Soundadvice

Get Out!

Like headliners Tegan and Sara, San Antonio's Girl in a Coma is a soul-baring sister act. But where the Quin twins leaven their romantic angst with goofy banter, the Diazes — singer/guitarist/keyboardist Nina and drummer Phanie — maintain a degree of aloofness by wrapping even their stickiest sentiments in a prickly coat of pop-punk. It's really serious.

—M.J. Fine

Fri., Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m., $32.50-$35, with Tegan and Sara and City and Colour, Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St., 215-627-1332, livenation.com.

Sloppy or not, any band that sings about putting more whiskey in their whiskey is guaranteed to be a good time live. From backwater country-fiddles to bar-room piano, The Felice Brothers borrows from both Bob Dylan and The Band. And, like The Band, the group once called the Catskill Mountains home. Must be something in the water. Or the whiskey.

—Kevin Pearson

Thu., Oct. 2, 8 p.m., $12, with A.A. Bondy, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., r5productions.com.

Repeat after me: N.E.R.D. is not just Pharrell Williams! The rock and hip-hop trio, which also includes Chad Hugo and Shae Haley, released its third album Seeing Sounds (Star Trak) in June. The lead single, "Everybody Nose," threw off fans with its drum 'n' bass techno vibe, but they'll bring the noise and funk to the city tonight as part of a nationwide tour with Common.

—Deesha Dyer

Thu., Oct. 2, 8:30 p.m., $35, with Common and Chester French, Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St., ticketmaster.com.

Taking your musical cues from Dexy's Midnight Runners might not be the best idea considering most people know the group only for their proto gypsy-pop sing-along "Come on Eileen." Fortunately for The Rumble Strips, a four-piece band from Devon, England, their releases so far have been devoid of foot-pounding fiddles. Instead, their sound points to Dexy's early soul stomp, utilizing saxophone and trumpet to accent their acoustic-based indie-rock with an energetic aplomb.

—Kevin Pearson

Sat., Oct. 4, 9:30 p.m., $10, with Birdmonster and Jotto, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, johnnybrendas.com.

The Liszt Sonata in B Minor is a single-movement work that oozes and sputters like a live volcano for 30 minutes. It requires great strength and imagination to play, both in good supply at the hands of Leon Bates, the distinguished Philadelphia pianist who includes the work in his Settlement alumni recital. Music as well from Beethoven, Ravel and Gershwin.

—Peter Burwasser

Sun., Oct. 5, 3 p.m., $20, Independence Seaport Museum, Penn's Landing, 215-320-2686, smsmusic.org.

With its crumpled trash can and garish pink lettering, the cover of Dressy Bessy's recently released fourth album, HOLLERandSTOMP (Transdreamer), is a lot like the band itself — brash and loud. Like a power pop version of The Breeders, the female-fronted four-piece plays music light on substance but heavy on hip shaking. There's a giddy enthusiasm to Dressy Bessy's perennially upbeat and '60s-influenced sound that will have you hollering and stomping by the time they're through.

—Kevin Pearson

Thu., Oct. 2, 9 p.m., $10, with The Squeaks and Grammar Debate!, 941 Theater, 941 N. Front St., 215-235-1385, 941theater.com.