The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt Their music, unpeggable, their stage shows, Nutty with capital N. Call it soul-disco with a Zappa affliction. The ensemble has been making live performance waves in N.Y.C., where the word is that it’s a no-holds-barred show, unrehearsed, party-infused, and funky with dime-store costumes. They’ve got a record coming out on David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label, a high score in my book. But by all means, go see for yourself. With The Shakes and Human Pippi Armstrong. Milestone
Dervish The Irish sextet is so traditional in playing jigs and reels of the Emerald Isle that it’s easy to overlook their contemporary flourish on that music. Dervish has been recording and performing for more than two decades, with deft instrumentation including flutes, mandocello, accordion, bones, fiddle and mandolin, and warm vocal treatments of long-beloved tunes as well as covers like Dylan’s “Boots of Spanish Leather.” It’s this versatility that endears Dervish to lovers of tradition as well as new recruits. Great Aunt Stella Center
Alice in Chains The story here, more or less, is newish lead singer William DuVall, who is filling some considerable shoes: namely, those of legendary (for various reasons) voxman and wastr Layne Staley. The thing that seems to shock most people (besides the fact that DuVall’s a black dude) is that the Alice Sound is more or less the same as it ever was. Those who’ve seen the Chains live know why this is: guitarist and lead songwriter Jerry Cantrell sings co-lead on most tracks anyway. Which is not to say DuVall’s not an asset, of course, but rather to say that AIC was always Cantrell’s band to begin with. As such, still worth a listen. The Fillmore Charlotte
Raleigh Invasion A triple-bill of new (and new-ish) Triangle acts with veteran roots, featuring: The Jackets, twang-pop via Chatham County Line and Hotel Lights members doing the telecasters-and-harmonies thing (like The Band, Buddy Holly and Badfinger bunking up); The Small Ponds, a rootsy duo comprised of Whiskeytown-survivor Caitlin Cary and the Proclivities’ Matt Davis (think Welch & Rawlins, with more piano); and Starmount, who’ve just released a sparkling debut of FODM-meets-Can-and-Tortoise instrumentals (Tyranny of the Sphere) built around the lush textures of Greg Elkins’ pedal steel. This is the kind of multi-flavored invasion folks can celebrate, and one some Charlotte bands might consider (you know who you are). Snug Harbor (John Schacht)
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic If you haven’t familiarized yourself to the ways of the Godfather of Funk, I say “Get thee to this show!” Back in the old days, Clinton would hit the stage for a non-stop, three- or four-hour funk fest that never gave anybody a break or a rest. These days, Clinton may take a rest backstage from time to time, but that doesn’t mean things slow down. There’s a phrase – “There ain’t no party like a P-Funk party, ’cause a P-Funk party don’t stop.” Find out why. Neighborhood Theatre (Jeff Hahne)
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)
Slick Rick London-born Rick The Ruler, pardoned by New York governor David Paterson almost two years ago for the attempted murder of his cousin way back in 1990 (he served five years total) and hassled by Homeland Security goons ever since (just because a guy says he’s “the bomb” doesn’t mean he’s carrying one, fellers), is finally back doing what he does best – spinning half-speed, half-spoken rhymes owing equally to flair and flow. A huge influence on the Kanyes of the world, both in dress and delivery, Rick’s unfortunately been fighting our country’s labyrinthine immigration laws more often over the last decade than seen in what he’ll tell you is his true home, the studio. Catch him while you can. With Doug E Fresh. Amos’ Southend
Hacienda The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach produced and played on these Austinites’ 2008 debut, Loud Is the Night, but if you’re expecting his band’s Zep-flavored garage blooze…well, just don’t. The Villanueva brothers (Jaime, Abraham, and Rene, with cousin Dante Schwebel on guitar) turn instead toward the warmer sounds of the Beach Boys (circa Wild Honey) and the Beatles for inspiration, infusing these nostalgic summer pop melodies with Phil Spector-in-a-Stetson production values. It’s a little bloodless at times, but you can certainly hear why Auerbach was intrigued. With Generationals and Asheville’s Floating Action. Casbah at Tremont Music Hall (John Schacht)
Celtic Woman Experience Irish music like never before. Join five of the most accomplished female vocalists as they mesmerize you with their celestial sound. Máiréad Nesbitt, Celtic’s sassy violinist, will fuel you to move as she revs up her fiddle on stage. Don’t miss out on a true Celtic experience as these women tour North America in support of their new album, Songs from the Heart. Ovens Auditorium (Nicole Pietrantonio)
Brandi Carlile An indie-style alt-country singer, Carlile is only 28, but her vocals and songwriting are wise beyond their years. She’s currently touring in support of her third studio album, Give Up the Ghost. With Amy Ray – half of the Indigo Girls – opening. McGlohon Theatre
Zac Fowler & The Essentials Looking for pre-Valentine’s Day plans? Look no further; this edgy boy band is worth lending an ear to. Their alternative-rock/pop sound is strong with most ballads flirting with the subject of love. For all of you anti-romantics who are groaning at the thought of going to see a band singing about romance, rest at ease – their sound leans more toward that of Sublime and Widespread Panic than ‘NSYNC and the New Kids on the Block. The Money, Rock Hill (Nicole Pietrantonio)
Andy the Doorbum Andy Fenstermaker celebrates five years of official Door Bum-dom this evening, and it is a deserving hallmark indeed. Last year’s Art Is Shit blended ATD’s briar-patch growl-and-holler into a hooch of illegal substance-fueled swamp rock and twisted hill-folk that careened between the profane and the holy, the deadly serious and the laugh-out-loud hilarious. Every time I play it I’m surprised anew, and when the 25th (!) track rolls around and the choir sweetly laments that “Rock ‘n’ Roll is dead,” you certainly don’t feel that way. Because in an era of post-everything hipster stances and multiculti plagiarism, Fenstermaker earns an accolade you just don’t hear much anymore: He is an absolute original. With 25 Minutes to Go, Babyshaker and 2013 Wolves. Milestone (John Schacht)
Holy Ghost Tent Revival Stomp your feet and grab a gal. Greensboro’s HGTR fuse a rousing rootsy concoction that could be at home at hoedowns, gambling parlors, gin joints, or at revivals. Weaving jug band shenanigans, country, bluegrass, carnival jazz and assorted roots threads, the six-piece group stirs up an American music treat. It’s laid-back and raucous, oft within the same song. With And the Moneynotes. The Evening Muse (Samir Shukla)
