St. Louis is nothing if not prolific in 2013. Last week's show announcements boasted an impressive seven releases-to-be across the board. This week, add three more sets of brand new local tracks to your music collection. DinoFight!, Les Gruff and the Billy Goat, and Mikey Wehling and the Reverbs all have brand new audio wares to share. See where they're playing and dig into our other recommendations for the week, including stop-ins from Passion Pit, Globsters and The Pomegranates.
Catholic Guilt Monday, Feb. 25, 9 p.m. w/ Bitchin Bajas, Andy Ortmann, Kevin Harris, Brain Transplant @ Blank Space - $5 By RFT Staff Since early 2007, south-side demolition quartet Catholic Guilt has been in an endless battle against the sound barrier. Over the years, its lineup and style has undergone drastic changes. With early shows conjuring up thoughts of everything from Crass to Swans to Double Leopards, the band's focus has always been an exercise in sonic warfare. Now in its most realized form to date, Catholic Guilt's sound wavers between strident toxic sludge and black-hole dirge.
Passion Pit Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. w/ Matt & Kim @ Peabody Opera House - $22-$32 By Diana Benanti From a 2010 Passion Pit show review: Passion Pit had an MDMA-like effect on the crowd, and it delivered every song with a maximal raw energy that was surprising, even for such a deliriously happy band. The band opened with the fantastic "I've Got Your Number," from 2008's Chunk of Change. Angelakos' crystalline falsetto was so impossibly consistent during the 75-minute set, it drew disbelieving comments from the crowd. (Overheard from one incredulous attendee: "He's talented to a point, but there's no way he sings that high naturally if he has balls." We were all thinking it.)
Pat Sajak Assassins Wednesday, Feb. 27, 9 p.m. w/ Forteana, Shut In, Beauty Pageant @ Blank Space - $5 By Mabel Suen Inspired by artists such as Tortoise, Battles and King Crimson, Pat Sajak Assassins has performed its prog-infused ripping experimental rock in this city for several years with a revolving door of talent to supplement its otherworldly synth sounds. PSA's latest addition is songstress Syrhea Conaway, named one of RFT's artists to watch out for in 2013. And watch, we will, to see what greatness inevitably results as these seasoned instrumental forces collide.
DinoFight! CD Release Thursday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. w/ Tok, Bruiser Queen, Bass Amp and Dano @ Off Broadway - $10-$13 By Mabel Suen With self-proclaimed instrumentation like "bassdactyl", "vocalraptor", "guitarassaurus" and "tridrumatops", the trio of DinoFight!, featuring siblings Cody and Cory Perkins with shredder Lindsay Cranmer, unleashes ferocious hard rock with heavy guitar riffage, catchy choruses, sugar-sweet singing and awesome rock drumming. Subject matter includes everything silly and sci-fi from Independence Day to zombies. but don't let the innocent, fun-loving facade fool you -- these axe-wielders are a carnivorous formidable force with sharp, piecing teeth that'll bite the room in half without a second glance.
