Written by Patrick McNamara

Happy last week of June / first week of July. If you haven't been out there seeing good shows and playing in the sun just yet, now's the time to let it fly. Embrace the goodness while you can. October waits for no man.

These are the good shows this week.

And oh yeah, Happy Birthday, America. I love our 50 pretty states. Every last one.

Monday - June 29th, 2015 A.D.

Legendary sludge thunder wonders, Melvins, play a party at Santos house tonight (and tomorrow too) and how come Santos' parents are never around? How did Santos get so lucky? But if they were around they'd probably just tell Santos to make sure he wears earplugs for this one and that's no fun.

You know what IS fun? Seeing Rush at Madison Square Garden. You might not like Rush. You might hate Rush. But I find it very hard to believe that seeing a sold-out Rush show in a stadium full of happy people would not be a fun time. Go for that high note, Geddy Lee. Go for it! Punch 'em, Pert. Punch 'em!

Toronto power pop vets, Sloan, (formed circa 1991) play Rough Trade tonight. Go have a good power pop time and after the show ask to see their nine Juno Awards which I think is the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys but I'm pretty sure we let Canadians also win Grammys sometimes too. Celine Dion won at least one, right? Probably? With a voice like hers? I'm not sure. I don't watch the Grammys. Because I'm a grown-ass man.

Other notable shows = Imagine Dragons and Metric at Prudential Center + Wyatt Cenac at Littlefield + Heathered Pearls at Elvis Guesthouse

SEE ALL OF OUR MONDAY PICKS

Tuesday - June 30th, 2015 A.D.

This show is a Triple Crown threat! It's the American Pharoah of shows tonight! It's Phi Slamma Jamma! Widowspeak + Small Black + Eternal Summers play Brooklyn Bowl. That's 3 good bands for 1 low price (only 10 bones). Infinite possibilities for an evening of happiness at this one.

Computer Magic plays Solar One before a rooftop film screening of “Bridesmaids." And while I wasn't a fan of that movie (a little too slick for my tastes - a little too glossy - and that cop character was fucking terrible) I do like Computer Magic and seeing shows outside near the water. My final verdict: RECOMMENDED. It has so been ordered.

Also. Brian Wilson plays Jones Beach tonight. He used to be in some band having something to do with the sun. The following is Claire Rockness' favorite song of the moment. I shit you not. #behindtheblob

Other notable shows = The Internet at Baby's All Right + Sondre Lerche at Music Hall of Williamsburg + Fiasco at Palisades + Melvins at Santos Party House

SEE ALL OF OUR TUESDAY PICKS

Wednesday - July 1st, 2015 A.D.

Ceremony + Pity Sex (click that) + Tony Molina (click that) + Uniform play Bowery Ballroom. Damn. That's a pretty good punk show. Out of 5 ham sandwiches, I give this show..... hmmm.... all the tea in China! It has so been ordered.

PINS (did you see them at our CMJ show last year?) and Beverly play Mercury Lounge and I'm a fan of both. File Under: Good Bands. RIYL: songs that sound good. Think early __________ meets late era ___________ meets your wildest dreams.

And finally for tonight, solid popster punksters Chumped play Palisades. To celebrate, here's a good Chumped song you may now casually stream easily, breezily, and absolutely 100% free of charge. #chill.

Other notable shows = Crying at Silent Barn + Barenaked Ladies at Pier 97 (I guess) + Talib Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl

SEE ALL OF OUR WEDNESDAY PICKS

Thursday - July 2nd, 2015 A.D.

Washer play Silent Barn and I once said they make “bendy slacker punk sprinkled in sludge sauce." I thought that was pretty good. You know what else is good? Washer.

Charlottesville, VA's Left & Right (or maybe they live in Philadelphia now) make fuzzy, crunchy, grunge-ish (a.k.a. grung-y i.e. grunge-oofian) rock. They play Aviv tonight but first, if you read this dynamic band profile I did on them, you'll discover that when they're not making music they all were (are still?) city bus drivers. Now that's what I call click bait.

