WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
The Queers Legendary pop-punk progeny (make that “post-punk pop-punk progeny”) The Queers never was the kind of band (nor had the kind of band name) to cash in on its well-known notoriety and influence. Lead Queer Joe King – the lone original member, although there have been dozens of sidemen throughout the years – still has what it takes to put fannies in the seats and then exhort those white-belted asses to get the fuck back up. His stock in trade? Tightly-wound sing-along songs with choruses a mile long, powered by more axe racket than Andre Agassi on a meth bender at Guitar Center. With Pen 15, Razorkat. $10-$14, The Milestone, www.themilestoneclub.com (Timothy C. Davis)
Health The curiously named electro noise dance quartet from the City of Lights are hitting the ballrooms and gin joints in support of the new remix album Disco2. When they’re on, the track “We Are Water” for one, the combo sounds like a jacked-up muscle car lost in a jumble of electronic noise and beats, bouncing all over the place, with experimental noise that’s intriguing. When they’re not on, they stroll off into noodly dance beats that go nowhere. Most of the time, though, the combo rocks, albeit with harsh electronica. Also on the bill: Indian Jewelry and Gold Panda. $11, Snug Harbor, www.snugrock.com (Samir Shukla)
FRIDAY, JUNE 25
Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ While to these ears the best thing DNC front man Kevn Kinney ever released was his Peter Buck-produced solo debut some 20 years ago, MacDougal Blues, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ as an entity allows the increasingly acoustic Kinney to exercise his early-’90s, .38 Special-meets-Three Dog Night radio-rock jones. You’ll probably recognize most of the hits – “Fly Me Courageous,” “To Build a Fire” – but some of the band’s best stuff never made the airwaves. Making them, I guess, no better, worse, nor different from any other band since the beginning of time. With Catch the Fire, Blanco Diablo. $15, Amos’ Southend, www.amossouthend.com (Davis)
Ty Bru We haven’t heard much from Ty Bru since his 2007 album, On The Brink, made critics around the state perk up and listen, but the Asheboro, N.C., artist hasn’t stopped grinding. His live show is one of those experiences that makes you believe in North Carolina hip-hop whether he’s rocking a crowd of 10 or hundreds. He’s supporting The Thought Criminals, a nine-piece hip-hop band that takes part Wu-Tang and part Black Sabbath to create their own thing. $6-$8, The Milestone, www.themilestoneclub.com (Mike McCray)
Cyril Neville The youngest of the legendary Neville Brothers, the musical royalty of New Orleans, Cyril Neville’s Brand New Blues from last year was simply solid. Featuring soulful blues and New Orleans funky gumbo, the record’s highlight is a sinewy take on Bob Marley’s “Slave Driver.” Even though he’s been based in Austin since Katrina’s devastation, the Crescent City pulses in his every note. Cyril Neville has appeared on dozens of recordings and he, along with his brothers, is an undeniable force in American music. With Bubonik Funk. $10-$12, Double Door Inn, www.doubledoorinn.com (Shukla)
SATURDAY, JUNE 26
Kellie Pickler Sometimes it’s just amazing that the country bumpkin from Albemarle has grown up to grace large stages. Her Jessica Simpson-like ignorance won over the hearts of American Idol viewers, though I’d say her career has been far from Carrie Underwood’s. Still, she’s a familiar name and this would be considered a local show. Opening for Rascal Flatts. $35.25-$75.57, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, www.livenation.com (Jeff Hahne)
SUNDAY, JUNE 27
Keeping Riley This septuplet group mixes many instruments to arrive at a poppy, uplifting brand of song. The lead vocals harmonize well with the up-and-down melodies of the rhythm guitar and background addition of a saxophone and an occasional flute. They are currently on tour in support of their new album released in May. With The Upside of Down, Israel Darling, Jacob’s Ladder. $10-$12, Tremont Music Hall, www.tremontmusichall.com (Chris Triplett)
MONDAY, JUNE 28
Dar Williams Songstress Dar Williams is spending the summer touring her clean, intelligent folk. The singer-songwriter takes on gender issues (“When I Was a Boy”), religion (“The Christians and the Pagans”) and more in her socially and politically conscious songs, but don’t think that means she doesn’t have fun. The New York state native is prone to genre-hop in her choice of covers and has recorded her own versions of tracks by everyone from Pink Floyd (“Comfortably Numb”) to Fountains of Wayne (“Troubled Times”). $22-$30, McGlohon Theatre, www.blumenthalcenter.org (Allie Goolrick)
Foxy Shazam Listening to front man Eric Nally evokes an immediate Freddy Mercury comparison. But that’s not fair, where Mercury was suave and otherworldly, Nally is corky and spastic. Mercury was a magnetic front man and while Nally is no slacker on the mic, he’s still in the developmental stage. The band’s music is all over the place, ’70s rock riffs, ska-like horns, sparring piano and bass and dancey percussion. They’re hard to peg but are admittedly catchy. With Babyshaker and The Lights, Fluorescent. $8-$10, Tremont Music Hall, www.tremontmusichall.com (Shukla)
TUESDAY, JUNE 29
The Doobie Brothers Every time I see that the Doobie Brothers are coming to town, I immediately have a handful of their hits running through my head – “Jesus is Just Alright,” “Listen to the Music,” “Long Train Runnin'” and “China Grove” – or that line from What’s Happening?, “Which Doobie you be?” Then I realize it’s only half of the original members and Michael McDonald isn’t with them and I wonder if it’ll be the same … Only one way to find out. $32.50-$79.50, Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre, www.livenation.com (Hahne)
This article appears in Jun 22-28, 2010.
