The classic two-piece rock band: a time-tested model that, when properly executed, deserves special recognition and admiration; not only for the boldness of performing as a duo with only one other person to rely on, but also for the unique quality that such an undiluted intimacy between musicians can produce. And to better celebrate these dynamic duos, these symbols of symbiosis, First Unitarian Church is hosting the 9^th annual Two Piece Fest this Saturday. Enter +HIRS+, a beloved Philly two-piece thrash band, who combines dizzying tempos, pummeling blast beats, and throat rending vocals with a Napalm Death sensibility for song length - that is, extremely short. For good reason too, because if any of these songs ran over a minute, fingers would start flying off their joints, and throats would combust. Dialing it back a notch is Blacksalt, whose emotive melodies and weaving vocals are faintly reminiscent of a gazed-out Seam. Let’s also not forget local math-rock bad boys, The Joint Chiefs Of Math, who create head-spinningly unpredictable soundscapes full of abrupt dynamic shifts and tirelessly innovative drum parts. Out-of-towners Empty Vessels will also be in attendance to claim their share of two-piece praise with their heavy brand of sludgy hardcore. A handful of parallels can be made between them and sludge-duo legends Jucifer, but Empty Vessels has a seemingly stronger inclination toward post-hardcore dissonant melody over low-end doom-style riffage. Baltimore’s Romantic States take a different approach to duo song crafting, choosing instead to celebrate the charming minimalism inherent in a two-piece. Their pop songs are uncomplicated and jangly, but don’t lose any expressive detail for lack of members. You can check out the full lineup and set times for Two Piece Fest HERE. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 2pm, $12, All Ages. - Bryce Woodcock

 

More places to hang this weekend…

 

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.)  SAT Philly Loves Dilla: DJ Mike Nyce, Mr. Sonny James

 

 

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI The Good Mess, Mr. Grimstone/Boys Club, SAT GASH/The Danger O's, Readership, Welter, The One2s, The Escape/BlendMode, Get Up

 

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SAT S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., Bunny Savage

 

 

 

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI The Disco Biscuits, Darla, SAT The Disco Biscuits, Swift Technique

 

 

 

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Jesus' Older Brother, Lakota, SAT Howlish, SUN Freshsz, Kace, Crime Children, Miles Chancellor, Ant Beale

 

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Whiting, SAT Screaming Rattler, BlackHand

 

 

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT (4pm) Blonde Melon/(9:30pm) DJ Deejay

 

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT The Deadeyes/Hired Guns Blues Band

 

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Franky’s Foxes with DJ Chris Urban

 

Tin Angel (20 S. 2^nd St.) FRI Will Paynter and Jay Popky

 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Stereoma, Momma Hankton, Jean Claude's Damn Van, Skip Monday, SAT Pagan Babies, Shitty Friends, The Dolts

 

 

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Something Like Sound, Room For Mojo, SAT StarSkream, Pravda, Trouble in Tokyo

 

Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI The Mad Splatter, Disaster Committee, Proof & Proving, SAT (3:30pm) Fishtown Beats/(9pm) Arc Divers, Heart Harbor, SUN Tiani Victoria, Jay Marie, Mew 3 Crew, R'Que, Malc Dat

 

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Reef the Lost Cauze, Mic Stew

 

The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18^th St.) FRI Moto Surf, Brackish, The Morelings, Thief, Steal Me A Peach

 

Bond Villian (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Kississippi, Hanging Hills (EP release), Howlish

 

Beach House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Uncle/Father Oscar

 

LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Jim Strong Bathassaults, Kyle Press

 

Cosmos (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT (Acoustic Show) Rachel Browne, Jake Ewald, Jeremy Berkin

 

Nico Nico Mansion (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT The Guests, Vanillalord, Old Maybe, Nyxy Nyx

 

 

 

Other places to hideout this weekend…

 

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Joint Chiefs of Math, Mumblr

 

The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Lefty’s Deceiver, No Other

 

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Rosie Bondz

 

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Bacio, SAT Glitter, The Danger O’s, SUN (Downstairs) Lawrence Arnell, Fel Sweetenberg, Nex Millen, King Size, (Upstairs) Loose Tooth, Brown Rainbow, Cowardice

 

TLA (334 South St.) SAT Phillybloco

 

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SUN Catching Wasps

 

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT Walter Martin

 

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Folly Fields (Record Release), Bells, Tyler Burkhart, SUN Moonstriker, The Stonewall Vessels

 

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Big Tusk, Younger Me, SAT The Royal Noise (Release Show), Flux Capacitor, SUN Terrible Things, Modern Suits

 

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI A.M. Mills, Mark Lanky, Dressed Like Stolen Cars, SAT Queen Jesus, Tippy and the Shy Guys

 

North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Ruby the Hatchet Sunday The Retinas

 

M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Dead:Stop, Making-Out With Medusa, Varroa

 

Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI The Babin Brothers

 

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Dave Steel Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac

 

The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) SAT (Main Floor) Black Sun Rising, Release (Upstairs) The Mahlors, The Substance, Overfield, The Phonies

 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI The GTVs

 

JR’ s Bar (2337 S. Croskey St.)FRI No RiSK, Community Service, assemble! SUN Wayward Ones

 

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Warhead

 

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Heyyo, Trouble in Tokyo, Swim., Andalusia, Tasty Face, SAT Mike Weyrauch, Matt Gauss Band, Pete Groch, Rob Tait Kyle Campbell

 

Ardmore Music Hall FRI Cattulus, SAT Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers,

 

Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Radiator Hospital, Todd Killings, Dark Thoughts, SAT Dridge, War Emblem

 

Toby’s Purgatory (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Ted Nguyent, Olive Drab Slow Animal, Blue Smiley

 

Mt. Thrashmore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Disinterest, Christopher Walking

 

Local trio Amanda X is more or less what would happen if you collided Plumtree and Cat Power; the bands self-described “cuddle punk” is made up of endearingly sweet vocals draped over downright furious instrumentals. The resulting sound is tender, vicious and a bit nostalgic. The show was supposed to be Co-headlined by Smoother, but apparently they are no longer playing. Openers will be The Caution Children, Tigerscout, and the fantastic Joint Chiefs of Math. They’ll all be coming together at Kung Fu Necktie tonight. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St, 8PM, $5 21+ – Daniel Ludwig