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CL previews upcoming concerts (May 27-June 1)

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 26

When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth This intriguing posse of noisemakers from Austin unravel melodies, where the guitars hum and howl in unison and the next minute brawl like drunken sailors. The percussion, sometimes even an accordion, is unfurled in a coordinated noise attack inducing a slow, neck-swaying trance. And that's just in the first song. Also on the bill: Quiet Hooves and Bubbly Mommy Gun. Snug Harbor (Samir Shukla)

THURSDAY, MAY 27

Country Throwdown Tour Contemporary country music's relationship with quote "traditional" country music has always been an unpredictable one. George Strait has minted a platinum-plated career out of playing unassuming, solid-as-furniture chestnuts, while folk like Loretta Lynn and George Jones haven't so much as sniffed the radio in a decade or more. And then there's Jamey Johnson, the so-called "outlaw" whose outlaw stance arose primarily because he dared to defy record company expectations. (When a label sniffs green around such a talent, it markets the artist as "edgy" and "traditional country" to explain why they missed the boat in the first place.) Johnson isn't Highwaymen material, per se, but he is worth a drive for people wondering how music can keep a connection to its roots without being held down by them. With Montgomery Gentry, Little Big Town, Jack Ingram, Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Emily West, Heidi Newfield and more. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Timothy C. Davis)

SATURDAY, MAY 29

Electric Coma Kaitlyn Kennedy's Electic Coma isn't the Orange amp-packing, Gibson SG-slinging act you might expect given their circa-'72 moniker. Comprised of Kennedy on vocals, piano, and guitar, along with Doug Coble (more guitar), this EC truly play what one might term Slowhand music. The possessor of a wonderfully liquid voice (think iced tea sweetened with honey) Kennedy's pipes falls somewhere between Regina Spektor and Sarah McLaughlin, but with a lyrical sensibility that conjures Ani DiFranco and Sam Beam equally. One to watch. With The Grommies and Quantum Foundry. The Common Market Plaza Midwood (Davis)

Greg Laswell Laswell's dry, spoken singing style fits like a glove on most songs, but gets in the way on others. The multi-instrumentalist's moody folk and pop works best when channeling Coldplay and other moodier rockers, though Laswell throws unexpected twists in the songs that work in his favor. He's on the road in support of the new release Take a Bow. Tonight is first of a two-night stand. With Brian Wright. The Evening Muse (Shukla)

Sun Domingo Hey, if you can twirl a good riff, write a clean melody and sprinkle plenty of hooks into a song, there's nada wrong with that. The Atlanta trio Sun Domingo writes richly hued pop songs to be sure, with an almost orchestral feel to the numbers. The band's songwriting has matured and is more cohesive since its debut in 2004. Live tracks they recorded opening for Marillion in Montreal last year have just been released on a new, digital album. With Transmission Fields. Double Door Inn (Shukla)

Truckstop Preachers If you see a large deer head prancing back and forth between the tables at McHale's, don't be alarmed – it's not a runaway buck, it's just singer Nathan Palmer. The energetic front man does his best to engage the crowd – through various antics on stage as well as entertaining and often humorous lyrics. Take the Banjo & Sullivan song, "I'm at Home Getting Hammered While She's Out Getting Nailed." McHale's, Rock Hill (Jeff Hahne)

SUNDAY, MAY 30

Bayou Butch Lucas How often can you see a senior citizen black man go from rockin' blues and soul on tour with teeny boppers the Jonas Brothers in L.A. and NYC then watch him do the same at his weekly spot, Villa Antonio's (minus the screaming pre-teens). Aside from the recent career renaissance being billed as the Jonas' step grandpa, Bayou Butch has never stopped working and in the past has toured with music legends like Al Green and Aretha Franklin before settling into life in the Queen City (but still getting away to perform where ever he's called.) Villa Antonio (Mike McCray)

TUESDAY, JUne 1

Patty Griffin Currently on tour in support of her seventh album, Downtown Church, Griffin's latest is steeped in gospel traditions. The album was produced by Buddy Miller, whom Griffin is on tour with and inspired her to focus as much on her singing as her songwriting. Should make for an interesting night of music. Knight Theater (Hahne)