Scythian The gypsy fiddle segues into Celtic rhythms, turning into a roots jam. This global fusion outfit's foundation is Celtic music that's overlaid with jazzy, rootsy, party music. Whether gathered around a fire, on a porch front or soaking in a pub, folks won't be able to sit still once the fiddle starts singing. The new album, Immigrant Road Show, is a fine collection of live tunes. This gig is free, to boot. Neighborhood Theatre (Samir Shukla)
Caltrop This Chapel Hill combo's swirl of stoner rock, psychedelic blues and hard rock is heavy, with a tense buildup of sludge. The guitars are like tanks rolling through the fields, in a slow, steady forward motion, but surely hell-bent on destruction. But it's not all grinding guitars; there's astute songcraft here that's damn solid. Also on the bill are Tournament, Sled and Decoration Ghost.Milestone (Shukla)
Otis Gibbs This Indiana native spent part of his youth singing in a bar for his caretaker uncle's beer money, worked all manner of menial jobs until discovering Henry Miller and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, slept in hobo squats, walked with nomadic shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains, played labor rallies and anti-war protests, and (not surprisingly) has an FBI file. His peripatetic life also includes a catalog of lived-in, Woody Guthrie-esque country-folk, like his recent Chris Stamey-produced Grandpa Walked a Picketline, which is highlighted by legendary Al Perkins' pedal steel. Opening for Sea of Cortez. The Evening Muse (John Schacht)