Thursday, February 20, 2014

This week's hot concerts


ASG
Friday  9 p.m., Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St., $10, www.chopshopnoda.com
The underrated Wilmington psychedelic stoner outfit continues its run of quality releases with 2013’s “Blood Drive.” The sludgy Sabbathian riffs and poppy hooks writhe against epic arrangements and Jason Shi’s impressively gruff, but soaring vocals.

Tauk
Friday  9 p.m., Roux, 3306-A N. Davidson St., $7, https://www.facebook.com/rouxnoda
The NYC quartet bridges classic jam rock, fusion, and the modern indie-rock of bands like Explosions in the Sky with funk, jazz, and guitar-rock-laden instrumentals that leave little down time for ceiling gazing with arrangements that ring with purpose and direction.

Amigo
Friday  10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St., $5, www.snugrock.com
The rocking Americana trio formerly known as Old Milwaukee celebrates the release of its superb debut album, “Might Could,” which ranks as the best new local album of the year - so far. With Pullman Strike and Roseland.

Tinsley Ellis
Friday  10 p.m., Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., $15-$17, www.doubledoorinn.com
The veteran Atlanta blues guitarist’s new album “Midnight Blue” sounds ready-made to score a “Sons of Anarchy” episode with its balance of gritty, hard rocking road songs, more traditional, heart aching slow burners, and motor revving Southern blues-rock.

Lyfe Jennings
Saturday  7:30 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $30-$35/$65 VIP, www.amossouthend.com
The Atlanta R&B singer followed up his most recent prison stint (he rose to fame in 2004 after serving 10 years for arson) by returning to the stage and releasing his new album, “Lucid,” in October.

Flogging Molly
Saturday  8 p.m., The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., $37, www.livenation.com
The Irish-American band has risen from tiny bars to selling out its Green 17 tour annually. It ends that run with a tenth anniversary Green 17 tour leading up to St. Patrick’s Day as fans anticipate the 2015 release of its next album.

Tattermasquerade
Saturday  7:30 p.m., Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave., $8, www.tremontmusichall.com
Charlotte quintet Tattermask, who make melodic, female-fronted metal in the theatrical spirit of Evanescence with heavier blasts of double bass, host a Mardi Gras-themed anniversary party (its sixth) and invite fans to dress up and make their own (tatter)masks.

Zydeco Ya Ya and Carolina Gator Gumbo
Saturday  8:30 p.m., Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., $8, www.doubledoorinn.com
Charlotte’s Carolina Gator Gumbo has long celebrated Mardis Gras by stirring up a rollicking Cajun party with dance lessons (which kick off the night again). This year it teams with its Asheville sister band (with whom it shares members) who makes swampy Zydeco and Cajun swing.

Mayer Hawthorne
Sunday  7 p.m., Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St., $18-$20, www.amossouthend.com
The Detroit soulman expands well outside the retro playbook of his first two albums with “Where Does This Door Go,” which incorporates hip-hop, contemporary R&B, and classic rock influences like Steely Dan and Pink Floyd for his best collection yet.

Lake Street Dive
Thursday  8 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., $15-$25, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
The New England co-ed quartet appears to have come out of nowhere to wow "Rolling Stone," "Letterman," NPR, and "The Colbert Report" with its blend of roots music, jazz, girl group vocals, vintage soul (think Clairy Browne or a more up Amy Winehouse), and impeccable musicianship delivered with the skill and chops that created stars before AutoTune.

Spiritual Rez
Thursday  9 p.m., Roux, 3306-A N. Davidson St., $7, https://www.facebook.com/rouxnoda
Its just-released album, “Whenever Apocalypse,” strums up images of sun-soaked beaches and poolside parties - although it hails from chilly Boston. The reggae rock outfit is more than sunny party music though with an ample funk and rock feel and a model-worthy singer/guitarist with soul-drenched vocals.