Dilly Dally at Reverb Lounge, Nov. 7, 2015.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

More proof that a high rating from Pitchfork doesn’t necessarily equate to big crowds, PF darlings Dilly Dally played to a grateful crowd of around 50 Saturday night at Reverb Lounge. The band’s latest album, Sore, scored a massive 8.0 on the Pitchfork meter which doesn’t matter if no one’s heard your music.

Dilly Dally front woman Katie Monks channeled Courtney Love’s gravel-growl throughout the 45-minute set that included a lot of songs off that new album. But maybe more than Courtney, Monks reminded me of a younger version of Thalia Zedak of bands Come and Live Skull, but playing music that isn’t nearly as stark an desolate as either of those bands. Dilly Dally’s sound is a hybrid of ’90s post-punk mixed with some modern-day touches. The song “Get To You,” for example, carried a funky-grungy bassline that was pure Breeders territory.

Monks sounded younger on stage than what we hear on the record, probably because she looked like a teenager on stage wearing a sideways ball cap covered in bedazzle-bling. After seeing the songs performed live, I love the record even more.

It dawned on me that Monks is among a galaxy of young women punk performers who are making the biggest mark on indie these days. Why haven’t we seen a modern-day punk Lilith Fair featuring Dilly Dally, Bully, Hop Along, Savages, Speedy Ortiz, Courtney Barnett, Sleater-Kinney, etc.? Or maybe it’s time we got away from organizing gender-specific festivals.

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A couple big shows happening on a Monday night (more proof that we’re not the destination, we’re the drive-through on the way home).

Pure Bathing Culture sans drummer at The Waiting Room Nov. 5, 2014. The band plays tonight at Reverb.

Top of the list is Portland band Pure Bathing Culture at Reverb Lounge. I’ve seen this band on three separate occasions and have been underwhelmed three times, but maybe it’s a personal thing, as people who were in the same audiences raved about the band’s performance. Opening is fellow Portlanders Wild Ones (Topshelf Records). $12, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, over at fabulous O’Leaver’s, NYC band BOYTOY hits the stage. They’re on the road supporting a new EP called Grackle. Also on the bill are Bien Fang and The Morbs. $5, 9:30 p.m.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

McCarthy Trenching at Reverb Lounge, Jan. 17, 2015. The band celebrates the release of their latest album tonight at O’Leaver’s.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Crazy frickin’ weekend for shows and stuff.

Let’s get the big one out of the way first: McCarthy Trenching celebrates the release of their new album, More Like It (Sower, 2015) tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s. You’ve already read about the record here, now check out the band. I’m told a few folks may join Dan and his partner in crime James Maakestad on stage. Find out who. I can tell you for sure that Sower labelmates Bud Heavy and the High Lifes will be opening the extravaganza. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also tonight, it’s another Benson First Friday. Of note is the first annual “little show @the little gallery,” the gallery Teresa and I run at 5917 Maple Street, right across the street from The Sydney. All works, created by local artists, are 6” x 6” or smaller and retail for $100 or less. Think about giving the gift of locally produced art this holiday season! If you get there early, you might even be able to buy a piece by yours truly — one of my old-time-style classic cassette covers, which comes with a recorded cassette of my faves from 2015 (featuring lots of local and national acts). The reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Booze provided.

Tomorrow night is the grand opening of Milk Run, 1907 Leavenworth, the new all-ages music venue run by the guys behind Perpetual Nerves Productions, Chris Aponick and Sam Martin. You read about the club here (and if you haven’t, go read now). The bands honored with opening what is bound to be a legendary venue are American Cream (featuring STNNNG’s Nathan Nelson), David Nance Band, Robust Worlds and Church of Gravitron. Show starts at 9. Entrance in the back of the building, where there’s also some parking. $5, BYOB.

Also tomorrow night, a show that seems to be flying under the radar (or at least I haven’t seen a word about it yet) — Toronto punks Dilly Dally headline at Reverb Lounge. Their new album, Sore (Partisan, 2015) got a massive 8.0 rating from Pitchfork. Frontwoman Katie Monks sounds like the second coming of Courtney Love on songs that Hole would have killed to have written.

Dilly Dally, Sore (Partisan, 2015)

The album’s artwork is kind of gross, so much so that I asked Monks to explain it to me. Here’s what she said, via email:

“The album cover relates to our music in many different ways, but I would rather not spell it out. That would spoil the fun. Listen to the record and if you still don’t get it, feel free to enjoy the image based on the fact that’s pretty badass lol.”

It’s badass alright. No Thanks opens. $10 9 p.m.

Also tomorrow night (Saturday), Londoners Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs (Transdreamer Records) headline at O’Leaver’s. Opening is Simon Joyner and the Ghosts and Those Far Out Arrows. $7, 9:30 p.m.

Then along comes Sunday…

Folk rocker Laura Stevenson and her band headline at Slowdown Jr. She’s on the road supporting her just-released album Cocksure (Don Giovanni, 2015). Opening is a slew of acts: The Ridgways, No Getter and Crypt Kid. 8 p.m., $10 Adv./$12 DOS.

Also Sunday night, O’Leaver’s is rolling out another night of the hard stuff with Tallahassee band Ex-Breathers, Gnarwhal Peace of Shit and FLAK. $7, 9 p.m.

That’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.