The Demos w/The Hoodies
Friday, June 27, The Club @ Water Street, 204 N Water St, 325-5600, 7 p.m., $10
Rochester's The Demos write and sing gorgeous pop anthems like the ones that used to blast out of transistor radios in the early 70's, with harmonies rich enough to make the Everly Brothers envious.
Buckcherry w/Motley Crue, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M., Trapt
Wednesday, July 9, Darien Lake PAC, 9993 Alleghany Rd, Darien Center, 232-1900, 5 p.m., $35.50-$99
Hollywood's Buckcherry is the only band on this impressive bill wallowing in full-blown rock 'n' roll chaos. Hopefully it'll set the bar for the Crue, who had better not just rely on the legacy to carry the show. I mean, there's that whole Tommy Lee DJ bullshit to live down.
Marti Brom w/Rocky Velvet, The Hi-Risers
Wednesday, July 9, Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave, 454-2966, 8 p.m., $6-$8
Marti Brom is a first-rate honky tonk singer from Austin, Texas. She will knock you out. She will break your heart.
Big Rib BBQ and Blues Festival w/Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Thursday-Sunday, July 10-13, Highland Park, rochesterevents.com/bigribbluesfest, $5 after 4:30 p.m.
The Reverend Peyton plays the blues on a battered, 75-year-old dobro. His old lady plays a washboard. His little brother beats on a bucket. And as primitive as this band's arsenal sounds, it drove the kids crazy a few months back. It's old-time Piedmont/Delta blues with a dash of damnation.
Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival
Friday, July 11, High Falls Brewery, 4445 St. Paul St, 232-1900, 6 p.m., $30-$35
It's this generation's rockin' blues royal family. Hubby's slippery slide and his better half's smoky pipes mix Southern rock and Southern charm with the blues' beautiful burn.
Handsome Jack w/Babayaga, The Grinders, Stone Believer
Saturday, July 12, Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave, 454-2966, 9 p.m., $6
Of this whole recent wave of young, sweaty bands digging into the heavy blues rock a la Trower, Gallagher, and Blue Cheer, Buffalo's Handsome Jack is one of the best. Ragged, raw guitar and alcohol-fueled relentlessness. The danger is back.
Stone Temple Pilots
Tuesday, July 15, CMAC, Lincoln Hill Road, Canandaigua, 232-1900, 7:30 p.m., $29.50-$229.50
Army Of Anyone ain't got anyone anymore, Velvet Revolver has been holstered, and the dragon finally outran Scott Weiland, so one of the best hard rock bands of the 90's is back.
Bop Shop Summer Music Festival w/Asylum Street Spankers Bill Kirchen, David Olney, The Varnish Cooks, Krypton 88, Todd Kraz
Saturday-Sunday, July 19-20, Bop Shop, 274 N Goodman St, 271-3354, free
Jazz, rockabilly, Tin Pan Alley lowbrow hi-jinx, blues...it's as if the records on the Bop Shop shelves came to life.
Warped Tour
Thursday, July 24, Darien Lake PAC, 9993 Alleghany Rd, Darien Center, 232-1900, noon, $30-$39
I'm excited to see gothic psychobilly act The Horror Pops, and that's about it. But as with every year, of the pile of new punk-rock outfits playing this multiple-staged event, I always walk away with a few new favorites... and a tattoo.
Jucifer w/Bludwulf, Orodruin
Saturday, July 26, Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave, 454-2966, 9 p.m., $6
Probably the loudest, sexiest thing you will ever see. Jucifer's Amber Valentine sings like a pixie and plays guitar like Godzilla, all shot through a wall of at least 20 amplifiers. This Atlanta, Georgia, two-piece is utterly amazing.
Foo Fighters
Monday, July 28, Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Memorial Square, 232-1900, 7 p.m., $26.50-$46.50
Probably one of the best rock bands today. REALLY, FRANK?! THAT IS LITERALLY ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY?
Airborne w/Mastodon, Slipnot, Disturbed
Tuesday, August 19, Darien Lake PAC, 9993 Alleghany Rd, Darien Center, 232-1900, 1:30 p.m., $31.25-$55.75
Like AC/DC, Airborne hails from Perth, Australia. And like Angus and his crew, this band plays, tight, jagged pub rock. This is one of my favorite discoveries of the last year.
John Hiatt
Tuesday, August 19, Water Street Music Hall, 204 N Water St, 325-5600
The king of the wry smile, Memphis-smoked soul, and wicked turn of phrase returns, this time with a full band. Hiatt's music is as picturesque as his lyrics, and though he doesn't cop to traditional construction all the time, he is an American music classic.