Music Menu 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13

Richard Buckner Over a decade, I must've written about Buckner a dozen times for as many publications, and he's yet to give me reason to stop. In fact, last year's Meadow was his best set of songs since 1998's Since, a desert island disc for this scribbler. What's nearly as enjoyable is seeing listeners normally allergic to alt-country/folk/singer-songwriter fare (or whatever the fuck they're calling it today) come 'round to Buckner. With his run-on verses, bellow/growl and unorthodox song structures, that usually doesn't happen over-night, but when it does you're hooked for good. With Rick Spreitzer. Evening Muse (John Schacht)

THURSDAY, FEB. 14

Popa Chubby Chubby, born Ted Horowitz, is a native New Yorker slapping blues licks out of his guitar that are more on the urban tip then the Mississippi Delta. But the heat and sweat of the Delta weighs plenty in his music. He's been at it for almost two decades with a mix of acoustic and electric blues that blur the line between traditional and contemporary roots music. The occasional Hendrix cover only adds to the fun. Double Door Inn (Samir Shukla)

FRIDAY, FEB. 15

Bullship CD Release North Carolina minimalist rock trio stands rungs above much of the same alterna.rock infesting contemporary radio. The blokes are releasing their anticipated new disc that promises much adventurism goaded out of guitars, bass and drums. It's math rock that's disquieting, dissonant, fluttering and happily forward-thinking. The Sea of Cortez will warm things up. Snug Harbor (Shukla)

Sol Driven Train Comprised as it is of a fiery, big-band blend of world-beat, southern fried funk and beach-boy (if not Beach Boys) style harmony, a mere description of the tuneage played by this Charleston, S.C., act might lead you to believe that a ride on Sol Driven Train is likely to end up with a final stop in Margaritaville. Thankfully, that's not the case. SDT recently celebrated the official release of their first live album, a double length, 14-song collection titled Live on the Outer Banks, and it captures the band in full choogle: tight horn arrangements courtesy sax player Russell Clarke and trombonist/guitarist Ward Buckheister, drummer Phil Eason's tasteful cymbal work, and plenty of bassist Rusty Cole's jar-tight bottom end phonk. It ain't DMB necessarily, but SDT would certainly seem to be on the right track. Smokey Joe's Café (Timothy C. Davis)

SATURDAY, FEB. 16

Paul Thorn After setting aside his gloves as a promising prizefighter many years back, Thorn has honed his chops and established himself as an in-demand rootsy blues-folk singer-songwriter. He's appeared on numerous recordings and toured with country crooners and rockers. Thorn's latest, Long Way from Tupelo, slated for release this week, is stacked with his raspy voiced, warm and melodic style. Regional fave Chris Cook will open. Neighborhood Theatre (Shukla)

The Belleville Outfit The Austin sextet recently released their debut disc, Wanderin' – a mix of gypsy swing, jazz and Americana. They often get a sense of the old school swing going with a great groove. The band began out of remnants of others scattered around the Carolinas, forming around the 2007 Merlefest. Their change in styles are also complimented by changes in vocalists – male and female. They lean toward the Squirrel Nut Zippers side of the retro movement. Evening Muse (Jeff Hahne)

SUNDAY, FEB. 17

KimNiption Fit This is a fundraiser for Charlotte headbangers Luna's Lament guitarist Kim, who is currently battling breast cancer. A slew of varied regional talent, rockers to folkies, will lend Kim a hand this evening to raise funds for medical bills. Performing tonight are Echo Code, Stella Kid, Lindy Dobbins, Volatile Baby, Carmona and Kim's outfit, Luna's Lament. Doors open at 5 p.m. Amos' Southend (Shukla)

Bill Averbach and Bam-Jazz Jazz trumpeter Averbach and his band Bam-Jazz, offer a live recording session open to the public. Averbach's Satchmo-vocal style accompanies Texas blues, Louisiana jazz and Cajun influences. Fred Wesley, former trombonist for James Brown, Ocie Davis, New Orleans drummer, bassist John Shaughnessy and guitarist Adam Sztyber join the stage to play classics and original tunes for the "milestone" recording session. Evening Muse. (Chey Scott)

TUESDAY, FEB. 19

Pnuma Trio The Memphis-based Pnuma Trio (Alex Botwin, bass; Ben Hazlegrove, keys; Lane Shaw, drums) is a rather odd bird, even in the ever-expanding aural aviary of jam-based music. Ostensibly a live drum 'n' bass/trance act, the group somehow manages enough whoompf (my word) to re-align your spine yet enough instrumental wheedledeedee (also my word) to keep you thinking (and drinking, one imagines). Not the kind of band you'd expect to catch at a patchouli party, which is reason enough to check 'em out. Visulite Theatre (Davis)