The Tough Shits are the type of rock ‘n’ roll band whose musical output doesn’t fall squarely into a genre-specific parking spot. However, the elements of influence shine through creating a group that can play with a rough and tumble garage-rock edge and pair that with a California-casual surfer style. Using vocal harmonies and wave-crashing percussion and guitar riffs that nonchalantly start at a jog and turn into a sprint as their musical weapons of choice, the Tough Shits sound has a touch of so many things that you like. They don’t fit into a specific spot, but for the double-fisting rockers, there better be one open. Well, they’ll find one tonight on the bill at Johnny Brenda’s with Sub Pop’s Jaill and Hardly Art’s Fergus & Geronimo so make sure to get there early and grab your spot. Johnny Brenda’s 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Aliya Strychnine) – Michael Colavita

Tonight is going to get really weird (in a good way) at PhilaMOCA for our second installment of Tuesday Tune-Out! We’re taking it to the furthest reaches of the universe with the interstellar sounds of Tadoma, a.k.a. Joe Patitucci, & Arc in Round‘s Jeff Zeigler. The two artists are a perfect combination to get us lost in the vast galaxies of our minds this evening. Patitucci will also be bringing along his favorite episode of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos called "The Edge of Forever" on VHS. Smoke ’em if ya got ’em, folks, or just ask to join one of our seshes. We don’t mind. 

Congrats to DRGN King who recently signed to Bar None Records! The Hoboken, NJ indie label will release the band’s debut album Paragraph Night in January 2013, and its lead single "Holy Ghost" on October 23 on a limited edition 7" vinyl that will also feature "Son of Wolfman," their collaboration with Peedi Crakk on its b-side. Frontman Dominic Angellela will be making a solo appearance tonight at The Fire, and DRG King’s next band performance in Philly will be on September 28 at Pilam as part of Norwegian Arms/Laser Background’s unique house show residency, which starts this Friday at South Philly’s Dreamcastle. 

Pop-punk outfit Swearin’ recently made the move from Brooklyn to Philly adding to our growing hometown list of bands to watch. The four-piece, led by Allison Crutchfield (one half of the twin sister combo formerly of P.S. Eliot and teenage Alabama rock band the Ackleys, who were the subject of a short YouTube documentary), will be making their local live performance debut tonight at Golden Tea House. The group will be opening for Tenement this evening, and will also be performing another Philly show next week on September 18 at Cloud City. Swearin’ already has plans to hit the road in November with Japandroid. Golden Tea House, (Please contact one of the acts or the venue for deets.), 7:30pm, $6, All Ages (Photo by Jesse Riggins) – Alexis V.

Check out “Beats, Brews, and Banter” tonight at Roosevelt’s Pub (2220 Walnut St.)! It’s a free monthly meet-up (from 7pm – 9pm) coordinated by Philly Drum Project, a percussive collective dedicated to sharing gear, lessons, beats and gigs, while emphasizing creativity, education, and community. Each event has a featured clinician/speaker, and this evening’s special guest will be Tim Arnold from Good Old War. Sounds like a supportive music community thing that’s a good place to learn more about your art, meet likeminded people, and possibly find a drummer for your next project, which can often be a difficult thing to do. Brews are also always a plus. Cheers!

Relatively new to the Philly indie music scene, Dreambook will be making their first appearance on Johnny Brenda’s stage tonight. The quartet currently only has two demos available online, which you can take a listen to HERE. Their track “Ghost” is driven by fuzzy guitars that provide an ominous undertone, while “Stay Inside” is airier with a lackadaisical daydreaming quality. Both demos give you a glimpse into the sound of a promising young group. They’ll have the opportunity to open for seasoned veteran David Pajo who has worked with Slint, Tortoise, Billy Corgan, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs just to name a few and will be coming to Philly with his own project Papa M. Can you say “accomplished”? Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman  

Now that yesterday’s rain has passed, we should have some fine weather for today’s Greenfest Philly. The local area festival is where you can go to learn about living sustainably while having a good time. The music will be provided by Clean Air Council for “Earth Jam II.” To celebrate the organization’s 45th anniversary, they’ve recruited local pop-rockers Cheers Elephant, hip-hop band Abstract Verses, whiskey rock outfit Mountjoy, and funky soul rockers You Do You. Now, go save the Earth! Or at least get some tips to help out those trying. Headhouse Square, 2nd and South St., 11am – 5pm, Free, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman