The National Rifle pop their cherry tonight at South Philly’s newest music venue The Boot & Saddle. The local four-piece has gone through an evolution sonically with their latest release Almost Endless, produced by Miner Street’s Brian McTear. The band has embraced the interplay between guitar and synth moving more towards a New Wave vibe, sounding less like a runaway jet-fueled rocket ship, which is actually a good thing. They seem to be expending that extra, saved energy towards fine-tuning their songwriting craft. They’ll be opening this evening for buzzing Canadian avant-popsters Braids. The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 9pm, $10 adv/$12 door, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
