Diatribe

Hip-hop

How in the hell do people call themselves a band, yet they play one or no instruments? It's a serious problem plaguing "bands" nationwide. These pretenders must be stopped! Diatribe, the eight-member crew from West Chester, is an actual band, like with actual musicians: a turntablist, a bassist, two MCs, a sax player, a drummer, a guitarist and a keyboard player. Together they fuse funk, hip-hop and reggae together into something distinct and raw. Diatribe's live show has won them the allegiance of 200 suburbanites who faithfully follow them to every single gig. (Two coach buses were even chartered to an NYC show in February.) They've gone through a few lineup changes since releasing their debut, From the Boondox, in 2001. The band is back with a live DVD and CD. Rock, rock on.

Thu., Sept. 16, 9 p.m., $7, NXNW, 7165 Germantown Ave., 215-248-1000.

—Deesha Dyer

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