Kevin Bronson on July 9th, 2010

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[Sorry I’m a little late with this today, I was all flustered trying to think of what to do for Jessica Simpson’s 30th birthday Saturday.]

My top 5 reasons to slam in the earplugs this weekend:

‣ When I first heard “Hippies” and posted “Friendly Ghost” in March, I knew I’d be hooked on Harlem. Then I saw them at South by Southwest and my chin hair stood on end. Exultant, no-frills, hook-heavy garage-rock. Tonight at the Echo.
‣ Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti kicks off a tour behind their new album “Before Today” tonight at the Echoplex.
‣ Sky Parade’s album-release show for “Intoxicated” is tonight at the Bootleg Theater, with Shine Brothers (Nate Ryan of the Black Angels) supporting.
‣ Peter Case does two shows tonight at McCabe’s behind his new release, “Wig!”
‣ And in the Dept. of Punk Rock Done Right: The Briggs won’t be playing to as many people as they did here, but the Eagle Rock rockers headline the Troubadour on Saturday.

Your tastes may vary: Dawes, the Hollywood Bowl’s Beatles Celebration, the Lilith Fair, Los Lobos – there’s plenty of big stuff outdoors this weekend too. For a compilation of that, and to find out who El Guincho is, see my roundup on LA Weekly’s West Coast Sound.