Weekend Music Picks: Don’t Be A Consumer Monkey.

It’s grey and cold outside and on top of that, TV keeps showing clips of fat guys eating wings and they look really, really disgusting. Not a great way to start the day. Fortunately, tonight looks good, as does the whole weekend. There are a bunch of good shows with Philly bands on the lineup and they are all $10 or less!

FRIDAY

Gemini Club, HITS and The Downtown Club at Kung Fu Necktie

Fishtown-based The Downtown Club (above) will open for the Chicago indie-pop, electro dance band Gemini Club, so all in all, it will be a cool show with dreamy, haunting, danceable music.

Buke & Gase, Ahleuchatistas and Norwegian Arms at Johnny Brenda’s

The three bands on this lineup, including Philly’s Norwegian Arms (below), seem to have a similar mission of musical exploration. This is indie rock at the far end of the spectrum, experimental and cerebral.

SATURDAY

DRGN King (record release show) with Dangerous Ponies, Walking Shapes and Idle Idols at PhilaMOCA

It seems funny to call such a young dude a veteran but Dominic Angellela has been around a while. He’s been in several Philly bands with unusual rosters (Dice Raw? Khari Mateen?). For his new project, DRGN King, he’s teamed up with super producer Ritz Reynolds and the result is pretty fabulous. The new album moves from shoegazey to fist-pumping retro/glam rock and all of it will make you move. Pretty excited about this show.

Trophy Wife, Gull and Ex. by V. at Highwire Gallery

Trophy Wife are loud and emotional and in the intimate setting of this Frankford Ave gallery, they should be stunning.

SUNDAY

Dong Johnson, Ideal Forms and L.U.N.A.R. Revolt at Kung Fu Necktie

Super Bowl? Whatever. Go ahead and get pelted by advertisements you consumer monkey. Or go to this show and watch Dong Johnson, a bunch of Philly music veterans, blow you away with loud, aggressive punk.

Of Mice And Men at the TLA

If you prefer your metal from California, check these guys out.