WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
Cold War Kids
Remember when Ronald Reagan was president and we thought the bomb would drop any moment? The music's nothing like that: a little bit B&S, a little bit Radiohead. w/The Picture, The Blend, Man on Earth.
Pianos, 158 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-505-3733; 7:30, $8.
SUNSPOTS
Dancey power-pop sprinkled with Williamsburg rock; this might be the next band everyone is talking about.
Sin-e, 150 Attorney St. (at Stanton St.), 212-388-0077; 8, $8.
CRACKED OUT
The Scurvy Pirates are the feature act, but this rap duo from the Uprights Citizen Brigade Theater surely will be more entertaining than a bunch of indie-rock pirates. Especially if you love vulgarity.
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B'way & Church St.), 212-219-3132; 7:30, $8.
THURSDAY, MAY 4
HEM
Peaceful, sweet-voiced lullabies without the attitude; they remind you why you liked guitars in the first place. w/Josh Ritter.
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery and Chrystie St.), 212-533-2111; 8, $15.
EAST VILLAGE OPERA COMPANY
It's not quite opera, it's not quite rock: a five-piece band, strings and a vocalists. I mean, come on!
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (at 15th St.), 212-777-6800; 7, $25.
FRIDAY, MAY 5
Evan Dando
The former Lemonhead may actually be worth listening to (at least your girlfriend will think so).
Southpaw, 125 5th Ave. (betw. Sterling & St. Johns Pl.), B'klyn,718-230-0236; 8, $15.
MICHAEL KANG
Of The String Cheese Incident so expect a jammy-jam band solo man.
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 10:30, $12.
Oxford Collapse/
The Narrator
Get ready for a night of dischordant outbursts and tons of sweat. w/The Punks, The End of the World, The Pathways.
Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-253-0036; 8, free.
INXS
Regardless of whether you liked them or not, don't you at least feel embarrassed by them?
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Ave. (betw. 50th and 51st Sts.), 212-307-7171; 8, $49.50-79.50.
SATURDAY, MAY 6
LES SANS CULOTTTES
What's with all the French-infused hip new music these days? This is one of those ironic art-school bands that might just be for real now.
Sin-e, 150 Attorney St. (at Stanton St.), 212-388-0077; 8, $10.
BLANKS 77
Don't worry, they're still as gritty as their New Jersey landscape. Thankfully they're playing tons of live shows after a bit of hiatus, but why would you want to see them anywhere else?
The Continental, 25 Third Ave. (at St. Marks Pl.), 212-529-6924; 3, n/a.
THE SHAPES
It's like cleaned up garage pop that won't hurt your ears unless you bop your head a little too much. Yeah, it's catchy. w/MYTVS, Rockethouse, Billionarie Boys Club.
CBGB, 315 Bowery (at Bleecker), 212-982-4052; 8, $10.
The Deli magazine
launch party
12 bands in Brooklyn: The problem, Goes Cube, Apes & Androids, Proton Proton, The Diggs, Man in Gray, Earl Greyhound, Shaka Zulu Overdrive, Emma La Reina, Pio Mazzati, Arbor Day. Hooray!
Asterisk Arts Center, 258 Johnson Ave.(betw. Bushwick Pl. & White St.) B'klyn., 646-334-4019; 9, $8/$10.
SUNDAY, MAY 7
LIGHTNING BOLT
Come pay your respects to the kings of noise rock.
The Hook, 18 Commercial St. (west of Franklin St.), Brooklyn, 718-797-3007; 7:30, $10.
PUBLIC ENEMY
It takes a nation of millions to hold 'em back. With guest host Ice-T, this revolution will not be televised.
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-997-4144; 8, $25/$30.
MONDAY, MAY 8
VAGUE ANGELS
Feet percussion! With stripped-down acoustic songs from Chris Leo and pals. w/Larune's Bulgaria.
Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-253-0036; 8, free.
CLEM SNIDE
This multi-genre hybrid excels at capturing the loneliness of forgotten country.
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 9, $13, $15.
VAN HUNT
It's OK to get a little funky on a Monday night. No need for shame.
Canal Room, 285 W. Broadway (at Canal), 212-941-8100; 8, $15/$18.
TUESDAY, MAY 9
ANE BRUN
She sounds a little like Ani (back in the old days) with a Swedish infusion.
Living Room, 154 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-533-7235; 9, one drink min.
PELICAN
Best to buy a neck-brace in advance.
Avalon, 47 W. 20th St. (betw. 6th Ave. and B'way), 212-807-7780; 7, $15.
PINBACK
Best to buy whatever the opposite of a neck-brace is in advance.
Northsix, 66 N. 6th St. (betw. Kent & Wythe Ave.), B'klyn, 718-599-5103; 8, $1/$18.
OBIE TRICE
He's got a bullet lodged in his head, but that won't stop Eminem's pal from rocking the mic.
S.O.B.'s, 204 Varick St. (@ W. Houston), 212-243-4940; 7, $15/$18.
