THE SHOWDOWN: Brief blasts of jagged character studies

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THE SHOWDOWN: Brief blasts of jagged character studies

POSTED: Monday, March 28, 2011, 12:09 PM

Filed Under: Music The Showdown

Monday: An offshoot of the world-fusing West Philadelphia Orchestra, Hershel Songs is perhaps more orchestral than its parent group. Percussionist/bandleader Gregg Mervine has composed many pieces that might not have fit into the WPO’s manic catalogue. Hershel Songs is the outlet for Mervine’s more theatrical creations; his experience writing ,for and performing in theater settings gives Mervine a keen sense of tonality and mood. w/ Larry Goldfinger, Shinjoo Cho & Chris Coyle, 9 p.m., $5, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475.

Tuesday: Brothers and sisters, unite! The Sonic Liberation Front brings the high-energy, afro-beat improvisation direct to you. Though they might sound like some aggressive musical militia, the guys are truly virtuosos. Whether you’re into jazz, worldbeat, rock or funk, the SLF’s big, big sound moves through and gives plenty of time to each of those and more. Try to keep up but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. w/ The Horrible Department, The Love Club & Touch, 8 p.m., $5, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919.

Wednesday: Back with a new album for 2011, those adorably bleak Danes, The Raveonettes, have a lot to share. Raven In The Grave, out in April, is a much darker record than the duo has ever turned in before. They’re still bound to play some of their older favorites, but the latest batch is more likely to make you slowly sway than bop. No matter, Sune Rose and Sharin always put on a fun show, regardless of their sonic heaviness. w/ Tamaryn & Nothing, 9 p.m., $15-$23, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.

Thursday: The torch-bearers of retro jangle pop, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, have regrouped after a year on the road. With a new record, Belong, boasting a much bigger, more modern sound, The Pains are growing up, and fast. Still, the sound of shyness pokes through plenty in the new set. With a heavier reliance on studio magic, The Pains’ new songs will likely receive a more scaled-back treatment in concert, unless they’ve managed to bottle that radness, too. w/ Twin Shadow & Creepoid, 8 p.m., $12, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 215-563-3980.

Friday: The Residents, best known for not being known at all, tour more than a band of their iconic mystique probably should. In case you missed them the last time they materialized in town, you’re in luck. Not only are the oddballs returning, but they’re still on their Talking Light tour. Featuring an assortment of songs, stories and asides, Talking Light is one of the more straightforward (by Residents standards) creations in years. If you never knew where to start, start here. 8 p.m., $25-$50, World Café Live, 30th St. & Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

Saturday: Not too many people can claim the title ‘post-punk bass player to the stars.’ Mike Watt can, though, as he’s performed with countless luminaries since D. Boon’s death ended the Minutemen. After working with Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth and Nels Cline, Watt returns to his own work with Hyphenated-Man, a collection of thirty brutally brief blasts of jagged character studies. It’s a rock opera of sorts, and Watt’s penchant for storytelling adds another layer of intrigue to his already captivating music. w/ Caterpillar and Split Red, 9 p.m., $12, North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St. 215-787-0488.

Sunday: By now, you should know that any band that calls itself the “Hot Club of ______” is sure to have some gypsy swing influences. The Hot Club Of Cowtown doesn’t buck that trend so much as expand the possibilities and range of a gypsy swing band. HCC’s most recent album, What Makes Bob Holler, is a tribute to the music of western swing legend Bob Wills (a cornerstone of the Hot Club’s influence). Crafting a cinematic frontier of galloping fun, The Hot Club is cookin’ up a hootenanny, the likes of which most city folk have never seen. w/ Philly Rhythm Kings, 7:30 p.m., $19.50-$30, Sellersville Theater, 24 West Temple Ave., 215-257-5808.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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