Magic Christian

Fri., Sept 5, 9:30 p.m., $10, with The Donuts, Beretta 76 and Parallax Project, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

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Published: Sep 3, 2008

rock/pop

Author Terry Southern's The Magic Christian was a biting satire about the darkest depths that people would go to for money. No one liked the film version starring Peter Sellers, Ringo Starr and a vat of excrement. Thirty-eight years later, Magic Christian the band is a swinging '60s thing with a Beatles-ish ring to its guitars and a snottyness in its vocals. The sharp, famously jingly sound of the Rickenbacker 360 12-string that was George Harrison's on "A Hard Day's Night" and "Ticket to Ride" fills Magic Christian's debut Evolver with cocksure glee. Guitarist/singer/songwriter Cyril Gordon of Flamin' Groovies (not the main Groovie, but a good Groovie nonetheless), drummer Clem Burke of Blondie (the best skin man since Keith Moon) and bassist "Fast" Eddie Munoz of The Plimsouls surround singer Paul Kopf with a rough-boy take on Liverpudlian pop during "In Your Arms" and "All Your Stars." They even manage to tear up Who and Beatles covers nicely. People should be ready for this Magic Christian.

Fri., Sept 5, 9:30 p.m., $10, with The Donuts, Beretta 76 and Parallax Project, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

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