Black-Eyed Snakes

Rock/pop

Given the general suspicion of adornment that characterizes his day-job band, it's not surprising that when Low's Alan Sparhawk plays the blues, it's the stripped-down kind. On The Black-Eyed Snakes Rise Up! (Chairkickers' Union), Sparhawk gets down, if not exactly dirty. His heavily distorted guitar and reverbed vocals may conjure up the Flat Duo Jets, but he's not out to convince anyone he grew up on biscuits and gravy rather than, well, whatever they grow up on in Minnesota, "Chicken Bone George" pseudonym notwithstanding. The fury unleashed on Rise Up! doesn't sound faked, at least; maybe it's pent-up aggression at having to sing in a whisper all the time.

Fri., Sept. 26, 9:30 p.m., $7, with Kid Dakota, Young People and The Teeth, Doc Watsonís, 216 S. 11th St., 215-922-3427.

—Sam Adams

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