Suicide Bong Tapes celebrates the release of The Whips‘s Roots Rock Element tonight at Boot & Saddle. The Whips exude a loose (not lax) surf-garage tone – one set off by authentic, harmony-peppered, slick, subtly swerving-guitar runs and the omnipresent current of backend rhythm rumbling. It could be considered a trip back to golden-era simplicity, echoing the early rebellious edge that morphed into punk. With semi-refined, raw materials, the sound is finished to a pronounced sheen, without masking the natural grain. Louie Louie welds the soulful, vocal-anchored pop that has a penchant toward taking a psych-rockin’ avenue. The infectious jangle of Wild Jim Banfill & His Rolling Rocks (Mark Banfill of The Tough Shits) sets sail on its inaugural journey, opening things up. Get there early as attendees will receive a free tape with admission, while supplies last. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
