The motto of punk label Plan-It-X—“If it ain’t cheap, it ain’t punk.”—aims to pollinate the notion that emulating major labels isn’t necessary to successfully distribute and promote music. Active since 1994, PIX makes a strong case. Talk distro or dance ecstatically at Plan-It-X Sampler at The Tannex (1417 Fourth Street SW) on Sunday, Jan. 26. PIX roster-mates Garrett Walters and Mitch the Champ rep folk-punk, pop, Bloomington, Ind. and PIX at this DIY-centric, zine reading-inclusive event. And local fivesome Arroyo Deathmatch serves “evil folk for evil folks.” This all-ages, make-it-like-you-mean-it gig begins at 6:30pm, and admission is five bucks.
Music To Your Ears Idm Is The New Black
Skinny Puppy
Emilie Elizabeth and John Kraw
Sometimes our own comfort in sameness gets conflated with artists who choose not to create the same sound ad infinitum. Iconic electro-industrial act Skinny Puppy wasn’t content to wander in the labyrinth of their signature, sample-rich industrial harshness forevermore. The band’s latest, Weapon, bears slim resemblance to the abrasive Puppy of yore, but it’s accessible IDM with its experimental edges sanded down. And it may well win Nivek Ogre and cEvin Key a new legion of Millennial fans. Judge for yourself when Skinny Puppy and El Lay IDM duo DJMREX play Sunshine Theater (120 Central SW) on Tuesday, Jan. 28. This all-ages concert revs up at 8pm, and presale tickets are $20.
Music To Your Ears Dead Meadow Gambol
Dead Meadow
Magdalena Wosinska
For 15 years stoner rock outfit Dead Meadow has purveyed heavy, heady riffs and sway-inducing neo-psych with their solid catalog. Racking up nine damn fine albums so far—if you count a 2002 live comp and Prune Pendant Records’ release of circa 2001 Peel Sessions—Dead Meadow’s latest, Warble Womb, finds the trio in an expansive phase, but the heavy’s still there (see “Copper is Restless (‘til It Turns to Gold)” and “This Song is Over.”) Turn on with Dead Meadow, elemental rock band SuperGiant and lo-fi techno-rock foursome Ballets on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Low Spirits (2823 Second Street NW). If you find yourself gravitating toward this 21-plus show at 9pm, know that tickets are $8.
