THURS 02/13
Abydos Records Artist Showcase with iJam Reggae featuring Ras Khalifa/The Blue Drivers/Shane Safko: $6. Beachland Tavern.
Bad Boys Jam: 9 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr./Chad Valley: Eccentric indie pop artists Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. make strangely likable songs out of chaotic elements. Bouncy synths and vocal lines reminiscent of early '90s R&B feature hip-hop-styled samples and heavily affected drums. Overall, there's a lot going on. The band recently released a new mixtape, Produce, and it essentially comes off as an indie pop band co-opting hip-hop mixtape culture. With a host of samples and basement-recording wonkiness, Produce is one of their best recording efforts to date. The slightly unpolished edges and eclectic collection of sounds make for an interesting backing to their smooth and melodic singing. Known for lively and energetic live shows, the guys deliver a bit of glitz and glamor to enhance the super-excitable vibes. 9 p.m., $15. Grog Shop. (Patrick Stoops)
Mark Freeman/Ruairi Hurley: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
Chris Hatton (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Hed PE: 7 p.m., $12. The Foundry.
Jam Night with Tower City Blues: 8:30 p.m. Grillers Pub.
Angelique Kidjo: 8 p.m., $20. Finney Chapel.
Jane Monheit: On her latest album, The Heart of the Matter, Jane Monheit once again displays her vocal prowess. The Grammy-nominated singer beautifully works within a variety of jazz genres. Bossa nova takes, on tracks like "A Gente Merece Ser Feliz" and the Carpenter's classic "Sing," delicately groove the album, giving it some much needed momentum from slower numbers like the Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road." Her voice smoothly glides along on gentle melodies like "Little Man You've Had a Busy Day," lending itself to a little bluesier, smokier style of jazz. While a full orchestration of strings and winds accompany her on the album, tonight she performs as a duo with her pianist for a more intimate performance. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $30. Nighttown. (Stoops)
New Soft Shoe: 8 p.m., free. Happy Dog.
Tim Reynolds/TR3 The Burning River Ramblers: Tim Reynolds might be most readily known for his Live at Luther College acoustic outing with comrade Dave Matthews. That double album was and always will be the staple of any good dorm room music collection. Hell, we prize our copy here at Scene's global headquarters. Reynolds still tours with DMB, and his chops are finely honed from that trip. But TR3, the beast Reynolds brings to Cleveland tonight, is a whole different vibe. Cue up 2011's From Space and Beyond to get the feel for what these guys are dropping. Like Satriani knee-deep in a margarita, the Tim Reynolds Trio is good enough to get you on the dance floor, swaying mindlessly to the tune of your younger days. Songs like "The Wind Just Blew the Door Wide Open" give TR3 shows that sort of summertime vibe we so desperately need right now. Hometown favorites the Burning River Ramblers open the show, making tonight doubly awesome. 8:30 p.m., $15 ADV, $17 DOS. Beachland Ballroom. (Sandy)
Valentine Jam'n Time: 7 p.m., $6-$8. The Kent Stage.
FRI 02/14
Sean Benjamin (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Eric Burdon and the Animals: 8 p.m., $49-$64. The Kent Stage.
Jason Michael Carroll/Zach Lockwood: 9:30 p.m., $12 ADV, $14 DOS. Thirsty Cowboy.
Commander Cody and Band: 9 p.m., $20. The Winchester.
Dionne Farris & Russell Gunn Quartet: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25. Nighttown.
Teddy Geiger/Katianne Timko/The Silence: 8 p.m., $14. Musica.
Gotham City: 9:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Miss Alexandra Huntingdon/Joshua Stauffer: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.
New Wave Rave: With DJs Himiko Go Go, Party Sweat, Castle Spööktacular, D-Rock: 9 p.m., $4. Beachland Tavern.
Red Wanting Blue/Swear and Shake/Welshly Arms: 8 p.m., $17 ADV, $20 DOS. House of Blues.
Reggie & the Full Effect/Dads/Pentimento: If you are at least 25 and were into that whole "emo" trend as a teenager, the name Reggie and the Full Effect will at least ring a bell. Now, they're back again, bringing their fast-paced, ironic pop-punk sound. After living in relative obscurity for a while, they reappeared with a Kickstarter project in March of last year in order to raise the money to record another album. Well, that album was released this past November and brings back their same old witty nostalgia. Songs like "37" touch on the subject of an aging musician who must battle monsters from an alternate universe that have come to abduct him. Catchy, sing-along "ra-ras" and boyish vocals make this song feel very 2001, while "Kanji Tattoos... Still in Style?" focuses on dance-y electronics and sappy lyrics straight from a high schooler's journal. Cheesy? You bet, but that's the point. 9 p.m., $13.50 ADV, $16 DOS. Grog Shop. (Liz Trenholme)
Stoned and Beautiful/The Trunks: 9 p.m., $8. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line (on the Patio): Harmony vocals, bluegrass instrumentation and some really solid fiddling distinguish Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line. The Party Line, Struthers' backing band, are a group of solid bluegrass players. Claw-hammer banjo, upright bass and even a washboard accentuate the singing. As musicians, the entire group really nails it. As songwriters, occasionally there's a bit left to be desired. While the precise playing is intact, occasionally the milquetoast and Pollyanna lyrical stories can leave you wishing Struthers would get her heart broken a little more often. Her newest album, Carnival, a clean-cut piece of Americana, is a strong offering of folksy songs. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., $15. Nighttown. (Stoops)
Take This Hammer/Anita Keys & Friends/George Foley & Friends: 5:30 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
Twiztid/Blaze Ya Dead Homie/Wolfpac/Smokehouse Junkiez: 7 p.m., $20.80. Agora Ballroom.
