Philadelphia Weekly

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The quirky combination of dance-rock, post-punk, and psych-pop that is Kuroma is the brainchild of Hank Sullivant, touring guitarist of MGMT and former member of the Athens, Georgia garage-rock outfit the Whigs. Kuroma opens for Primal Scream tonight at the Troc; we caught up briefly with Sullivant today and threw a few questions his way:

What’s the best and worst things that have ever happened to you in Philadelphia?
We got robbed. That was the worst, but then we got Philly steaks.

Give me your favorite three adjectives to describe Kuroma.
Superior. Twitched. Radical.

Have you found that fans of yours from your time with the Whigs have followed you to Kuroma, or are you mostly developing a new fanbase?
Seems like people who like MGMT get into Kuroma.

Which do you generally prefer: Playing in front of friends and fans who know the songs and are already into what you do, or playing in front of people who’ve never heard of you before and trying to win them over?
Playing in front of people who are visibly confused and trying to alienate them.

What’s the one thing that must be provided for you backstage at a venue?
Wine.

Who are the bands you absolutely hate being compared to?
Critics always make stupid comparisons. But you are a complete assface if you call Kuroma “indie.”

Who are the bands you really don’t mind being compared to?
I don’t really care either way.

What’s the most satisfying aspect of music for you — writing and recording songs, playing them live, or something else?
Listening.

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Also tonight:

Primal Scream — the Bobby Gillespie-led Scottish band that’s shockingly been around for nearly 30 years (yep, they played their first gig in 1982, while Gillespie was still drumming for the Jesus and Mary Chain) — comes to the Troc in support of last year’s Beautiful Future, their ninth studio album. The disc was at least in part inspired by the classic Philly soul sound, says the band, along with “dark electro, accelerated rock ‘n roll riffs, and pure British pop all given that particular Scream edge.” Their most pop-ish offering in ages, it’s maybe the first “ehh, it’s okay…” album of the band’s entire career, during which the highs (Screamadelica, Vanishing Point, XTRMNTR) have been really high and the lows (Give Out But Don’t Give Up, Evil Heat) have been…ugh. Regardless of the recorded output, though, Primal Scream has always been an engrossing, riveting live act, and I would that to continue this evening. The show is at 7:30pm and tickets are $28.

Broken Arm Trio -- Erik Friedlander’s 2007 solo disc Block Ice & Propane and his ravishing unaccompanied set at International House last year make one thing plain: This cello virtuoso doesn’t need a band. And yet comrades Trevor Dunn (bass) and Michael Sarin (drums) allow Friedlander to indulge his swinging pizzicato heart, coaxing a grainy guitarlike sound from his instrument. Broken Arm Trio is his homage to underdog jazz innovators Oscar Pettiford and Herbie Nichols. The 12 compositions travel from 52nd Street to the Delta, with a stop or two in the European concert hall. It’s about the cello as a lead improvising instrument, a role more commonly fulfilled by pianos and saxophones. The show is $12 at Philadelphia Art Alliance, and starts at 8 pm.(David R. Adler)

And for the contemporary jazz-inclined among you, saxophonist David Sanborn and horn ensemble Tower of Power (which just celebrated its 40th anniversary) team up for a double bill over at the Keswick Theatre. The former is touring behind last year’s Here & Gone LP, while the latter just released The Great American Soulbook. The show starts at 8pm; tickets are $49.50-69.50.