FOREST TOURIST Self-described "trash-pop" from the increasingly fertile Charleston, S.C., indie scene, this young quartet's music is notable for its carnival-funhouse keys, fuzzed-out guitars, energetic tempos and singer Edward Burroughs' half-slacker/half-crooner vocals (is that some Julian Casablancas I hear in there?). The lead single "Winnebago Dreams" off their new EP, Pop Reject, has been a show-topping anthem in the band's hometown, and is well-worth a bandcamp.com visit; its extended bridge/outro also suggests there's more to the songwriting than just "trash" or "pop." Bright future? Quite possibly. With locals the Orchidales, Secret Hospital and Such Mad Hope, as well as New Orleans' Habitat. $7. The Milestone.

PIG MOUNTAIN Enjoy your metal served up thick with a side of sludge? Guitarist/vocalist Dustin "Doob" Outen, bassist Ricky Culp and drummer Dillon McKinnish infuse plenty of dark emotions amidst the gruff vocals and heavy instrumentals of Charlotte's Pig Mountain. During an Off the Record performance last year, the band said they were more concerned about slogging their wares through the musical atmosphere than offering any kind of message in the lyrics. Mission accomplished. Steel-toed boots recommended for wading through this trio's trough. With Witch Mountain, Lord Dying, Monarchist. 9 p.m. $7. The Haunted Mill, Belmont.

THE EASTERN SEABOARD Mix punk and free jazz, chill, serve, and you have The Eastern Seaboard. Hailing from Brooklyn, the band creates dark, improvisational jazz that will put you on the edge of your seat. Saxophonist and Charlotte native Brent Bagwell makes his instrument a living, breathing, screaming entity while bassist Jordon Schranz creates both rocking riffs and dissonant noise and Seth Nanaa keeps a meandering yet insistent pulse on the drums. Built on Sonic Youth and John Coltrane, this genre-straddling act should bring out fans of all kinds. Free. Snug Harbor.

TOM PRINCIPATO Oft accompanied by just a drummer and a bassist (what else does a guitar maestro need?), Principato has hit the road a few times in his four decade career. The Telecaster guitar wiz, road-hardened crooner and storyteller is on tour supporting Raising the Roof!, his remixed and reissued recording with an added live cut. This is just good old indigenous American music - blues, rock, and sprinkling of jazz - along with an occasional reggae outing where Principato's solid riffs fill the air and fluid solos tell sinewy tales. $12. Double Door Inn.

BIRDS WITH TEETH Lead singer Jon Davis has described his writing style as doodling until he likes it. That approach is what makes this Charlotte rock outfit's take on indie-punk compelling. Like most young bands, they've had some turnover, but with the release of Birds' second album, Two, slated for June 23, the group's evolution should be fun to watch. Modern Primitives, The ThoughtCriminals and Southside Punx are also on the bill for this birthday party/autism fundraiser. $8-$10. The Milestone.

OCTOPUS JONES Musical relevance in the tourist trap of Myrtle Beach - aka the Grand Strand of shite cover acts and tiki lounge jam bands - takes perseverance and, no doubt, a healthy ability to ignore one's surroundings. But this quintet's self-styled "spank-wave boogie" manages a compellingly weird hybrid of regionally apropos elements (surf guitars and syncopation) and glammy, post-punk sounds you'd never associate with their hometown. Kinda like the Ventures and Echo & the Bunnymen bunking up - yeah, it's strange, but it works. This has all the makings of a good rock ‘n' roll show with locals Little Bull Lee, Savannah, Ga.'s Cusses and Winston-Salem shoegazers White Rifles. $6. Evening Muse.

LERA LYNN Lera Lynn has long been the quiet darling of the Athens, Ga., folk/country scene, but that's about to change. Among other accolades, NPR's Gerrison Keillor was so impressed when he picked her ringing, lyrical soprano out of a pile of audition tapes that he invited her to share the stage with bluegrass great Sam Bush at the Atlanta installment of A Prairie Home Companion. Comparisons to a young Emmylou are somewhat of a given, but Lynn puts her own sultry spin on the country siren genre. Catch her while you still can at an intimate venue (with The Trishas). It's clear that Athens won't be able to keep Lynn much of a secret any longer. $12. Evening Muse.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY/TORCHE Raleigh punk-metal progenitors Corrosion of Conformity, whose 30-year history reads like a crash course in aggressive genres, released a self-titled record earlier this year. It's a good career summary for those who didn't grow up with the band, and a solid dose of shred-n-yell for those who did. Torche, Florida's kings of sunshiney doom-metal pop (no kidding), bring a driving power-stoner squall with amazing titles like "Kiss Me Dudely." This year's Harmonicraft is solid - and you gotta love the Lisa Frank-reminiscent cover art - but 2008's Meanderthal was one of the best records of that year, metal or not. With Black Cobra. $15-$18. Amos' Southend.