Quick hit picks for Week 11.

Home teams in CAPS.

Miami (+3.5) over CAROLINA W
Indianapolis (+0.5) over BALTIMORE
JACKSONVILLE (-8.5) over Buffalo
DETROIT (-3.5) over Cleveland
New Orleans (-11.5) over TAMPA BAY
GREEN BAY (-6.5) over San Francisco
Seattle (+10.5) over MINNESOTA
Washington (+11.5) over DALLAS
NY GIANTS (-6.5) over Atlanta
Pittsburgh (-9.5) over KANSAS CITY
Arizona (-9.5) over ST. LOUIS
Cincinnati (-9.5) over OAKLAND
NEW ENGLAND (-10.5) over NY Jets
San Diego (-2.5) over DENVER
Philadelphia (-2.5) over CHICAGO
HOUSTON (-4.5) over Tennessee

This week: 1-0
Last week: 6-9
Season: 75-70

Photo by Flickr user bglasgow

So this week's asshole is coming not from Philadelphia, but from the internet. After last week's delve into the personal, we're taking it out into the tubes.

We at Phillyist are obviously Americans (except for that one British dude, but nevermind him). We live in the cradle of freaking liberty. With a bell. So, it seems worth some Philadelphia-sized outrage that some wackadoos are hiding behind God to call for the death of the president. Through a T-shirt.

Yup.

The shirt, with the always recognizable symbol of hands praying, exhorts readers to "Pray for Obama, Psalm 109:08." This particular passage reads, "May his days be few, may another take his office" followed by "let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow." The people who would buy this trash are especially nefarious because of the code they are creating amongst themselves. To most normal people, they're going to look like patriotic-religion-loving types, while instead they're hateful and possibly murderous.

So, gentle readers, if you see someone wearing one of these shirts, remember gentleness. The kind that guy doesn't have. A pretty famous guy once said we ought to turn the other cheek, and even to just give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's. Nothing at all about capping Caesar or praying for God to cap Caesar. Not even if you don't like him.

Maybe the wackadoos ought to try reading the rest of their book. We hear it's pretty good.

Photo by Flickr user Helena P.

When watching a concert, there are many thoughts that may pop into one's head. "Oh, this is pretty cool, maybe I'll buy their album." Or, "This is putting me to sleep." When I saw Shonen Knife live at Johnny Brenda's on Monday, the thought that immediately popped into my head was, "I wish I could bake this band in to a cake so I could eat them!" That's a weird thing to say, but Naoko (guitar), Etsuko (drums) and Ritsuko (bass) would totally understand I meant it as a compliment.

From their album covers, it may seem like Shonen Knife is just another young, cute Japanese girl-band, but do not be fooled: they've been producing their own brand of poppy garage rock for twenty-seven years and have gained quite a cult following. Yes, they wear matching outfits and the ones they wore at the show on Monday kind of looked like Powerpuff Girl dresses, but what about when Naoko and Ritsuko start head-banging in unison? Meanwhile Etsuko is completely murdering the drums and wearing a serene smile the entire time.

The sound is a combination of The Ramones and Buzzcocks, laden with girl group harmonies, and lyrics alternating between Japanese and English. My favorite song off of their new album has to be "BBQ Party," with a chorus that involves screaming: "Pig out! Pig out! Pig out!" Shonen Knife also has a bit of a penchant for Paul McCartney; they've not only covered Beatles songs throughout their career, but have a version of Wings' "Jet" on their new album.

The lineup has changed over the years, Ritsuko being the latest addition on bass. The night of the performance she was wearing a ponytail directly on top of her head that swung around ferociously throughout the show, so she fits right in with the other two members. We got an extra special surprise when Atsuko, Naoko's sister, founding member and former bassist, came on stage and sang "Fruits and Vegetables."

The band's newest release Super Group is a testament to their return to the power trio format. It's entirely in English, and claims "to go back to the starting point of rock." It's a bit of a nebulous statement, I'll admit. But Naoko cleared everything up for me when she giggled and said that she's been listening to a lot of classic rock and metal lately, and proceeded to play "Pyramid Power" which is straight-up, no joke heavy metal, complete with a scorching solo.

