There are few (if any) shows in town that are going to be better this weekend than this Sunday’s bill at South Philly’s A House Named Virtue. Headlined by NYC transplants via Connecticut and New Jersey, Mannequin Pussy, the trio of Marissa Dabice (guitar/vocals), Thanasi Paul (guitar), and Kaleen Reading (drums), perform with such ferocity that you just can’t help but instantly become a fan. Well, that’s if you enjoy being obliterated by loud, aggressive punk; however, they also have the ability to create haunting, anthemic melodies that lie under their thick wall of noise. Ex-Dangerous Ponies’ Chrissy Tashjian, Kyle Pulley, and Mike Tashjian are back together again with Thin Lips, a project that holds on to the combination’s ability to write infectious pop hooks, while giving Pulley room to unleash his inner hardcore kid. Cousin Brian, with their new lineup, will be performing their first show since Halloween. Also joining the house party are Boston’s Ben Katzman’s Degreaser and Miami’s The Jellyfish Brothers. A House Named Virtue (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, $5, All Ages – Alexis V.
Other places to enjoy the better weather this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Serpent Throne, JJL. Randall of Nazareth, SUN Bondage & Discipline
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.)FRI Lover’s Secret Domain/Profligate, Decade, SAT Bozai/The Parameters, Missing Elements, SUN Vektor/Satellite Hearts
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Conversations (Record Release), Dogs On Acid, Joe Jack Talcum
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI The Underwater Sounds, SAT Friends With Wolves Fest: Rosu Lup, Square Peg Round Hole, The Chairman Dances, Sympathy & The Lion, Gretchen Lohse, Sierra Cooke, John Vetteese (DJ Set)
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI A Fistful of Sugar, The Late Saints, SAT Corporate Hearts, Mat Burke, Rob Clancy (of Cold Roses), The Stonewall Vessels, SUN Alec Stewart, Ross Bellenoit
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI (Balcony) Whiskey Kitten Cabaret, Vilebred, Jantones, Sun (Balcony) EPOD, Mr. Bad Dreams
TLA (334 South St.) FRI G. Love & Special Sauce, SAT G. Love & Special Sauce
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) SUN The Menzingers
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Downstairs) John Byrne Band, No Irish Need Apply, SAT (Downstairs) Minas, SUN (Upstairs) (6pm) Giovana Robinson/(9pm) Widow Maker Social Club
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Mimos, The Poet, Ebenezer, The Mellowells, SAT Hollander Crouse Duo, Red Means Run, The Late Greats
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Drone Ranger, Son Step, SAT Seismic Thrust
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Locals, Hello and Yes, SAT Mercury Radio Theater, Evan Cory Levine
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI North End, War on Orchids, SAT Upperfields, Delco Pacers, Pilkington
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SUN Skeleton Lipstick
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI Man About A Horse, Valley Creek
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Dave Steel Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI C. Lynne Smith, Bosom Band/Wild By Law, SAT Transistor Rodeo/The Band of Rivals, Music Box Dynamo, Thee Glitter Bombs, SUN Mazzerati
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Curtis Jr., Cold Roses, Modern Colour, Visoon, SAT The Phonies, Brosef Gordon-Levitt, Poster Child
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Matt Gauss Band, Jason Ager, SAT Kenny Price & Friends
Ardmore Music Hall SUN A Tribute to Jerry Garcia: Steve Kimock & Friends
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Eric Petersen, Dark Watchers, Shitty Sumer, Westboro Baptist Choir
The Pharmacy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Severed, Incisor
Black Vulture Gallery (208 E. Girard Ave.) SAT Jenkem
Cha-Cha’razzi (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Problems, Material, Cannons, The Cloth
Baker Bowl (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Krispy Kareem, Three Man Cannon, Matt Holden, Second Marriage
Lava Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Soul Glo, Pinkwash, Space Chumpy
The Petting Zoo (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Marcus & Rome