Soundadvice

Get Out!

Ever have an epiphany in your sleep? I woke up this morning knowing I needed to tell somebody about Shooting Ropes. They're a feisty, dancey, Philly rock 'n' roll band. Their stuff on MySpace tickles the same places as New Pornographers or Beretta76. They're headlining the next Sugar Town, which doubles as a fundraiser for Girls Rock Philly, a rock summer camp for girls.

�Patrick Rapa

Sat., May 26, 9 p.m., $5-$8, with Baptist Preachers, The Stay-at-Homes, Liberty City Kings and DJs Version Girl and Carry Us, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475, www.myspace.com/shootingropes.

New wave, two-tone, punk-pop-ska; however you call 'em, The English Beat pack a jaunty, dance-inducing punch. While the group disbanded after making three albums in the early '80s, TEB remains an icon of a musical genre it helped spawn. Faithful fans will no doubt gaily sing along when megahits such as "I Confess" and "Mirror in the Bathroom" gear up. Like-minded Philly-based Ruder Than You opens.

�Deni Kasrel

Fri., May 25, 9 p.m., sold out, with Ruder Than You, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Photo By: Robbie Fry

With 9 (Heffa), Irish troubadour Damien Rice avoided the sophomore slump while remaining essentially the same ultra-melodic, heart-wrenching singer-songwriter he's always been. But his semi-wounded vocals and intimate storytelling sound even more compelling on this sonically weightier effort. Rice will be joined onstage by an ultra-tight band made up of musicians who worked on the CD: vocalist Lisa Hannigan, cellist Vyvienne Long, drummer Tom Osander and bassist Shane Fitzsimons.

�Nicole Pensiero

Thu., May 24, 8 p.m., $39.50-$42.50, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, 215-893-1999, www.manncenter.org.

Adam Garbinski and Dave Peterson started playing guitar and drums for Marah in '05, and everybody who heard If You Didn't Laugh You'd Cry was suddenly reminded how much fun Philadelphia's Most Drunkest could be. Now, with their self-titled release, Adam & Dave's Bloodline prove they're no mere Mrs. Dashes. Expect warm, jangly guitars, some catchy wah-wah-wah-oohs and choruses you can drink along to.

�Patrick Rapa

Thu., May 24, 9 p.m., $8, with Joe Jack Talcum and Fang Fang, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Fredheads will need to get to Mr. Eaglesmith's shows on time Friday night to catch opener Tucker Finn. The quirky, countrified Canuck (real name: Catherine Doherty) is known for her melodic flair and deadpan wit: "I stole stamps from work, and I got myself fired/ Where I once locked my bike, there is now just a tire," she joylessly drones on the hysterical post-breakup ditty "I've Been Doing OK." Between her unflinchingly direct lyrics and heavy, sometimes hypnotic grooves, Finn charms without trying. (Check out the free downloadable demo at www.tuckerfinn.com.)

�Nicole Pensiero

Fri., May 25, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $22, with the Fred Eaglesmith Band, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

St. Louis' Bunnygrunt pretty much epitomized '90s American twee � All Music Guide named them "The World's Cutest Band" for Pikachu's sake � but the sounds that come out of guitarist Matt Harnish and drummer Karen Reed are actually a little edgier, and punkier these days. They're still cute and poppy, mind you, but in an unpredictable and fascinating way, like when a cat gets mad.

�Patrick Rapa

Fri., May 25, 10 p.m., $5, with Scary Monster and DJs Dave Heaton and Gabe Zashin, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475, www.myspace.com/gobacktothosegoldsoundz.