A group of scrappers out of Allentown, PA, Pissed Jeans is a DIY punker’s dream come true. A city best known to Billy Joel fans as a place where “it’s getting very hard to staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay,” Allentown’s working class ethic has given a markedly different kind of inspiration to the guys in Pissed Jeans. Musically about as far from the Piano Man as the range allows, PJ instead pens songs like “Ashamed of My Cum” (choice lyric: “never satisfied even after I’m done”) and “I’m Sick” (“Iiiiiiiiiii’m Siiiiiiiiiiick!”). On their last release, 2007’s Hope For Men (Sub Pop), they actually do include a piano part, an incongruent touch in the sludge of punk/drone/hard core they create. Pissed Jeans plays at Soundlab on Saturday (July 19) at 9pm.

Austin, Texas collective the Asylum Street Spankers bring their wacky, eclectic, acoustic, genre bending roadshow to the Tralf Music Hall on Saturday (July 19) at 9pm. The band recently garnered nice reviews in the Big Apple for What? And Give Up Show Business?, their first off-Broadway stage show. The Village Voice had this to say of the band: “delightful schizophrenia—a genial gang of shit-hot players who often valiantly dare to be stupid.” Stupid may be too strong a word for a band that evolved from an all night party ten years ago and has now grown into something of a worldwide underground phenomenon, releasing music on their own label and touring continuously. You be the judge.

Of all the showbiz gimmicks in the world of blues, Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton’s has got to be the most tasteful. Wharton’s mouth-watering mix of Florida blues has been feeding the souls and bellies of music fans for 18 years—during which time he estimates he’s served 150,000 people a bowl of the gumbo he prepares onstage during his set. He’s also set up a private 501c3 organization called Planet Gumbo, through which Wharton and his band donate performances to homeless shelters across the country. Bring your appetite for reduction (sauce) to Rhinos Rock Club in Orchard Park when they host a show/meal on Sunday (July 20) starting at 3pm.

Keep an eye out for these upcoming events... As always, check our on-line events calendar for continually updated, full events listings.