The Teeth

The Teeth don’t sound like the Kinks, the Talking Heads, the Velvet Underground, Stephen Malkmus, or the Beatles. The Teeth, nourished on a diet of eclectic musical influences, sound instead like they’ve chewed-up and fully digested the best of those legendary sounds, resulting in cheekily original music that’s hearty enough to make the mopiest cynic feel slaphappy and satiated.

The howling local four-piece is captained by twin brothers Aaron and Pete McDavis, two complementary front men who are skilled at both channeling mayhem into dynamic and poppy tunes and performing those tunes like they were meant to be: loud, soulful, frantic, fun and with a bite.

Jan. 21 at 9 p.m. with One Star Hotel, Birdie and American Altitude at the North Star, 27th and Poplar Sts, $7, 21+

Rebecca Gates

At times, Rebecca Gates seems unable to sing above a whisper. Is this her delicate vocal styling, or is she just roping in her audience as if to insolently murmur, “I know all about your secrets, and I’m going to sing about them one by one?”

No question about it-this singer/songwriter revels in exposing the weaknesses of others-and ultimately her own as well-through her hushed yet fiery guitar-and-voice testimonials. A former member of early Sub Pop darlings the Spinanes, Gates has an extensive back catalog of beauty-laden songs to draw from.

She’ll be playing in the intimate space of the Fire along with a cellist and an alt-country troubadour, so prepare yourself for a quiet, but lovely, evening.

Jan. 29th at 9 p.m. with Garland of Hours and Brandon Butler at the Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave, $8, 21+

Paul Green School of Rock Best of the Season Showcase

Did you ever want to see a stout 12 year-old named Stubs wail King Diamond like a pro? How about a guitar virtuoso who’s one-third your age doing high kicks across a stage as he makes his Fender frets howl?

If so, this is a great chance to witness the greatness of the Paul Green S.O.R. students, aged six to 19, as they tear up the TLA stage and show you that they may be young, but they know how, as their mottos goes, to “rock yo’ brains out.”

Paul Green could easily out-spaz Jack Black, and this Philly institution came long before the movie of the same name; these talented kids deserve an even bigger audience.

Jan. 29th at 8 p.m. at the Theater of the Living Arts, 334 South St, $12 / All Ages