Thursday 2/23

DRAG THE RIVER

Somewhere in Colorado sits a small studio, tucked among pines and random rodents. Its interior is lined with analog recording equipment, devices designed to convey Drag the River’s stripped-down aesthetic. The Fort Collins-based country act relies on simple slide guitar and pedal steel to fuel quiet reverb and anguished elocution. Songs like “Beautiful and Damned” excel in deconstructed form, broken as their maker. May the new album, crafted in isolation, continue to rage against slick machines. Burt’s Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State, 9:30 p.m. Info: 521-0572, MySpace.com/Burt’sTikiLounge (with Utah County Swillers).

Also Thursday: AM Bump (The Depot); 2 Live Crew (The Whiskey); Soul Redemption (Egos)

Friday 2/24

REDEMPTION

Redemption might be all pomp if not for circumstance. The local Goths, led by subterranean vocalist Miah, are keen on elaborate live shows, but sometimes struggle to thrill audiences who dig on traditional rock formats (i.e., live drums). The trio, which experienced a few lineup changes over its lengthy career, compensates with tight musicianship. Reviews of 2005’s Home place Redemption on par with national players, including pioneering legends Mission U.K. and Sisters of Mercy. Tonight’s show will feature a taste of things to come'a new album slated for spring'with the as-yet-unheard track “Siren.” Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, 9 p.m. Info: 364-8347, ClubVegas.org (with Carphax Files and Tragic Black).

Also Friday: Spork CD Release (Urban Lounge); Ghostowne CD Release (Liquid Joe’s); UtahHipHop.com Party (Egos); Blackhole (Burt’s Tiki Lounge)

Saturday 2/25

Victor Wooten (The Depot); Thunderfist, Form of Rocket, The Wolfs (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Big Head Todd & the Monsters (Suede, Park City); Through the Eyes of the Dead (Club BoomVa, Ogden)

Sunday 2/26

Swearing at Motorists (Kilby Court'see Music, p. 54); Serona Vei (Monk’s)

Monday 2/27

LOW

Speak softly and carry a big stick. Such is the mantra for Low, a group whose understated approach packs a surprising punch. Tagged as sadcore, slowcore and lo-fi, the Minnesota-based trio constructs sparse, spacious songs that meander through underwater vocals. While prodded by critics to amp it up, the husband/wife-duo-plus-one finds little reason to mess with a good thing. The Great Destroyer veers slightly off course, adding some rock to their routine roll, but it lingers in a daydream. Tune in, zone out and thank heaven Low didn’t go and change. In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24tix.com (with Damien Jurardo).

GRAYSKUL

Much like pre-comeback Pixies, Grayskul are legends among their peers'their talents virtually unrecognized by major labels and mainstream consumers. You could label them as underdogs, but they’d rather front like hip-hop Clark Kents. The Rhymesayers trio is a superhero side-project for Reason and Fiddle Back Recluse, two emcees who escape their day jobs in Oldominion to keep the city safe'or at least straight bumpin.’ Their rhymes, backed by bassist Phantom Ghost El Topo, are just spooky enough to ward off evil masterminds and psychotic jokers while entertaining victims of bland radio jams. Bam! Bang! Boom! Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Info: 746-0557, MySpace.com/TheUrbanLounge (with AWOL).

%u272D Also Monday: Matt Pond PA (In the Venue'see Music, p. 52); Armor for Sleep (Avalon Theater); Early Man, The Sword (Club Vegas)

Tuesday 2/28

APPLESEED CAST

The Appleseed Cast should be huge. Or at least, they should have been last decade, back when groups like The Anniversary and Get Up Kids made modern emo hot. Perhaps they intentionally pursued a low-profile path, preferring to live as outsiders than be grouped as just another Lawrence, Kan., indie-rock group. Even the epic Low Level Owl remained below radar, its debated significance restricted to critics, diehard followers and record collectors. Peregrine might shake things up'or not. Those opposed to sensitive, humorless lyrics and mellow-yellow tone might never award AC the publicity they may or may not desire. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24tix.com (with Chris McFarland and Declaration).

Wednesday 3/1

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO

While former federal disaster chief Michael Brown outs his partners in negligence, hopeful partygoers contemplate politically correct responses to Mardi Gras. It’s not much of a dilemma here in Salt Lake City, where New Orleans is pronounced New Or-leens. Besides the Bayou, there aren’t many places to kick up ones heels and toast the annual holiday'if it’s deemed politically correct to do so, of course. Maybe that’s why Buckwheat Zydeco decided to stop by. The seasoned accordionist cooks up Cajun-flavored tunes perfect for vaguely inappropriate revelry. The Depot, 13 N. 400 West (The Gateway), 9 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8499, SmithsTix.com.

Also Wednesday: Bronco (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Ramones Alive (Todd’s Bar & Grill)

COMING UP

Dilated Peoples (Suede, March 2). Clubwrecker Tour (Shaggy’s Livin’ Room, March 2). 30 Seconds to Mars (Avalon Theater, March 3). Reverend Horton Heat (The Depot, March 3). SLUG Death by Salt CD Release (Egos/In the Venue, March 3-4). The Thieves (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, March 7). Isaac Hayes (The Depot, March 9). Exene Cervenka & the Original Sinners (In the Venue, March 10). DJ Skribble (Shaggy’s Livin’ Room, March 10). P.O.S. (March 13, In the Venue). Electric Six (Urban Lounge, March 17). Beth Orton (In the Venue, March 20). Rhett Miller (Suede, March 21). Adrian & the Sickness (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, March 25). James Blunt (The Depot, March 31).