FRIDAY, FEB. 8
Dead Fall Release Show/Elbow Room/The Dollyhoppers/Taylor Scott/As Time Fades
The punk band Dead Fall formed in Kent five years ago while the majority of the members were still in high school. The group released its debut, Desperate Situations, in 2016, and since then, the band has embarked on several tours of the Midwest and shared the stage with a number of national acts. The guys recorded their latest effort, Never Expected, with Seth Henderson at Always Be Genius Studios. The album's lyrics address “the impact major life changes can have on one’s mental health,” and the band recently released a music video for the first single, "Drowned Out." Tonight's show serves as a release party for the album. (Jeff Niesel), 7:30 p.m., $10. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Fear of a Black Planet: J Dilla Edition Featuring Amani Cove/Jah Nada/Delofi/DJ Candi Fresca/DJ A-Live/Mourning [A] BLKstar/Muamin Collective
Four years ago, MC Josiah "Zion" Quarles, a local guy who plays in the hip-hop group MuAmin Collective, launched a showcase for local acts that he dubbed Fear of a Black Planet. This year's event features a tribute to the late hip-hop producer and rapper J Dilla and include performances by local acts such as DJ Candi Fresca, Amani Cove, Delofi, Muamin Collective, Mourning [A] BlkStar and Jah Nada. A-Live will spin music from Dilla's extensive catalog. (Niesel), 8 p.m., $10. Now That's Class.
Niights Album Release/The Desert Noir
This local indie rock band cites the Smashing Pumpkins and Cranberries and My Bloody Valentine as influences, and you can hear those influences come across well on the band's new album, Hellebores. With their high-pitched vocals and waves of shimmering guitars, songs like the beautiful, Cocteau Twins-like “Generators” and the careening “I’m So Into You” evoke the best British alternative rock of the ’90s. Tonight's show serves as a release party. (Niesel) 8:30 p.m., $6. Happy Dog.
SATURDAY, FEB. 9
Concert for Truth With Alex Bevan/Rachel Brown/Michael Stanley/Austin Walkin' Cane/Diana Chittester/Leonardo DiCosimo/Afi "I Play Bass" Scruggs/Charlie Mosbrook/Dr. Joe and the Squeeze Play Band/John Hardy/Brent Kirby/Ray Flanagan
Earlier this year, The Plain Dealer announced that the paper will cut nearly 30 jobs when it outsources copy editors, designers, curators and artists in a couple of months. Other union members could lose their jobs at the end of February as well. To show support for the union members of Local 1 of the Northeast Ohio Newspaper Guild at The Plain Dealer, local musicians such as Alex Bevan, Colin Dussault, Ray Flanagan and Rachel Brown have teamed up to play a benefit concert. Michael Stanley, the dean of the Cleveland music scene, will also perform. At the night’s end, the musicians will gather on stage for a final jam featuring Bevan's song “Ink on Paper.” (Niesel), 6 p.m., $10. Beachland Ballroom.
Lords of the Highway — CD Release Show/The Legendary Hucklebucks
Local rockabilly heroes Lords of the Highway got their start in the early '90s and issued their debut on cassette in 1992. Since that time, the group has gone through numerous lineup changes and slowly evolved. It’s just finished its latest album, More Rock Than Billy. Another stellar effort, the album kicks off with the raging “”Getting Sweaty with the Yeti,” a tune that sounds like a terrific mash-up of X and the Blasters. The band also indulges its psychobilly impulses with the spooky "Creeper Stare" and "Carnival Freakshow."
8:30 p.m., $8. Beachland Tavern.
Seeress Release Show/Pillars/Two Hand Fools/Brain Cave
Two years ago, the locally based self-described “post-rock/instrumental/atmospheric metal” band Seeress followed up two self-released EPs, 2015’s Self-Titled and 2016’s Many Worlds, with its first full-length, Great Void. Next week, it returns with another full-length, The Dream Passes. The disc features the same kind of intensely intricate post-rock instrumentals that can be found on previous efforts. Produced by Dave Piatek, mixed by Kurt Ballou and mastered by Magnus Lindberg, The Dream Passes aims to be “both challenging and deeply rewarding for the thoughtful, involved listener, the one that has moved beyond the frivolous music-as-accessory and is longing for music-as-statement,” as it’s put in a press release. (Niesel), 8 p.m., $10. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
SUNDAY, FEB. 10
Davina & The Vagabonds/Alyssa Boyd Quartet
Drawing from New Orleans jazz, Memphis soul and musical theatre, Davina and the Vagabonds capably defies categorization. Singer Davina Sowers rightly draws comparisons to Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday and Betty Boop. Another remarkable mish-mash of musical styles, the group's latest release, 2016's Nicollet and Tenth, represents Sowers' eclectic taste in music and shows her maturation as a singer and songwriter too. (Niesel) 8 p.m., $20 ADV, $25 DOS. Beachland Ballroom.
Dorothy/Spirit Animal/The Damn Truth
San Diego-born Dorothy Martin started singing when she was a kid and found inspiration by sifting through her father's vinyl collection, listening to lots of Dolly Parton, Credence Clearwater, Janis Joplin and Pink Floyd. After moving to Los Angeles a few years ago, she put together the hard rock outfit Dorothy in 2014 with the intention of making hard-rocking music that, as she puts it, metalheads like Beavis and Butthead would like. The band's dynamic live show lives up to expectations. (Niesel) 8 p.m., $20 ADV, $25 DOS. House of Blues.