Also playing Friday: OMAR AND THE STRINGPOPPERS at Weber's; OLD LUMPS, MOSES CAMPBELL, SMITHFIELD BARGAIN at Remain Curious; TWIN (Winnipeg, Canada), EVA KLASSEN, BIG BLACK, DELTA, TINYLITTLE at the Smell; ELUVEITIE at Glass House; MIKE VIOLA at Bootleg Theater.
Marnie Stern. See Friday.
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SATURDAY/FEBRUARY/19
TED LEO AT SKYBAR AT MONDRIAN HOTEL
Every generation needs its populist punk-rock poet, and for the indie rockers, Ted Leo is it. The man has a proclivity for Public Enemy T-shirts, a dry wit and an overall vibe that makes him the musical son of Elvis Costello and Fugazi. This Northeastern force of nature has helmed no fewer than six bands, and none has failed to impress. Of course, it's his Pharmacists that have earned him the most acclaim, and with good reason. Though Leo has switched up the lineup frequently over the years, he has always populated the group with players who shred with a sense of economy, and who are as adept at rocking out as they are at slowing it down for a folksy moment. That's never been so true as on the band's lauded 2010 album, The Brutalist Bricks, which happens to be the Pharmacists' sixth. Leo's latest batch of songs offers a snarling set of modern-day morals inspired by the busted economy and an always imperfect political system. He'll be performing 'em solo here, and also at Eagle Rock's Center for the Arts the following night. (Chris Martins)
Also playing Saturday: DAVE EMORY, JON KESKITALIO, ETHAN HIGBEE at Dem Passwords; NARWHAL PARTY, PETER PANTS, TES ELATIONS, PULSE OUT at the Smell; MAGIC BULLETS at Origami Vinyl; CHROMEO at Fox Theater.
SUNDAY/FEBRUARY/20
DUBLAB LABRAT MATINEE AT CINEFAMILY AT THE SILENT MOVIE THEATRE
Who are these Labrats, anyway? They're the faithful crew that make the music and madness behind one of web radio's longest-running and most influential "stations": Dublab.com. Founder/main man Frosty has expanded his operations to related, culturally radical activities, like these nights of super-obscure music videos, vintage avant animation, comedy clips and all manner of audiovisual artistry and effluvia. Sunday's offerings include a specially prepared intro film by Dugan O'Neal. After the films, y'all are invited to hang around the back patio for a party featuring a live set by a kustom-selected band, plus Labrat DJs spinning tracks featured in classic and not-so-classic film scores. Labrats have included Ale, Carlos Nino, Daedelus, Kutmah, Nobody, Ras G, Teebs and The Gaslamp Killer. Is it all ages? Yes! (John Payne)
BOBBY BROWN, NIKKOLEAT KEY CLUB
Bobby Brown may have had a seemingly overnight rise to fame as a member of the prototypical R&B boy band New Edition, but his public and professional life has been a trial by fire since, so consider this local one-off show an assertion of "dues paid." A series of drug-related arrests and his ongoing troubles with ex-wife Whitney Houston frequently took the focus away from the man's work over the past couple of decades, but 2011 is shaping up to be a banner year for Brown. Last year, he and two other New Edition originals, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant, hit the road as Heads of State, selling out around the world. Word is a new record from the larger group is on the way soon, and Brown's own fifth solo endeavor, The Masterpiece, his first in 14 years, is due out this spring. Word is production is coming from New Jack Swing innovators like Babyface, Teddy Riley (Guy, Blackstreet) and the inseparable duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Boyz II Men, Janet Jackson). Presumably, Brown will use this date to debut some new material, as well as to play a few classics. It's his prerogative, of course. (Chris Martins)
Also playing Sunday: MAN...OR ASTROMAN? at the Echo; STAB CITY; HELLER KELLER, VIETNAMBLA, BIRD MAD GIRL at the Smell; BATTLEMASTER at Blvd. Cafe.
MONDAY/FEBRUARY/21
GANG OF FOUR AT THE MUSIC BOX
[See Page Two]
RED CORTEZ AT THE SATELLITE
Whether as Spaceland or, now, the Satellite, a monthlong Monday residency at this low-slung Silver Lake stalwart is a badge of honor to local indie bands — recognition of a following that extends well beyond first-name terms and a repertoire that transcends simply the same set played four times. Having filled frequent support slots at similar repeat engagements over the past couple of years, while touring with everyone from Morrissey to the Airborne Toxic Event, Red Cortez more than meet the criteria for the former, and as if to underline the latter they'll be releasing a free EP to coincide with each of these Satellite transmissions (albeit of mostly demo recordings, apparently). The foursome's dressed-down demeanor belies their onstage zeal, with singer-guitarist-keysman Harley Prechtel-Cortez, in particular, emoting every nuance of their all-embracing, soulful blues-punk with wry, arena-ready belief. Sure, the guy likes himself, but that comes with the territory, and the strength of his melodies — which feed off rather than succumb to RC's nervy fervor — forgives the histrionics. However anthemic they get (and we're talking War-like U2 sing-along-ability at times), Red Cortez remain sufficiently organic and stylistically liberated to keep us coming back well beyond this February four-peat. (Paul Rogers)
