Wild a fearless tendency to expose heartfelt/lived experiences that carry a heavy load whether they’re served with an acoustic guitar ("Cryin’ Kind" and "Sometimes") or on a more complex full band plate. – Michael Colavita