Thursday 6.1
nnYear Future (Kilby Court); DJ Micro (In the Venue); Leon Russell (The Depot); F5 (Club Vegas)
nnFriday 6.2
nnVoxtrot (Kilby Court); Smokin’ Joe Kubek & B’Nois King (The Depot); Naked & Shameless (Burt’s Tiki Lounge)
nnSaturday 6.3
nnGRETCHEN WILSON
nnIt’s not surprising that Gretchen Wilson is “for the Bible” and “the troops.” You could probably tack on apple pie and ice cream to the list of pros rattled off in their song “Politically Uncorrect.” It’s not surprising, considering the contemporary country artist and self-proclaimed “Redneck Woman” supports Wal-Mart and other all-American creations. Somehow, however, Wilson manages to sing in a way that transcends fevered nationalism or partisan politics. Her assertive voice is difficult to deny, equipped with the power to make anyone shake his or her thang. Usana Amphitheatre, 5400 S. 6200 West, West Valley City, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmithsTix.com.
nnDJ QUIK
nnTaking a page from The Roots, legendary hip-hop artist DJ Quik recently supplemented his signature rhymes and rhythm with live bass, guitars and drums. It’s a nice change of pace for the prolific emcee. Since rising out of Compton to sign with Profile Records in 1990, Quik’s earned a solid rep as a key collaborator and producer for his work with Jay-Z, Tupac, Snoop Dogg and Janet Jackson, among others. His latest collection of solo work, DJ Quik: Greatest Hits Live at the House of Blues, proves he never rode any coattails to get to the top. Harry O’s, 427 S. Main, Park City, 10 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmithsTix.com.
nnAlso Saturday: The 5 Browns (McKay Events Center, Orem); Tommy Castro (Gallivan Center); Groove Junkies (Circle Lounge); Smokin’ Joe Kubek & B’Nois King (The Depot); Band of Annuals (Velour, Provo'see Music)
nnSunday 6.4
nnKimberly Locke (In the Venue); The Panic Channel: Dave Navarro & Stephen Perkins (Urban Lounge)
nnMonday 6.5
nnOld Time Relijun (Kayo Gallery); Pep Love (Urban Lounge)
nnTuesday 6.6
nnTHE WALKMEN
nnWhile most tracks on A Hundred Miles Off lack the intensity of Bows & Arrows’ conflicted kiss-off song “The Rat,” The Walkmen’s latest album presents a mature, varied collection of works fueled by Hamilton Leithauser’s gravelly voice (a Dylan/Stewart hybrid), jingle-jangle guitars and marching-band snare. Opening track “Louisiana,” with its Spanish horns and rambling pace, is sure to make it on more than a few road-trip mixes this summer. In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with Mazarin and Sibiris).
nnHIS NAME IS ALIVE
nnGreetings from Michigan, home to His Name Is Alive, a group whose sound radiates the icy-cold flavor of a vacant street in Detroit. The whispered siren calls of Lovetta Pippen, Erika Hoffman and Andrea pulse under electronic beats, blips and bombs, occasionally foraying into soulful ’70s-era pop melodies. “I Thought I Saw” and “Get Your Curse” bring to mind The Fifth Dimension jamming with Air. Other Detrola tracks are closer to Broadcast in their subtle projection and understated beauty. They make you want to snap your fingers like a bebop stoic getting groovy on the sly. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with Nomo).
nnAlso Tuesday: Vaux (Club BoomVa, Ogden); The Eels, Smoosh (The Depot'see Music)
nnWednesday 6.7
nnEAGLES OF DEATH METAL
nnWhen Queens of the Stone Age first made the scene, many people swore, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” Then the group mutated into Eagles of Death Metal, releasing what seemed to be the apex of tongue-and-cheek, lava-hot rock. Their sophomore effort Death By Sexy isn’t quite as mind-blowing as its predecessor, but songs like “I Want You So Hard” and “Cherry Cola” will have you wishing for a trailer in which to make out with J. Devil Huge. I say shit, goddamn! The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: DepotSLC.com (with The Giraffes).
nnBIG JAPAN
nnOK. I’m out of jokes about actors turned musicians. In fact, let’s give Big Japan a fair shake. The SoCal rockers, featuring Seth from The O.C. (aka Adam Brody) on drums and that kid from that Fox airline sitcom (aka The Loop’s Bret Harrison) on guitar, produce a pretty solid slice of country-tinged rock. Slide-guitars and harmonica bounce easily along railcar drums. Singer Nathaniel Castro’s pipes are a tad whiny, but earnest and honest nonetheless. Dude also has a solo project and, judging by photos on his MySpace site, tonight’s show is going to swell with pretty young things. Suspend your disbelief and come. Early. Kayo Gallery, 315 E. 300 South, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with Big City Rock and Landon Pigg).
nnAlso Wednesday: Inxs (Delta Center); Bob Schnieder (Port O’ Call); Les Claypool’s Frog Bridgade (Suede, Park City); Ignite (Club BoomVa, Ogden)
nnCOMING UP
nnKatagory V (Club Vegas, June 9). Acoustic Alchemy (The Depot, June 9). Talib Kweli (Harry O’s, June 9). The Liars (In the Venue, June 12). Twilight Singers (In the Venue, June 13). Slightly Stoopid (The Depot, June 14). Kool Keith (Urban Lounge, June 15). Neko Case (Suede, June 17). Hank Williams III (The Depot, June 19). Jolie Holland (Urban Lounge, June 21). The Supersuckers (The Depot, June 22). Jett Black (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, June 22). Sound Team (Kayo Gallery, June 23). Obie Trice (Harry O’s, June 23). Twizted (In the Venue, June 27). Yellowman (The Depot, June 28). Rogue Wave (Kilby Court, June 30). The Bronx (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, June 30).