CL previews upcoming concerts (May 18-22) 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

FASTER PUSSYCAT L.A. rockers Faster Pussycat didn't quite achieve the stardom of contemporaries Guns 'n' Roses, but they had a run with good-time party hits from the late '80s through the early '90s. Founder/singer Taime Downe remains the only original member, but the blokes still rock and, aside from some industrial rock experimentation, the bottom line remains glam, sleaze rock and hair metal. With Venrez and Hair Nation. $13-$15. Tremont Music Hall. www.tremontmusichall.com. (Samir Shukla)

LANA REBEL Leaning at times to the Cowboy Junkies or Lucinda Williams and at moments on old schoolers like Loretta Lynn, Lana Rebel's dusty country music is moody and sparse. She writes wind-strewn tales that populate the recent release, Mistakes We Can Live With, recorded with her band the Broken Promises. Also on the bill: Broken Napoleons and Nightingale News. $5. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (Shukla)

MEMPHIS MAYFIRE Sure, there are a ton of bands doing the hard alterna-rock that the Memphis Mayfire spews. The guitars, akin to tires spinning in the mud, are touched-up with good ole Southern rock and sharp lyrics that keep this combo from getting mired in the masses. The alternating sung and growled vocals keep a decent balance. With Decoder, Ten After Two, and That's Outrageous. $10-$12. Amos' Southend. www.amossouthend.com. (Shukla)

OFF THE RECORD Charlotte musician Jon Lindsay is the latest to get the live Q&A treatment in this ongoing series at The Evening Muse. Offering a different kind of concert than you'd normally see, artists are asked about their songwriting process, lyrical content and more in between acoustic or stripped down versions of their songs. $5-$7. 8 p.m. The Evening Muse. www.theeveningmuse.com. (Jeff Hahne)

THURSDAY, MAY 19

MAC MILLER Nineteen years old may be past the cut-off for prodigies, but this Pittsburgh native is a dope young talent. Rising from the smoke of Wiz Khalifa putting their hometown on the hip-hop map, Miller has won over the usual white rapper skeptics with a flow befitting of your favorite backpacker and a presence beyond his years. Kicking incredibly dope rhymes with him will be N.C.'s own Rapsody, most notably of Kooley High but easily the best female rapper I've heard in eons. Sold out. Amos' Southend. www.amossouthend.com. (Mike McCray)

NEKO CASE Dear Neko: I'm hoping you get this in time along with the roses. Just want to say again I've been a fan since The Virginian, when I first wondered what angelic voice could sound like Loretta Lynn and Dusty Springfield. It was all over after that, I just knew you and my various listening devices were meant to be together. I've been following you ever since — not literally, of course, because who needs another restraining order?! — through those great LPs with the Sadies and Calexico, as well as your recent critical favorites Fox Confessor Brings the Flood and Middle Cyclone. When you sing it's like the stars and planets are indeed "deep red bells" and you're ringing them just for me. (Swoon!) Anyhow, I've got to go camp out in line now, so I better vamoose. (Also: If you'd like to reconsider, I haven't yet returned the ring.) Yours forever or until you lose your voice, JS. $25.50-$29.50. Knight Theater. www.blumenthalarts.org. (John Schacht)

COVERS FEST A couple of weeks back I caught contrabassist Nat Baldwin deliver a jaw-dropping version of Arthur Russell's heart-rending love song "A Little Lost," then bopped over in time to see the Aqualads (with Scott Weaver on vox) nail Peggy Lee's signature "Fever." Point being, good cover songs are like musical currency between musicians and listeners. Done well, they can establish creative bona fides and artistic legacies, and exalt the legendary and overlooked alike. This night of all-covers features locals Pullman Strike, Neil Mauney, Big Lizard, Paint Fumes, Secret Hospital and Thomas Berkau (Yardwork) performing songs by the Ramones, the Dead Milkmen, the Stooges, Prince, Loretta Lynn, and more. $5. The Milestone. www.themilestoneclub.com. (John Schacht)

FRIDAY, MAY 20

TREASUREFEST We don't even know where to start with this one. Taking place at various venues around town, including Snug Harbor, The Milestone and more, over two days, the lineup includes 25 Minutes to Go, Andy the Doorbum, Appalucia, Bailey Cooke, Emotron, Harvard, Hawks, Jeremy Current, Yardwork and many more. Highly recommended as a way to see indie talent from across the board. $5 and up. http://treasurefest.blogspot.com. (Hahne)

SATURDAY, MAY 21

THE MAINE Two albums in and the reigning best live band according to [some other publication], it's safe to say this Arizona band has hit its stride. Wisely, they brought their fans along for the ride. The Warped Tour vets have gone above and beyond virally to put themselves out there, and if all you hear from and about them shines through live, you'll be very happy you were there. Augustana co-headlines, Austin Gibbs and Hugo are also on the bill. $20-$23. Amos' Southend. www.amossouthend,com. (Mike McCray)

SUNDAY, MAY 22

STEVE MARTIN W/ STEEP CANYON RANGERS In recent years, Steve Martin is starting to be known more for his talents on the banjo than for his comedy. It's well-deserved, too. The award-winning musician is a damn fine picker and the more time he spends on stage as a musician, the more comfortable he gets. Sure, there's comedy mixed in, but these shows are all about the music. $41-$71. Ovens Auditorium. www.ovensauditorium.com. (Hahne)