At Work, (Stupid Bag Records/ Drunken Sailor Records) the latest album from Dark Thoughts unleash a blistering, melodic-punk euphoria on their latest album, At Work (Stupid Bag Records/Drunken Sailor Records). The trio forges a forthright, raucous atmosphere – one that speaks to listeners in a direct, immediate way. It’s a let-loose, launch-into-a-song, hard & fast, sweaty kind of record. It’s a heartfelt, hook-rich release. Tonight at First Unitarian Church, the band will be opening for supercharged shredding of Impalers, the steely snarl of riff-riding locals Grave Turner, and Sedation (who are performing live for only their second time).
BTW: There are numerous landing spots on the musical map in Philly this weekend. Fresh off a run of dates with Hop Along, Thin Lips (and Slaughter Beach, Dog) are making a quick home visit for a sold-out show this Saturday at PhilaMOCA. New release from American Trappist (at Boot & Saddle), Jesus Piece (at Ortlieb’s), and Nothing (Dance on the Blacktop Block Party) will also be echoing through the city’s streets. And of course, freak-folksters Espers triumphantly return to Philly at Union Transfer. So get out, and find your place to be. – Michael Colavita
A shitload of places to hit this weekend…
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Dark Thoughts (LP Release Show), Grave Turner, Sedation
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI The Point Breeze Country Club, SAT Cosmo Baker, Mike Nyce
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Shane Henderson, June Divided, Saver, SAT American Trappist, The Vernes, Carroll
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Ali Awan, Love? Said the Commander/DJSC, SAT Grimace Federation / Fame Lust
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI Cabana Wear, SAT Slaughter Beach, Dog, Thin Lips, SUN Goodnight/Goodluck, The Bad Larrys, AllegrA
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Troi Lauren, Noel Scales, Devin Farrell, SAT Straw Hats, Lester, Gender Work
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Espers
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Reco Havoc, Ronny Alright, WALLO267
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Midlife Crisis, Hotbed, Mattress Food, Rabbit Heart
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI My Funky Brethren, SAT Afterimage, All Good People
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Cult Objects/Taggart, Sick Panda, Honey Radar, SAT Mohican, SUN Horror Show, Jesus Piece (Record Release), Raw Force
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Midfield, Gainstrive, Dead Robins/Rover Rover, Keely Sibilia
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT Knightlife, Vanderlyle, SUN Full Bush
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Aktive, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN DJ Hank McCoy
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Rachel Andie & The V Element, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Bern and the Bastards, Little War, The Red Hand, SAT Primatives, Pravda
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Generation Empty
Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Downtrodder, Disappearances, Binary, SAT Lasciaté
The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI The Outlaw Pandas
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN Slainte
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Philly’s Foxes/DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI-SUN Liberty Music Fest
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Steal Your Peach, SAT Denelle Anderson, SUN Countdown to Ecstasy, Muscle Tough
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SUN Nothing Vital
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Andrew Milicia, SAT Camp Candle, A Day Without Love, Weekend Athlete
The Ukie Club (847 N. Franklin St.) SAT Sensorium Music & Arts Festival: Tweed, Worldtown Soundsystem, Minka, Darla, Agent Zero, Patrick Richards
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Droopies, Petunia
Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Eel Tank, Yureka Cash
The Waiting Room (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Slow Reader, Elaine Rasnake
Dance on the Blacktop Block Party (Livingston & E. Lehigh) SAT Nothing