THURSDAY JAN 9
Bad Boys Jam: 9 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Brand New Hat/Guy Pernitti: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
Elk / persons. places. things./Green Sunrise/The Lake Effect: 8 p.m., $5. Grog Shop.
Glostik Willy/Yosemight: Based out of Muncie, Ind., this three-piece band has garnered a buzzworthy reputation on the Midwest jam scene lately. One of the band's hallmarks from recent years was its penchant for "stage raging" — showing up at a music festival unannounced, building a stage and playing all night. They've got a progressive bent to their music, as evidenced by tunes like "Peppermint" and "Golem in the Shed." They're also known to toss a few covers into their sets (seek out a funky take on the Dead's "Cumberland Blues" for illustration). It's remarkable that there are only three guys playing in this band; the music often sounds like it's being crafted by a jam orchestra. Cleveland gets a shot at raging Glostik-style this evening at the Beachland. Local jam band Yosemight opens tonight's gig. 9 p.m., $7. Beachland Tavern. (Eric Sandy)
Chris Hatton (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Jam Night with Tower City Blues: 8:30 p.m. Grillers Pub.
New Soft Shoe: 8 p.m., free. Happy Dog.
Tracy Silverman: Tracy Silverman bills himself as "the world's first concert electric violinist." His resume certainly backs up that claim. The guy got his start with the Turtle Island Quartet. Since then, he's played with a wide range of artists including the rock band Guster and jazz icon Billy Taylor. On 2005's I'd Rather be Dreaming, he sounds a bit like Ben Harper as he delivers low-key rootsy tunes that sound a bit prickly thanks to the electric violin that dominates the sound mix. Though he still plays with orchestras, tonight's gig is a solo show. 8 p.m., $10. Beachland Ballroom. (Jeff Niesel)
FRIDAY JAN 10
18th Annual Tri-C High School Rock Off: Now in its 18th year, the annual Tri-C High School Rock Off pits high school bands against each other for prizes that, in the past, have included recording studio time and the chance to open for a national act. Last year, bands from as far as Erie, Pa., came to compete. The event kicks off tonight at 6 at House of Blues; several preliminary rounds follow. The top three acts from tonight will make it to the Final Exam, which takes place at House of Blues on Feb. 1. A panel of judges rates the bands at each concert. 6 p.m., $10. House of Blues. (Niesel)
Adam's Ale: 9 p.m., $10. The Winchester.
JP & The Chatfield Boys/David & Valerie Mayfield: 9 p.m. Beachland Tavern.
Brent Kirby (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Nitebridge: 9:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
The Progressives/Ohio Joe & the Continental Drifters/Julia K. Davis/Light of the Loon: 9 p.m., $7. Musica.
Tom Shaper/Spoon Too Soon/George Foley & Friends: 5:30 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
Shrub CD Release/Wanyama/Vibe & Direct/Riptide: Fusing rap, reggae and dancehall with the utmost deftness, Columbus-based Shrub has landed on a number of musically inclined radars in recent years. And that's not without cause. The seven-piece band carves up its own twist on multiple music traditions. They'll bring their energy to Cleveland this evening (with locals Wanyama, Vibe & Direct and Riptide in tow). Tonight's gig doubles as the band's CD release party, so everyone in attendance will get a copy of
Highceratops. It's a full-bodied album that covers a hell of a lot of ground. "Herbavore" boasts both a fine, stripped-down riddim and a dash of welcome wordplay in the chorus. Upbeat tunes like that one contrast well with the super-chill vibes of "Coconut Tree," for instance. Stop by the Beachland tonight for your opportunity to see the goods in action. 9 p.m., $8. Beachland Ballroom. (Sandy)
Smoke Noises/Do$e Money/DJ Corey Grand: 9 p.m., $8. Grog Shop.
