Our weekly concert picks: February 11–February 18
Celebrate this Valentine’s Day weekend with all local bands.
Celebrate this Valentine's Day weekend with all local bands.
Friday, February 13: Purling Hiss + Dark Blue
Back when I was in college and hung out with unscrupulous dudes constantly trying to weasel out of doing nice things for their girlfriends (you remember those guys) — the day before Valentine's Day held bachelor party-esque lure: one final chance to get completely wasted, before having to buy flowers and wine and dine your lady with whatever cash you didn't blow on shots. These days, my guy friends are (mostly) totally scrupulous, but still interested in a lil pre-V-Day escape. Aren't we all? Luckily, this year JB's has you covered with two of the trippiest bands that also pair well with whiskey: psychedelic garage punks Purling Hiss, plus expansive mood-makers Dark Blue. The long-running project of Philadelphian Mike Polizze, Purling Hiss evolved over the years from a spacey bedroom project to a fully-fledged three-piece and band of local heroes, whose new record Weirdon has been on repeat since last fall. Dark Blue too originally stemmed from the mind of one Philadelphian, John Sharkey III, during a journey to Australia — then coalesced into a full band upon his return. They co-headline this V-Day Eve, in a benefit for the Fishtown Playschool. Come zone out + do good for Philly too.
9:00 at Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $12. Tickets available here.
Saturday, February 14: The Districts
Technically, The Districts hail from Lititz, PA, a small town in Lancaster County — but I'd be lying if I said we don't love claiming them as our own. A punk-and soul-tinged rock band that's quickly rising among the indie ranks, The Districts stand out thanks to warm, rollicking melodies and searing vocals with none of the trademark disillusion of other buzz bands and all of the passion. A foursome formed more than a half-decade back, when its members were just starting high school (they're still not legal now), The Districts rose to fame two summers ago, when their video of twangy stomper "Funeral Beds" went viral — landing on the front page of The Huffington Post, and leading to a record contract with label Fat Possum. Since then, they've been touring relentlessly, and finally released their debut record A Flourish and a Spoil earlier this month (stream it for free right here). A blistering, ragged journey through classic rock tropes and Rob Grote's disarming lyrics, Flourish shows the band doing just that. They play Union Transfer this <3 Day — forego the Hallmark cheese and come celebrate what you really love: getting drunk + rocking out.
8:30 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., sold out.
Saturday, February 14: Northern Arms
Philadelphia art-pop collective Northern Arms craft grand, sweeping concoctions inspired by emotional truthfulness and driven by their impressive, 10-person line-up. A project some 13 years in the making, the band realizes that music — like visual art — is created through a process that is sometimes long, difficult, and a little bit drunken — but that's sure to find its way as long as it remains honest. Formed in 2001 by Keith Richard Peirce and Eric Bandel, Philadelphians and self-described "f*ck ups," who met fortuitously and bonded over a shared musical vision, Northern Arms started strong but quickly fizzled due to the pair's self-destructive tendencies. Fast-forward nearly a decade and it was reborn once more as an unstoppable army — the group's past struggles the fuel that drives them forward. Over the past 2 years, the band has released a stunning debut, Northern Arms, and has charmed audiences across the city. This Saturday they take on Johnny Brenda's alongside two other bands we're sweet on: bluesy rock trio Busses (who celebrate the release of new record Wizard of the Eye) and quirky rockers Tinmouth. There's a line-up we can fall in love with.
9:00 at Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $12. Tickets available here.
Saturday, February 14: Two Piece Fest
Ok, so technically all of the bands on this roster aren't from Philly — but there's enough local talent to get us psyched! Everyone know that Valentine's Day is supposedly for couples, including the folks at Two Piece Fest, who for the past 7 years have hosted their annual celebration of perfect (musical) pairings V-day weekend. Originally conceived of by Peter Helmis (Algernon Cadwallader) and Craig Woods (Towers), and oft-hosted at Pilam, the psychedelic Penn frat-turned DIY spot, past Two Piece Fests have featured bands like Japanther, Reading Rainbow, and Slutever: demonstrating that sometimes two people are all you need to make a racket (as if The White Stripes/Black Keys/Japandroids hadn't already taught us). Topping this year's line-up is Philly punk duo Trophy Wife, whose raw attitude and shreds will melt faces and eardrums, plus high-raucous screamers Heavy Medical, queer trash-punks HIRS, moody jammers This Temper, and more. Plus stick around for cool neighboring acts like Easton's Slingshot Dakota (think Matt & Kim, without the sap), DC's Cat Jack (prepubescent brothers who rock harder than you) and Little Rock's Rad Rad Riot (not really neighboring at all, but these dudes rock) — who are proof that not all perfect couples need to piss you off.
2:00 at Disco Loft, Old Kensington, email twopiecefest@gmail.com for address. $10, tickets available at the door.
Monday, February 16: Mumblr
Yes, it's a Monday night and you are probably ragged from spending all day Saturday at Two Piece Fest. Guess what? Mumblr doesn't care. The fuzzy, punky four-piece has spent the past few years playing an obscene number of shows, winning fans with raw sweat, aggression, and front man Nick Morrison's snarky lyrics. They've never let a weeknight stop them before, so why start now? Formed 2 years back by friends living together in a Kensington row home, searching for an outlet for punk aggression, Mumblr exists both as a product of its environment and a tribute to it—the four-piece is loud, obnoxious, and sometimes shows up for gigs wearing pajamas — but they're also talented, driven, and keenly incisive, whether commenting on sobriety ("I feel so old when I get sober," admits Morrison on "Sober") or the joys and pitfalls city life ("it's trash, but it's ours," goes the opening to "Philadelphia.") This Monday, they'll bring a little of both to KFN. Let the weeknight raging begin!
8:00 at Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., $6. Tickets available at the door.