Weekend Picks: Both Gomez and Obits cancelled, but at least Cass McCombs and Lower Dens are still playing

FRIDAY JULY 15
Rick Froberg: The singer/guitarist of the legendary math-rock band Drive Like Jehu (as well as that band’s more straightfoward-rocking followup, Hot Snakes), cover-art designer for bands such as Rocket From The Crypt, and all-around musical badass. He’s also a guy you’re NOT going to see at Johnny Brenda’s tonight—because his latest band, Obits, had to cancel its show. (Which we were really, REALLY looking forward to after it was first announced.) To add insult to injury, Gomez just announced that it will be canceling the rest of its current tour due to singer Ben Ottewell’s vocal loss, according to The Swollen Fox. (The band is playing its scheduled Free At Noon show at World Cafe Live today, but will not be performing tonight at TLA.) We suppose you could see Taking Back Sunday at Tower Theatre, or try to find a ticket to the sold-out Bouncing Souls show at First Unitarian Church. Then again, you could just stay at home and watch a bunch of live Gomez and Obits videos.

Also playing: Taking Back Sunday + Thursday, Colour Revolt, We Are The In Crowd at Tower Theatre (7 p.m., $34.50); The Bouncing Souls + Tim Barry, Gods And Queens at First Unitarian Church (7:30 p.m., all ages, SOLD OUT)

SATURDAY JULY 16
The Philly-via-South-Jersey quartet Arches—who recently recorded a Key Studio Session with us—will be celebrating the vinyl release of their full-length debut Wide Awake at Johnny Brenda’s. (The show is presented by our friends over at YVYNYL.) Arches performs with Holy Spirits, White Laces, and Gracie at 9 p.m. at Johnny Brenda’s; tickets to the 21+ show are $8.

Also playing: Lingerie Party + Wyldlife, Snakes Say Hisss, El Malito at The Trocadero (11 p.m., 21+, $10); The Bouncing Souls + Blanks 77, The Scandals at First Unitarian Church (7:30 p.m., all ages, SOLD OUT); The City Music Project + Lady, Swift Technique at World Cafe Live (9 p.m., $13)

SUNDAY JULY 17
Ever since his debut EP Not The Way was released in 2002, Cass McCombs has been attracting praise from critics and audiences alike, as well as forcing them to note the effect his music has on their selves. His enigmatic properties have taken him far; he has performed and/or toured with notable names such as Andrew Bird, Modest Mouse, Beach House, The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, and The Shins. His fifth and most recent LP, WIT’S END, was released on April 26th to further critical acclaim. Joining him and his band on Sunday will be Lower Dens, a Baltimore-based new-wave/drone-pop group featuring the vocals of Jana Hunter (Phosphorescent, CocoRosie). Cass McCombs Band performs with Lower Dens at Johnny Brenda’s at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.); tickets to the 21+ show are $12 in advance and $13 at the door. —Claire Fishkow

Also playing: Kim Lenz And The Jaguars + Delco Nightingale, Dixy Blood at Kung Fu Necktie (7:30 p.m., 21+, $10); Stephen Marley + Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, John Brown’s Body at The Blockely (7 p.m., $25-$27); Rupa And The April Fishes + Blue Hippopotamus, April Mae And The June Bugs at North Star Bar (8 p.m., 21+, $10)