FRIDAY, JULY 29
Hillbilly Casino
Last year, Nashville’s Hillbilly Casino opened a nationwide tour for rapper Yelawolf. Though the rockabilly band plays with a punk DIY edge that would make Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent proud, the group went over like gangbusters. Local rockers the Whiskey Daredevils, who just completed a new album with producer John Smerek (Detroit Cobras, Reckless Kelly, Paybacks, Electric Six, Sea and Cake) will join Hillbilly Casino for tonight's show billed as the “2016 Greaser Championship.” Local rockabilly outfit Bomb City Royals will also play. (Jeff Niesel) 9 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Beachland Tavern.
Moonshine & Wine/You're Among Friends CD Release
The prototypical “local band with a lot of heart,” Cleveland’s You’re Among Friends is no stranger to relentless gigging and self promotion around the area. Despite the work ethic, however, the music gives off a much more mellow vibe. Their new record, As We Watch The Years Go…, is rollicking blues at its core with a sugary coating of power pop, doused in more than just a little bit of ’90s alt-rock nostalgia — basically, what 311 would sound like if they tried to write Black Keys songs. The unpretentious innocence of songs like “A Way To Get Away” and “Dumb Complaints” reveal a simple truth about You’re Among Friends: They just enjoy playing music, and want nothing more than for you to sit back and relax. (Eli Shively), 9 p.m., $5. The Euclid Tavern.
Zakk Wylde
Hard working singer-guitarist Zakk Wylde has already had one helluva 2016. The year isn’t half over yet, and he’s toured as part of both the Hendrix Experience Tour and Steve Vai’s Generation Axe Tour. Now, Wylde comes to town in support of Book of Shadows II, the follow-up to 1996’s Book of Shadows. Book of Shadows II kicks off with "Autumn Changes," a somber tune that sounds like a cross between Alice in Chains and Eric Clapton. The rest of the album sustains the opening number’s serious mood with baritone vocals and bluesy guitar riffs. (Niesel), 7 p.m., $25 ADV $30 DOS. The Agora Theatre.
SATURDAY, JULY 30
Blaire Alise & The Bombshells
What is rock ‘n roll’s secret to defying naysayers and surviving past its sixtieth birthday? Steady transfusions of young blood! Fans of local teen garage punk phenoms Archie and the Bunkers (who are now internationally-acclaimed) will appreciate the spunk and youthful abandon of Blaire Alise and the Bombshells. Currently a student at New York University, Alise wasted no time establishing herself in Detroit’s longstanding garage rock scene. While still in high school, she founded the Bombshells, who recorded their 2014 debut album For My Darlin’ with Detroit’s Jim Diamond (the Dirtbombs, Bantam Rooster, les Sexareenos). The band followed it up with a 2015 EP, Just Another Day, and Alise signed with Nashville’s Carlin America. Alise’s vocals are laced with rockabilly sass and her songwriting spiked with pop sensibility. She doesn’t wait around for her fans to dance, but she sure does make it hard to stop once they do. (Bethany Kaufman), 9 p.m. Happy Dog.
Beachland Summer Fest
A first of its kind for the venue, the outdoor music festival will feature the bands such as Modern Electric, Ottawa, Polars, the Whiskey Hollow, Jivviden and Take Off Charlie performing on an outdoor stage located in the Beachland parking lot. There will also be a beer garden and vendors from the Waterloo Arts District. The menu will feature grilled burgers and veggie specials and special sausage sandwiches with homemade kraut from R&D Sausage. In addition, local businesses will offer special discounts and sales. Galleries on Waterloo will be open until 5 p.m. (Niesel), 3 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Beachland Ballroom.
SUNDAY, JULY 31
Marianas Trench
Formed 15 long years ago in Vancouver, pop-rockers Marianas Trench adopt an '80s sound on last year’s Astoria, an album that’s “one part 1980s fantasy adventure film and one part classic Marianas Trench.” A press release announcing the album claims it’s “about completely falling to pieces, and picking yourself back up again.” Singer-guitarist Josh Ramsay, who received a Grammy nomination in 2013 for co-writing and producing Carly Rae Jepsen’s breakthrough hit “Call Me Maybe,” wrote the catchy, Jackson 5-inspired songs that chronicle both the break-up of a relationship and his mother’s struggles with a terminal disease. Good to see the guys dig deep for the material. (Niesel), 8 p.m., $25. House of Blues.
The Supposed So CD Release/The Singulars
This local indie folk band started back in 2008 with the intention to "couple thoughtful, literate lyrics with new-folk and '60s pop music tendencies," as the band puts it on its Bandcamp page. The group cites Elvis Costello and Belle and Sebastian as influences. "The Party Never Ends" feature nasally vocals and bluesy guitar riffs and "I Can't Hear" sounds like a folk standard with its acoustic guitar work and tender vocals. Tonight's show celebrates the release of a new CD. (Niesel), 7 p.m., $10. Bop Stop.
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