Strapping Fieldhands and U.S. Girls at KFN Sept. 11

Judging by the looks of their history, Strapping Fieldhands have been one of Philly’s best-kept secrets for around twenty years now. Since the early 90s, releases on Shangri-La and Slitbreeze have gotten them on tours with the likes of legendary indie gods Pavement and Guided by Voices. So what they end up sounding like is some sort of warped version of 60s garage, like Nuggets comps filtered through the grungy haze of 80s and 90s alternative. Whimsical, almost Kinks-y, lyrics about Ulysses and young lasses named Stacey Donnelly are approached with goofy cynicism. U.S. Girls, however, takes but a few of these influences and spins them into something much darker, and more in the vein of the current lo-fi scene. Megan Remy is an always an uncompromising force on the stage, immersing the audience in a tidal wave of distortion from her makeshift sound lab. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N Front Street, 7:30pm, $8, 21+ (Photo by Dan Cohoon) – Joe Poteracki