THURSDAY 3/31
PSYCHOPATHIC ALL-STARS
From the people who brought you Insane Clown Posse comes a lineup straight out of Juggalo Nation: ABK, Blaze, Esham and Jumpsteady, four Psychopathic Records artists whose repertoires complement The Box (“Music Television You Control”)’s favorite nut-job rappers. Expect throngs of adolescent boys sporting WWE T-shirts to fill the streets and riot with liters of cheap cola. It’s truly something to behold. In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 800-888-8499.
Also Thursday: Juliana Theory, Zao (Lo-Fi Café); The End of the World (Kilby Court); Diesto (Urban Lounge)
FRIDAY 4/1
MAN MAN
And visions of strippers and dancing gorillas danced in their heads … That’s one way to describe Man Man, Philly’s answer to Tom Waits and Frank Zappa—a sort of cabaret circus specializing in magical, nonsensical music. Imagine visiting an old speakeasy, tossing back moonshine while barroom tin-can jazz plays catch with frontman Honus Honus’ grrrrrrowl, and guest choruses screech with aplomb. Tiberius Lyn, Steven Dufala and Clint Killingsworth round out remaining sounds featured on MM’s debut, The Man in a Blue Turban With a Face. Don’t hesitate to take a walk on the wild side. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m. All-ages. Info: 320-9887.
LORI LYNNER
Like myriad Los Angeles transplants, Salt Lake native Lori Lynner moved west with hopes of launching a lucrative music career. Unlike the majority of those dreamers, however, Lynner is cashing in on her talents as singer, songwriter, producer, engineer and voiceover artist. She paid her dues along the way, working a dinner cruise ship, waiting tables, opening for Bob Hope, playing Tori Spelling’s wedding … but her immediate goal is to wow audiences as a full-fledged solo performer. With Little Extremes (LoriLynner.com), Lynner has a chance to make good on self-made promises. The album kicks off with Eastern-influence rocker “Habit” before winding its way through upbeat, radio-ready rock primed for mainstream exposure. Not bad for a Murray High grad. Mo’s Bar & Grill, 358 S. West Temple, 8 p.m. Info: 359-0586.
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD
Back in the day, critics fawned over Kenny Wayne Shepherd, declaring him savant savior of contemporary blues. After a while, the golden-haired protégé was sidelined in favor of hotter young things, like jazz-lullabies/music-to-hug-to specialist Norah Jones. In addition to less media coverage, Shepherd took a temporary vacation from nonstop promotion of three consecutive albums. Now he’s back, from outer space, with an updated look (think Nelson circa 2003) and brand new album. The Place You’re In continues Shepherd’s earlier themes of love and loss, but Kid Rock-featured “Spanked,” shows he’s not afraid to get down and dirty. Velvet Room, 149 W. 200 South, 9 p.m. Info: 478- 4310.
Also Friday: Fall Out Boy (In the Venue); Moot Davis & Pete Anderson (Piper Down); Tuna Helpers, Stiletto (Burt’s Tiki Lounge)
SATURDAY 4/2
THE BELLRAYS, VON IVA
Ever wonder what happened to all those cool-as-ice Riot Grrl groups like Clone and 7 Year Bitch? Well, it seems factions of the punk revolutionaries have reunited under the banner of heaven and a distorted disco ball. San Francisco-based quartet Von Iva starts fires on the dance floor, laying down sounds for a Pink Ladies/Aretha Franklin rumble. For some reason their self-titled debut reminds me of past and present local groups Ambergris and Stiletto, not because they all feature female vocalists, but for the sheer force commanding you to shut up, listen and shake it till you can’t shake it no more. Egos, 668 S. State, 9:30 p.m. Info: 521-5255.
Also Saturday: Breaking Benjamin, The Exies (Velvet Room); Kaskade (W Lounge), String Cheese Incident (Suede)
SUNDAY 4/3
Subnoize Souljas (Liquid Joe’s); String Cheese Incident (Suede)
MONDAY 4/4
ASH, THE BRAVERY
Whoa, is this New Order? Oh wait, lead vocalist might be that dude from the Killer Strokes. Just kidding. New York rockers The Bravery are nothing to sneeze at. In fact, their self-titled debut is deliciously dramatic, but not in a dragged-down way—these cats were wise to toss in toe-tap, neck-snap beats for good measure. IPod playlists are blowing up with “An Honest Mistake,” but you’d be wise to check out all 11 tracks (plus some possible secret bonuses), up close and personal. Don’t forget your blazer and scarf. Lo-Fi Café, 127 S. West Temple, 7 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8499 (with Alaska).
Also Monday: Railroad Earth (Velvet Room); Jesse Dayton (Egos); Bob Schneider (Suede)
TUESDAY 4/5
AMBULANCE LTD.
The only siren sounding off Ambulance Ltd. is the alarming realization that these New York dudes aren’t U.K.-bred. Like plenty of other hipster rockers, A-Ltd. affect British accents to channel their love of John Lennon and the Stones. The group’s debut, LP, is chock full of knee-jerking numbers, including the oft-name-dropped “Yoga Means Union.” Longtime followers believe their saviors of rock aren’t the least bit elitist, a perception lead vocalist Benji Lysaught backs with aw-shucks declarations. “I’m more concerned about paying my rent right now than worrying about winding up in the pages of US Weekly,” he told Soul Shine. With his album taking off and a Coachella appearance on the horizon, it’s unlikely he’ll have to worry much longer. Velvet Room, 149 W. 200 South, 8:30 p.m. Tickets: 800-888-8499 (with Autolux and Dr. Dog).
Also Tuesday: The Forty-Fives (Burt’s); The Lift (Urban Lounge)
WEDNESDAY 4/6
All-American Rejects (In the Venue); Showbread, The Start (Lo-Fi Café); Reverend Horton Heat, Supersuckers, I Can Lick Any S.O.B. (Velvet Room); Eric MacFadden (Egos); Yonder Mountain String Band (Suede)
COMING UP
The Dollyrots (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, April 7). Dizzee Rascal (Lo-Fi Café, April 8). Sting, Phantom Planet (Delta Center, April 11). VHS or Beta (Urban Lounge, April 11). Straylight Run (In the Venue, April 12). The Album Leaf (Liquid Joe’s, April 12). Drive-By Truckers (Suede, April 13). NoMeansNo (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, April 14). Snoop Dogg (E Center, April 15). Phoenix, Dogs Die In Hot Cars (In the Venue, April 15). Maktub (Velvet Room, April 15). Slipknot (E Center, April 19). Steve Vai (In the Venue, April 20). Long-View (Urban Lounge, April 20). Kings of Leon (In the Venue, April 22). Velvet Revolver (E Center, April 25). Moby (In the Venue, April 27). DJ Rap (Velvet Room, April 27). The Used (In the Venue, April 29-30).
