FRIDAY, JAN. 4
T-Rextasy/Marcia Custer/Heavenly Creatures
On Prehysteria, the follow-up to its debut album, Jurassic Punk, the New York-based indie rock act T-Rextasy lets its freak flag fly. The band — singer Lyris Faron, bassist Annie Fidoten, drummer Ebun Nazon-Power and guitarist Vera Kahn — writes about serious topics such as anxiety and peer pressure but in a jubilant manner. The catchy, lo-fi album opener “Zit Song” features caterwauling vocals and a spirited brass section. With its primitive horns, snarling vocals and blasts of white noise, “Coffee” sounds like a unhinged mash-up of Cake and X-Ray Spex. Expect tonight’s show to be incredibly theatrical and loads of fun. (Jeff Niesel) 8:30 p.m., $12. Beachland Tavern.
Travis "Moonchild" Haddix
A staple in the Cleveland blues scene — and in the American music circuit writ large — Travis “Moonchild” Haddix has always brought the heat to the stage. He also surround himself with great musicians — like a tight, tight brass section. What he has always done so well has been his steady merger of classic blues structures with smooth R&B-style singing. He makes the blues accessible to anyone willing to listen and, inevitably, dance. And having played guitar since he was 7, the dude can tear it up quite nicely. He once told a music writer, “I am the best that I can be, and since no one else can be me, there’s none better.” Right on. (Eric Sandy), 8:30 p.m., $15. Nighttown.
Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials (in the Supper Club)
Lil Ed Williams might play the blues but he decidedly steers clear of clichés about being broke and desperate. Rather, the guy revels in letting the good times roll. For the bulk of his career, which started back in 1986 with his appropriately titled debut Roughhousin’, Williams has embraced blues’ rowdy, roadhouse side. A 2012 effort, Jump Start kicks off with “If You Were Mine,” a high-octane number for which Williams cranks up his guitar, and never lets up as Williams indulges in a little Stevie Ray Vaughan-like blues on “Kick Me to the Curb” and consistently keeps the energy level high. (Niesel), 8 p.m., $12 ADV, $15 DOS. Music Box Supper Club.
SATURDAY, JAN. 5
Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present, Future Benefit & Post Holiday Party with Cats On Holiday
In memory of the annual post holiday party that the late Plain Dealer reporter Jane Scott used to host, Cleveland Rocks is inviting folks to "network and mingle" while they support this local nonprofit's efforts to preserve Cleveland's rock 'n' roll reputation. Hors 'doeuvres will be on the menu, and the eclectic local act Cats on Holiday will provide the tunes. (Niesel)
8 p.m., $20-$25. Beachland Ballroom.
Wish You Were Here
For a decade now, Wish You Were Here, the locally based Pink Floyd tribute act that started way the hell back in 1995, has put on a special holiday show at House of Blues. Usually, the guys adopt some kind of theme for the gig, and this year is no different. This show will feature “greatest hits, classics and obscurities.” The band has a huge following. Expect a capacity crowd. (Niesel) 9 p.m., $18.50 ADV, $21 DOS. House of Blues.
SUNDAY, JAN. 6
Martin Sexton/Chris Trapper
Born in upstate New York, singer-songwriter Martin Sexton got his start busking on the streets of Boston. He's toured and recorded actively since the early '90s. His latest album, Mixtape of the Open Road, veers from the jazzy opener "Do It Daily," a song distinguished by its barbershop backing vocals, to the shuffling mid-tempo rocker "Pine Away." All the while, the disc shows just what a consummate songwriter Sexton has become. (Niesel) 7 p.m., $30 ADV, $35 DOS. Music Box Supper Club.
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