If you’re a diehard fan who has the lyrics to “Punk Rock Girl” and “Bitchin’ Camaro” stuck in your brain, then you’re likely looking forward to seeing The Dead Milkmen play Riot Fest on Saturday. But before then, you have the chance to catch their frontman Joe Jack Talcum performing a super rare performance at Fiume tonight. DIY booker Spazz (Jeff Blinder from Danger Danger Gallery and Greenville, North Carolina’s Spazzatorium) has been able to put together an intimate singer songwriter series at the tiny bar of wonders. The showcase will also feature Erik Petersen of Mischief Brew, who has most recently been performing out in support of the band’s latest album The Stone Operation. Also on tap to perform is the former frontman of Sunbrain, Dave Dondero, an artist whom NPR has dubbed one of the “best living songwriters”. Get there early because the capacity is super limited! Fiume (Upstairs), 229 S. 45th St., 9pm, $8, 21+ – Bill McThrill
Nothing But Rain at North Star Bar Sept. 21
You can call it post-shoegaze. You even can call it post-punk revival. But there is one thing definite about Philly’s Nothing–the sounds that this local outfit produce stir in you a haunting, curious hunger that lingers like moments lost. That’s what’s most beckoning about their latest EP, Suns And Lovers (released on Big Love Records)–it’s a scorching mix of sullen indie rock set deep in an expansive, swelling ambient dreamscape that engulfs you in its clouds of deafening crashes and abstracted downbeat. And tonight at North Star, Nothing will fit in cosmically with the bold, jagged "gaze-grunge" edges of Delaware’s the Sky Drops, who just released their EP, Making Mountains, in June. And for the dreary weather we have ahead of us, that’s perfect. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Annamarya Scaccia
An Evening w/?uestlove & Swift Technique at The Blockley Sept. 21
In the Indiestry: Union Transfer’s/R5’s Sean Agnew
Union Transfer has been a long time in the making, well, at least in the mind of R5’s Sean Agnew. Tomorrow Clap Your Hands Say Yeah will be performing at the grand opening of Philly’s newest, most talked about, and most highly-anticipated music venue. We were obviously plenty curious about what to expect from the converted “Italian” restaurant. And Agnew was nice enough to answer our questions and give us some insight into the making of UT as well as reasons why we should be excited about its opening, what we should probably fear more than an English riot and Philly “flash mob,” why R5 hasn’t put together their own festival yet, and much, much more. As always, it was fun to pick his brain about the past, present, and possible future of the Philly music scene which you can read about HERE.
The Tweeds Want Your Weed at JB’s Sept. 20
Originally named Bobbie Peru but forced to change it due to copyright issues, The Tweeds formed at Penn State University out of the frustration of being at college and not being able to play music. They are heavily influenced by a diverse range of artists like My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, The Grateful Dead, The Dandy Warhols, and many others, and it reflects in their debut LP Goliath. The Tweeds won The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll in May 2011 and were also chosen to be featured on our national page. They were just handpicked by Fancy Time Studio as one of the runner-ups in our studio time giveaway to work with Kyle “Slick” Johnson (Wavves, Cymbal Eats Guitar, Creepoid, etc.). The Tweeds are currently working on their sophomore album, and will be opening tonight at Johnny Brenda’s for Belgium’s The Black Box Revelation and Aussies-turned-New Yorkers The Morning After Girls. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Free Downloads: “Third Wave” (The Remixes) – Work Drugs
After releasing a beautiful sexified remix of Little Scream’s “The Heron and The Fox,” Work Drugs is back to share a slew of remixes by fans and friends of their debut track “Third Wave” that started it all. You can take a listen to and download the multiple versions below. They’ll be performing live next in Philly on October 6 at The Rotunda.
New Releases: Seasons on Earth – Meg Baird & Hysterical – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Final Results of The Deli’s Studio Time Giveaway Contest with Fancy Time Studio’s Kyle “Slick” Johnson!
New Track: “Why Would You Not Want to Go There?” – Hoots & Hellmouth
Hoots and Hellmouth just shared a new track “Why Would You Not Want to Go There?” from their upcoming album Salt. They’ll be performing at their record-release show this Saturday at the TLA with Buried Beds. You can grab your copy of the album at the show, but it won’t be available digitally until September 27 and physically (CD format) in stores until October 4 (however, you can preorder it if you’d like HERE).
New Track: “I Wont Go Back” – Attia Taylor
Drawn Blank Live at Sun Temple Sept. 18
Fast paced antics by Drawn Blank showcase smart lyrics with righteously shredded out riffs. Lead by charismatic DIY badass Grace Ambrose in collaboration with Jeffrey Ziga (Little Baby’s Ice Cream), Jon Shapiro, and Sean McGuinness (Pissed Jeans), Drawn Blank’s debut cuts off their EP, Controlled Demonstration Recording, possess an aggressive charm that’s difficult to resist or shrug off. The album’s introductory track “Opening Declaration” buzzes loud with angsty shreds alongside Ambrose’s riot grrrl diction à la Kathleen Hanna. Drawn Blank’s brand of rock/punk/metal is far from misinterpreted. Legit, short, and unrelenting, songs like “Working at a Job” and “My Life” prove that the far too often forgotten aesthetics of punk are alive and well in their latest offering. Sun Temple, (Please contact one of the performers for more details), $5, 6pm, All Ages – Dianca Potts
Pink Skull Opening Things Up at MilkBoy Philly Sept. 17
If there was a name in the dictionary for flamboyant art-funk disco-ragers roughly cut with lines of plastic new wave synths and acid-washed insanity, it would be Pink Skull. The Philly collective, who just released the vinyl version of their new LP, Psychic Welfare via RVNG Intl. (digital release set for September 27), is the epitome of dirty, trippy club-house electronica. And if you had to give them a physical manifest, they would be the shiny strobe light tresses throbbing and pulsating over the sticky dance floor. You can feel it for yourself tonight when they take over the new MilkBoy Philly with fellow hometowners GANG and their crude version of gritty electro-grunge. Brooklyn’s Hank & Cupcakes will also strut the stage. We suggest lots of glitter, fabric tears, and ripped fishnets. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., $8 – $10, 9pm, 21+ – Annamarya Scaccia