It’s pretty amazing to watch how the various communities within the Philly music scene have been progressing over the last few years. In the chiptune community, you really can’t talk about what is happening locally in that genre without mentioning 8static. The monthly chip music event is returning this Saturday to the North Star Bar with a lot to celebrate. The evening will also double as Cheap Dinosaurs’ release show for their new album Triangle Trash. Started by Dino Lionetti, the group has evolved to become a collaborative effort by the 8static family, consisting of Lionetti (composer/programming/synths), Danny Tarng (baritone guitar), Patrick “Bucky” Todd (drums), Joey Mariano (guitar/circuit bending /synth), Paul Weinstein (bass), and Daniel Davis (guitar). They’ll be bringing in former Philly native and now Phoenix-based chip-hopper Mega Ran, Sacramento’s Auxcide, and Rochester, NY’s SBThree will be providing the visuals for this 8-bit freak-out. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Other places to escape from your home this weekend…
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI The Wallace Brothers Band, The City Wide Specials
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Watery Love, Amanda X, Taiwan Housing Project
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Mock Suns, Dreambook, Hurry, SAT JJL, Gondola
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Far-Out Fangtooth, SUN Banned Books, GG Lohan
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT New Sound Brass Band
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Tiny Cities
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI A Fistful of Sugar, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Aaron and The Spell, Black Horse Motel, SUN Amelia Scaillies, Amber Ladd, Steve Cal Band
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Dirty Soap Blues Band, Cthulhu Martini, Could’ve Been Kings, Damien Anthony, SAT Skurban Vintro, Caalypso
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Shorty Boy Boy, Minka, Marathon, SAT Flightschool, Spare Change, Dead Tenors
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Joey Sweeney, Heyward Howkins, Mark Lanky
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Next To None, Travia, Mesmeria
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Anjuli Josephine, Folly Fields, Acton Bell, SAT Paige Allbritton
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Up the Chain (Solo), Dave Steel Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Khalid Quesada, Betty Iron Thumbs, SAT Chris Rattie & The Brush Valley Ramblers, Above Connecticut
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT Goddamnit
Half Moon Bar (4228 Lancaster Ave.) FRI Chimpgrinder, Rubbish, Maniacs on Wheels, Village
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Andorra, Ariables, Science Club, Mikingmihrab
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Alberta’s Court, Too Hot For Sleeves, Jonathan Monument, The Donuts, SAT Matt Gauss Band, The Barren Wells, Kyle Campbell
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Kite Party, Gunk, Vietnam
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Dopestroke
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Benefit for the LAVA Space w/Dying, Capacities
West Kensington Ministry (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Tygerstrype, Meth Dad, Chiffon, Mental Jewelry
The Dog Morgue (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Alex G