Soundadvice

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Screw the high road, the easy street, the simple life — Times New Viking like to get down in it. That's why even after three CDs, including the newest, Rip It Off (Matador), the Ohio trio is still pushing catchy punky rock through the most relentless and formidable distortion pedal ever devised. Everything's in the red, everything buzzes, and the fi is so lo. That is the life.

—Patrick Rapa

Thu., June 26, 8 p.m., $10, with Titus Andronicus and FNU Ronnies, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, r5productions.com.

They claim use of an instrument called "the drone machine," but don't let that deter you. Psychedelic Austin sextet The Black Angels are loud, pulsing and rifftastic. The evocative jams on Directions to See a Ghost (Light in the Attic) might make you feel trapped in some existential, cobwebbed corridor of your subconscious, but you'll pump your fists and demand more.

—John Vettese

Mon., June 30, 8 p.m., $12, with The Warlocks, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

Catchy melodies, cool jazz gilded with a classical poise and grace — crossover is just in these boys' blood. While bassist Chris and drummer Dan Brubeck share their legendary father's taste for accessible tunes to swing by, they have an even more eclectic set of tastes — Chris in particular has recorded folk and bluegrass music and composed orchestral music. On their latest, Classified (Koch), the brothers join with the Imani Winds for half the set to play Chris' "Vignettes for Nonet," then launch into Dad's "Blue Rondo a la Turk" just to flex their genes.

—Shaun Brady

Thu., June 26, 8 and 10 p.m., $22, Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

Playing off his since-corrected gap tooth, rapper Jake Lefco named his latest album, Missing Trooth (Karma Reponse Unit) and to celebrate (the CD and the dental realignment) Lefco and producer Happ G are throwing an old-fashioned performance party with DJs Panek and Kwestion. Arriving early has its benefits — first 50 in the door get free dental floss and first 25 receive a free DVD copy of Lefco's new music video, "Comfort Zone."

—Deesha Dyer

Wed., July 2, 9 p.m., $10 (includes CD), 21+, with Jake Lefco, DJ Kwestion, DJ Panek, Silk City, 435 Spring Garden St., 215-592-8838, myspace.com/jakelefco

Three years past Twentythree (Virgin), Tristan Prettyman's a little older, a little sadder and a little less mellow. She's ditched Jason Mraz and Jesse Harris for Hello ... x (Virgin), replacing their acoustic affections with piano, violins and plenty of electric guitars. For a right-on summation of where she's been and where she's headed, you can't beat the country-kissed "California Girl."

—M.J. Fine

Sat., June 28, 9 p.m., $15-$24, with Eva Castillo, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.