Coming Attractions in Underground Music: February 2011

Escape the cold with some good live music this February. These are the shows I would be going to if I had the time and resources. While some fit into the cultural zeitgeist more than others, I predict that all these shows will rule. I’ll show you the door; you take the trip. And say what’s up if you see me there.

The Gang of Four come our way: According to Crawdaddy, the group has taken the giveaway-in-exchange-for-donation scheme to a new level — vials of blood. If you help support their next album, they will literally give you their blood.

By David Cooper.

February 4: Hailing from Sweden, The Radio Dept. brings their sappy dream-pop to the Middle East Downstairs on February 4. San Franciscan noise-poppers Young Prisms provide support, fresh off the release of their excellent album Friends for Now.

February 5: All the freaks come out to the Whitehaus in Jamaica Plain for Weirdo Records 2nd Anniversary Party. With the demise of Twisted Village this past summer, Weirdo is your best bet for an independent record store in Boston. Expect noise, free jazz, duck calls, and other shit. BYOB and money for donations. Look for the big white house on Seaverns close to City Feed.

February 6: Israeli rockers Monotonix push the limits with their raucous live shows. Take a trip to Pawtucket, Rhode Island to witness the antics go down. Megasus and Pujol support.

February 7: Yet another example of bands reuniting, British post-punks Gang of Four come to the Paradise on February 7. Their seminal 1979 album Entertainment! owns; let’s see if these guys still have it. Hollerado opens, 18+, $25.

February 10: Deerhoof brings their quirky art-pop to the Middle East Downstairs on February 10. While their new album isn’t quite as solid as previous releases, they put on a fantastic live show. Deerhoof knows how to keep progressive pop-rock funny and refreshing. Ben Butler and Mouse Pad and doomstar! support. $15.

February 12: The Cambridge YMCA hosts the 3rd Boston Underground Summit, showcasing lots of local talent. A short list of bands includes Hex Map; Young Adults; Peace, Loving; and Shitaly. Be sure to catch Sore Eros’s outsider psych-pop and bring lots of cash to buy homegrown swag.

February 17: LA Beat scene newcomer Baths plays electronic, ambient-based beat music. While his technical proficiency in beat-making falls short of peers Teebs and Flying Lotus, his vocal samples lend emotion to his mostly instrumental tracks. The newly-renovated Brighton Music Hall (formerly Harper’s Ferry) hosts Baths, UK beat producer Star Slinger, and Braids. 18+, $10.

February 18: Heads up maggot brains! George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic return to Boston with their afrofuturist funk music. Clinton’s age isn’t quite yet getting in the way of his artistic vision. See him while you can. At House of Blues, $29 standing/$39 sitting.

February 25: NYC-based Asobi Seksu play noisy pop music in the vein of My Bloody Valentine. Don’t let singer Yuki’s height fool you, she’ll surprise you with her amazing voice. At Brighton Music Hall, BRAHMS and DJ Carbo open, 18+, $12.

February 26: Do you find that you constantly want to change the song? If so, go to this. Greg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, reinforces the idea of the ADD generation with his quick cut mashups. Get down to the good and bad moments of pop music. Crew of friends and dissociatives recommended. Whatever it takes to get that body moving. Max Tundra and Junk Culture support. This show is already sold out so good luck finding a ticket. At House of Blues.

February 28: Tennis write catchy pop songs with themes of innocence and the ocean. Their music stands out amongst today’s heavily-littered “beachscape.” Go see them at the Great Scott on February 28. Holiday Shores and Porcelain Raft support, 18+, $12.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OMpMUGLrUA

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