Wed, Oct 29

In the slug-fest between those two newcomer venues, the Canal Club gets short shrift, but they are steadily booking good shows. Take JJ Grey and Mofro ; they play southern-fried boogie soul even though they are from Jacksonville, Florida, which is southern geographically, but not so much artistically. Hill Country Revue opens the show. Check out all the time and ticket info. 

Over at The Triple, Sleeping in the Aviary lies down with black crows, while underneath the bed turkey vultures feed on the primitive corpse of their lo-fi dreams. They aren't afraid of getting down and dirty is what I mean to say. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Thurs, Oct 30

The songwriter for Philly's Man Man claims his main inspiration is being broke. Well said, Honus Honus, obviously a man who likes to double double down down. A Man Man show is one continuous segue from song to song, with members ditching instruments at will, picking up what's at hand and playing hell hell out of it. The word avant-garde is bandied about by critics, but they probably never lived in Philly; just staying alive and in one piece piece is experimental in that town. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Many think back in fondness upon a band from North Carolina who played here frequently, putting the town to the rock and roll torch then hitting the road, leaving everyone thrilled and exhausted. They were the Flat Duo Jets. The crazed force of nature who fronted the band (one of two members) is Dexter Romweber. He lives on, still going where many fear to tread. His new outfit numbers exactly two -- himself and a drummer. Just like the good old days. He's playing with his good buddies the Cashmere Jungle Lords and The Trestle Walkers, fronted by the inimitable Jeanne Bishop nee Freeman. Here's your sleeper show for this week. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Fri, Oct 31

If you like your Halloween trashy and thrashy get your sartorial self over to The Triple. There you will see The Falsies , who have never believed that Halloween comes only once a year. Brown Sabbath and Iggy Plop will haul some skeletons out of the closet to open. Check out all the time and ticket info.

The Dregs aren't afraid of that last swallow of beer in the bottle, the one you shouldn't, don’t want to drink, but you do it anyway. Their name celebrates such courage, or foolishness. I would like to encourage them to be the Cramps for their Halloween show at Poe's. Poison Ivy!

It's a little curious the connection between the earnest folk-rock of Carbon Leaf and a night devoted to all things creepy. I would encourage them to dress as Flogging Molly for their Halloween show at Toad's, and cover an entire album of Killing Joke songs. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Sat, Nov 1

Kevin Barnes, frontman for Of Montreal, has got it bad for David Bowie. So much so that Ziggy Stardust might want to sue for persona abduction, or at least call Barnes out for a lousy impersonation. Of Montreal mongers their irony-laden disco at The National. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Horsehead plays it old school, as in Jack Black would dig this band. They are playing their Rolling Stones meets Tom Petty rock and roll for free at Toad's. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Sun, Nov 2

Tonight the Jeckyll and Hyde of music shows at The Triple with the Two Man Gentlemen Band followed by The High Street Lowlifes. That should about cover both sides of the musical street, including the gutters. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Dance music doesn't have to sound like weak tea from the 1970s. It can be muscular, innovative and fun, and it need not drip with irony from a former polyester era. Harken to the sounds of Lotus, dance music for the 21st century from Philly, where they make that cream cheese and those cheese steaks. And where they love to dance. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Mon, Nov 3

This weeks pick for worst band name, especially inexcusable considering his former band, is Bob Weir's Ratdog, coming to The National. They will no doubt be playing favorites from that other band and doing a lot of "jamming," a technical term for what the British call "wanking." Noodle dancing will be strictly prohibited. Check out all the time and ticket info.

Tues, Nov 4

Election day. You are not permitted to go see music or engage in any other enjoyable activity until you vote, and until the future course of our country is decided. That said, you don't have to enjoy yourself at all to go see my revised pick for worst band name I have almost ever heard, AIDS Wolf , because they play "bummercore." We'll see about that. They are at The Triple with Health, USA is a Monster and Dynomite Club, as red, white, black and blue a show as you could ever hope for. Check out all the time and ticket info.