Valentine's Day Skate Jam with Plain Dealers/Mexican Coke/Windsor Greys: 9 p.m., free. Now That's Class.
SAT 02/15
Greg Banaszak Quintet (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Wesley Bright and the Hi-Lites: Akron's Wesley Bright & the Hi-Lights played their first gig a little more than two years ago and the band has been going strong ever since. Because of its terrific live show — sharp-dressed Brent "Wesley Bright" Wesley is a real dynamo on stage — the soul/old-school R&B band is suddenly in high demand. The band has been touring regionally too and teamed up with the like-minded, Northern soul-obsessed Vallures to play a gig in Indiana recently. Their terrific new single, "Tell Me," is a retro-sounding number with a soulful vibe. All their unhinged energy should make for a fun show. 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog. (Niesel)
Capgun Cowboys Reunion/Church of the Lazy Bastards/Blackgrass Baptism: 8:30 p.m., $6. Beachland Tavern.
The Clarks/Gomez Addams: For nearly 25 years, the Clarks have sustained a career as a better-than-average alt-rock act that's innocuous enough for a first date. At their peak a few years back, the group could pack mid-sized venues throughout the region (and they regularly played here in town to capacity crowds at the now-shuttered Odeon). Their popularity has declined some, but the guys are still at it, as well they should be. Singer-guitarist Scott Blasey has a raspy voice that's equally suited to country and rock, and the band often successfully mixes the two genres. 9 p.m., $15. Grog Shop. (Niesel)
Disco Inferno: 9:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Dionne Farris & Russell Gunn Quartet: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25. Nighttown.
Get On Up: 10 p.m., $5. Musica.
Hard Drive: 9 p.m. Thirsty Cowboy.
Hardcore Bar Show with Sperm/Zone Troopers/Shizoid KK/Tartar Control/State Execution: 9 p.m., $5. Now That's Class.
The Help (in the Locker Room): 9 p.m., free. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
David and Valerie Mayfield: David and Jessica Lea Mayfield are off making new music and getting ready for a tour. However, this show is not for them — it's parents night at the Winchester. That's right the parents of these fantastic artists will come together for one spectacular night of experienced bluegrass playing. David and Valerie Mayfield sound as good as they did when the full family was together playing in Kent and after seeing the couple together it's obvious where the children get their talent. 9 p.m., free. The Winchester. (William Hoffman)
WJCU 2014 Radiothon Benefit featuring Midnight/Black Death Resurrected/Wretch/Venomin James/Vulgar Devils/Queen of Hell: 5:30 p.m., $8. Agora Ballroom.
Jennifer Nettles/Brandy Clark: Producer Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, Slayer) shows his versatility once again with That Girl, the solo debut from Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles. Nettles capably shifts from sparse ballads to over-the-top productions, sometimes within the same song. "Falling" features a vocal introduction before the guitars and drums kick in and Nettles has to push herself to be heard above the din. There's an undeniable soulfulness to Nettles' voice that comes across nicely in tracks such as "Me Without You" and "This Angel." 7 p.m., $35-$59.50. Hard Rock Rocksino. (Niesel)
New Disease/Roxy Mae: 9 p.m. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Project 86/Gavin the Third/Drowning in Amnesty/Bare Walls: 6 p.m., $10-$20. Musica.
Tom Stahl/Eve 'n' Stephen: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
Robin and Linda Williams: 8 p.m., $15-$18. The Kent Stage.
SUN 02/16
Cheap Time/Cheap Clone: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.
Envoi/Promise Me Scarlet/Titans in Time/Halfway Home/Riding Giants: 6 p.m., $10. Musica.
Gorilla Productions Battle of the Bands: 4 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Agora Ballroom.
Hopsin: 8 p.m., $20 ADV, $25 DOS. House of Blues.
Hot Jazz Seven: 3 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
Hybrid Shakedown: 7 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Neighborhood Night & Cindy's Birthday Party JA Beltram & Goodmorning Valentine/John McGrail: 8 p.m., free. Beachland Tavern.
Real Revenue Presents All Eyez on Cleveland: 7 p.m., $15. Grog Shop.
