thu 04/24
Aloners/Running Dog Labor Exchange/Harvey Pekar: 9 p.m., $5. Now That's Class.
Bad Boys Jam: 9 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Behemoth/Goatwhore/1349/Inquisition/Black Crown Initiate: 5 p.m., $22 ADV, $25 DOS. The Agora Theatre.
Clan of the Cave Bear/Fertile the Drip: 9 p.m. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
The Devil Makes Three/Joe Fletcher: Alternative Americana is on the rise, and the Devil Makes Three offers a fine contribution to the genre. The members of the trio were raised in Brattleboro, Vt., by "sort of hippie parents." They grew up on a steady diet of jugband music and punk rock and ultimately developed a unique genre-bending neo-bluegrass sound. The band's latest album I'm A Stranger Here, is full of barnburners, road songs and heartbreak ballads. A somber banjo distinguishes the tune "A Moment's Rest" as band members sing about finding the answers to life while worrying and running from trouble. The Devil Makes Three doesn't need a drummer as they create driving rhythm through their chugging guitar strums and fancy fingerpicking you can hear on "Dead Body Moving," a surprisingly uplifting tune about dying. Expect a little old-school country mixed with a scuffling rockabilly sensibility. 8:30 p.m., $15. Grog Shop. (Eric Gonzalez)
Flesh Panthers/Moron/Swirly in the Fryer/Wooly Bullies (in the Locker Room): 10 p.m., $5. Now That's Class.
Chris Hatton (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Lowly, the Tree Ghost/Nowhere/Ray Flanagan and the Authorities (in the Locker Room): 9 p.m., free. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Christina Perri/Birdy: 8:30 p.m., $23 ADV, $25 DOS. House of Blues.
Say Hi/Big Scary/Dolfish: 8 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Beachland Tavern.
The Drew Schultz Funk Machine with Buddy Smith: 8 p.m., $10. Nighttown.
Waylon Speed: 9 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
fri 04/25
All Time Low/Man Overboard/Hand Guns: What is it about pop punk shows that makes fans so excited? Last year at House of Blues, All Time Low had the sold-out crowd cheering for everything: the band's old work and its new work. Fans came obviously prepared and sang along word for word with new tunes such as "The Reckless and the Brave." Surprisingly, though, the set wasn't mostly about the new stuff and was filled with proven favorites. Expect the same thing this time around as the group plays tonight on what it's calling the A Love Like Tour. 8 p.m., $22.50 ADV, $25 DOS. House of Blues. (Nikki Hunt)
Bill: Cleveland's Tribute to Metallica: 8 p.m., $7. The Foundry.
Black Lips/Natural Child/Chomp: 8:30 p.m., $13 ADV, $15 DOS. Beachland Ballroom.
Coalie's Run: 9 p.m. Thirsty Cowboy.
Early Bird Festival with Rumpke Mountain Boys/Tropidelic/Aliver Hall/Cliff Starbuck & John Mullins/Dead Ahead Ohio/Jim Miller Band/Sultans of Bing: Festival season is upon us — and the weather broke just in time. Early Bird Festival will be the first major springtime festie here in Northeast Ohio, with plenty to follow. The bill features the Rumpke Mountain Boys, Tropidelic, Aliver Hall, Cliff Starbuck and John Mullins, Dead Ahead Ohio, the Jim Miller Band and Sultans of Bing. It'll be a terrific collage of Ohio-based bands and artists, setting the mood just right for the rest of the season. Each of these bands brings a different sound to the overarching jam scene here in our state. You're sure to catch a fine blend of top-notch songwriting, energetic stage presence, and a hearty dose of live improvisation. Set up camp and hang out today. The festival continues through Sunday. $15-$55. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park. (Eric Sandy)
Sara Evans: 8 p.m., $32.50-$59.50. Hard Rock Rocksino.
George Foley: 10:30 p.m., free. Nighttown.
Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs/Rebekah Jean/Demos Papadimas: Singer-guitarist Holly Golightly's punk rock ethos was instilled in her years ago in the UK, where she joined outsider artist and poet Billy Childish in his garage-rocking act the Del Monas, which then became Thee Headcoatees. Her association with Childish, in turn, helped her establish herself in the indie rock world and subsequently led to collaborations with critically acclaimed acts such as the White Stripes, Mudhoney and Rocket from the Crypt. Hooking up with Lawyer Dave five years ago spawned the Brokeoffs, the misnamed one-man backing band that currently supports her in the studio and on the road. Their latest album, All Her Fault, features the usual quotient of garage rock rave-ups and lonesome ballads. It's another solid effort from this dynamic, genre-defying duo. 8:30 p.m., $10. Beachland Tavern. (Jeff Niesel)
The Insurance Salesmen/Ottawa/The Universe Doesn't Stand a Chance Against Joshua Jesty: 9 p.m. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band: 10 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Kitschy/Sexy Pig Divas/Tiger$Eyes: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.
Chuck Loeb/Everett Harp/Jeff Lorber: 7:30 p.m., $25-$70. Tangier Cabaret.
Nile/Merciless Reign/Eyeless Abomination/Inoculation: 7 p.m., $17 ADV, $20 DOS. Agora Ballroom.
Protomartyr/Whatever Brains: 9 p.m., $8. Now That's Class.
Sam Roberts Band: 9 p.m., $13. Grog Shop.
Silence the Messenger/Years Since the Storm/Below the Tide/The Party/Bless the Child: 7 p.m., $10 ADV, $13 DOS. The Rock Factory.
Stoic Violence/No/Party Plates/The Drag Hook (in Club Atlantis): 9 p.m., $5. Now That's Class.
Walkin' Cane (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Pharez Whitted Quintet: 8:30 p.m., $20. Nighttown.
Yes Tribute: Going for the One: 9 p.m., $10. The Winchester.
sat 04/26
Antiseen/Dead Federation/The Gluttons: 9 p.m., $10. Now That's Class.
Caliber Band/Teresa Rose Riley: 9 p.m. Thirsty Cowboy.
Cadaver Dogs/Willow Weeper/Elipsus: 8 p.m. Musica.
Dawn of Midi with Fred Lonberg-Holm, Christopher Erb and Michael Zerang: Jad Abumrad of Radiolab renown turned us onto Dawn of Midi when he and his show came to Cleveland, and the two creative entities do share an approach to electronic editing that can't help but draw in listeners from across the media spectrum. 2013's Dysnomia (featuring mysterious song titles like "Io," "Ymir," "Moon," and "Ijiraq") is a hypnotic exercise in polyrhythmic harmony. "Io" kicks off the album with a circuitous contrabass line that dances atop a steady march along black and white keys. It's a six-minute trip that shifts course subtly around the five-minute mark, giving the composition a charming tension-and-release undercurrent. This is jazz not just for the new millennium, but for this wholly undefined decade we find ourselves traveling within these days. And, despite the description, this stuff is fairly accessible to non-aficionados. Again, the focus here is rhythm (drummer Qasim Naqvi is unrelentingly talented on the skins). 10 p.m., $8-$10. Mahall's 20 Lanes. (Sandy)
Devin the Dude/Berner/Potluck/Cool Nutz/J. Hornay: 9 p.m., $20. Grog Shop.
Miss Alexandra Huntingdon: 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Hyper Crush/Jayefkay/Tyr: 8 p.m., $15 ADV, $20 DOS. The Rock Factory.
The Jack Fords: 9:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Jonah Koslen's Stage Pass Now: 9 p.m., $20. The Winchester.
Lower 13 CD Release Show with Arecibo/Among the Fallen/Morir Es Vivir/Telos: 7 p.m., $10. The Foundry.
