If there is one thing to adore about Ape School, it’s Michael Johnson’s unpredictability. In one instant, he’ll throw you moments of poppy synth-psych fuzz that’s made its way through a chunky shoegaze meat grinder. The next, you could be caressed by bittersweet, cloudy ambiance, like on his latest single, "Beneficiary (Don’t Blame Me)." And then he may completely surprise you with a dark, rockin’ set, like the one he played at the recent Union Transfer show with the War on Drugs. On paper, it may seem frantic, but in sonic art form, it’s seriously enjoyable. If nothing else, Ape School is consistent with offering this intensely beautiful haze that’s insidiously captivating. For that reason alone, diehards should be more than excited by his second LP, Junior Violence, slated to drop late spring/early summer. Johnson will preview some tunes from the new album Saturday night at Kung Fu Necktie, where he’ll play with other adored local acts, Norwegian Arms and Nightlands. Expect Norwegian Arms to offer a twisted mix of freak pop, weird folk and alt-Americana, while Nightlands stretches out an empyrean blanket of polished, dream-time soundscapes. You’re welcome. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8 – $10, 21+ (Photo by Q.D. Tran) – Annamarya Scaccia
Other things to keep you entertained this weekend…
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Market East Record Release Show w/ Like Wild and The Mendles, SAT Ape School, Nightlands, Norwegian Arms, SUN Burden
The Level Room (2102 Market St.) SAT Charmaines Names, SUN Summer Love, Quiet Arcs, Fire in the Hearts and Minds
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Whitewater Press, The Bailey Hounds, Sweet Eureka, SAT First Capital Funk, Sunshine Superman, Chail & The Beige Americans
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Star Syndicate and Atrium Way, SAT Luther and One Win Choice, SUN Rasputin’s Secret Police, Old People, Stinky Smelly
Tritone (1508 South St.) SAT Lust2Love, Butterscotch Grimm, Jurrassic Shark, SUN G. Calvin Weston
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Pig Iron Theatre Company’s Annual Benefit Cabaret and Auction, SUN Drake City
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, Philadelphia Brothers Reunion, Salsa Shark, SUN Caveman and Tha Itis
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI John Train, SUN Cowmuddy
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI LP Stiles, SUN Stonethrown, Parachuting Apostles, The Lux, Sinners Saints, Mach 22, Modern Colour, Twenty 30, Mother
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Byways and American Schoolyard
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Discount Heroes, Early Ape, This Way Home, Katie Barbato, Barakka, SAT Gray Fox, The Soundouts, The Good Excuses
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) FRI Horizon Wireless and Fikus, SAT Coppertonic and Natural Selection
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St. Philadelphia) SAT Bam Pow Vol. 3 Release Party w/Rasputin’s Secret Police, Starwood, Northern Liberties
The El Bar (1356 N. Front St.) SAT Point Breeze, Bardus, Ratkicker
Little Bar (738 S. 8th St.) SAT Playboy Bunny Savage, Thee Sutdowns, Twisted in Graves
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) SUN West Philadelphia Orchestra, The Horrible Department, Octomonkey
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