Friday, February 15, 2013

This week's hot concerts




Grown Up Avenger Stuff
7:30 p.m. Friday, February 15, Amos', 1423 S. Tryon St. $8-$10. www.amossouthend.com
There's really no one like this Charlotte alternative rock outfit, which celebrates the release of its latest EP, "Sparkleton" - a fitting follow-up to last summer's "Alive." The group veers toward the heavy side with unique arrangements and vocal lines and isn't afraid to experiment, but luckily those musical adventures never go awry. With S.O. Stereo and Chasing Pedestrians. 

Lee Brice
11 p.m. Friday, February 15, Coyote Joe’s 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. Sold Out. www.etix.com
The Sumter, South Carolina native made a slow climb with Garth Brooks covering his “More Than a Memory” in 2007 and his own “Love Like Crazy” spending a year on the country charts in 2010. He topped that with 2012’s No. 1 “A Woman Like You” and the album "Hard 2 Love."

Barb Wire Dolls
8 p.m. Friday, February 15, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. Free. www.tremontmusichall.com
With over-the-top political songs and ample attitude, Isis Queen - the aptly named singer for this Greek punk trio - comes across as a mix of Avengers-era Penelope Houston (the late `70s punk band, not the comic book heroes) and Courtney Love at her peak. Concertgoers can be a part of the live DVD filmed during the show.

Sugar Glyder 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 16, Amos', 1423 S. Tryon St. $10-$12. www.etix.com
With its first label release, "The Eyes: They See" (produced by Steven Haigler who mixed most of the Pixies' output), the Charlotte four-piece outdoes itself pushing its already layered take on grand pop-rock with details like R&B-flavored synth, ample grooves, and tracks that move from funky and danceable to hard-charging. The official release is March 5, but locals can get the album at the show. 

Tia Fuller and John Brown Big Band
8 p.m. Saturday, February 16, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $29.50-$39.50. www.blumenthalarts.org
The third installment of the Swing Jazz series features saxophonist Fuller who did two tours of duty with Beyonce before releasing her latest solo album, 2012's “Angelic Warrior." Now a new instructor at Berklee School of Music, she won't be accompanying Mrs. Carter this summer.

Shiny Toy Guns/The Dirty Heads
7 p.m. Sunday, February 17, Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $30.50. www.livenation.com
The L.A. electro-rock band return to their early synth-heavy sound (after a detour into guitar rock on 2008’s “Season of Poison”). Original singer Carah Faye is in tow for its new album, “III,” and its first Charlotte show since 2008.

Cusses
8 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. Free. www.snugrock.com
This female-fronted trio seems attracted to the dark side with its arty, but still accessible heavy, emotional rock and stirring visual components, which seems fitting for an act from spooky historic Savannah. Yet Cusses’ sound mixes that element with a more modern feel that’s attracted MTVU, who picked up two of its videos.

The Ringers
7 p.m. Wednseday, February 20, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. $20-$35. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
Widespread Panic/Allman Brothers’ guitarist Jimmy Herring teams with jazz fusion guitarist Wayne Krantz (Steely Dan), prolific session and live musicians Michael Landau and Keith Carlock and African musician Etienne Mbappe to play material created for this new band as well as songs from their other ventures.

Mary Chapin Carpenter/Shawn Colvin
7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 21, Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $39.50-$54.50. www.blumenthalarts.org
This acoustic tour gives audiences a chance to catch the old friends sharing the stage and playing each other’s songs. While both had their share of hits in the country and pop worlds, respectively, they are also both rooted in the folk/singer-songwriter realm, which this format draws attention to.

Fishbone
8 p.m. Thursday, February 21, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $15. www.visulite.com
The influential funk-rock outfit - which is still led by three original members - was finally paid apt tribute with the 2012 release of the “Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone” documentary. Seeing them live its evident why artists like No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Questlove sing its praises.