Our weekly concert picks: October 22–October 28
What we’re checking out this week!
What we're checking out this week!
Friday, October 24: The Misfits
Halloween time is basically the only time it's acceptable to go see The Misfits, and luckily the band itself knows this, and times its tours appropriately. One of the weirdest bands to surface from New Jersey, The Misfits are credited with creating the horror punk genre, and penned many quintessential Halloween anthems, in addition to inspiring and terrifying unsuspecting audiences. Originally the brainchild of the wily and unpredictable Glenn Danzig, whose dark lyrical imagery is rivaled by few, The Misfits achieved only modest success during their original career (1977–1983), but went on to become cult legends, and eventually reunited in later years. And while it's true Danzig is no longer with the band, original bassist Jerry Only remains, and leads the new incarnation through all the facepaint and antics you want and expect. Do they sound as good now as they did during their heyday? No. But you're not going to this show to be blown away by musicality—you're going to rage in the moshpit and wear fake blood. Happy Halloween!
9:00 at the TLA, 334 South St., $25. Tickets available here.
Friday, October 24: Hurry
Cool band alert! Hurry are Matt Scottoline, Rob DeCarolis, and Joe DeCarolis, three Philadelphians with a penchant for fuzzy bass lines and sweet, sweet melodies. Originally a solo outfit for Scottoline, of emo stalwarts Everyone Everywhere (that's emo in a cool, Jets to Brazil kinda way, not a lame nasally way) — Hurry trades epic guitar lines and lyrics for lower stakes indie pop that feels warm and familiar in all the right ways. Over the years, they've grown in both size and scope, and this Friday, they celebrate the release of their new record Everything/Nothing, with a release show at the First Unitarian Church. Inspired by Yo La Tengo, Dinosaur Jr., and all those other cool '90s bands we still love to love, Everything/Nothing is a beautifully composed record that finds meaning in the tempo, flow, and Scottoline's fuzzed-out lyrics (also they have great tee-shirts). They're joined by Philly rockers Dogs on Acid and Sarah and Rob from Bleeding Rainbow, playing a special duo show as Reading Rainbow — a.k.a. their original incarnation. Don't sleep!
8:30 at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., $8. Tickets available here.
Saturday, October 25: Temples with The Districts
Two of our fave live bands! Temples and The Districts both impressed us last summer, with awesome sets at Morgan's Pier and XPoNential Fest respectively, and this Saturday team up for a sweet double-header at Union Transfer. Temples formed 2 years back in Kettering, England, and burst onto the public radar with an intoxicating psych-rock debut and the recommendation of both Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher. Drawing heavily on classic psychedelic, but with a pop twist, they lead the psych-pop revival alongside bands like Tame Impala. The Districts are a PA-born, Philly-based rock group, whose twangy, soulful songs and rollicking live show recently won them a slot on the Fat Possum Records roster — not to mention the support and respect of the local scene (Boot & Saddle even threw a party in their honor this past summer). Together, the pairing promises an evening filled with warm guitars, sprawling melodies, and feel-good rock'n roll vibes. What more do you really need?
7:30 at Union Transfer, 1025 Spring Garden St., $20. Tickets available here.
Saturday, October 25: Weezer
Yes, I know — a few weeks ago in this very space, I called out Weezer, saying they were embarrassingly uncool. I still stick to this assessment. Weezer are not cool. But do we all sometimes like uncool things? Of course we do. The thing about Weezer we forget is they were never trying to be cool. "Buddy Holly" and Pinkerton and the whole thick glasses thing became cool somewhat accidentally — much like the entire indie rock movement — when thousands of nerds found kindred spirits in this twitchy, quirky band. And since then, yes, they have done lots of dorky things, like the Weezer cruise and putting that guy from Lost on one of their record covers — but they've done it with a sorta irreverent glee, as if screaming to the world "We're Weezer and we'll do what we want!" They're mainstream and dorky but also totally punk. And perhaps more importantly, their new record, Everything Will Be Alright in the Next End doesn't suck. They'll play it live this Saturday; go and let Rivers restore your faith.
8:00 at the Troc, 1003 Arch St., sold out.
Monday, October 27: Meat Puppets
The whole idea seems sort of unreal: this Monday, Phoenix, AZ punks and infamous debauchers Meat Puppets play Underground Arts, almost daring you to act reckless and go out on a Monday (because most likely, they are way older than you). Hardcore punks-turned-cowpunk progenitors, Meat Puppets became a household name when Kurt Cobain featured them on his now infamous MTV Unplugged in New York LP, recorded right before his death — although the band maintained a large cult following for more than a decade prior. Formed in 1980 by brothers Curt and Cris Kirkwood and pal Derrick Bostrom, Meat Puppets were one of the inaugural acts on legendary punk label SST Records (Black Flag, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.), and went on to influence a whole generation of post-punkers. They were also notorious partiers who make Penn frats look lame and who managed to write awesome tunes like "Up on the Sun" and "Lake of Fire" while probably strung out on God-knows-what. In recent years they've mellowed some, which is a good thing or else your Monday couldn't handle it.
8:00 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., $15. Tickets available here.