Beta Band
Friday, October 19
TLA
334 South Street
9:00 p.m., $15/ $17 DOS
(215) 922-1011
Strangely enough, it's almost comforting to find a band that is as naturally quirky and bewildering as the Beta Band. While some groups just seem to try a little too hard to be difficult sometimes (RADIOHEAD!), others probably couldn't be normal if they tried. The B-Band fits squarely in the second category. If the members didn't make music they'd probably do something like taping a game of FIFA soccer with the computer playing itself and watching it late at night getting wasted and yelling GOAL! at every point scored. (Note: Any resemblance to actual activity partaken of by a member of the Street staff is purely coincidental). So they figured they'd give the music thing a try and, before anyone else could, deemed their own debut album "the worst record made this year." Pretty crafty when you figure that even the harshest of reviews can only seem like glowing praise in comparison. Before you know it they have you diggin' their semi-organized chaotic m‚lange and runnin' out to buy beer and blank tapes. Porn and chicken ain't got nothin' on that.
Sum41
Electric Factory
Seventh and Willow streets
8 p.m., $12.50
(215) 627- 1332
They're yung, dum and full of sum. That's right, we made that joke and we are not ashamed. Sum41, the only band that makes Carson Daly feel like he has a shred of rocker's dignity, is coming to the neon nightmare that is the Electric Factory. Should we rip on their "true punk" dancing antics or Blink meet Beastie originality? Sum41 is too easy of a target for this magazine--hell, they're fucking Canadian.
Jill Sobule
Tin Angel
20 S. Second Street
7:30 & 10:30 p.m. $16
(215) 928-0978
Unable to keep her little secret to herself any longer, Jill Sobule proudly pronounced in '95 in her first and only modern rock hit "I Kissed A Girl" that she got steamy with a little lesbo action and everyone turned for about a second to stare and then went back to their business. And that was that, or so it seemed. Apparently, Sobule's at it again with her latest effort entitled "Pink Pearl" (supposedly named after a pencil eraser. Hmmmmm...) that looks to prove that she's no one-hit wonder. She can do whatever she wants as far as we're concerned. We just wanna watch.
USArtists American Fine Arts Show
33rd Street Armory
North of Market Street
$12, $6 w/ student ID
(215) 972-7600
Through October 22
Known as one of the premier American art fairs, the USArtists show is an annual event that showcases pieces from over 50 dealers. Here you'll find works from such notable artists as Georgia O'Keefe and Winslow Homer. The exhibition is designed to help bring support and funds to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and is an ideal opportunity for buyers and enthusiasts alike to witness some of the most stunning creations the American art world has to offer.
