CL previews upcoming concerts (July 7-12) 

THURSDAY, JULY 7

DANGERMUFFIN Call it a Charleston state of mind. The trio Dangermuffin writes cheerful rock that's colored by the sunny South Carolina low country. Yeah, some songs don't get anywhere, but others gel nicely as the trio takes the listener on a head-swaying jam band trip. Last year's release Moonscapes has everything from Grateful Dead chops to reggae moods and country front porch play-alongs. $7. Double Door Inn. www.doubledoorinn.com. (Samir Shukla)

NORMA JEAN Georgia metalcore band swims waters crowded with such noisemakers. But they rise above with convincing musical brutality and lyrics that beg a listen. They're screamo and noisy to be sure, but melodic overlays creep in and out, while the occasional epic track slowly builds, exposes its fangs and then blasts out the amps like a pissed pit bull. There's plenty more where that came from, as tonight's bill features nine other like-minded bands. $15-$18. Amos' Southend. www.amossouthend.com. (Shukla)

FRIDAY, JULY 8

DESERT NOISES Here's an intriguing trio out of Utah. Their country-tinged, spiritually-inclined, pop channels acoustic Neil Young on some tracks and cranks up the sing-along rock on others. Their original compositions are noteworthy while covers like "Go Tell It On the Mountain" are emotive and passionately executed. With Sunshone Still. $5. The Evening Muse. www.theeveningmuse.com. (Shukla)

YOUNG ANTIQUES This appropriately named Atlanta trio sounds like a College Rock compendium: The pop muscle of Teenage Fanclub, some Replacements' rawk, some bittersweet Matthew Sweet, some Hüsker Dü propulsion. For fans of that — and if you're not, lay down your glow-sticks and grow a pair — the band's latest full-length, A Man, Not a Biography, may induce 120 Minutes of flannel flashbacks. A bit derivative, perhaps, but doesn't it seem like much is in these post-everything days? With Transmission Fields and Matt MacDonald. $6-$7. The Milestone. www.themilestoneclub.com. (John Schacht)

BLOSSOMS A colleague summed up the local trio led by guitarist/singer Casey Malone thusly: "Jad Fair/Alex Chilton/Dirty Projectors goodness." That's pretty close to the mark since you'll find elements of Fair's unself-conscious honesty (and a bit of his reedy squeal), Chilton's minor-key pop sensibilities, and the DP's fractured structures and string accents in Malone's quirky and ultimately quite beautiful songs. We hear a release is nearly in the can, too, which will present its own evidence. With The Bear Romantic and The Dirty Special. $5. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (Schacht)

HARVEY MILK Two decades since their inception, the Athens, Ga., band has broken up, reformed but musically not changed a whole lot. Those same deep riffs from their early work is still bubbling to the surface over their newer material, drawing comparisons to the Melvins, although they claim ZZ Top, Zeppelin and Kiss among their influences. Manchovy and Little Bull Lee are also on the bill. $10-$12. Tremont Music Hall. www.tremontmusichall.com. (Mike McCray)

SHUFFLE PARTY We're all about trying to expose readers in the Charlotte area to music they may or may not already be familiar with. Regional magazine Shuffle does the same and often ties a concert to the release of a new issue. Always worth checking out for a strong variety of up-and-coming Carolinas-based bands, this month features Mount Moriah, Coma Cinema, The Hellsayers and Pullman Strike. $6. 8 p.m. Visulite Theatre. www.visulite.com. (Jeff Hahne)

SATURDAY, JULY 9

E-S GUTHRIE With a surname like Guthrie come some expectations, and even though this Guthrie (no actual relation) isn't singing about America's politicians and workers, he has an empowering songbook. Like any great songbook, there's a lot of variety in the song material and the way Guthrie presents it. This folk singer with a big voice fills the whole room with deep-end guitar and climbing vocals. In the next song, Guthrie can whisper and roll out love lyrics like Leonard Cohen. The North Carolina native can sling a banjo and buzz on a harmonica, but his guitar-playing, a fun and bright strumming pattern, is complex enough on its own. With Stephen Warwick & Secondhand Stories, John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light, and Sarah Bowman. $8. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (Tommy Werner)

YARDWORK Listening to this Charlotte sextet songs is like digesting an all-you-can-eat musical buffet and having everything you ate sort of blend happily together in your stomach before coming out the other end. Don't let that fool you into thinking they're shitty. They're actually pretty awesome, and their positivity is absolutely infectious. Be forewarned though: There is a whole lot of layers to digest — just look forward to being fat and happy at the end of it all. The Lesser Pauls, Mon Frere and Richard Parker are also on the bill. $6. The Milestone. www.themilestoneclub.com. (McCray)

JOSH PHILLIPS FOLK FESTIVAL The Neighborhood Theatre often puts together free music nights in an effort to get people out supporting live music. This night is another one full of strong talent, headlined by the diverse folk-based style of Josh Phillips Folk Festival in combination with the Vertigo Jazz Project and Common Foundation. Free. 9 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Hahne)

TUESDAY, JULY 12

MÖTLEY CRÜE The '80s bad boys are still out on the road singing classic tunes. While Vince Neil's voice has gotten a bit whiny, Tommy Lee is still a madman behind the drum kit. This time around, his drum set does a 360-degree loop during his solo — and one lucky crowd member gets to go along for the ride. Ah, nostalgia. $40-$122.15. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. www.livenation.com. (Jeff Hahne)