Concert Picks: Eastern Conference Champions, Teenage Bottlerocket, We Are Scientists…

We called it – the hot, humid days of summer are finally here, and naturally we’re looking for anything to distract us from the notion (and reality) of 24/7 sweat and hiked-up energy bills. Yes, as the heat ramps up into the triple digits across the country, we’re hard at work looking for local shows that will not only boast debatably awesome talent, but whose ticket prices will remain at double digits or less (even better). We aim to quench your thirst. Check out our picks below:

• Eastern Conference Champions | Friday, July 16 | 7:00 pm | Free | Space 15 Twenty, Los Angeles, CA – Map | True, unapologetic modern rock and roll with folk influences, Eastern Conference Champions is a bit unique in their approach, tweaking their style from track to track. At times they highlight the “let the choir sing” angle (if only with their instruments), while at other times they work the subtle backbone component that is percussion. Smart music for a generation that’s been ready for it. With Sol Grant and Links - Buy Tickets

• Love As Laughter | Friday, July 16 |  11:30 pm | 21+ | Free | Mercury Lounge, New York, NY – Map | Longtime indie band Love As Laughter – (trivia time!) initially starting off as a solo artist of now frontman Sam Jayne’s efforts – has six albums under their belt and a fleshed-out band for everyone’s enjoyment. Their quirky stylings involve layered harmonies, random percussion variations, and horns, much to our delight. Oh, how we love horns. With Shithorse – click here for more information; tickets available at the door.

• Teenage Bottlerocket | Saturday, July 17 | 8:00 pm | $10-$12 | Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA – Map | Rad super-energetic punk rock littered with the random expletive and lyrical phrase punctuated with none other than an exclamation mark (“Just shut up and get righteous now; it’s time to skate or now!”), this is the stuff the inner boarder in most will easily latch onto, if not already. The Laramie, Wyoming-based band is currently on tour for the better part of the summer and early fall; check out their official site for tour dates. With Banner Pilot – Buy Tickets

• We Are Scientists | Saturday, July 17 | 9:00 pm | 18+ | $17 | Music Hall of Williamsburg, New York, NY – Map | Having achieved success in the mainstream realm of the music world, it’s nice to know that New York-based We Are Scientists haven’t abandoned their laid-back indie style that appealed to us in the first place. There’s a huge level of familiarity running along the lines of Weezer and – at the risk of sacrilege – The Beatles, that is playful and inviting, even with their heavier, introspective undertones. Everyone else seems to think the same of the Berkeley, California-based band – they’ll be on tour for pretty much the remainder of the summer. And the crowd goes wild. With Lightspeed Champion and Bad Girlfriend – Buy Tickets

• Local Natives | Sunday, July 18 | 10:30 pm | 18+ | $15 | Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL – Map | We’re sorry. We really are, but we can’t help it. We love them. See them now. With Yawn - Buy Tickets

Those are our picks and we’re sticking to ‘em. Who’s on your to-see list this weekend?

Photo by Vern Evans