WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God
Folks in New Zealand still speak admiringly of young Russell Crowe for opening a vital all-ages venue. Now we get a humble pub-rocker charging $40 a head to see a movie star.
NY Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th St. (at CPW), 212-874-5210; 8, $39.50.
Aberdeen City
The Freezing Atlantic was reasonably ignored as displays of adolescent awkwardness from grown men—especially since their episodes lie somewhere between John Hughes and Village of the Damned.
Webster Hall, 125 E. 11th St. (betw. 3rd & 4th Aves.), 212- 353-1600; 8, $18/$20.
THURSDAY, MAY 18
DKT
Former members of MC5—Wayne Kramer and non-Megadeth rhythm section—discover a love for overpriced reunions as surely as Kramer discovered love for corporate sponsorship. “I done kicked 'em out” now refers to achin' vertebrae.
Northsix, 66 N. 6th St. (betw. Kent & Wythe Ave.), Brooklyn, 718-599-5103; 8, $25/$27.
Neil Innes & Friends
Influential figure with Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and The Rutles—which means he's legendary for, respectively, overrated and underrated contributions to music, comedy and laughable music-geekery.
The Cutting Room, 19 W. 24th St. (betw. B'way & 6th Ave.), 212-691-1900; 7:30, $25.
FRIDAY, MAY 19
Hamell On Trial
Songs For Parents Who Enjoy Drugs makes for first insincere Hamell On Trial album—and not just for distancing him from his strict guy-and-guitar presence.
Coda, 34 E. 34th St. (betw. 5th & Madison Aves.), 212-685-3434, 8:30, $15/$17.
Coheed and Cambria/ Avenged Sevenfold
Series of concept album began as prog-punk-pop greatness; latest release out of ideas, pales next to concept albums by Neil Diamond and The Cowsills.
Through May 20. Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 W. 34th St. (at 8th Ave.), 212-307-7171; 7, $35/$40.
SATURDAY, MAY 20
Rainer Maria
“Emo” was last seen referenced by a puppet on Jack's Big Music Show, but Rainer Maria saved the genre from being kiddie fare with 1999's Look Now Look Again—and now Catastrophe Keeps Us Together shows the band maturing into adolescent power-pop.
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery and Chrystie Sts.), 212-533-2111; 8, $15.
Momus
In the 1990s, hipsters believed in a fairy named Momus who created quirky pop and innovative beats and gorgeous ballads. Then imports became less expensive, and hipsters found out that sometimes twee is another word for meandering.
Tonic, 107 Norfolk St. (betw. Essex and Suffolk Sts.), 212-358-7501; 8, $12.
Acid Mothers Temple
Sprawling network of plodding Japanese musicians prove proud potency of Rising Sun reefer with plodding psychedelia. American sin of remaking The Ring and The Grudge becomes relative.
Northsix, 66 N. 6th St. (betw. Kent & Wythe Ave.), Brooklyn, 718-599-5103; 8, $15.
Jenn Lindsay
Insensitive folkie gal starts out as what Chrissie Hynde should've become with lilting greatness of Uphill Both Ways. Misfires: “brain on drugs” reference; covers folk standard; footwear.
Pianos, 158 Ludlow (at Stanton), 212-505-3733; 7:30, $10.
SUNDAY, MAY 21
Jesse Malin
Second of two shows not sold out as of press time; that wouldn't happen in England, goddamnit, where they appreciate Americana with Jacqueline Susann overtones.
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 9, $15.
Film School/Margot & The Nuclear So and So's
Decades of posters on college-dorm walls create the limp flipbook that is Film School's droning intelligentsia; Margot & The Nuclear So and So's is the rare non-irritating music collective, with winsome pop serving societal analysis.
Maxwell's, 1039 Washington St. (at 11th St.), Hoboken, 201-798-0406; 8, $8.
MONDAY, MAY 22
Jeff Solomon
Not the first ukulele pop guy, but the most commercial since Darryl Hall, and sporting plaintive pop worthy of a stunted Chris Isaak.
Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery (at Spring St.), 212-982-0740; 8, $8.
Chiodos
Hardcore getting so post that it comes back around to wimp-rock—as demonstrated by guys clad in J.C. Penny finery and bashing out metal riffs to keening vocals. Inspirational verse: “I'll stop stabbing/When you stop screaming.”
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B'way & Church St.), 212-219-3132; 6:30, $12.
TUESDAY, MAY 23
Danko Jones
Title of Danko Jones' new album declares Sleep Is The New Enemy; record-buying public not duped, keeps hating tired '70s power chords posing as punk.
CBGB's, 315 Bowery (betw. 1st and 2nd Sts.), 212-982-4052; 8, $8/$10.
The Fray/The Damnwells
Piano-based plunking calls on classic '70s a.m. pop, while The Fray's swaying melodies sport glossy earnestness that borders on jammy folksiness. Resultantly, How To Save A Life perches between introspective greatness and dire crap. The Damnwells open with quirky country-pop ringing with the insight of lesser bands' biggest hits.
Webster Hall, 125 E. 11th St. (betw. 3rd & 4th Aves.), 212- 353-1600; 9, sold out.
