The Coup, Japanther, Lushlife and Kev Choice @ Underground Arts.

Boots Riley got all kind of political on Friday night when his Oakland-based band The Coup jammed at Underground Arts.

Between funky jams, he reached out to the audience (sometimes literally) in the intimate room and preached for equality and fair representation. It was powerful stuff that could have been annoying – he was interrupting a great dance party – but he was so earnest. He is an amazing frontman who riles up the crowd with his words and actions.

The Coup was preceded by Japanther, the art-punk band that cranks out fast, loud music that makes your heart race. They are pure awesome, always leaving you wanting more. When the failed to play “River Phoenix,” the crowd chanted for the song. Ian Vanek, the drummer/singer, promised to play the song three times when Japanther returns to Philly on February 2.

South Philly-based MC Lushlife also performed (below). Kev Choice (bottom image) opened the show. At one point, he bounced around so much that he flew off the stage.