Wednesday, August 30
Magic Numbers
If your name is Romeo, and you were born in Trinidad, you have no choice but to start a Flaming Lips-esque sunshine pop band with your sister. Either that, or food-based performance art. It’s up to you.
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. (betw. Astor Place & E. 4th St.), 212-254-1263; 9:30, $20.
30 Seconds To Mars, Taking Back Sunday
30 Seconds to Mars is Jared Leto’s band. I hear they love it when you go to their shows and shout out Fight Club references between songs. Seriously, it’s the first rule of 30 Seconds to Mars.
Webster Hall, 125 E. 11th St. (betw. 3rd & 4th Aves.), 212- 353-1600; 7, $40.
Bound Stems, Supersystem, Palomar, Frank Smith
Bound Stems and Supersystem play indie rock that you could dance to, if you weren’t way too cool for that already.
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 7:30, $10.
The Ditty Bops
Bike riders have had it far too easy for far too long—they don’t have to spend money on gas, or wait in traffic, and now they get $2 off of The Ditty Bops’ show. Where will it end? Part of the band’s national bicycle tour, the Ditty Bops’ endearing indie pop is sure to charm the bike shorts right off of you.
Spiegeltent, Fulton Fish Market, Pier 17 (at Fulton St.), 212-479-4200; 10, $15.
The Swingin’ Neckbreakers, Stuyvesant/Boy Girl
New Jersey’s own Swingin’ Neckbreakers combine the danger of early rock ’n’ roll with the excitement of increased venue liability insurance premiums.
Maxwell’s, 1039 Washington St. (at 11th St.), Hoboken, 201-798-0406; 8:30, $6.
Thursday, August 31
No Trigger, The Phenomenauts, Left Alone, The Jinxed
The Phenomenauts are the logical conclusion of the path blazed by artists like Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent: rockabilly…from space! It’s a bit like the Stray Cats, only with way more toilet paper ray guns.
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B’way & Church St.), 212-219-3132; 6:30, $8/$10.
Justin Timberlake
Noted for being the only former N’Sync member that doesn’t have to send out a press release about his sexuality in order to make the cover of People.
Roseland Ballroom, 239 West 52nd St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.); 212-307-7171; 11, $52.
Ellen Allien and Apparat
A live DJ set to celebrate the release of the new album, Orchestra of Bubbles.
Hiro Ballroom at Maritime Hotel, 363 W. 16th St. (at 7th Ave.); 10, $8.
Friday, September 1
The Spinto Band, Dirty on Purpose, Uncle John and Whitelock, The Black Hollies
Following the old adage that a band’s name should be informative as well as entertaining, Dirty on Purpose play murky fuzz-rock in the shoegazer vein, and apparently they do it intentionally.
South Street Seaport, Pier 17 (at Fulton St.), 212-732-7678; 7, free.
Saturday, September 2
Explosions in the Sky, Eluvium, Caroline, Lazarus
Every bit as dramatic as their name implies, Explosions in the Sky will destroy you with their instrumental indie rockings, should you stand in their way.
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery & Chrystie Sts.), 212-533-2111; 8, $16.
Shellac, Uzeda
Aside from his numerous high-profile ‘recording’ jobs, Steve Albini has made a name for himself alienating people, both on-record, in print and in life. At least the guy is consistent.
Club Europa, 98-104 Meserole St. (at Manhattan Ave.), B’klyn, 718-383-5723; 6, $15.
Sunday, September 3
Spank Rock, Gang Gang Dance, Shy Child
It’s time to dance in the pool. Electro-rap duo Spank Rock is joined by some local groups for plenty of danceable beats.
McCarren Park Pool, Corner of N. 11th St. & Driggs Ave., Brooklyn; 2, free.
The Cramps
For 30 years, The Cramps have made a career of wearing leather and hanging out in graveyards. They’re a bit like the sort of people you meet on Craigslist’s “Casual Encounters” forum, only with steady jobs.
Avalon, 47 W. 20th St. (betw. 6th Ave. & B’way), 212-807-7780; 10, $30.
Gorilla Biscuits
In a continuing effort to make up for years of squandered stage space, CBGB is rolling out some of the biggest and best acts to grace the club years past. This ’80s NYC straight-edge act will be giving the gormandizers one last go, hardcore-style.
CBGB’s, 315 Bowery (betw. 1st & 2nd Sts.), 212-982-4052; 3, $9.99.
Monday, September 4
Strike Anywhere
Matchbooks have given us so much over the years, from the gift of fire, to teaching us how to draw pirate turtles. Just when you think they’re out of tricks, they lend their name to a Virginian hardcore outfit.
CBGB’s, 315 Bowery (betw. 1st & 2nd Sts.), 212-982-4052; 9, $12.
Tuesday, September 5
Ratatat, Envelopes, Panther
Ratatat exist in an imaginary utopia where sworn enemies—rock ’n’ roll and electronic music—can peacefully exist, side by side, in a magical land called Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery & Chrystie Sts.), 212-533-2111; 7:30, $13/$15.
The Clientele, Great Lakes
The official story of The Clientele has the band first meeting when one of the members spotted the name of the band “Felt” on another’s pencil case. We’re sure the true story is something far seedier involving a Trapper Keeper and a three-hole punch.
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B’way & Church St.), 212-219-3132; 8, $12/$14.
Birdmonster, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Catfish Haven
I am holding strong to my conviction that Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is actually just the entire line up of The Shins, in disguise, and am willing to travel as far as New Jersey to do the unmasking.
Maxwell’s, 1039 Washington St. (at 11th St.), Hoboken, 201-798-0406; 8:30, $8/$10.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Wake up, wake up, it’s the fifth of the month.
B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42 St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-997-4144; 8, $25.