New Planet Trampoline/Queen of Hell/Shale Satans: Locals New Planet Trampoline released two records to much critical acclaim: The Curse of the New Planet Trampoline (Elephant Stone, 2004) and the fantastic and heavily psychedelic Blimps & Aeroplanes EP (Davenport, 2005) and toured regularly before singer-guitarist Matt Cassidy dropped out of the band because, as he's said, he got "burned out." Cassidy spent the past eight years devoting his time to his noise project, 9-Volt Haunted House, mostly staying away from his guitar and bands. But it was an invitation to participate in 2013's Lottery League and the way that the participants rallied around the death of Lottery Leaguer Ted Flynn, and his It Men bandmate Ken Janssen's diagnosis with Lou Gehrig's disease, that made Cassidy realize he missed the community of New Planet Trampoline. Now the band is working on a dual album and EP project with most of the basic tracks recorded when Cassidy walked away from the band. Expect to hear some of those tunes at tonight's show. 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog. (C.J. Klasa)
Occidental Gypsy: 8:30 p.m., $20. Nighttown.
Pennywise: 8:30 p.m. The Rock Factory.
Rollergirl/DJ White Rims/MisterBradleyP with Neil Chastain: Disco is meant for dancing. And Rollergirl! is bringing the disco-infused, "future funk" house music to B-Side tonight. When most have taken to wobbling, distorted bass lines and dubstep-esque production, his unique brand of EDM focuses on a much-welcomed, clean sensitivity to composing. The general clarity in layers offers more dance-ready syncopation and hooks to shine through. His latest record, I Love You, Rollergirl!, is a six-track, up-tempo, dance extravaganza. Liquid bass lines alongside spiky guitar stabs move the record through a nostalgic-yet-authentic remix of the late '70s. The track "Eve (feat. Harris Cole)," featuring a classic vocal hook, busts out with an infectious groove and bubbly synth line. In tonight's DJ set, Rollergirl! is going to "play some smooth, classy roller tunes." It's a roller disco wherever he plays. 10 p.m., $5. B-Side Liquor Lounge & Arcade. (Patrick Stoops)
Runaway Brother CD Release (in the Locker Room): 9 p.m. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
The Schwartz Brothers: 8:30 p.m., $6. Beachland Tavern.
Southern Culture on the Skids/Whiskey Daredevils: 8:30 p.m., $18. Beachland Ballroom.
Tesseract/Intronaut/Cloudkicker/If Trees Could Talk: 6:30 p.m., $13 ADV, $15 DOS. Agora Ballroom.
Trippin' Billies: 9 p.m. House of Blues.
sun 04/27
Bummers Eve/Wooly Bullies/The Ar-Kaics: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.
Hybrid Shakedown: 7 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Phil Jones Quartet: 7 p.m., $15. Nighttown.
Ledisi/Robert Glasper Experiment: 8 p.m., $34-$52.50. House of Blues.
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's/Empires/Kate Myers: 8:30 p.m., $13. Grog Shop.
Leon Russell/Riley Etheridge Jr.: Bands such as Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers have signaled a renewed interested in all things Americana as they've won huge awards and gained devoted followers for a signature mix of country, folk and rock. But the genre started with artists like Leon Russell rocking it out from behind the keys of a piano. Russell has collaborated with just about everyone in rock 'n' roll, from Jerry Lee Lewis to Elton John on the duo's critically acclaimed 2010 album The Union. The album's single, "If It Wasn't For Bad", was nominated for a Grammy and widely considered to be some of the best work by the long-time artists in years. However, songs like "Humming Bird" epitomize the Americana style for which this legendary artist is known. Russell is touring in support of his new studio album, Life Journey, a collection of covers and originals produced by Tommy LiPuma, who'll be on hand for an interview session with Russell prior to tonight's show (go to the Beachland website to RSVP). 8 p.m., $35-$55. Beachland Ballroom. (William Hoffman)
mon 04/28
Mojo Big Band: 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Jayke Orvis & the Broken Band/Rodney and the Regulars/James Hunnicutt: 8:30 p.m., $10. Beachland Tavern.