Tom Shaper: 6 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
April Verch: Fiddle player April Verch gives as much importance to her violin as her voice, the two lending equal melody to her songs. Her latest album, Bright Like Gold, incorporates elements of Celtic jigs and reels into the bluegrass setting. Peppered with charming instrumentals like "Evening Star Waltz" and "Davy Davy, Folding Down the Sheets," her new album illustrates a traditionalist perspective on classic fiddling. Her faint and innocent voice offers a contrast to her bold playing. As a performer in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, she's positioned herself as one of Canada's foremost fiddlers. Backed by guitar and banjo, her trio performs endlessly charming folk music and you can expect tonight's show to follow suit. 7 p.m., $20. Nighttown. (Stoops)
MON 02/17
BDQ/Mark Dignam: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
Vikesh Kapoor'Jon Meador/Tom Evanchuck: 8 p.m., $8 ADV, $10 DOS. Beachland Tavern.
Mojo Big Band: 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Velvet Voyage (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
We Butter the Bread with Butter/Lions Lions/Honour Crest: If you thought this band was a joke, you'd be partly correct. Originally a death core duo from Lubbon, Germany, their intention was to be as ridiculous as possible. Shortly after forming in 2007, they decided to become more serious and as they grew, they acquired three more members in the summer of 2010. Now, they are touring in support of their latest release, Goldkinder, a collection of epic intros featuring shrieks layered over heavy guitar riffs. With songs like "Alles Was Ich Will," and "Meine Brille," they sound as though the Trans-Siberian Orchestra ventured out of Christmas music, and they look like they adopted the visual aesthetics of Kraftwerk along the way. Their shtick ventures into the ridiculous at times, but they're surprisingly listenable. You have no idea what they're saying, but their musical riffs easily get stuck in your head. 6:30 p.m., $10 ADV, $13 DOS. Agora Ballroom. (Trenholme)
TUES 02/18
Aer/RDGLDGRN/New Beat Fund: Aer, a young DIY group out of Boston, plays a heady mix of hip-hop, indie rock and reggae. The duo David von Mering and Carter Schultz champion a light rap style accompanied by whimsical beats on their 2011 debut EP What You Need. The following year, they released their first full length album,The Bright Side. While their early work is full of feel good tracks and good vibes like their laid-back summer jam "Take It Wrong," Aer's latest self-titled release gets dark. Almost two years in the making, Aer retains the cheerful energy in tracks like the upbeat clap-along power pop love song "Says She Loves Me." They also crank up the bass lines and quirky synth solos in "Pretty Lady." Turning to serious territory, the breakup anthem "I'm Not Sorry" sets the mood with strumming acoustic guitars and shimmering synths, while the tragic "Above My Floor" portrays a man getting so high he thinks he's a ghost. Von Meering has said he wants his fans to know the good and bad sides of Aer, just as friends would. In the vein of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Aer is not signed to a record label, opting to handle all of the production of their music themselves. 8 p.m., $15 ADV, $18 DOS. Beachland Tavern. (Eric Gonzalez)
Buckcherry/Monster Truck/3 Pill Morning/Via the Sun: Ever since its sixth studio album, Confessions, dropped earlier this year, Buckcherry has been on the road playing to capacity crowds. Not bad for a band that many critics left for dead after it dissolved in 2002. But after that short hiatus, band founders Josh Todd and Keith Nelson reformed the group in 2005 and got a good second wind when the song "Crazy Bitch" went viral thanks to a racy music video. Their latest album, last year's Confessions, is a strong effort that recalls the golden years of '90s metal when acts such as Guns N Roses were sitting atop the charts. (Niesel), 6:30 p.m., $25 ADV, $29 DOS. The Agora Theatre.
Dropkick Murphys/Lucero/Skinny Lister: Dropkick Murphys are as integral to St. Patrick's Day as green beer or kegs and eggs. Seriously, try to avoid anthems such as "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" or, better yet, "Kiss Me I'm Shitfaced." With a career spanning more than a decade, the seven-piece punk-rock act has redefined the standard for fast-paced rock that you and your parents can both agree on, all while proving they're more than a one-holiday-hit novelty. Their eighth album, the just-released Signed and Sealed in Blood, expanded their Irish image and landed them on modern rock radio, charting higher than any of their past releases thanks to songs like "The Boys are Back" and "Rose Tattoo," both of which show off the guys' softer side. Don't worry, though, the tunes still come chock-full of bagpipes, sing-along choruses and rock beats. 8 p.m., $29 ADV, $32 DOS. House of Blues. (Nikki Hunt)
Lover!/Unwed Teenage Mothers/Ghost Foot/The Next New Nothings: 10 p.m., free. Now That's Class.
Outlab: Experiments in Improvised Music (in the Locker Room): 9 p.m., free. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Two Set Tuesday (in the Wine Bar): 6:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Charlie Wiener/James Brentar: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
WED 02/19
10 X 3 Hosted by Brent Kirby (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
American Babies Splitroot Taylor Lamborn: (Eric Sandy), 8:30 p.m., $10. Beachland Tavern.
Harmonious Wail: 7 p.m., $15. Nighttown.
Gary Hall/Jordan Genovese: 8 p.m. Barking Spider Tavern.
The Kin/Finish Ticket/Oh Honey: 8:30 p.m., $10. Grog Shop.
Northlane: 6:30 p.m., $10 ADV, $13 DOS. Agora Ballroom.
Off With Their Heads/I Am Heresy/Harvey Pekar: 8 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Now That's Class.
