Meat Puppets
Meat Puppets are one of the stickiest bands to ever ooze out of the underground. The SST-launched band has been furiously experimenting for more than 30 years with immersive blends of punk, folk, psych and blues over a thrilling rock base that gives the listener a feast to chew on, kinda like that weird Willy Wonka three-course-dinner chewing gum. Developing their own guitar technique that is wild to observe live, Meat Puppets are still an awe-inspiring act, performing classics from their vast and critically acclaimed canon that includes near-perfect spins from the ’80s like Up on the Sun, Huevos and II, all of which monstrously overshadow modern releases that mostly cannot rival the band’s longstanding ingenuity. Get up close if your ears can take it; this one’s gonna get loud and weird, and it’s a bonus warp we get to see this show in a small club.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Will’s Pub, $15
Duke Dumont
U.K. deep house producer Duke Dumont drops into Venue 578 with his just-released Blasé Boys Club Part 1, on the heels of his Grammy nom for Best Dance Recording.
10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Venue 578, $20-$23
Desaparecidos
"That one particularly was emotional for a few of us. The guitar tech's brother got shot [but survived]," says keyboardist Ian McElroy. "These people kill all these people, it's so sad. And it's almost like they become the hero because it's all name recognition and 'Google this.' It's just so backwards. That one had the longest discussion about the lyrics," he says. "Because of that idea that there are so many video games and that's kind of how kids see the world, through screens more than actually living." Check out our interview with Desaparecidos.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Social, $22-$25
Pujol
The scrutinizing 20-something call-out of lo-fi wonder Pujol’s “DIY2K” was a playful garage rock poke at modern vanity, so circle back and course-correct if you missed that listen before Pujol comes with Sub Pop’s Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires.
8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Will’s Pub, $10-$12
Chvrches
The Scottish electronic pop stars released their sophomore album, Every Open Eye in September to desired effect. The lead singles – “Never Ending Circles” and “Leave a Trace” – have a shimmery pulse that charge through the futility of fighting against tired old relationship patterns. Their light upbeat sound paired with deep lyrical angst masterfully recreates that desperate need to eradicate confusion with heady positivity. Get an earful of their latest live – their show has proven worth all the raving folks do about this jubilantly consistent act.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at House of Blues, $27
Snakehole
Get real with the artful agitation of Miami duo Snakehole, whose noisy self-titled 2014 EP will impress even further live with its fierce rattle and flared nostrils.
10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at St. Matthew’s Tavern, $3-$5 suggested donation
Astro Wave: An Interactive Voyage
Few musicians take a cover show as seriously as Gerald Perez. The main man behind Maximino and bass player for Thee Wilt Chamberlain made waves locally last year with tributes to Prince’s Purple Rain and the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction that went above and beyond what one normally sees at cover shows. This year, Perez and his crew of musicians, aided by Shine Shed and Broken Machine Films, creates a sci-fi throwback to the dark side of New Wave. After turning the three rooms of Will’s Pub into a spaceship (the “USCSS Lucky Star”) and planetary outpost, the band will perform ’80s songs often overlooked in the erroneous version of that decade that pop culture has rewritten. (Sisters of Mercy over Bon Jovi, AS IT SHOULD BE.) There will be a costume contest in the middle of both shows, along with a surprise that Perez refuses to share with anyone. Pick up a special Leeloo Dallas multipass ticket at Park Ave. CDs, and customize it with your photo for a one-of-a-kind souvenir that’ll also nab you a free drink if you’re one of the first 20 to dock. – Thaddeus McCollum
9 p.m. & 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Will's Pub, $10-$12
Murs
No big deal, just one of L.A.’s best-ever underground rappers is in town on Halloween to provide a separate freak-out for your already abnormal night.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Backbooth, $15
Metric
Synth-pop dance craze Metric released Pagans in Vegas in September, with easy earworm lead track “Lie, Lie, Lie” sure to set tongues wagging at House of Blues.
6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at House of Blues, $29.50
Gillian Carter
Catch Palm Bay screamo force Gillian Carter at this post-Fest stint as part of Olde 64’s always-cool Monday concert series, also featuring outtatowners Alaska, Joliette and Sinai Vessels.
8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at Olde 64, $3-$5 suggested donation
David Dondero
If you’ve seen him, you know David Dondero is a true poet, and his memorable croon sets him apart as one of the country’s most underrated living songwriters.
10 p .m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Lil Indies, free
