Far-Out Fangtooth

Thu., Jan. 27, 8 p.m., $10, with Blank Dogs and The Soft Moon, M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com; Sat., Jan. 29, 8 p.m., $10, at Making Time with La Femme and Small Black, Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., igetrvng.com.

by John Vettese

[ rock/pop ]

Philly four-piece Far-Out Fangtooth loves its ambience. Crash cymbals sound like rattling sheet metal, double-tracked guitars rumble like an amp on the fritz, and vocals wander in a nervy, unsteady baritone. Goth is the easy comparison to make, and I'm sure the band — skull and crossbones show fliers and all — wouldn't dispute it. Some members came from Dark Horse and the Carousels, after all, a defunct group of garage-chic locals who knew a thing or two about style. But that band also had substance and sincerity, and likewise, Fangtooth's sound hits a raw nerve in a way that surface descriptors can't sum up. Their 2011 gets off to a great start with a show at the M Room tonight, and in Making Time's Rock Tits basement on Saturday.

Thu., Jan. 27, 8 p.m., $10, with Blank Dogs and The Soft Moon, M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com; Sat., Jan. 29, 8 p.m., $10, at Making Time with La Femme and Small Black, Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., igetrvng.com.