The Casual Dots include former members of Bikini Kill, Slant 6, and Deep Lust. So it's no surprise that their self-titled debut features a mix of blistering punk, raging grrrl anthems . . . and Etta James and Lavern Baker cover songs? "That's the kinda music we listen to," explains guitarist Kathi Wilcox. The Dots first gigged together a couple of years ago in Washington, D.C., Wilcox's hometown. Performances since then have been sporadic, since singer and guitarist Christina Billotte lives in Los Angeles and drummer Steve Dore is temporarily moving to England. And, yep, that's right -- the Casual Dots are another group without a bass player, just like the White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, et al. "We didn't go in with any preconceived idea of how we wanted to sound," Wilcox says. "Christina and I both just wanted to play guitar. We present ourselves as a found-art project." The Casual Dots are at Pat's in the Flats (West 3rd Street and Literary Road in Tremont) at 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5. Call 216-621-8044 for more information. -- Michael Gallucci
For Those About to Schoolhouse Rock
4/15-5/1
We learned everything we know from Schoolhouse Rock -- conjunctions (and their functions) and the magical qualities of the number three. Schoolhouse Rock Live! is at the Workshop Players Theatre (44820 Middle Ridge Road in Amherst) Thursday through May 1. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Tickets are $10; call 440-988-5613. -- Michael Gallucci
Men of Steel
FRI 4/16
The Pittsburgh-based Clarks have been making alt-rock records for 15 years. Their latest, Another Happy Ending, came out in 2002. Expect to hear some new songs (from an album they're recording) when they play the Odeon (1295 Old River Road) at 9 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $14 and $16; call 216-241-5555. -- Michael Gallucci