Philadelphia

The Spooks’ Last Philly Show Before Summer U.S. Tour at KFN July 17

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Not to be confused with hometown hip-hop/R&B crew of the same moniker, Fishtown’s The Spooks may be lost in time. Their unassailably lo-fi, surf-influenced sound is immersed in a fjord of nostalgic throwback reserves, flowing with reverb-heavy erratic guitars and granular subjacent vocals – or late ‘60s/early ’70s crossover garage rock as the kiddios say. But their fancy for this overtaxed genus is never tiresome – instead, it’s like you’re wearing a comfy, over-sized Blue Cheer t-shirt while watching Freaks and Geeks on your couch. You just know you were born three decades too late. Catch them tonight at KFN before they head off for the rest of the summer on a U.S. tour! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front Street, 7:30 pm, $8, 21+ (Photo by Megan Trosclair) – Annamarya Scaccia

Philadelphia

a stick and a stone Release Party at Philadelphia Magic Garden July 17

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Spend an enchanting evening in Philly’s Magic Garden when a stick and a stone celebrate the release of Opal Nightly in a truly beautiful setting. Their haunting otherworldly compositions and bend-but-never-break Sinead O’Connor-esque vocals on tracks like “Medicine” and “Mustard Green” are breathtakingly captivating. Its moody melancholy is so simply and tastefully orchestrated, once again, stacking the argument of “why Philly’s music scene is so diverse and interesting” in our favor. Philadelphia Magic Garden, 1020 South St., 6pm, $10, All Ages – Q.D. Tran
 

 

Philadelphia

Ladies Auxiliary for Your Lazy, Hazy Summer at The Fire July 17

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Somewhere between Dr. Dog and older Ariel Pink, newcomers Ladies Auxiliary craft a lo-fi, yet highly textured mix of country rock balladry and AM radio pop. In most cases, the formula is the same: distant, warbling vocals nuzzle up against beautiful lap steel and electric organ. But there are always surprises for those who wait! Take "West Columbia" for example, which kicks off with swirling electronics and odd clipping before sliding into more familiar tones. So look no further than Ladies Auxiliary if you’re longing for that hazy sunset feeling. They’ll be sharing the bill tonight at The Fire with Noncanon and Atlanta’s Nomen Novum. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave, 10pm, $5, 21+ – Joe Poteracki

 

 

Philadelphia

Mr. Unloved Needs Your Love at Tritone July 17

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Mr. Unloved is coming to Tritone tonight. He has a bizarre logo that looks like Michael Johnson meets Contra and a lounge-y, boozy sound that reminds me of some strange act I saw in that dive bar recently. Deja vu? The vocals are smoky and the harmonica flourishes are aplenty. He has bluesy jam sessions and even some warped spoken word thrown in for chuckles or just simply tangents of a lunatic. Come drink many specials and talk about the good old days with the appropriate soundtrack. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9pm, $7, 21+ – Adam G.
 

 

Philadelphia

Grandchildren Unveil Cover Art & Tracklisting for Debut LP!

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Grandchildren just unveiled the cover art and tracklisting for their debut LP Everlasting due out on Green Owl Records on September 28! Expect a Fall U.S. Tour in support.
 
Tracklisting:
1 – Cold Warrior
2 – Winterlude
3 – Heartbreaker
4 – Saturn Returns
5 – Toss & Turn
6 – Everlasting
7 – OK I’m Waiting
8 – Little Big Ones
9 – Anthill
10 – When You’re Not Lookin
 
– The Deli Staff
 

 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, July 16 – 18

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Our Weekend Warrior pick has you crossing the Delaware River into Dirty Jerz and even dirtier Camden for XPN’s Xponential Music Festival, but Camden Waterfront is certainly one of the better spots in the city. However, three days of the fest are usually a little overkill for us, but Saturday anchored by Yo La Tengo and The Walkmen looks like the best day to hang, but it’s lacking the local love so we’re going to give some out with a little rundown of artists that you should try and catch. Friday is all about Free Energy and Toy Soldiers while Birdie Busch represents on Saturday, and Sunday closes hometown pride strong with Dr. Dog, Blood Feathers and The Great Unknown. Xponential Music Festival, Camden Waterfront – Wiggins Park, daily $20/3 day pass $45 (members) & daily $30/3 day pass $65 (general public), 12pm, All Ages
 
