Into It. Over It.
Evan Weiss has done his share of band-hopping over the past few years. He's now settled down into the solo project Into It. Over It. The former bass player for math rockers Damiera wrote and recorded one song a week for an entire year. The result is the two-disc 52 Weeks, which was supposed to be a onetime thing to help Weiss break out of a musical rut, but Into It. Over It. has evolved into a full-time gig. Weiss has since recorded 12 songs about 12 different towns that are currently being released as a series of seven-inch singles. In Weiss' attempts to outdo himself, it wouldn't be so surprising to hear he's undertaking a 365-venue tour over the course of a year. The album that started it all, 52 Weeks, remains Weiss' definitive statement — never too needy or desperate for approval. Music is clearly his driving force. There aren't too many things more rewarding than listening to a guy sing about his life with real conviction. — Chrissy Niehaus
With the Ground Is Lava and My Mouth Is the Speaker. 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 19. Grog Shop. Tickets: $6; call 216-321-5588 or go to grogshop.gs.
Roy Loney/Purple Knif
Roy Loney was an original member of the Flamin' Groovies, one of those bands cherished by aging rock critics and indie groups looking for a little old-school cool. The Groovies didn't make much of a dent in their day. Their 1971 album Teenage Head is the one everyone turns to, but 1976's "Shake Some Action" is four minutes of fuzzed-out power-pop glory. The band has been on and off for years, mostly playing best-of sets to grizzled hipsters and curious newbies. They've turned over dozens of members over the years (Loney himself has been in and out several times), but they can still kick ass onstage when they want to. Loney's solo shows are heavy on early Groovies material — back when they were more garage and less power pop. Purple Knif are a local supergroup of sorts, featuring the Waitresses' Chris Butler and the Walkin' Clampetts' John Teagle. Their name nods to '60s horror TV host Ghoulardi, and their music pays tribute to that era's garage rock. So get there early. — Michael Gallucci
With Living Stereo. 9 p.m. Friday, January 21. Beachland Tavern. Tickets: $12; call 216-383-1124 or go to beachlandballroom.com.
15-60-75 (The Numbers Band)
15-60-75 (The Numbers Band) have been playing their style of garage blues for so long, it's almost become its own sort of classicism over the years. The Kent-based group celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, and on a good night, they still push the songs to places few blues revivalists even bother with. Frontman Robert Kidney slips into his band's electric blues like an old-school hustler, winding his way through various instruments — harmonica and saxophone stab at the usual guitar-bass-drums mix — until he becomes a part of their sound. The best place to hear the Numbers Band is in a club, preferably one that's not too big, so all of the different layers of their songs can bounce back at you without much else getting in the way. Since their 40th-anniversary blowouts, they've been on a roll, playing shows with the energy of men half their age. If you haven't seen them lately, you'll be surprised. If you've never seen them, here's your chance. — Gallucci
9 p.m. Saturday, January 22. Beachland Tavern. Tickets: $7; call 216-383-1124 or go to beachlandballroom.com.
Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band
Carlos Jones has been a force in Cleveland's tight reggae community since 1978, when he first saw Bob Marley perform here. Drawing inspiration from that show, Jones joined local reggae pioneers I-Tal, then fronted live faves First Light from 1985 to 1998. That's when he formed the P.L.U.S. Band — it stands for Peace. Love. Unity. Syndicate — to return to his reggae roots from First Light's hybrid sound and further spread the word about, y'know, peace and love. The group's 2004 debut, Roots With Culture, became one of the area's best-ever reggae records. Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band keep a busy schedule these days, playing at least three shows each week. Their most recent album, Leave a Trail This Year, keeps up the good vibes. They'll bring some much-needed sunshine to the Grog Shop this weekend. — Niehaus
With Wanyama. 8 p.m. Saturday, January 22. Grog Shop. Tickets: $10; call 216-321-5588 or go to grogshop.gs.
Kid Sister
Chicago rapper Kid Sister got her big break three years ago when Kanye West showed up on her single "Pro Nails." Her debut album, 2009's Ultraviolet, worked her famous connections, snagging cameos from Cee Lo Green and Estelle. It's a solid set, but one that also stifles her freefalling flow a bit. The 30-year-old MC is at her best playing tug-of-war with old-school beats, since her singsong rhymes recall hip-hop's pioneering princesses. Kid Sister's just-released mixtape, Kiss Kiss Kiss, gathers recent collaborations (like Carte Blanche's clubby "Do! Do! Do!") and some new freestyles. Surprisingly, it's her first-ever mix, and not so surprisingly, she settles into the format with style to spare. Sister's grooves have filled out somewhat since her earliest songs and Ultraviolet. Her once-spare electro hums are now speaker-blasting club jams capable of shaking rooms. There's a cool casualness to Kiss Kiss Kiss that will hopefully carry over to her next official album. In the meantime, she's tearing up stages across the country with sets that draw from her three-year stretch. — Gallucci
With Just Cuz, Willy Joy, and Smokescreen. 8 p.m. Friday, January 21. Grog Shop. Tickets: $15; call 216-321-5588 or go to grogshop.gs.