The Safes/The Next New Nothings: Pop punk has all been done before, but the Safes manage to bring a twist of originality to their particular brand of sound. These guys are from Chicago, and they're out touring for their latest release (due out April 29). Infused with elements of surf and garage, their poppy, guitar-laden ballads are decidedly catchy. Songs like "Know It All" and "I Would Love To" feature sing-songy vocals smattered with keyboard and guitar riffs that would sound perfect for the ending of a coming-of-age film. Lyrics take on a more serious tone in the likes of "I Win" and "Hot Pursuit," referencing revenge and the struggles of fitting in. Sassy sing and response vocals highlight these tracks as layers of guitar riffs underscore the mood. 9 p.m., free. Now That's Class. (Liz Trenholme)
Tobacco/The Stargazer Lilies/Forest Management: "I do what I do and curate what comes out," Tobacco (real name: Tom Fec) told Scene last year as he was touring with Black Moth Super Rainbow, though he was sure to add: "I just feel what I do doesn't belong in the music world." And it's not hard to see why he might say that. His latest solo outing, Ultima II Massage, only continues Tobacco's ongoing odyssey to rip apart all previous material and smash a galactic brick through the windows of his electronic influences (whatever in the world they might be). The new stuff is probably less listener-friendly than 2013's "Hairspray Heart" or "Windshield Smasher." These songs rattle analog bones and splash dark shadows on everything in their immediate vicinity. One gets the feeling, whilst listening to "Eruption (Gonna Get My Hair Cut at the End of the Summer)," that Tobacco is willing to throw everything and the kitchen sink and the entire subterranean plumbing apparatus into the virginal ear holes of anyone daring enough to put the needle to this record. Good stuff. Proceed with caution. 8:30 p.m., $13. Grog Shop. (Sandy)
tues 04/29
Bronze Radio Return/Hey Monea!: This indie rock act will spend this summer hitting lots of the big festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Firefly and Hangout, so tonight's show serves as a warm-up date of sorts. You've probably heard songs such as "Shake, Shake, Shake," which has been a big hit and even found its way into an ad for the Nissan Leaf. The song features soft vocals and uptempo music that suggests the band has caught on with fans of like-minded acts such as Mumford & Sons and Arcade Fire. Its latest single, "Further On," is just as jubilant. 8 p.m. Musica. (Niesel)
Criminal Code/Cruelster/New Age Remedy: 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.
King Django/Predator Assassins/Broke by Monday: As a long-running influential musician in the roots reggae scene, King Django acts as both traditionalist as well as a crossover artist of a sort. His rock steady grooves play to the old-school crowd but elements of klezmer and punk set him apart. The 1998 album Roots And Culture put emphasis on this klezmer-reggae mash- up. Lately, he's taken to more straightforward dub. His latest record, Anywhere I Roam, carries more of the upfront vibe with chilled-out one-drops. The long and storied history, working with some of the genre's biggest names (Rancid, the Toasters and others), has made him the finely tuned reggae producer he is today. 8:30 p.m., $8. Beachland Tavern. (Stoops)
Local H/Archie & the Bunkers/He-Chaw Funk: 8:30 p.m., $12. Grog Shop.
Two Set Tuesday (in the Wine Bar): 6:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
wed 04/30
10 X 3 Hosted by Brent Kirby (in the Wine Bar): 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.
Rod Picott/Austin Craig/Matt Harmon: 8 p.m., $10. Beachland Tavern.
Putrid Cause/Perverts Again/Shape Confuser: 9 p.m., free. Now That's Class.
Rebellum: 7:30 p.m., $10. Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Shitbox Jimmy/Das Fin/Dead Bees: 9 p.m., free. Grog Shop.
Steve Taylor & the Perfect Foil/Peter Furler Band: 7:30 p.m. Musica.
Tech N9ne/Freddie Gibbs/Krizz Kaliko/Jarren Benton/Psych Ward/Druggies: Everyone knows that rappers 50 Cent, Rick Ross and Mac Miller are hugely popular (and wealthy). But it might come as a surprise that Tech N9ne ranks right up there with them; Forbes magazine just listed him ahead of the aforementioned rappers in a recent "Hip Hop Cash Kings" article. Tech N9ne, whose career dates back to the early 2000s, tours some 200 days out of the year. The Independent Grind Tour 2014 follows the Something Else Tour 2013, which came as Tech N9ne had the biggest year of his career thanks to the popularity of his hit song "Fragile," featuring Kendrick Lamar, ¡Mayday! and Kendall Morgan. 8 p.m., $27 ADV, $30 DOS. House of Blues. (Niesel)
Laura Varcho: 7 p.m., $10. Nighttown.
