Oldboy
Reminiscent of REM and Neil Young, Oldboy is your traditional indie folk rock group. With dreamy lyrics and almost country instrumentals, the local act has more old school vibe to its music. All of the songs are written, produced and sung by lead guitar player and vocalist Shaw Brewster. “Run” (featuring Jenna Fournier) sounds like a hybrid of Macy Gray and Mumford and Sons, and “Gone” has a country-meets-folk vibe with its harmonica and wailing vocals. One of the best local bands on the circuit. 9 p.m., $6 ADV, $8 DOS. Grog Shop. (Hannah Wintucky)
Beach Stav
Beach Stav takes a decidedly experimental approach on its new album, Future Heavy, which commences with the trippy "Milquetoast," a song that features whispered vocals set to a gentle guitar melody that sounds like something from a Pink Floyd tune. The guys recorded the album themselves at a Bay Village basement but you wouldn't know it from the way it sounds. The band should have copies for sale at tonight's CD release show and the disc will also be available as a digital download through Amazon. 8:30 p.m., $5. Mahall's 20 Lanes. (Jeff Niesel)
Forgotten Souls of Antiquity
When locals Forgotten Souls of Antiquity released their self-titled debut in 2011, we wrote that the band plays a mix of “SoCal punk and straight-up psychobilly.” With its raspy vocals and sped-up tempors, the group evokes acts such as Social Distortion. Now, the guys have followed that debut up with the terrific new album, Desolation Ridge. Unfortunately, the group has had to carry on without bass player Patrick Christopher, who passed away right after recording wrapped. They've devoted the album to him, and he'd undoubtedly be proud that the group has decided to soldier on. 9 p.m., $5. The Euclid Tavern. (Niesel)
Sinatra Night with Michael Sonata
Canton native Michael Sonata has always been involved in plays and choirs and was a member of the University of Notre Dame Glee Club. In 2004, he auditioned for a role in a Sopranos spoof that required a character based on Frank Sinatra. Sonata got the part and has been imitating Ol’ Blue Eyes ever since. He includes some 90 songs in his repertoire and covers all eras, including the Columbia years and the Capitol years. He even takes requests from the audience. 8 p.m., $7. Music Box Supper Club. (Niesel)
SATURDAY, JULY 4
FM Project
When Steely Dan performed at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in the summer of 2013, the band put on an epic show. While the concert got off to a rather serious and somber start — “Hey Nineteen” came off as a rather pensive ballad — the duo and band quickly loosened up and by “Bodhisattva,” they were rocking hard. They saved the best for last, delivering hits such as “Peg,” “My Old School” and “Reelin’ in Years” in sequence. Expect to hear those songs and more tonight as FM Project, a locally based Steely Dan tribute act, takes the stage. Steely Dan plays Blossom this summer, so this will serve as a good show for anyone looking for a primer. 8:30 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Music Box Supper Club. (Niesel)
Los Straitjackets
Since forming in 1994, Los Straitjackets, an instrumental guitar quartet, has toured the world decked out in some of the coolest Mexican wrestling masks you'll ever see. Taking musical inspiration from Duane Eddy and Link Wray as well as spy/surf/monster music, the guys are a singular entity. And they regularly include Cleveland so you can expect tonight's special Fourth of July concert to be a real blast (pun intended). 9 p.m., $18 ADV, $20 DOS. Beachland Ballroom. (Niesel)
SUNDAY, JULY 5
Steve Earle & the Dukes
Alt-country singer-guitarist Steve Earle pays tribute to his blues roots on his new album, Terraplane. The rollicking “Go Go Boots are Back” channels ZZ Top, and there’s a bit of everything on the record, including Texas roadhouse blues (“Baby Baby Baby (Baby),” acoustic country blues (“Ain’t Nobody’s Daddy Now”) and Chicago blues (“The Usual Time”) on the disc. Tonight's show marks the first of a two-night stand at the Music Box. 8 p.m., $38 ADV/$42 DOS. Music Box Supper Club.
Failure
Plenty of bands set out to do something different. Few actually achieve what they set out to do. Failure, an L.A.-based alternative rock that formed in the early-’90s, is one of the few. With its intricate sonic textures, the band’s 1996 effort Fantastic Planet was heralded as something decidedly fresh upon its release. Acts such as Tool embraced the band’s space rock sound. After an incredibly long hiatus, the band has just followed Fantastic Planet up with the equally adventurous The Heart is a Monster. Expect to hear music from both discs at tonight's show. 8:30 p.m., $22.50 ADV, $25 DOS. Grog Shop. (Niesel)
Whitesnake
Fans can have their own “Purple” experience when Whitesnake plays Hard Rock Live tonight as part of its ongoing U.S. tour in support of The Purple Album. The tour finds singer David Coverdale and the band serving up a hefty number of Deep Purple songs from the album in addition to classic tracks from the ‘Snake catalog. The shows have been playing to rave reviews and Coverdale was even joined by his former Purple bandmate Glenn Hughes at an early tour stop in Beverly Hills for a stomping run through “Lay Down, Stay Down.” 7:30 p.m., $42.50-$79.50. Hard Rock Rocksino. (Matt Wardlaw)
