Hop on Popped

Predicting the highlights from this weekend's big music fest.

by Patrick Rapa

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Published: Jun 18, 2008

Ryan Collerd DON'T BE SCARED: Daniel Johnston fronted the Capitol Years at the Troc in February. They'll reunite for Popped's finale on Sunday. (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Now that the Roots have packed up their picnic baskets, this weekend's Popped is the most exciting music event of the Summer. Last year it was kind of a big friendly monster, a week of mostly local bands playing little shows all over town. Popped '08 narrows its focus (it's now just three days) and broadens its scope (with national and international stars). Here's what you best pay attention to.

The main event at the Kickoff Party, if not the whole festival, is the sudden reappearance of British old-school rap star Slick Rick, recently pardoned by the governor of New York after 11 years of deportation fears and five years in prison. (He shot a couple of people in 1991. Nobody died. No big whoop.) It'll be fun to see Rick the Ruler fronting a live band; he's best known for working with beatboxing pioneer Doug E. Fresh. In 1985, the duo dropped one of rap's earliest and most referenced party anthems, "La Di Da Di," but might've peaked artistically with the grim, moralistic "Children's Story" in 1988. Known for his nasal rhymes, clever storytelling, a non-cosmetic eye patch and a prototypical flair for pieces of flair, Slick Rick should put on a killer (OK, attempted killer) show to kick off Popped.

Don't Miss: Show up early for White T's & White Belts. Emynd and Bo Bliz will spin dancehall, gangsta and hip-hop classics to set the mood right. 8 p.m., $15, with Steven Bloodbath, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

Best known for their combative, non-sequiturrulous approach to pop, Mates of State seem to have settled into something a little more blissful and harmonious on the new Re-Arrange Us. Wife-and-husband Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel no longer appear interested in one-upping each other's vocal hooks. In fact, they're singing together now more than ever, and it's quite pretty, and catchy as hell. Somehow, the Re-Arranged Mates have managed to deliver their quietest and their danciest all at once. Sometimes the hype is right: Vampire Weekend — the NYC Afro-indie-pop band who made the cover of Spin before their album came out — actually are a lot of fun in a Shins-y, Paul Simonized kinda way. Sweaty, seizure-inducing dance punk dork Dan Deacon (let's see if his spaztastic light show works outside) and cabaret cretins Gogol Bordello are always a crowd pleaser, too.

Don't Miss: Make sure you check out local (by way of Boston) Def Jux hip-hop freak Mr. Lif, who drops enough paranoid, post-apocalyptic rhymes to soak your Sauconys. And, if you're feeling really curious, give old-timey roots swingers Hoots & Hellmouth a chance. Noon, $32.50, with Crystal Castles and The Ting Tings, Drexel University, 33rd and Market streets.

What more do you need to know about Daniel Johnston? He's been making weird lo-fi pop music for 20 years. His lyrics are these strangely spiritual nigh love songs. He's bipolar. Hard to do him justice here (go rent The Devil and Daniel Johnston), but suffice it to say he's a living legend. Over the years, Johnston's voice has gotten a little deeper and maybe even a little more polished, but the man still sounds like a haunted Victrola. As they did back in February, Philly's own psych-rock super heroes the Capitol Years will serve as Johnston's backup band. And, for longtime fans of the eccentric singer-songwriter, there's nothing more exhilarating than hearing his tiny opuses reworked as fully bloomed rock songs. This will be a fun show.

Don't Miss: If you're into Man Man, you'll probably go for Project Jenny, Project Jan, a charismatic, rhythm-first pop duo who make you dance to dumb jokes. Also check out Cheers Elephant and The Swimmers, two Philly rock bands that can't say underrated forever. Know what, don't sleep on lo-fi West Philly kids Tickley Feather, either. 3 p.m., $30, with O'Death, Sam Champion, Gildon Works, Takka Takka, PWRFL Power and the Vandelles, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400. Popped, June 20-22, $65 for a three-day pass, poppedphiladelphia.org.

(pat@citypaper.net)

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