You can probably lump SuperGoose in with the number of Bucks County artists that I think have been really spicing up the Philly indie music scene for years (as well as the Brooklyn/NYC scene). I’m not sure what’s in the water up there, but I do know that the wooded areas and open spaces leave little to do while growing up except think, listen to music, take drugs and have sex which certainly helps nurture great musicians (and can often be their downfall). SuperGoose is a power trio that combines ominous mechanical sounding indie rock with layers of fuzzy synth-noise and vocals that ooze rock n’ roll. It’s a big sound that I’d like to hear through arena speakers. Check out the video above for “Do the Catapult” from the Pipedown Finale, and decide for yourself! myspace.com/supergooseband – Q.D. Tran
FREE Prowler Show at KFN Dec. 19
A name like Prowler should have you think of something edgy and infectious, with an urban swagger that makes you want to get up from your seat and unleash all that stored tension. It’s an apt name for a band that delivers what the Philly music scene certainly needs more of: an odd brand of funky, indie dance-rock. Spastically soulful vocals are laid over fat, polyrhythmic beats, angular guitar scratches, and boisterous bass and synth effects. "Spooky Pussy" shows them at their most playful; that is, until it bleeds into an instrumental refrain that could only be described as, well, spooky. Check out their dope remix of "Spooky Pussy" with Plastic Little here. Kung Fu Necktie, 1205 North Front Street, 10 p.m., FREE, 21+ myspace.com/prowler – Joe Poteracki
North Lawrence Midnight Singers at The Khyber Dec. 19
Ever since their self-titled debut was named one of the top ten best local releases of it’s year by beloved Philadelphia Weekly’s Doug Wallen, who praised the band for their "shambling country-folk goodness culled from the oldest of schools," North Lawrence Midnight Singers have been raising some ears. Their blend of roots music and Americana does a good job of bringing everyone together in a satisfied hoe down. And that might just be what they’re aiming for tonight, but it wouldn’t be a good hoe down without some bluegrass music, and fortunately HogMaw, whose music was just recently featured on WXPN’s folk show, have enough to keep you moving. Oddly placed, but also dedicated in keeping the evening in motion is Igor’s Egg with their quirky progressive, psychedelic brand of mischief. They recently released a book/album combo called The Ultimate Tuh. The Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9pm, $8, 21+ myspace.com/northlawrencemidnightsingers – Bill McThrill
Weekend Warrior, December 18 – 20
You should make it to the M Room tonight for Dave Sommer’s Benefit Show. It’s full of local acts that were nice enough to donate their talents for an evening to help a comrade in need. It’s a good cause. We HATE cancer! You should too. Also don’t forget to grab a gift for someone you love at The Punk Rock Flea Market in The Starlight Ballroom. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9 pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/cloudminder
Other things to do besides shopping…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Like a Fox and The Cobbs
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Prowler
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Grimace Federation SAT The Codes
The Khyber (56 S 2nd St.) FRI Dirty Diamond’s Third Annual Vagina Jam, SAT North Lawrence Midnight Singers and Igor’s Egg
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Buddhafest 36 w/ Kickin’ Bear, New Pony, Urban Giants and more
Voyeur (1221 James St.) FRI Making Time w/Cold Cave
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) SAT The Elevator Parade, Gondola, Music for Headphones
World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Among Criminals, SAT (Downstairs) Peek-A-Boo Revue POSTPONED
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT The Tough Shits, SUN Mischief Brew
The Cobbs and Like a Fox at JB’s Dec. 18
No strangers to the Philadelphia music scene, tonight The Cobbs and Like a Fox play Johnny Brenda’s. Blending Led Zeppelin, The Pixies, and Joy Division and cutting their teeth on tour and in the studio with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC), long time high school friends and band leaders Ryan and Paul Cobb will be performing songs off Sing the Deathcapades, a 10-song serenade dedicated to a friend who passed away during the album’s recording. Like a Fox, led by frontman Jay Laughlin (Lenola), channels prismatic pop colored with electronic and psychedelic undertones, and textured with ambivalent lyrics. Be sure to check out their latest release, Where’s My Golden Arm? Johnny Brenda’s 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 9pm $12 myspace.com/thecobbsthecobbs, myspace.com/likeafoxband – H.M. Kauffman
Dirty Diamond’s Third Annual Vagina Jam at The Khyber Dec. 18
When an artist gives out free vibrators to every woman who attends his show, you already know that he isn’t your typical musician. But that’s just the way Dirty Diamond has rolled for going on three years now. He is the only Neil Diamond cover artist to utilize dirty lyrics, so after he spins classics like "Sweet Caroline" into "Sweet Cocaine Line," you may never look at it in the same way ever again. But it’s all in the spirit of comedy that bridges the gap, and it more than succeeds. He’ll be joined by Bong Hits For Jesus, who just recently released their first full length and have collaborated with the likes of Chuck Treece. Their blend of ska and stoner jam rock will leave you feeling a little bit high. Rounding out the lineup is Action Park, who was named after the ill-fated theme park, and who’s jammed out progressive metal has just as many roller coaster loops. Combine it all with comedian Benny Michaels as the master of ceremonies, and you have a night that you probably shouldn’t forget your headies. The Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9pm, $10, 21+ – myspace.com/dirtydiamondmusic – Bill McThrill
Tu Phace Signed to Sony Music/Epic Records!
So in the world of social networks and TMI, we actually found something interesting in a tweet. Congrats to Tu Phace for signing to Sony Music/Epic Records! Tu Phace was the winner of last year’s Deli Best of Philly Audience Poll and finished third overall. Good luck dealing with the Majors! myspace.com/tuphace – The Deli Staff
Public Record Located at JB’s Dec 16
Public Record will be playing their first show in over a year tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, and what you’ll be treated to is a diverse blend of early disco, shoegaze, afro beat, northern soul, indie pop and then some. With a mix like that, it’s no wonder why their album Echolocation, which was released on Philly’s own High Two, has been met with positive reviews, and inspired an Echolocation remix album utilizing the talents of artists like Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto, Superchunk’s Mac McCaughan, Mazarin’s Quentin Stoltzfus, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Arc in Round and many more. Speaking of Arc in Round, Public Record will be joined by Jeff Zeigler’s newest project Sounder. So expect your favorite ambient indie pop to get a little more of a freestyle twist. Johnny Brenda’s 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/publicrecord (Photo by Mike Persico) – Bill McThrill