CL previews upcoming concerts 

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11

LITTLE RIVER BAND Remember "Cool Change"? "Reminiscing"? If you're of a certain age — or have ever perused Jack FM on a road trip — your answer is undoubtedly in the affirmative. But concertgoer beware: this LRB is only tangentially — and then some — related to the original sultans of soft rock. Founding members Beeb Birtles, Glenn Shorrock and Graeham Goble lost the rights to LRB moniker to a former member, Stephen Housden, who has apparently since left the band himself, leaving what appears to be ZERO original members. Speaking of former members, the "Little" River Band puts P-funk to shame, counting more than 30 (!). As such, you might as well get together with four or five of your closest friends and hit the local karaoke bar, if authenticity (or just plain reminisciiiin') is what you're after. $35-$45. Old Town Amphitheater at City Hall Black Street, Rock Hill, S.C. (Timothy C. Davis)

ERIKA BLATNIK It's tough to face the truth, but it's a fact of life that people have to move on sometimes. That's why it pains us to see Erika Blatnik leaving the Q.C. Her last show with The Lights, Fluorescent is on the 28th, but tonight's show is her last scheduled solo show. Find out why we gave her the award for Best Female Vocalist in 2007. She'll be missed, but will always be welcomed back. Opening for Dead Rabbits and Window God. $5, Snug Harbor, www.snugrock.com (Jeff Hahne)

THURSDAY, AUG. 12

FORMER THIEVES Iowans Former Thieves, whose previous output includes a somewhat likable 12-inch EP on Mayfly Records, recently signed with No Sleep Records. Often compared to state-mates Modern Life is War, the band is currently penning and road-testing tracks for its full-length debut. While nothing new sonically, there's room for growth here (a la an early Murder City Devils), provided the band adds some serious dynamics to its sound, which, as it is, interests in short bursts but, in larger doses, often becomes the aural equivalent of a pair of sneakers bashing about in a dryer (with a guy emoting over the top about how the damn things got wet in the first place — tears?). With Native, Drug Cult. $6-$8. The Milestone, www.themilestoneclub.com (Davis)

FRIDAY, AUG. 13

TROUBLE WALKERS Raw and ragged, drunken, good-time country and punk sloshed in some blues and rock — that's the Trouble Walkers who lurk in our own neck of the woods. Songs like "Snakes on Crosses" and "Country Pussy" pretty much tell the story, where rickety guitars and amps unwind and soak on Friday nights after that long-ass workweek. With Leadville Social Club and Lost Soul Traveling Show as a benefit for Loaves and Fishes. $8 or $7 with a nonperishable food donation, Tremont Music Hall, www.tremontmusichall.com (Samir Shukla)

MIKELPARIS Guitar drummer from O.A.R. is touring in support of his solo recording Flow. Guitar drumming? Paris taps, slaps and plays scats on an acoustic guitar, while brushing and strumming the strings to create a percussive vibe. It's jazzy, pop-rock playing wrapped around his crooning, while showcasing his jam band stints. Oh yeah, the cat can play some mean jazz piano, to boot. $10, The Evening Muse, www.theeveningmuse.com (Shukla)

SATURDAY, AUG. 14

LEON RUSSELL With a career spanning nearly five decades and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music in that time, few people have lived the life Leon Russell has. Whether it was a No. 1 hit with Willie Nelson in 1978 or the nine albums to chart in the top 40, he's every bit of a country icon, whether he gets the credit for it or not. Rebecca Rippy & Co. open. $25, Neighborhood Theatre, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com (Mike McCray)

NAPPY ROOTS Who doesn't remember when Nappy Roots blew up in 2002 with "Awnaw" and "Po' Folks" featuring Charlotte's Anthony Hamilton, putting Kentucky on the hip-hop map. Well, a lot has changed since then but the now-five country boys return to Charlotte with an independent label and new album, Pursuit of Nappyness. $12-$15, Amos' Southend, www.amossouthend.com (McCray)

ACTUAL PROOF Charlotte's Actual Proof may just be the perfect opener for George Porter Jr. on this night. Steeped in jazz music, the band is also familiar with the jamming, improv style that gets a crowd going. While Eric Mullis hammers away on the vibes, the rest of the band settles into chunky grooves that get feet moving and heads bobbing in a way not often seen with instrumental music. There's no need to mess around, Actual Proof just gets the job done. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Double Door Inn, www.doubledoorinn.com (Hahne)

SUNDAY, AUG. 15

HEART After a 1976 concert, a reporter asked Anne Wilson about her and her sister Nancy's made-up "lesbian love affair." The enraged songstress went to her hotel room and began writing the lyrics that would become "Barracuda," and the rest is history. With a career spanning four decades and more than 35 million records sold, the Seattle sister super-duo continues to write, produce and tour in support of new music. This go-round is for the newly released Red Velvet Car. Expect to hear plenty of classics like the aforementioned "Barracuda," with a slight focus on the new ones as well. They want fans to concentrate on the here and now. $20-$49.50, Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre, www.livenation.com (Chris Triplett)

TUESDAY, AUG. 17

DAVID DONDERO For over two decades, Dondero has paid his dues in several bands, spewing pop punk and rock. You may vaguely remember Sunbrain, a touring and recording outfit led by Dondero in the mid-'90s. But Dondero shines most on his own lonesome self, as a funky, down-to-earth-yet-out-of-the-ordinary singer/songwriter. He is a songcrafter of high order, a performer of dub folk, if you will. With KPSoloman5000 and Ben Henry. $7, The Milestone, www.themilestoneclub.com (Shukla)