Sprouting all over

Music Row
By Brian Rademaekers

The Creeping Weeds, a five-piece indie rock outfit from Philly, distilled their sound perfectly in naming their first full-length album We Are All Part of the Dream You’re Having.
Full of soft harmonies, gentle vocals and lulling guitar licks, the songs of the Creeping Weeds trickle into the brain in a way that only a dream could.
They also evoke an assuring sense of nostalgia, stirring up memories of musical pleasure at its height.
There are few other bands that can pull that off without sounding too much like some other band. But the Creeping Weeds manage to do just that, offering songs that are bright and new, but also uncannily familiar.
Perhaps the clearest parallels between the Weeds and other bands are Yo La Tengo and Pavement. On songs like Keystone, lead singer Pete Stewart’s delicate, almost murmured vocals call to mind those of Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan in the best sort of way.
In the more rocking I Wanted to Live (Die), the Weeds’ guitar work recalls the cool hooks of Steven Malkmus, as do the jerky lyrics.
Besides summoning those two bands, who basically can take credit for what often comes to the minds of music fans when they think of the evolution of 1990s-style indie rock, the Weeds sound also draws in palpable pieces of folk and psychedelia.
With all of that blended altogether with the utmost balance, they come up with an irresistible and seductive brand of indie rock all their own.
Dropped on Philly music fans at the start of the year, We Are All Part of a Dream You’re Having followed on the group’s EP Long Way Down, and was released on their own Hot Horse! label.
Despite that limited repertoire, the Weeds have made a strong name for themselves locally, a fact not surprising when you’ve heard their compelling but easily digested sound.
The Weeds also recently returned from their first major road trip — Tour de Horse — which saw them hit venues across the South and West, with key stops in the heartland on their way back east.
With the Weeds playing tonight at the Khyber for the first time since setting off on their tour, it should be interesting to see what the road and the hearty schedule of shows have done for the band.
Already, they’ve worked up a bit of a reputation for rollicking live acts, and there is a good chance that trait has been enhanced over the last few months.
In addition to vocalist and lead guitar player Pete Stewart, the Weeds consist of his sister Kate, who plays the keyboard and provides back-up vocals; Fishtowner Chris Wirtalla, who provides the drums; and bassist Justin Seitz.
They also recently added Cara Sakoian, who tweaks the bands psychedelic side with a little xylophone and didgeridoo playing.
Seeing them tonight will give you a chance to enjoy one of the city’s top indie acts riding high on the release of a stellar album and a return from a national tour.
Also onstage will be hometown freak folkies The War on Drugs and Brooklyn’s Donny Hue and the Colors.
If you can’t catch them tonight, the Weeds will be playing at The M Room in Fishtown on Oct. 27. ••

Check it out!
Who: The Creeping Weeds
What: A dreamy indie outfit hailing largely from Fishtown.
Where: The Khyber, Second and Chestnut streets in Old City.
When: Thursday, Sept. 6, at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8.