Also this issue: Reverb The inexplicable truth behind Mission of Burma’s belated popularity. -Sam Adams Topical Ointment Eric Schwartz can turn them on and off. -Mary Armstrong Platinum Bond Dieselboy, Sine, J Messinian and co. celebrate five years of starting the weekend early. -Sean O’Neal Full House -Lou Camp Ribbon of Highway/ Endless Skyway Tour -Mary Armstrong The Yohimbe Brothers -A.D. Amorosi Nada Surf -Sam Adams Paul Weller -A.D. Amorosi

February 20-26, 2003

musicpicks

The Vexers

Don’t let the bad attitude and fucked-up shades fool you; The Vexers may look as filthy as last week’s pizza box, but their sound is pure hopped-up new wave. On The Vexers (Ace Fu), Jennifer Taylor’s Chrissie Hynde swagger cuts right through the band’s stripped-down Slant 6 slide, the result being a captivating debut album whose brief length only makes it easier to play again and again and again. Hailing most recently from Los Angeles, the band’s front line decamped for what the album’s press release calls “the obscurity and poverty of Philadelphia,” found themselves a drummer, and the rest is 24 minutes and 35 seconds of history in the making. Sparse guitar lines wrap around each other like they’re trying to choke themselves to death, while the rhythm section keeps it lean and mean. The only trace of embellishment is Taylor’s voice, which notes, “There’s something dirty going on,” while suggesting that might not be such a bad thing. Their frighteningly good first album suggests that, apart from finding a publicist who can manage not to insult their hometown, The Vexers are doing everything they need to do.

—Sam Adams

Sat., Feb. 22, 10 p.m., $4, with DJs Dave P. and Mike Z., Silk City, Fifth and Spring Garden sts., 215-592-8838.