Wednesday, August 27
Pepper at The National
I guess it had to happen sometime. Hip-hop and rap infiltrated metal and even country, but now Pepper has mixed it with salted ska. They are from Hawaii, currently playing on the U.S. mainland. They must have one hell of a touring vehicle. With Passafire and Wava. Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 at the door. Showtime 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 28
Quatro na Bossa at Ashland Coffee and Tea
Summer is coming to a close, the perfect time for some Brazilian music. Quatro na Bossa play sultry-time bossa nova and Latin jazz. This quartet is led by chanteuse Laura Ann Boyd, and her lovely singing will have you crying softly in Portuguese in no time at all. Not a bad thing. Tickets are $8 at the door. Showtime 8 p.m.
Friday, August 29
Mindless Self Indulgence at The National
What happens when there is a four car pile-up of metal, gothic rock, synthpunk and heavy industrial? Mindless Self Indulgence, led by none other than Jimmy Urine. He says, "I like my coffee black just like my metal," which indulgences might help to explain his last name. Hollow Boy and Innerpartysystem are first. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the door. Showtime 8 p.m.
Old School Freight Train at Ashland Coffee and Tea
Freight trains, believe it or not, come in two varieties: Old School and New Fangled. New Fangled ones run on cold, hard cash shoveled into the gaping maul of industry executives. Old School ones sound like acoustic Americana and they are fueled by beer and salted peanuts. Your choice. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 day of show. Showtime 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 30
LL Cool J at Brown's Island
The man known for his 20 year association with Def Jam Records, and his part in FUBU clothing line, as well as his absurdly sculpted torso, is set to release his (newest) 13th CD this month. But his greatest accomplishment is surviving attacks by mutant sharks on steroids in the schlock fest, Deep Blue Sea, in which he played a Preacher who also cooks. What a guy. Tickets are $25 general admission. Showtime at 7 p.m.
Buttercup at Shenanigans
Buttercup is hotter than a brace of stolen pistols and twice as deadly. Honky tonk bands should play in real honky tonks, you got the real thing on both counts tonight. Honky-tonky starts at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 31
Glows in the Dark at Commercial Taphouse
Members of this band have their hands in just about every jazz band in town. But none of those other projects can light a way through the darkness. Call it avante-phosphorescence for the New Age. Free. 9:30 p.m.
Monday, September 1
Labor Day at Home
My suggestion would be to dress up like a Knight of Labor, bang on some half empty beer cans and sing Woody Guthrie songs until the neighbors call the police. Priceless. All-night-long.
Tuesday, September 2
DJ Williams Projekt at Café Diem
Their regular Tuesday night gig that gets asses into seats, and then sets them (seats and asses) on fire. Free. 9:30 p.m.