Feral Children ~ Wednesday, July 29
Courtesy of the Ditty Bops
Life’s a cabaret for the Ditty Bops.
David Belisle
The Blakes prepare to leave The Shire. The Ring must be destroyed!
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Whoever made the call to pair Feral Children with See Me River is a quality human being with awfully good ears. As primal and spiritually satisfying local bills go, it doesn't get much better than this. Feral Children may be from Maple Valley, but they sound as if they operate from some gloriously macabre, punk-rock underworld where both Patti Smith and Vivaldi would feel comfortable. See Me River is the dark, folk-informed brainchild of Aviation Records owner/Cha Cha music booker Kerry Zettel, arguably one of the most talented songwriters this city has at the moment. As if that weren't enough, this is also the second-ever show for Brawley Banks, a new project—featuring Justin Schwartz and Joram Young from Cobra High and original Sunny Day Real Estate/Foo Fighters drummer William Goldsmith—that already has a huge, huge buzz surrounding it. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $7.HANNAH LEVIN
Starlight Mints ~ Wednesday, July 29
Every once in a great while, a band comes along that captures the essence of its time in an indescribable yet undeniable way. Oklahoma's Starlight Mints, who just put out the aptly-titled Change Remains (their fourth album) on Barsuk, somehow manage to encapsulate post-millennial rock in a way that won't sound dated in 20 years. On paper, Starlight Mints' bubbling blend of indie rock and chamber pop, with its flourishes of lounge, disco synths, horns, high-pitched vocals, and Beatlesque studio savvy, seems like a soup du jourconcocted for modern listening tastes. But the Mints display such a thoroughly original—and fun—approach to their work that they tap-dance right past the minefield of clichés that would otherwise pin them to the present like a glue trap. Long after today's trend-chasers have changed clothes to go after the next thing, Starlight Mints will still be relevant. With JP Inc., Silverteeth. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-7416. 8 p.m. $12. SABY REYES-KULKARNI
Bowerbirds ~ Thursday, July 30
Signed to the tastemaking imprint Dead Oceans and touted with much enthusiasm by the Mountain Goats' John Darnielle, the North Carolina trio Bowerbirds recently answered those early acts of faith with a striking second album, Upper Air. Much in the vein of its 2007 sleeper debut, Hymns for a Dark Horse, the new outing is a pristine collection of drowsy, shadowy folk-pop, lovingly delivered and exquisitely worded. Songwriter Phil Moore's singing voice is nearly identical to that of the Rosebuds' Ivan Howard, which makes some sense since both bands hail from Raleigh. Comparisons end there, however. Completed by accordionist Beth Tacular, pianist/violinist Mark Paulson, and drummer Matt Damron, Bowerbirds sound familiar, but not quite like any other band. Even when the songs are draped in stately layers, there's a fragile serenity and acute closeness that makes us feel as if they're right there, snuggled up against us. With Megafaun. Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 8 p.m. $12. All ages. DOUG WALLEN
Ditty Bops ~ Thursday, July 30
Think of the Ditty Bops as the house band for a hipster-idealized version of A Prairie Home Companion.With their blend of (pardon the phrase) "old-timey"music, youthful verve, and pseudo-tongue-in-cheek kitsch, the duo of Abby DeWald and Amanda Barrett is perfect for audiences simultaneously in love with the romance of yesteryear and the freedom and fancifulness of childhood.Listening to the Ditty Bops is a bit like being 80 and 8 at the same time. Borrowing from early vocal jazz, ragtime, bluegrass, and Western swing, the band focuses on tight harmonies and lively arrangements, with lyrical motifs that further solidify the music's old/young character, tackling complex and very adult themes with a firm sense of whimsy—a word which may describe the band better than any more bombastic elaboration.Further encouraging the carnival feel, DeWald and Barrett frequently incorporate elements of theatrical burlesque into their live performances, with puppets, elaborate costumes, and props. Formerly with Warner (one can imagine the Bops hosting a cartoon hoedown with Yakko, Wakko, and Dot), the band is now independent and delving into the world of art and literature, with a bit of a capricious twist. With Firs of Prey. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 8:30 p.m. $16.50 adv./$20 DOS. NICHOLAS HALL
The Black Hollies ~ Friday, July 31
Not quite the evil version of the Hollies you might expect, New Jersey's the Black Hollies are nonetheless all too enamored with '60s garage, rock, and soul. The quartet spun off from the unlikely source of iconoclastic post-hardcore cadets Rye Coalition, whose former bassist, Justin Morey, plays guitar and sings lead in the Black Hollies alongside two of his former bandmates. There's a very careful feel to the band's output; on the video for their older single "Paisley Pattern Ground," every visual and sonic detail is a loving homage. Following in the steps of the albums Crimson Reflections and Casting Shadows, the band's new Softly Towards the Light comes out on Ernest Jenning in early October, armed with another sly single in "Gloomy Monday Morning." Inventiveness isn't high on the Black Hollies' list of priorities, but they know to usher some seedy psych decay into their otherwise tightly coiled, jangle-addled guitar pop. With Boss Martians, The Knast, Georgetown Orbits, and DJ Mamma. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 322-9272. 9 p.m. $6. DOUG WALLEN