Other notable shows = San Cisco at Bowery Ballroom + Talib Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl + Jay Boogie and DJ Anamanaguchi at Baby's All Right (there is something so satisfying about typing the name 'Anamanaguchi' on your keyboard - try it, it's fun)

SEE ALL OF OUR THURSDAY PICKS

Friday - July 3rd, 2015 A.D.

Trumansburg, NY's Izzy True plays Silent Barn. I just profiled this fine artist and said the following, “She's got a chill folk slacker punk kind of vibe similar to Courtney Barnett maybe and to me it sounds real cool." And just so you know, I still 100% whole-heartedly agree with myself. This will be a pretty chill one. You should go to it. And I should mind my own business.

Boston's Pile (the band behind the band BEHIND the band) play their punk at The Bell House and here are some extra sweet toppings to an already delicious treat. The Austerity Program (a solid band seemingly for ever) and Couch Slut (terrifying) are also on this bill. Out of ten desserts I give this show…...hmmm...all the cherries George Washington could ever carry. It has so been ordered.

Brutally beautiful NJ hardcore lads, Old Wounds, play The Grand Victory. This will shred something loud. I don't judge but if you don't wear earplugs to this show you're really dumb. But your (sic) MY dumb, goddamn it. Your (sic) my dumb.

Other notable shows = The Growlers at The Surf Lodge + Crime in Stereo at Saint Vitus + Jill Scott at Kings Theatre

SEE ALL OF OUR FRIDAY PICKS

Saturday - July 4th, 2015 A.D.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICANS! ALL GROWN UP PEOPLE CAN MARRY NOW! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!

MoMA's PS 1 Warm Up 2015 is always a good time….except when it rains….or it's too hot….or the subway takes forever….and today should be no exception. Cut Copy are DJ'ing and a lot of other people are spinning stuff too. What better way to celebrate America's birthday than standing around and watching people spin stuff? Hallelujah. Amen.

Chromeo celebrates their 4th of July in Montauk at The Surf Lodge by playing a free show for you, so if you want to come…. but whatever…. either way is cool…. no big deal. Guess who's never been to Montauk? THIS BLOB.

Speaking of free shows and the 4th of July (AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE! HOORAY!) Prince Rama play Fulton Stall Market (South Street btwn Fulton and Beekman) tonight at 8 PM and shortly after they're done………….. fireworks spread across the sky!

I do like me some 4th of July. I will not lie.

Other notable shows = Flagland and Palm at Shea Stadium + Swirlies and Krill at Silent Barn + the fireworks exploding over the sky

SEE ALL OF OUR SATURDAY PICKS

Sunday - July 5th, 2015 A.D.

I've told you before how much I like New Jersey's Vasudeva and now it's time to tell you again because this excellent math rock post (something) instrumental band plays Cameo Gallery tonight w/ Gulfer (click that) + Wild Pink and some other peeps. Listen to their album below when you get the chance and by “when you get the chance" I mean DO IT NOW. And then go see them.

Goldroom plays on a boat which leaves from Pier 83. I believe these are called booze cruises and thankfully Mark McGrath won't be on this one (that's a joke from like two summers ago - they grow up so fast). Anyway, file this one under: Dance! Dance! Dance!

Finally. St. Lucia play The Surf Lodge. That's in Montauk. Guess who's never been to Montauk. THIS BLOB.

Other notable shows = Chris Gethard at Union Hall + Prism House at Silent Barn + Empire! Empire! at Shea Stadium + Swirlies at Baby's All Right

SEE ALL OF OUR SUNDAY PICKS

Thank you for reading all the way to the end. And for those who left early, that's cool too, you're just dead to me. JK. JK. U know I luv U. I will cut you.

Happy going to shows! Going to shows rules! Hooray! Happy Day! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!