Coming pop shows: Flamin' Groovies, Angel Haze, and Alex Bleeker & the Freaks
The Flamin' Groovies Although they emerged out of San Francisco in the mid-1960s, the Flamin' Groovies had nothing to do with the hippie/psychedelic scene that came to define the city in those years. Instead, the Groovies slammed out gloriously unpretenti
The Flamin' Groovies
Although they emerged out of San Francisco in the mid-1960s, the Flamin' Groovies had nothing to do with the hippie/psychedelic scene that came to define the city in those years. Instead, the Groovies slammed out gloriously unpretentious rock-and-roll with pop flair and proto-punk energy, proving they could be both bluesy and Beatlesque. It's a timeless sound with influence that has far surpassed the band's period of commercial success. Their reunion Friday at Johnny Brenda's will feature three members of the 1971-80 lineup, which produced 1976's great Dave Edmunds-produced Shake Some Action: founding member Cyril Jordan on guitar and vocals; bassist George Alexander; and singer and guitarist Chris Wilson, who replaced original front man Roy Loney. In addition to old favorites such as "Shake Some Action," "Teenage Head," and "Jumpin' in the Night," expect to hear some new material - coming in 2016 is a new album as well as a documentary, The Incredible Flamin' Groovies.
- Nick Cristiano
The Flamin' Groovies, with the Goodbye Party and Residuels, set to play at 8 p.m. Friday at Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave. Tickets: $20. 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com
Angel Haze
Angel Haze is one of the most alluring and dynamic female emcees in the game. You may have heard her outstanding riff on Eminem's "Cleanin' Out My Closet" or "Echelon (It's My Way)," from her 2013 album, Dirty Gold. A self-professed pansexual, the 23-year-old Detroit-cum-Brooklynite has a fire within found only in rappers such as Mykki Blanco, Danny Brown, Rye Rye, Heems, or Azealia Banks. Her flows flirt with consciousness, but her delivery is, at times, so rapid-fire that the lyrics get lost in the fury. Thankfully, on the recently released Back to the Woods, she's working with haunting, relentless, almost frighteningly compelling beats. On "Moonrise Kingdom," the de facto first single off Woods, she slows it down, sings, and injects loads of nuance into hip-hop that employs R&B, emo pop, and melancholic rock. Haze's entire presentation is riveting and refreshing.
- Bill Chenevert
Angel Haze is to perform at 8 p.m. Sunday at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St. Tickets: $15. Information: Undergroundarts.org.
Alex Bleeker and the Freaks
The last few months have seen three solo albums from members of New Jersey's Real Estate, the beloved indie guitar band. Leave it to the bass player to produce the outlier. Compared to the releases from guitarists Matt Mondanile (St. Catherine, by his band Ducktails) and Martin Courtney (Many Moons), Alex Bleeker and the Freaks' Country Agenda is the most distant from Real Estate's jangly neighborhood. Bleeker's third album recalls mid-1960s roots-rock records such as the Grateful Dead's American Beauty and the Band's Music from Big Pink: wistful, easygoing country rock, full of gently loping guitar solos and lead vocals shared among members of the quintet. Country Agenda sounds communal and nostalgic and therefore inviting. Bleeker and company will let their freak flag fly Sunday night at Boot & Saddle.
- Steve Klinge
Alex Bleeker and the Freaks, with the Extraordinaires, are to perform at 8 p.m. Sunday at Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St. Tickets: $10. Information: 267-639-4528, www. bootandsaddlephilly.com.