WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8
Autopassion Recent N.C. émigrés, this quintet now calls Brooklyn home (what up-and-coming band doesn't?) and that would seem to fit their aesthetic: melodic pop rock with elements of the Strokes, Interpol, and the Walkmen clearly discernible. This year's Sit Back and Make a Difference managed to be more fun than fluff, and points toward a promising future – so long as they can figure a way how to stand out from the wild roving packs of indie bands clogging the borough's streets. With Brother Reade and promising local Matthew Paul Butler. Snug Harbor (John Schacht)
THURSDAY, OCT. 9
Jonathan Richman Whether it's from his Modern Lovers guise, his solo work or even his Conan O'Brien cameos and appearance in the movie There's Something About Mary, Jonathan Richman's open-hearted take on pop and punk has influenced a slew of modern performers, including The Violent Femmes, They Might Be Giants, Ween, Weezer, Art Brut and others. Mind you, few of those artists approach the wide-eyed artistry and aw-shucks emotionalism (to further a phrase) of the man, but then again, they've all sold a shitload more records than homey, too. That said, good luck scorin' a ticket. The Evening Muse (Timothy C. Davis)
FRIDAY, OCT. 10
Pat McGee Band McGee's sway-along and sing-a-long rock is melodically in sync with radioland yet the gents are rootsy and road-tested enough to fend off negative criticism. The tight musicianship, along with thoughtfully crafted songs, acoustic riffing and multipart harmonies, makes the McGee band's contemporary pop a perfect fit on date night. Visulite (Samir Shukla)
Missy Raines & the New Hip The Tennessee quartet sounds like a jazz ensemble playing a smoky watering hole in the wee hours, while other times they crank the bluegrass with mandolin and flat-picked guitar, the kind that gets toes tapping on a rickety front porch. Bassist/vocalist Missy Raines and her scrap band are warm and cozy, yet rather adventurous in their acoustic creations. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
The Eastern Seaboard The New York/Charlotte-based free jazz trio (plus cellist Ben Kennedy on this night) opens an Eastern swing with this cozy date. Eastern Seaboard music pulses with sinister mystery, traditional melodies upended by free-form explosions and pin-drop-quiet breakdowns. Their inspirations include all manner of musicians: Sonic Youth, Lester Young, Chicago post-rock, Boards of Canada, '60s free jazz, Joe Strummer – they're even recording with Mark Ospavot, who's worked with Magik Markers and Parts and Labor, among others. Century/Patchwerk Playhaus (Schacht)
Tim Reynolds and TR3 He spent most of the summer touring with his friend Dave Matthews, but now Tim Reynolds is heading back out with his solo project – they play their own stuff as well as some obscure covers. Reynolds guitar work is usually the star of the show. Neighborhood Theatre (Jeff Hahne)
SATURDAY, OCT. 11
Donna Jean and the Tricksters Donna Jean Godchaux-McKay, a former session singer in the Southern soul hotbed of Muscle Shoals, Ala., (she worked with Aretha, Elvis and Otis, among others) is of course best known for her musical carryin' on with the Grateful Dead and the Jerry Garcia Band, both with and without former husband Keith Godchaux, one of the Dead's almost Spinal Tap-like string of keyboardists. She still works with some of the Dead extended family, but now gets her kicks (or tricks, perhaps) with her new band, a reconfiguration of her first post-Dead conflagration, Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue. If'n you like acid-spiked bar band blues, you'll no doubt find these Tricksters a treat. Double Door Inn (Davis)
MONDAY, OCT. 13
Bible of the Devil Chicago quartet Bible of the Devil mashes '70s hard rock, soaring Dio-like into '90s metal, rumbling Pantera-like, with southern boogie for the ensuing garagey metal bombast. It's a noisy take on classic hard rock that works most of the time while sounding corky and dated on occasion. Their new recording, Freedom Metal, is slated for release this month. With Music Hates You. Milestone (Shukla)
State Radio The Boston trio is nearly becoming Rage Against the Machine's mini-me. Not because of a similarity in music, but because of the band's constant presence at political rallies. The band is currently touring in support of their sophomore release, Year of the Crow. Expect a lot of high-flying jumps and energy release when they play. The music goes from punk and rock to something more mellow with a tinge or reggae. Visulite (Hahne)
