Weekend Picks: Southern Belles, No BS! Brass Band, Iggy Plop & the Splooges, Hardywood 4th of July Party

It's July 4th weekend which means lots of fireworks but not much music. But what music there is, is pretty darn good, let me tell ya, bud.

Most of us are off on Friday so let's get out Thursday night and celebrate with some good old American rock n' roll mayhem at Cary St. Cafe. Iggy Pop tribute band Iggy Plop and the Splooges headline with Dismal Swamp Lords and The Lucky Stiffs starting the fun. Things will get under way at 10 PM and it's FREE to get in. So put on your evening gloves, smear your chest with peanut butter and have some fun. Here's Iggy playing with Kepone at the Plan 9 party at Hardywood a few months ago. Language in this is NSFW.

Friday night at Broadberry, No BS! Brass Band bring their brasstacular fireworks to the stage. Doors open at 8, it's $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Wood Face will open the show. Here's No BS' set at Carnaval on the Mile in April:

Friday night is the first of two nights (Saturday too) at The Camel for Southern Belles as they celebrate the release of their new album "Close to Sunrise". Doors open at 8, show starts at 9, and it's $7 in advance, $10 at the door both nights. You can also get a two-night ticket for $16. Saturday nights show will feature what they are calling the Soul-Glo party with Mekong Xpress & the Get Fresh Horns. I predict a cover with both bands together playing Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" with the horns doing the string parts. OK, maybe not, but that would be cool. Here's "Getaway" from the new album:

If you are looking for a party on July 4, head to Hardywood for the July 4th Party. You'll get to see 5 great psychedelic pop bands and watch the fireworks from the nearby Diamond. Be forewarned that this will be packed especially as it gets closer to fireworks time. Hardywood is encouraging everyone to bring cash so the lines move as quickly as possible, They'll also do the beer tickets thing instead of the usual pay at the bar. There will be a ton of food trucks but don't try to bring your own coolers or outside alcohol in. It's not cool and the cops will be there to get ya. Under 21 can come but obviously can't drink and it's FREE to get in. Things start at 3 and I believe the band order will be as follows. No set times have been announced.

1. Mikrowaves (American rock and roll)
2. My Darling Fury (tech fueled indie pop with a classical tinge)
3. Manatree (guitar driven indie rock/math/pop)
4. Avers (psychedelic garage pop)
5. White Laces (dreamy, atmospheric indie-pop)

That'll do it. Happy 4th of July! Hope to see you at any and all of these shows.