The opener for Shonen Knife was Jeff the Brotherhood, and they were a treat as well. The band consisted solely of drums and guitar played by two shaggy-haired Tennessee boys, and my friend described them perfectly as "Sabbath, with riffs played twice as fast." No complaints here.

Shonen Knife's promise is that their new album makes everybody happy. All the smiling, the candy-colored outfits and songs about food may certainly seem its all there to make you happy, but let's not forget this band held their own on the road for over two decades, including during Nirvana's Nevermind tour. When you see Shonen Knife live, you're watching them, nodding your head to the beat, then the playful bopping and toe-tapping turns into the pogo and then ... wait a minute, did they all three just explode into a giant comic book star-shaped "POW"?

At the end of the show, after the audience begged them back onstage for an encore, the three women stood together with their arms in a triangular formation to represent their solidarity as a trio. Shonen Knife, you are a super group indeed!

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Phillyist.

• John Mayer, find tickets for his Battle Studies tour with the AMEX early on sale.
  
• American Apparel, with 3 stores in Philadelphia, you can look your best after dark.
  
• GroupOn, using collective buying power to bring you one ridiculous coupon each day.

Photo courtesy The Kin official website

The Watson Twins, The Kin, and Joshua Radin will all take the stage, promising an evening of alternating relaxing and rocking.

We're most excited to see The Kin, who are touring to support their latest album, The UPside (Amazon).

Heaven knows no one has any money and we're all totally stressed out. But tickets are only $17, and really, the entire show should be like aural yoga, with a little bonus toe-tapping, too.

The Kin, The Watson Twins, and Joshua Radin
Tonight, 11/20/09
Doors 7 p.m./Show 8 p.m.
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.)
Tickets: $17

Photo by Flickr user chimothy27

*Corrections have been made in this column concerning the Philadelphia Circus School Event*

Things have been a little crazy in this momma Phillyist's sphere of life, so this week's column is late and abbreviated to strictly weekend happenings. We apologize for the inconvenience and promise that it won't happen again. Hands have been slapped and television privileges taken away.

The Wooden Shoe Bookstore on South is hosting a parents-only event that I thought we needed to include in this week's abbreviated column. Jennifer Silverman, editor of My Baby Rides the Short Bus: The Unabashedly Human Experience of Raising Kids with Disabilities, will be reading aloud from the collection which prides itself on providing parents of special needs children with a welcome chuckle. While this event is adults-only, I think everyone dealing with a challenge needs to find support and it looks like this might be a great "networking" event. The reading begins at 3 p.m. and is set to last (roughly) until 4—and it's free.

The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts is having a graduation—and you're invited. Curtain goes up at 8 p.m., and kids ages 10 and up (along with their families) no one but adults are invited to watch students perform individual and duet acts of their own creation. Later, the children adults can "mingle" with performers, ask questions, and get detailed information about how everyday objects found in their garage can be ingested in the search to breathe fire. Best of all, there is a dessert bar with "hot beverages" what kind of hot beverages I'm not certain. All I know is that they will be hot. Admission is ten bucks a head and while advanced registration is not required it is strongly encouraged. Either call 215-849-1991 or visit their website for more information.

Feel like going to a robot party? Maybe a pirate party? The Big Blue Marble is having a birthday weekend extravaganza and everyone's invited. Beginning Saturday at 1 p.m., this kid-focused bookstore is celebrating their fourth anniversary by hosting a slew of activities, refreshments, and book readings. Mara Rockliff will be reading her work, The Busiest Street in Town to kick things off and then later Mark Rogalski will be hosting the aforementioned robot party with a reading from his work, Robox, crafts, and treats. Sunday sees further readings from the likes of Marc Rosenthal and pirate themed activities and pirate goodies. All activates are free and great for all ages but if you need more information on all goings-on, visit their website.

The Tyler Arboretum is holding a crafty kids hour (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) on Saturday, the 21st for children ages 7 to 9. For a pretty reasonable fee of $8 a head ($6 for members) kids can create Thanksgiving centerpieces. And you know what? Tyler Arboretum gets a special pat on the back for not asking them to decorate mini-Christmas trees. Filling baskets with seasonal fruits, gourds, pine cones, and nuts will create a masterpiece that will make any grandparent reach into their wallet for the standard $5 cuteness charge. Parent participation is welcome, but really not necessary. Advance registration is required. Visit the Arboretum's website for more details.