MUSIC . Music Picks

Ladyfingers/Low Cut Connie

Fri., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., $20, with DJ Swampmeat, Old Swedes' Church, 916 S. Swanson St., 646-284-4535, facebook.com/lowcutconnie.


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Published: Dec 29, 2010

[ rock/soul ]

In the guise of the dire doo-wopping Ladyfingers, Adam Weiner — a filmmaker, playwright, singer and composer — has hiccupped and pleaded his way through an array of spooky rockabilly-based songs that summon the ghosts of Gene Pitney, Carl Perkins and Elvis. I can't emphasize the spooky element enough. What he does never grazes the tip of '50s pastiches or tribute; instead, the high-haired vocalist/instrumentalist's songs on eccentric LPs such as Open Your Robe and My Prom are pockmarked by the most ominous piano sounds to grace vinyl. Weiner is menacing whether he's bellowing what he calls kept-man anthems ("What Size Shoe") or dangerous romancers ("Wonderful Boy"). Then there's Low Cut Connie, Weiner's new band with pals from the U.K., where he tours relentlessly. Cut from the same cloth as Ladyfingers, LCC burns that cloth wholesale with pure raw swamp rock 'n' roll. "No BS, here," says Weiner. "It's Stones/Jerry Lee/Cramps and people will boogie and pee themselves when they hear it." The "it" here is LCC's debut CD — Get Out the Lotion — that Weiner will debut on New Year's Eve at Old Swedes' Church. Why there? It's got a piano — a must for any Weiner gig. "Plus the sexton of the church puts on shows there every few months and is a big Ladyfingers fan," says Weiner. A hotter and heavier happy new years you won't find.

Fri., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., $20 (includes drinks and snacks), with DJ Swampmeat, Old Swedes' Church, 916 S. Swanson St., 646-284-4535, facebook.com/lowcutconnie.