GIG OF THE WEEK

CHEMICAL PEEL w/ JOINT D≠, SOUTHERN FEMISPHERE @ NEW BROOKLAND TAVERN, COLUMBIA

The Columbia trio Chemical Peel has been steadily improving its frayed and frazzled post-punk since its debut — via self-titled cassette — last year. This gig celebrates the release of cassette No. 2, Bad Cream, and the band’s big step forward. (Stream the new album below.) The debut was a charming burst of anxious energy bleached by distortion and shocked with punk urgency; an auspicious introduction, for sure. But on their latest effort, the trio’s individual talents drive a clearer songwriting vision. Singer/guitarist Ony Ratsimbaharison hasn’t lost any of the caked-on fuzz, but here, she steers it between budget-rock scuzz and Daydream Nation gauze. Her snotty vocals match the guitar’s abrasive tones, making her the aggressive counterpoint to the solid rhythm section of bassist Max Smith and drummer Victoria Mandanas. Smith supplies a melodic surge with his surf-informed lines, while Mandanas drives a steady post-punk pulse. You could cite any number of valid references for the young band’s tunes, but it kind of misses the point. ”You can’t tell where they’re coming from, but you sort of can,” Joint D≠ guitarist Nick Goode said of Chemical Peel. With its similarly implacable and unplaceable take on hardcore, Joint D≠ has formed something of a mutual admiration collective with Chemical Peel. This is far fromt he first bill the two bands have shared, and it’s unlikely to be the last. It is, however, Chemical Peel’s album release gig, and features strong support from Charleston post-punks Southern Femisphere and Braindead, a new project from Coma Cinema sideman Chris Cryer. —Bryan C. Reed

CALENDAR

July 19

• Dirty Beaches @ The Pinhook, Durham
• The Gaslight Anthem @ Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro
• Blitzen Trapper @ Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte
• Luego w/ Lonnie Walker, First Person Plural @ Casbah, Durham

July 20

• Future Islands w/ Lilac Shadows @ Local 506, Chapel Hill
• Blitzen Trapper @ The Pour House, Charleston
• Valient Thorr @ Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro
• The B-52’s @ House of Blues, Myrtle Beach
• The Sea Wolf Mutiny, Elonzo @ Radio Room, Greenville, S.C.
• Peelander-Z w/ D&D Sluggers @ Soapbox, Wilmington

July 21

• TRKFest @ Piedmont Biofuels, Pittsboro
• Tim Barry @ Local 506, Chapel Hill
• Cusses w/ Octopus Jones, White Rifles @ The Cave, Chapel Hill
• Blitzen Trapper @ Soapbox, Wilmington
• Virgin Lung @ Soapbox, Wilmington

July 22

• Lotus Plaza w/ Hollow Stars @ Emerald Lounge, Asheville
• Dead Prez @ Ziggy’s, Winston-Salem
• Beach Day @ Emerald Lounge, Asheville
• Ascetic Parade w/ In Between, Museum Mouth @ The Cave, Chapel Hill
• Jackson Browne @ DPAC, Durham
• Dead Kenny G’s w/ Hauswerk @ Conundrum, Columbia

July 23

• Chuck Prophet @ The Handlebar, Greenville, S.C.
• Dent May w/ Levek @ Blind Tiger, Greensboro
• Museum Mouth w/ The Radio Reds, Heyrocco @ Local 506, Carrboro
• Deathfist w/ No Tomorrow @ Soapbox, Wilmington

July 24

• The Tallest Man on Earth @ The Orange Peel, Asheville

July 25

• The Tallest Man on Earth @ Haw River Ballroom, Saxapahaw
• Lydia Loveless @ The Evening Muse, Charlotte
• Megafaun @ Duke Gardens, Durham
• A Place To Bury Strangers @ Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte
• Coma Cinema w/ Those Lavender Whales @ Radio Room, Greenville, S.C.
• Benji Hughes @ Snug Harbor, Charlotte
• Eleni Mandell @ Local 506, Chapel Hill