In case the fest is a little too adult contemporary for you…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Gang, SAT Mondo Topless
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT The Spooks
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Xponential Afterparty w/Cheers Elephant and Toy Soldiers, SAT Noncanon and Ladies Auxiliary
 
M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Deathbeds
 
The Khyber (56 S. 2nd St.) FRI Windlestrae Album Release Party, SAT The Midnight Beat and The Slot Cars, SUN Time Ghost
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) SAT Mr. Unloved, SUN Elliot Levin
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) FRI Many Arms
 
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI Early Ape
 
JR’s Bar (2327 S. Croskey St.) SAT Jukebox Zeros and The Handsome Petes
 
Eris Temple (602 S. 52nd St.) SAT Anti Emz and Lisa Sunshine
 
The Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum (3819 Hamilton St.) SAT The Dubsmith
 
Philadelphia Magic Gardens (1020 South St.) SAT A Stick and A Stone Album Release Party
 
The Brown Bear Art & Music Festival (Benefit for Haiti) – Clark Park (43rd and Chester) SAT Surgeon, The Last Barbarians, Alien Architect, Big Unkle, Floco Torres, Te V. Smith and more
 
Pop Festival – Liberty Lands Park (3rd and Wildey) SAT West Philadelphia Orchestra, The Weeds, The Mean, Betty Iron Thumbs, Elder Brother
 

 

Philadelphia

Hot Guts Release Another Split 7” on Badmaster Records

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Hot Guts just added another piece to Badmaster Records’ continuing split 7” series with two songs about paranoia and male prostitution. “Dar’rat Hessia” comes at you with screeching buzz-saw guitars and bludgeoning drum beats packed in just barely over two minutes of night sweats. They’ll be joined on the 7” by fellow post-punkers NYC’s Pop. 1280. You can purchase the album at http://badmasterrecords.bigcartel.com/. Hot Guts is currently working on their debut full length so stay tuned. – H.M. Kauffman
 

 

Philadelphia

The Brown Bear Art & Music Fest – Benefit for Haiti at Clark Park July 17

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Clark Park is no stranger to rocking action packed music festivals. But few of them support a cause that’s as noteworthy as the one that The Brown Bear Music & Arts Festival is collecting for this Saturday. Because every musician, poet, and artist on the lineup will be playing to the tune of rebuilding Haiti! Remember them, folks? Well, they certainly still need your help. So while you get an ample dose of jazz, rock and floetry, donate some cash and feel good about supporting a good cause. But the festival also brings together a pretty eclectic lineup! Surgeon are at the forefront of the fest’s rocking foundation, while The Last Barbarians bring some screamo punk, and Alien Architect get intergalactic. Moka loads up the soul guitar, while Big Unkle brings the funky fresh beats. The fest also brings some moving poetry and spoken word from Te’ V. Smith and Esha Thornton as well as plenty of arts & crafts vendors. The Brown Bear Art & Music Festival – Clark Park, 43rd and Chester, 11am – 8pm, All Ages, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 

 

Philadelphia

Gang Banging Out the Jams at JB’s July 16

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Ever since Gang stormed onto the scene a couple years back with “Guess What You’ll Find”, they’ve been carving their own niche on the local music scene with their dance art-pop. The fashionistas are certainly not afraid to get the party started with their melodically catchy tunes, gang vocals from Amanda Damron and Jaclyn McGraw, operatic overtones, and stellar production work from The Big Kids combine to create a sound that feels like a Rocky Horror Picture Show performance on a rocket ship headed directly to the edge of the universe. Whether you find yourself singing along to “Rat Poison” in large doses or hitting the dance floor in a fast-paced frenzy, you WILL be strangely moved. And when they are matched up with a hot act like Kid Sister, a former Top Performer in The Deli’s Best of Chicago Poll, the pace will be 2 fast 2 furious (even for Vin Diesel)! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $15, 21+ – Bill McThrill

 

 

Philadelphia

Early Ape Pop In at Millcreek Tavern July 16

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Rock and roll dynamics and nostalgic pop vocals are what Early Ape will be bringing to Millcreek Tavern tonight. Their songs resonate the band’s varied influences like Spoon and Weezer, though a de-evolved version of the latter. Main man Nate Rylan is a Philly music veteran of sorts having been part of the Philadelphia Boys Choir, which helps explain his standout vocals. Having survived the possible physical and mental abuse that an adolescent might have felt from being in an all boys choir, you owe it to him to swing by and take a listen to what he’s been up to lately. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 9pm, $8, 21+ – Adam G.