This Weekend’s Concert Picks: Cults at Union Transfer, Pissed Jeans at Johnny Brenda’s

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13th
With a Google-proof band name and zero social-networking presence, Cults used to be such a mystery. Then the unassuming New York duo posted a few tracks online in 2010, which immediately set off a hunt for the truth about their backgrounds and catapulted them into the indie spotlight. The single “Go Outside” channels ’60s girl-group pop; it’s a sunny song with Lesley Gore-esque vocals, glockenspiel, and an eerie undercurrent (courtesy of samples of cult leader Jim Jones muttering about death). Though they’re not in any rush to make every autobiographical detail and quirk public, the original pair of Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion (both former NYU film students and California natives) have warmed up to the additional attention, growing into a full five-piece group and signing to Columbia for a full-length album, which was released last summer. Cults performs with Dirty Fences at 8:30 p.m.; tickets to the all-ages show are SOLD OUT. —Kiley Bense

Also Playing: Minas at World Cafe Live (8 p.m., $20); Adrien Reju And Friends at Tin Angel (10:30 p.m., 21+, $10); The National Rifle + Waking Lights, Blayer Pointdujour at Milkboy Philly (9:30 p.m., 21+, $8–$10); Swift Technique + Lady, Dr. Ruckus at Kung Fu Necktie (8 p.m., 21+, $10)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14th

Pissed Jeans performs with Blues Control and Veiled at 9:15 p.m. at Johnny Brenda’s; tickets to the 21+ show are $10–$12.

Also Playing: Negative Department + The Only Ghost in Town, Pray For Polanski, Sure Juror at The Level Room (8 p.m., 21+, $8); New Sweden + KeN, Lettuce Prey at Milkboy Philly (9:30 p.m., 21+, $8–$10);

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15th
Far-Out Fangtooth + Lantern, Harsh Vibes at The Level Room (9 p.m., 21+, $10); Allison Weiss + Mitten, Former Belle, Conversations With Enemies at PhilaMOCA (8 p.m., all ages, $7–$10)