Dave Alvin & a few Guilty Women Lucky man, that Mr. Alvin. He co-founded the seminal rockabilly punkers The Blasters, did time in X, and still plays with their twangy spin-off The Knitters. He's authored two collections of poetry and the greatest Fourth of July song ever penned, earned a Grammy in 2001 for his interpretations of traditionals (Public Domain: Songs From the Wild Land), plays guitar like a demon and now surrounds himself with talented women on stage. (Rough life, Dave.) Last year's Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women showed the all-female band was up to the task, too. As he says, there are two kinds of folk music, soft and loud, and Alvin plays 'em both. Stage Door Theater (John Schacht)
The Pietasters For nearly 20 years, the D.C.-based Pietasters have basked in the warm sun with soul-drenched ska, roots reggae and shades of rock. Oft evoking the beloved sound of old Jamaican label Trojan Records, the vibe is old-school but always energetic, especially during their dancey live gigs. The new album, All Day, is a potent example of their ska foundation built with fab horns, guitars and sunny vocals, played with veteran camaraderie. Visulite Theatre (Samir Shukla)
Elephant Man Self-promotion doesn't seem to be a problem for Jamaican mega star Elephant Man. "If you saw me today you are never gonna forget me, my hair, my clothes, my style, I'm crazy man, I'm the Energy God," he boasts. Well, maybe. But there's no doubting Elephant Man's dancehall mastery toasted with his fast-shooting baritone. And the beats are thick and bouncy. Spin his big hit "Nuh Linga" and see if you can keep your ass from shaking. Neighborhood Theatre (Shukla)