John Howie Jr. & the Rosewood Bluffs A 1988 study found that drinkers "are more likely to lose their control and self-restraint" when country music is playing, and I think the anthropologists were implying that was somehow a negative. You can put theory into practice when the owner of the best country baritone this side of Don Williams returns to action with members of Patty Hurst Shifter, Fontana, and the New Town Drunks in tow. Howie fronted honky tonk heroes the Two Dollar Pistols until recently, and while the new act's MySpace site lacks for any new audio examples, Howie's said the new songs rock plenty, only in a Flying Burrito Brothers/Mike Nesmith manner this time. Late show at The Evening Muse (John Schacht)

Echo Code CD Release Party The Charlotte-based Echo Code, led by vocalist/guitarist Donnie Honeycutt, can crank the guitars – Sabbath-y hard rock and Alice in Chains sludge – as well as write haunting ballads coaxed by piano and subtle rhythms. The rocking trio, also featuring Thad Nicholson (bass) and Jeff Nunnery (drums), is celebrating the release of their new recording One More Played Out Tragedy this evening. With the Omega Cell and Smack Lily. Amos' Southend (Samir Shukla)

Listen to Echo Code here: