Philadelphia Weekly

Battles

Thurs., March 22, 8pm. $10. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. 866.468.7619. www.r5productions.com

On paper Battles sound like Mike Patton's worst musical turd: a beat-box- happy frontman leading the drummer from Helmet and the ex-guitarist of Don Caballero through strange, oft-instrumental jams that occasionally break into a stilted groove. Sounds, um, challenging. But then you actually hear the band and you remember that Tyondai Braxton (Mr. Beatbox) is legendary jazz innovator Anthony Braxton's son, and the guy from Helmet is also in the seriously kickass Tomahawk, and Don Caballero made some incredibly influential records. Then your eyes begin welling up when you realize you're listening to a completely awesome band and you're a total dick for ever thinking they could suck. (Mookie Singerman)

Impossible Shapes

Fri., March 23, 7pm. $3-$5. With Red Heart the Ticker + Sam Amidon. Green Line Cafe, 4239 Baltimore Ave. 215.222.2341. www.greenlinecafe.com

Sometimes it pays to check your junk email folder. Just ask the Impossible Shapes' frontman Chris Barth. That's where he discovered a message requesting the services of his band as openers for Wilco's show at Indiana University last April. It may be hard to believe that a Wilco-approved band would be gigging at a tiny coffeehouse in West Philly, but let's not look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth. Mixing Syd Barrett-esque vocals with a decidedly Neutral Milk Hotel-leaning sound, the Shapes are easily the best band you can groove to over a latte or a lemonade. (Joshua Valocchi)

Hoodoo Gurus

Wed., March 21, 7:30pm. $23-$25. With Shane. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 215.222.1400. www.worldcafelive.com

Can you still sing about girls in mid-life? These Aussie power-poppers are giving it a try in their first U.S. tour since 1994. The Hoodoo Gurus, led by guitarist Dave Faulkner, set up shop in 1981, and released their first and best Stoneage Romeos more than 20 years ago. Still, though they may never have quite matched the sweet, sorrowful buoyancy of "I Want You Back" or the surf-twanging bravado of "Bittersweet," the Gurus have continued to produce witty and elegantly constructed pop. Lately they've been busy finding bonus tracks for a reissue of Romeos, and putting the finishing touches on a two-DVD music video and concert documentary called Tunnel Vision. Expect all the Reagan-era hits and maybe a few new ones from an album coming out later this year. (Jennifer Kelly)

Gang

Fri., March 23, 9pm. $8-$10. With Phil Moore Browne, Kmass, Bad News Bats + DJ A.D. Lawless. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. www.johnnybrendas.com

Gang may be late to Philly's ironic-rap ball, but like Plastic Little and the Yah Mos Def, they're too fun, too smart and too damn good to just be joking. Their debut Guess What You'll Find ... EP--on the awesome local label Hot Dog City--bursts with Amanda Damron and Jaclyn McGraw's party antics and cheeky come-ons. In theory it's a hipster hijacking of the B-52's, but between unpretentious production and sexy-silly bon mots--"Do it like you're on the first date/ Awkward yet exciting"--Gang deliver a hyper, horny dance floor summons you'll actually want to obey. (Doug Wallen)

Gene Ween

Thurs., March 22, 9pm. $18-$20. With Chris Harford and the Band of Changes. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. www.johnnybrendas.com

From punk rock gems like "Waving My Dick in the Wind" to children's songs for SpongeBob SquarePants and even a country album, eccentric alt-rockers (and Bucks County natives) Ween have spent the last 20-some years keeping fans guessing with their unique brand of surrealist power-pop. With a new album in production and the summer festival circuit to prepare for, the band will be taking it easy for the next few months. But Philly Ween fans need not fear. Gene Ween (real name: Aaron Freeman) brings his solo performance to town this week. (John Steele)