And good heavens, what a weekend it is--distilling the myriad awesome shows available down to a mere five was no easy task. Luckily for you, we simply input the listings into our secret "keeping it real" algorithm and came up with a failsafe list that includes CD Releases from Danielle Ate the Sandwich and Desciples, an appearance from Slim Cessna's Auto Club, a throwdown featuring The Pirate Signal, and the weekend-long behemoth that is Titwrench. Trust us. We've got you covered.
01. TITWRENCH With Married in Berdichev, Night of Joy, Lust-Cats of the Gutters, Hideous Men, Hot White, Ladyparts and about a million others Rhinoceropolis and Glob July 9, 10 and 11 $30 three-day pass
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: With a lineup that reads like a veritable who's who of female musicians in Denver, Titwrench's annual extravaganza is back this year and as exciting as ever. There's a profile on Married in Berdichev and Q&A with Lust Cats of the Gutters in this week's print edition. Read those and then go see them (and the most comprehensive list of their compatriots you're likely to find anywhere) for yourself this weekend.
LISTEN:
Married in Berdichev Lust Cats of the Gutters
02. DANIELLE ATE THE SANDWICH With Cody Crump Walnut Room Friday, July 9 $30
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: She's a YouTube sensation and a noted Westword darling, and she's got a new album out -- which, as Jason Heller pointed out, lives effortlessly up to the hype. Though the new record features a more fleshed-out sound than previous efforts, the songs retain DATS's signature wit and sincerity in spades.
LISTEN: Danielle Ate the Sandwich
03. DESCIPLES CD RELEASE PARTY With Mono Verde, Slaughterhouse Rootz, Spirit Government Herman's Hideaway Saturday, July 10 $8
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: With a roots-reggae sound that occasionally dabbles in punk rock, Desciples are likely to give Sublime's appearance at Red Rocks on the same night some bracing competition (it's a much cheaper ticket, for one thing) at the release of the band's first record in four years as an ensemble. Plus, the guitarist plays with his teeth.
LISTEN: Desciples
04. SLIM CESSNA'S AUTO CLUB With Houses, Maraca 5-0 Larimer Lounge Saturday, July 10 $13
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: It's a little-known fact that if you go to see Slim Cessna's Auto Club on a Saturday night, the Lord does not require you to go to church the next day. Arguably the hometown band most responsible for Denver's late-'90s reputation for goth-Americana, the Auto Club doesn't come home as often as we'd like, so get in on the tent revival while you can.
LISTEN: Slim Cessna's Auto Club
the pirate signal EPK from the pirate signal on Vimeo.
05. THE PIRATE SIGNAL With Prayers for Atheists, St. Elias Summit Music Hall Friday, July 9 $5
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Picking up the torch of raw, persecuted aggression from such messianic figures as Black Thought and Chuck D, MC Yonnas Abraham and DJ A-What comprise one of Denver's fastest rising hip-hop stars. Sure, they play pretty much constantly, but every performance is something to behold, so why miss a single one? One day, you'll be able to say you saw them [here].
LISTEN: The Pirate Signal