Most Sundays, rest and recuperation are considered the optimal approach. Washing away the fatigue accumulated over the course of the week, and preparing for the dreaded Monday that lies ahead. However, the lineup at First Unitarian Church is the type that suggests or dare I say demands attendance. Carrying a three-headed monster of a lineup including a pair of local favorites. Lea Cho and Russ Waterhouse, a.k.a. Blues Control, attack the traditional boundaries. Cleanly experimenting in a bluesy, jazz-textured avant-garde realm that occupies or at least reaches for higher elevations. While some of the instrumentation offers a familiar air, the manner in which it is presented and unexpected nature of combinations shed a new light. Speaking of traditional sounds that jump up and smack you into attention, Sheer Mag does just that. Garnering The Deli Philly’s November Record the of Month honors with their debut EP 7", the group’s natural garage-punk hybrid steadily prowls along with a robust bass-thumping/drum-slapping looseness. Add in catchy guitar licks that step up for raw tight solos and Christina Halladay’s feisty tenacious vocals that grab hold of any audience, and you have a recipe for success. Finally, the night is headlined by the infectious psych-punk of Parquet Courts. So all things considered, it makes sense that this show is sold out. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8pm, $15, All Ages – Michael Colavita
More places to enjoy this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band, SAT Scott Churchman
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Meddlesome Meddlesome Meddlesome Bells (Record Release Show), Trophy Wife, Bonzai, SAT I Think Like Midnight, Nixon’s Head, Beretta 76
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Pulling Punches, Die Choking/Hoser, Breezy, SAT The Nocturnal Jocks, Dead Tenors/Dixy Blood, The Scovilles, SUN Carl Madison
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI The Wonder Years: Performing The Upsides, SAT The Wonder Years: Performing Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing, SUN The Wonder Years: Performing The Greatest Generation
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI El Malito & the 33rd Century, Galvanize, DJ Kurtlife, Visitor 10, SAT Bardo Pond, Watery Love, Hound
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Jah People, The Philly Reggae Band, SAT Adam Travis & The Soul, Native Maze, SUN Bria Marie, Naeemah Z. Maddox, Jaye Sanders and Dena Underwood, Alisa Joe and Gyrl Problems
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI The Peek A- Boo Revue Presents High Thighs & Bow Ties, SAT Honor, Chestnut Grove, Hopscotch Jefferson
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Performer-Songwriters from Curtis, SAT (Upstairs) (Noon) 3rd Annual Winter Doldrums Music Festival: The Rent-A-Cops, Divers, Vilebred, No Good Sister, Christine Havrilla, Brian Flanagan Band, Andrea Nardello, Kicking Down Doors, Tin Bird Choir, Mason Porter, Sweetbriar Rose, Lovers League, Black Horse Motel., Sparkle Pony, Paige Allbritton, Chelsea Sue Allen, Gavilán, John Galla (Downstairs) (7pm) Alo Brasil, (10pm) Alo Brasil, SUN (Upstairs) Andorra, The Excape
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Foxhound, The Spinning Leaves, SAT (5pm) Legs Like Tree Trunks, Jet Set Sail/(9pm) Verbatum Jones, Hazie Blue, The Bul Bey, Gabriel Wolf, SUN Varials, Young Graves
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI La Capitaña, SAT Venice Sunlight
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Wild Rompit, Nark, The Captain, The Pilot, The Driver, SAT The Blessed Muthas, The Improbables
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI The Go Around, SAT Plantation, Solus Rex, Black Rue
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI John Mallinen, SAT Rust – The Music of Neil Young
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Hired Guns Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI 2F Club, StarSkream/Boy Wonder, The Hvddle, Chartel, SAT Pontious Pilots, Black Market Revolution, One Inch Gap, Dorkosaurus/Unit Theory Hopochie Coochie Men, Sunblaze Lane
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Music Box Dynamo, Sucker, HighKick
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI RC, SAT Serious Boom, SUN Jacqueline Constance
Club Risque (1700 S. Columbus Blvd.) FRI Prosper or Perish (CD Release), Slave Dog
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI McRad, Ra Leaf, Boots Movement Show Featuring: Doc Hero, George “Spanky” McCurdy, SAT Control For Smilers
Mount Thrashmore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Sic Bacchus (Final Show), Collect Yourself, Thieve
The Petting Zoo (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Mannequin Pussy, Euphoria Again
Safety Meeting (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Post Sun Times, Shakai Mondai, Minka
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Abi Reimold, Row, Eleby, Euphoria Again, Shannen Moser
Baker Bowl (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT A Day Without Love, Second Marriage, Languid PA, Uncle/Father Oscar
The Pharmacy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Pussy Dogs
The Nut House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI GG Lohan, Bridget McEnerney, Gwendolyn Rooker
The Nest (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Tiny Rianbows, In Place