THE DELI

The origin of Forever Lesbians seems rather natural for this day and age – a connection via social media and a gifted 4-track recorder. And if the tale of the band finding its name in a fortune cookie at a Philly noodle bar holds an ounce of truth, then we have the beginnings of a good ole rock ‘n’ roll story. The group recently dropped its latest EP Love, Respect and Wisdom earlier this month, and won our Featured Artist(s) Poll so you can learn about the quirky, fledgling, lo-fi indie outfit by taking a listen to the quartet’s new album below and reading our interview HERE.

With a storming, full-speed-down-a-steep-hill approach, meshing an overtly layered, lyrical agitation, which fits crisply into a nonstop bombardment of instruments, heavy-pounding blow after blow of the one-two punch of backend artillery, reinforced with volatile torch guitar that assert authority, Dopestroke hovers the line, reeling in the sound as a unit while still maintaining a loose, free-flowing, uninhibited sound. Tonight, they set the stage, opening for a pair of legendary punk outfits in Reagan Youth and GBH at Underground Arts. Get there early, and finish off your weekend the right way. Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $25, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Former Clockcleaner and Puerto Rico Flowers frontman, John Sharkey III, came up with the concept for his latest album, Pure Reality, when he was working the graveyard shift as nightwatchman at a university in Canberra, Australia while his wife was giving birth to their daughter. When faced with the “pure reality” that Australia was a temporary move, they headed back to Philadelphia, and realized the significant differences bewteen down under and Kensington. Upon settling in, he linked up with former Puerto Rico Flowers bandmates Andrew Mackie Nelson and Mike Sneeringer (who have also collaborated with the likes of Ceremony, Paint It Black, The Loved Ones, Strand of Oaks, and Purling Hiss) to form Dark Blue and work on their debut album, which was recorded by Jeff Ziegler and will be available via Jade Tree starting October 7. Dark Blue will be having an early celebration for its arrival this evening at Boot & Saddle, where they’ll be joined by Melbourne, Australia’s Dick Diver. Rounding out the lineup will be the dark and enchanting synth-driven musings of Shari Vari’s Void Vision, whose upcoming full-length Sub Rosa will be coming out mid-fall. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill

This weekend, University City is sending off their 40th Street Summer Series with one hell of a high note: Man Man will be playing a free outdoor concert this afternoon! The prodigal local outfit is known for their insane mashup of styles, grandiose over-the-top lyrics, frantic keyboardsmanship, and one of the most impressive mustaches in modern music. Their music could be described as a head on collision between heyday surf-rock and soulful indie, with just enough pseudo-hip hop to make things interesting. They’ll be joined by opener Needle Driver, an NYC avante-garde rock outfit, who will certainly add to the weirdest, most exhilarating way to say goodbye to summer. Behind the Walnut Street Free Library, 40th & Walnut Sts., 6pm, Free, All Ages – Daniel Ludwig