WEDNESDAY, June 2
GBH Birmingham, UK punk legends GBH, catalysts of the early '80s punk metal scene, remain in action after 30 years. Their influential 1982 album, City Babies Attacked by Rats, rests among top 50 punk albums of all time in this scribe's book. The blokes are still at it, without losing much of the angst, fists clenched, and ably abusing guitars with breakneck riffs. The band is touring in support of the new release Perfume and Piss. With Outernational and AntiSeen. Tremont Music Hall (Samir Shukla)
Nonpoint Currently touring in support of their latest release, Miracle, the Fort Lauderdale band creates metal with a melodic edge and plenty of energy – a path they haven't strayed far from over the years. Their eighth album continues down the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" path with plenty of distorted riffs and singer Elias Soriano's raspy vocals. With Black Ritual and Ammas. Amos' Southend (Jeff Hahne)
Grids Grids, despite the sort of abstract, math-y name, are musically as chaotic and (seemingly) random a Charlotte band as there's been in some time – maybe ever. The music is hyper-aggressive straight-up Branca-fried noise shot through with a solid hard-core punk ethos that somehow keeps the whole feedback-shrapnel machine from completely freight-training off the tracks. Did we mention they're loud as fuck? So loud the drummer usually sets up behind the amps? So loud that I can barely imagine what their upcoming vinyl 12" will sound like coming out of my tinny speakers? I've always been someone who's eschewed those little foam earbud things, as I think they look goofy and I'm not going to hear forever anyway. I'd bring some to this gig, however, and the only other time I've felt so inclined was a J. Mascis gig. With Twin Stumps, Moenda. The Milestone (Timothy C. Davis)
Free Energy Philadelphia's Free Energy arrives just in time for summer, touring to support their first LP, Stuck on Nothing. Their straightforward sound has the dustiness of classic rock, polished up by a twinge of glam. Lead singer Paul Sprangers adds the slouchy onstage swagger, making Free Energy the perfect band to soundtrack the slow, muggy nights of the season. Snug Harbor (Allie Goolrick)
FRIDAY, JUNE 4
Tift Merritt Count Merritt among North Carolina music treasures. For about decade and a half, Merritt has been singing (such sweet somber voice), strumming, and writing roots music, putting in stints with the Two Dollar Pistols and her own early band the Carbines. The country-folk chanteuse is fully evolved in her craft, penning warm Southern tales. There's not a weak track on her newly released recording See You on the Moon. With Megafaun. Visulite Theatre (Shukla)
SATURDAY, JUNE 5
Overmountain Men The Avetts Brothers' Bob Crawford (bass), unsung songwriter extraordinaire David Childers (guitar), along with Robert Childers (drums) and Randy Saxon (guitar) are the Overmountain Men. Writing prose and short stories while channeling American history, telling tales of ordinary folks and forgotten heroes, the Overmountain Men drench their words with oh so tightly woven Appalachian and roots music. In most cases, Crawford is replaced by Bill Noonan, who will also be on the bill tonight, opening up the show with his band the Barbed Wires. Snug Harbor (Shukla)
Charlotte Parrott The youthful, acoustic-based folk singer-songwriter mixes Lisa Loeb-like melodic harmonies with narratives about adolescent love, relationships and freedom within. She keeps her songs short, sweet and to the point – rarely deviating from the folk-rock formula. Hailing from the Queen City, Parrott infuses her current surroundings and happenings into her storytelling as she cites in "California," "Charlotte's a nice place, but the irony is gettin' to me, so let's get away ..." If you prefer an exuberant yet tranquil ambiance, this show may be up your alley. The early show with Nora Jane Struthers. The Evening Muse (Chris Triplett)
SUNDAY, JUNE 6
Jucifer We've warned you before about this duo, but we feel obligated to do it again. If you're going to this show, bring earplugs. Calling them loud is an understatement. When they say "wall of speakers" – they mean it ... floor to ceiling and as many will fit from side to side. You won't understand a word, but that's part of the appeal. The Milestone (Hahne)
MONDAY, JUNE 7
Deebs & Dabbs Take local band Heywire's lead, slide, rhythm guitars and vocals and you have the ingredients for Deebs & Dabbs. Michael Deeb and James Dabbs have been performing Southern-tinged acoustic sets as a duo all around the Queen City at different chill spots. You can catch their Heywire Acoustic show at Philosopher's Stone Tavern. (Mike McCray)
TUESDAY, JUNE 8
Styx, Foreigner, Kansas What, Bread and America weren't available? Say what you want about any of these acts (specifically Foreigner, who still suck, but sort of benignly, as with Loverboy and Quarterflash), but a browse through Pitchfork shows that their influence among current acts goes a step beyond the shed circuit (see Fleet Foxes, Midlake, Band of Horses, Devendra Banhart, Vetiver, anyone who either A) lives in a canyon or B) has a neckbeard and beat-up old Martin). To these ears, Kansas has aged (and boy, how they've aged) the best, but your mileage may vary. Uptown Amphitheatre (Davis)
