Tonight at Underground Arts will be an artist statement of sorts for Chipocrite, who is celebrating the release of his debut LP Wordplay, a culmination of years of writing, reworking, and evolving songs into the sound imagined when he began making chiptune music. The result is an expansive experience and a rock ‘n’ roll fantasy. It is an aggressive and playful album at the intersection of Chipocrite’s progressive rock roots and 8-bit infatuation. The album is a long time coming, with certain songs dating back to his previous band MJ Project, so it is fitting that his old band members will be joining him on this evening’s bill. The new project, The Blurry Nights, makes tight, proggy gems with intricate guitar leads and tasty synthesizer licks. Also, recently announced was a MJ Project mini-reunion before Chipocrite’s set, something that he had hinted at and probably won’t happen again. Making the long journey from Amaris (that is a planet) to join them tonight is Chronicles of Sound, a cosmic rock band on a life threatening and altering mission to overthrow god-emperor Drekin and discover “The Sound.” Good friend, collaborator and past bandmate Daniel Davis, a.k.a. An0va, is opening the festivities, Philly’s Enerjawn will be handling visuals for the evening. Come by and enjoy the celebration of new music and old friends! Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Adam G.
Other places to escape the chill this weekend…
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI The Roddenberries
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Weird Hot, El Malito & the 33rd Century, I think Like Midnight, SAT Cheerleader, Dream Safari, Louds
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Bird Watcher, Shark Tape, Wild Orphan, SAT Ladybird, SUN Cassavetes
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Penrose, Mat Burke, The Rivals, August Lutz, SAT Moonshine Social, Jesus’ Older Brother, SUN YS The DJ, Reef the Lost Cauze
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Girls Rock Philly: Winter Programs Showcase
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI The Paper Shakers: Christmas Variety Show, SAT Betty Iron Thumbs, The Glitterbombs, Sick Panda, Kevin
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT The Kalob Griffin Band, American Babies, Church Girls
TLA (334 South St.) FRI GoGo Morrow, Aaron Parnell Brown, Guordan Banks, Crown Bella
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT York Street Hustle, SUN Chest Grove
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Atley Moon & The Say Something Sound Machine,Adam Travis, SAT Square Peg Round Hole, Beverly Mud, SUN Zah Garner, Shon Goner, Suillecram, Lil Benji, Suirad Franklin, Drohn Banga
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Vilebred, Son Step, Halfro, Voss, The Funky T
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Philly Tapes Philly: Kate Faust, Minka, SAT Creem Circus, New Sound Brass Band
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Tweed, SAT Screaming Rattler
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SUN MAST w/members of The Fresh Orchestra, FLOTE, Nommo
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI Redd Panda
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI The Donuts, SAT Caroline Reese, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Knightlife, Beautiful Madness /The Spirit World, Northern Liberties, Wally, SAT Blakeslee (CD Release), Working Class Villains, Could’ve Been Kings/Death Maschine, Klockenhouzer, Nearest
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Rowboat Casino, East of the West, Zymotic Flow, The Riverside Odds, SAT Bosom Band
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI King Midas The Rapper, Aye-t Poseidonq Q, SUN (3pm) Beware, Outer Heaven. Nothing Left/(6pm) Knightlife
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Hoochie Coochie Men, The Heat Run, Jason Ager, Man Illuminated, Tom Mackell, SAT The Jawn, Confused Disciples, Rob Tait
Ardmore Music Hall FRI Stolen Rhodes, SUN Liz Longley
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SAT Fight Amp, UltraMantis Black
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock Street, Suite 76) SUN Victory Boy (Album Release), Jantones
Eris Temple Arts (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN The Extraordinaires, Power Animal