Philadelphia Weekly

Science Fiction Sessions, Philly 5, Sid Simmons, Black Dice, Pansy Division, Robyn Hitchcock, Death Set and Sic Alps.

Pansy Division

To celebrate the screening of the new documentary Pansy Division: Life in a Gay Rock Band at this year's Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the California quartet hailed as the first openly gay punk rock band is flying into town for a special one-off show. Pansy Division have been relatively quiet since 2003's Total Entertainment!, but their combination of crunch, speed, melody and humor (they're the self-proclaimed "buttfuckers of rock 'n' roll," after all) took them from tiny gay dive bars to world tours with Green Day, made them both progenitors of the now-established queercore movement and simply a damn good punk band. (Michael Alan Goldberg)

Black Dice

Not to be confused with Black Lips, Black Keys, Paint It Black or the loads of other "Black" bands clogging the landscape, Black Dice are probably the weirdest of all. Judging from their latest effort Load Blown, the Brooklyn-based group actually inhabit their own zip code in another universe. Black Dice have parted ways with their previous penchant for cacophonous thrash, opting for a noisy psychedelic warble straight out of the gutter. Their everything-but-the-kitchen-sink mentality yields a wealth of subtle, wavering non-songs that will enrage fans of pop, but if you're into freaky stuff like Gang Gang Dance or Boredoms, Black Dice might be just what your black heart is looking for. (Carolyn Brennan)

Robyn Hitchcock

His website may be cheekily called the Museum of Robyn Hitchcock, but at 55 the legendarily quirky and surreal British singer/songwriter and his immense, sprawling catalog of tunes aren't relics of the past just yet. With a uniquely sharp voice, some of the strangest and wittiest lyrics ever penned in rock 'n' roll history and a penchant for psychedelia-tinged pop, Hitchcock has ably carried the oddball Syd Barrett torch over his three-decade career. Performing first with punk stalwarts the Soft Boys, his solo career has spat out something like two dozen quality recordings since 1981--and added plenty of his own charm and twists. Some of Hitchcock's best work has come over the past five years, so both old and new will be more than welcome. (M.A.G.)

Sic Alps + Blues Control

This show was supposed to happen back in May, but Sic Alps drummer Matt Hartman broke a wrist bicycling (wouldn't you think a guy who used to play in the Coachwhips would know how to fall safely?) and the whole tour got postponed. No matter, this fuzz-crusted, distortion-infected, garage-psych duo returns in triumph, newly signed to the legends-of-noise Siltbreeze and expecting a new album in August. U.S. EZ, their fourth, is unhinged and haunting, loosely strung laments hitched to vintage 1960s guitars. Openers Blues Control take their blues-based meditations in a heavier direction, with ponderous, molten riffs that circle and envelop. (Jennifer Kelly)

Science Fiction Sessions

By sponsoring this new Sunday series Ars Nova Workshop is giving Philly's avant-garde jazz scene a bit more coherence. But you never know exactly what Sci Fi Sundays will bring. Could be local players or guests from New York, Chicago or Norway. Could be acoustic or electronic, soloists or trios or large groups. This week you can take in improvised 8-bit music by Joey Mariano, followed by three provocative pairings: Seth Meicht and Mike Szekely (sax/drums), Jeff Arnal and Aaron Dougan (percussion/guitar), Kimbal Brown and Gregg Mervine (trumpet/drums). We just hope Gojjo, the West Philly Ethiopian joint, will continue hosting these outside-the-box evenings for the foreseeable future. (David R. Adler)

Philly 5

This hard-driving jazz unit came together "to shed toons and concepts" in vibraphonist Tony Miceli's basement, according to bassist Madison Rast. Since the release of Looking East in 2003, they've kept at it, upholding and expanding the noble lineage of sweaty Philadelphia-brand hard bop. Rast and drummer Don Monaghan power the rhythm section; Miceli lays the harmonic foundation and solos like a fiend; trumpeter John Swana and saxophonist Chris Farr bring bite and lyricism to the front line. All are busy players and committed teachers, and they know exactly how it's supposed to go down on the bandstand. Plans are afoot for another CD this fall. (D.R.A.)

Sid Simmons

A former sideman to departed legends Philly Joe Jones and Grover Washington Jr., Sid Simmons doesn't just know about the intertwined heritage of swing, blues, bebop, R&B and so on; he's lived it. So there's a lot of Philly jazz history in play when the lean, tall Simmons sits down at the piano. Alas, you can't find him on a great many recordings, though he's in fine form on John Swana's two recent Philly Gumbo discs. Gig-wise, his humble fiefdom is Ortlieb's, where he plays Saturdays and maintains the Haus Band tradition in the footsteps of the late Shirley Scott. This week's engagement features guest saxophonist Greg Riley. (D.R.A.)