This week's hot concerts

Soul Asylum                                                                                                                                                                                      6:30 p.m. Friday, June 1, Fountain Plaza, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $5. www.ncmusicfactory.com     With its first new album in six years - a smart, rocking collection that finds the quartet in peak form - on the way in July, the veteran rock band headlines Friday Live! with three decades of hits, fan favorites and killer new tracks.

Corrosion of Conformity                                                                                                                                                              7 p.m. Friday, June 1, Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $15-$18. www.etix.com                                                                     For 2012’s well received self-titled eighth album founders Mike Dean, Woody Weatherman, and Reed Mullin (who formed COC in Raleigh in 1982 and recorded 1985's much heralded “Animosity”) regrouped as a trio (vocalist Pepper Keenan was working with Down). With Torche and Black Cobra.

My Captain

9 p.m. Friday, June 1, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $5. 704-333-9799.

This second act from most of the members of Charlotte's the Lights, Fluorescent hits its stride with urgent guitar lines and former Lights' bassist Robby Hartis' providing vocals and heartfelt, but biting lyrics. With Small Talk Industries, Homewrecker and Your Fuzzy Friends. 

Cusses
10:30 p.m. Friday, June 1, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $6-$8. 704-376-3737.
This Savannah rock trio shows incredible promise with a female vocalist whose presence and delivery are powerful but not fussy (like Pat Benatar-meets-Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs). 

Tom Principato
10 p.m. Saturday, June 2, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $12. 704-376-1446.
The award winning Washington-DC based guitarist, who is known for his lyrical playing and electric rhythm & blues style, celebrates his 60th birthday and the release of the remastered version of his disc, “Raising the Roof.”

Joe Pug
8 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $10-$12. 704-376-3737.
This up and coming songwriter’s attention-getting lyrics and grassroots approach has garnered him critical acclaim and placed him in the company of songwriters like Josh Ritter. His sophomore disc “The Great Despiser” boasts arrangements worthy of his literary lyrics. With the David Wax Museum.  

Blind Pilot
7 p.m. Thursday, June 7, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $15-$17. 704-358-9298.
Like its Northwest neighbors Death Cab for Cutie (or New Mexico’s Shins), the Portland sextet makes subtle, acoustic-flavored pop that doesn’t quite reach a rocking fever pitch. but instead enlightens listeners with lyrical heft and pretty arrangements.

Paul Thorn Band
7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $19.50-$25. 704-372-1000.
The blues-rock singer-songwriter’s new collection, “What The Hell Is Goin’ On?,” finds Thorn putting his own gritty rock stamp on some of his favorite songs. With Lera Lynn.

Ghost Wolves
10:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $8-$10. 704-376-3737.
This duo creates bare bones, punk-inspired blues and raw, retro psychobilly like early White Stripes fronted by a mix of Lesley Gore and Wanda Jackson. With fellow Austin act Uncle Lucius.