Weekend Warrior, July 13 – 15

The basement of the First Unitarian Church was, up until last year, a lively, eclectic magnet for eccentric, brownbag-holding music enthusiasts multiple times a week. Most of its events, and thus its colorful traffic, have been detoured by R5 Productions up to the instant hot spot Union Transfer. Last month though, Hop Along and co. filled up the beloved spot with sweat, beer, and most importantly, feather-ruffling, exclamatory pop-rock, with some harp thrown in for good measure. Hop Along were celebrating the release of their fantastic, already understated LP Get Disowned, which you can grab your copy now via Hot Green Records (the label run by the Algernon Cadwallader dudes, who also were responsible for the recording of the album.) This Saturday night, they will be downsizing in capacity, but certainly not in talent when they take over Johnny Brenda’s for the evening. The band is coming back home after a short stint on the road, so expect a congenial time to be had by old and new friends alike… Hop Along alum – and musical man around town Dominic Angelella) – will be bringing his latest venture DRGN KING along for the ride, who will be pumping out paranormal-rock jams. What began as a studio pet project for Angelella and Ritz Reynolds has becoming a rollicking five-piece, with the recent addition of Norwegian Arms’ Brendan Mulvihill on guitar (this will be his debut show with the band). DRGN KING are getting ready to release their debut record Paragraph Nights, so expect some previews from the highly-anticipated release. Rounding out the bill are rad Baltimore-based and Dan Deacon affiliated woozy pop experimenters Secret Mountains, who will be the subject of an upcoming Shaking Through episode. Come enjoy these local favorites and their out-of-town guests for what should be an intimate yet exhilarating evening. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, 21+, $10 – Adam G.