The Fourth of July weekend usually marks a mass migration of NYCers to more bucolic locations, leaving the city a ghost town.  And, when the residents flee, so do the shows.  Clubs typically close their doors for a few days, giving their pale night-owl employees a chance to rediscover sunlight.  That being said, if a barbecue followed by a lot of neck-craning to catch a glimpse of the East River fireworks isn't your thing, we found a few places keeping their doors open this Fourth.

 

SONIC YOUTH & THE FEELIES at BATTERY PARK at 3:30pm

 

There is a reason that many rock critics have called Sonic Youth the Grateful Dead of indie rock.  Not to say there are VW buses full of people following them from show to show, but you are guaranteed to see a mix of people from 12 year olds in Nirvana shirts to guys pushing 50 in original "Evol" tour shirts at every show.  I have also personally witnessed some of the worst hippie dancing this side of Bonnaroo at SY shows in the past.  That being said, these folks still know how to crank it up and put on a hell of a show, and I dare you not to dance like a moron if they play "Teenage Riot". (Be forewarned, tickets were given out on a first come basis on 6/12, and they went. . .fast.)

 

JAPANTHER at THE BODEGA (1089 Broadway, Brooklyn) 4pm $5-20

 

A benefit for the American Cancer Society and Common Ground, Japanther plays this BBQ extravaganza in Brooklyn with http://www.myspace.com/hiddenpowernyc ">Hidden Power, Deer Friends, Bravo Specter, and The Book Slave.  I am normally not too hot on hipster barbecues, but it's for a good cause, and a good place to hear some noisy, catchy DIY indie rock.  The show is a sliding scale admission from $5 to $20, so give what you can.

 

MORNING 40 FEDERATION at MERCURY LOUNGE (217 E. Houston St. Manhattan) 9pm $15

 

New Orleans scumbags make an appearance in New York for the holiday.  Describing their shows by saying "it's like dirty church", these guys have played with Andre Williams and combine old rock 'n roll, swamp boogie, and lyrics that would make Bukowski proud. 

 

THE STALKERS at THE TRASH BAR (256 Grand St. Brooklyn) 8pm $7

 

Brooklyn's favorite mess of a band, The Stalkers, seem to have lasted longer than anyone initially expected. Like a modern day Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers, they combine garage rock sleeze with the good parts of 70's glam and Stonesian swagger.  Their shows are not to be missed and with bands like The Electric Shadows and Live Fast Die adding to the fun and disorder, this would be my pick of the shows for our nation's birthday if you want to get puked on.