WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists Churning out record after record of the type of intelligent pop/soul/reggae-fueled punk that lunkheads like Green Day aspire to but couldn't reach given several lifetimes, the Head Pharmacist's progenitors are Weller, MacGowan, Strummer, Parker and Costello – smart, sardonic songwriters with a romantic streak who know the value of brevity, passion and unvarnished honesty. Leo was a victim of the recent Touch & Go shuttering, but it's worth visiting his entertaining blog/Web site regularly to tune in for updates. You'll laugh, you'll learn (dude knows his legislative processes and World Cup), you'll hear some ridiculously catchy music – just like his shows, in other words, only you get to share the experience and get in some cardio-pogo. With Titus Andronicus and locals Bruce Hazel & Some Volunteers. Neighborhood Theatre (John Schacht)
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Bela Fleck Effervescent, ever-present banjoist Bela Fleck has never been one to content himself with simply continuing to perpetuate his virtuosity by releasing album after album of repetitive, hot-shit picking. (Pause.) Well, perhaps he does, but dude does like to play with a lot of different people, and probably takes his newgrass style into more directions than anyone not named Peter Rowan. This time around, he's playing with the Malian kora player Toumani Diabate, himself a performer who's not averse to a little collab work to pay the bills and stretch the skills (Diabate, in the last few years alone, has worked with artists as diverse as Taj Mahal, Bjork, and skronk trombonist Roswell Rudd.) Expect a little bluegrass, blues and jazz, and plenty of percussive, pulse-like picking that would sound at home in any burgh. Neighborhood Theatre (Timothy C. Davis)
Milhouse Charleston seems to be popping out folk band babies like crazy these days, and one of those screaming tots is the band Milhouse. Experimental instruments and an eclectic mix of rock, country, and a down home jam band flavors their sound, helping to craft an entirely new genre of music. If you're up for feeling like you're sitting at a bonfire with friends, beating on bongos and strumming guitars, head over to NoDa to check out their unique live show. The Evening Muse late show (Sam Webster)
Ryan Montbleau Band It's hard to argue against guitarist/vocalist Montbleau's songwriting chops. He leads the Boston-based quintet in a jazzy rock lounge where brushed percussion coaxes the senses into a twilight mood. Montbleau's soulful vocals, think early Van Morrison, and the band's taught arrangements of folk, R&B, soul and blues are rock solid. Call it lovers' rock. With Mac & Juice. Double Door Inn (Samir Shukla)
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
A.A. Bondy Fat Possum recording artist A.A. Bondy – formerly known as Scott Bondy, the front man for Nirvana-esque knockoffs Verbena (that descriptive might be a bit harsh, as the band certainly had its moments, but the similarities are unmistakable)– is now hawking his musical wares as a Dylanesque folk/blues practitioner, and, previous musical reference points be damned, it somehow works. Consider, however, that Cobain himself seemed to be moving in this direction toward the end of his career ("Pennyroyal Tea," "In the Pines"), and, moreover, that Verbena too, minus the feedback, similarly traveled in the same ditch-dank, dark blues vein, and you begin to see how it all comes together, at least before (as in most of Bondy's lyrics) it all starts to fall apart again. With Holly Miranda, Perry Fowler. Snug Harbor (Davis)
NIN/JA Trent Reznor claims this is likely Nine Inch Nails' final tour. Jane's Addiction has reunited with original bass player Eric Avery for its first tour in more than 15 years. The opening act is Street Sweeper Social Club, pairing Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello with The Coup's Boots Riley. The bands have been offering free tickets via Twitter on a daily basis and sold VIP tickets to help out a fan in need of a transplant. It may look a helluva lot like the early '90s, but I'd say it's an easy bet that, if you like your rock hard, this is one of the best shows of the year. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Jeff Hahne)
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Richard Swift The Fray blah-blah-blah, hit song on Lost blah-blah-blah, blah-blah-the American Coldplay-blah, etc. The only possible reasons for attending this show if you're not a weepy 16-year-old are to hear what the acoustics sound like at the new Uptown venue, or opener Richard Swift, who's been described as "Prince sitting in on the Plastic Ono Band sessions." In fact, given Swift's sophisticated melodies, keen sense of the macabre and droll lyrics (all displayed on this year's theatrical The Atlantic Ocean), you wonder if this pairing was arranged as a lark – sort of like Nilsson opening for 'NSync. Opening gig for the Uptown Amphitheatre. (Schacht)
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
Miss Derringer The L.A. quintet, led by vocalist Liz McGrath and husband/guitarist Morgan Slade, could be lost in the 1980s jungle. Yet with McGrath's smoky lounge singer persona and come hither vocals, along with the band's twangy, gothic new wave, the outfit pulls of an intriguing late-night music video channel persona. Miss Derringer is touring in support of the upcoming release Winter Hill. Also on the bill are Girl in a Coma, The Smokers. Milestone (Shukla)
MONDAY, JUNE 15
New York Dolls Dawning the age of glam punk with their quintessential debut 35 years ago, the New York Dolls can still rock the socks off most alterna rockers bouncing around on stages today. Vocalist David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain are the only remaining original members and their new recording Cause I Sez So is a blistering statement on the Dolls' staying power. Their influence on countless bands that have birthed since their debut is untouchable. Gig of the week. With Black Joe Lewis. Amos' Southend (Shukla)