Negative Approach
Every hardcore fan knows that Negative Approach is like the overlooked ugly stepsister of hardcore royalty like Black Flag, Minor Threat, 7 Seconds, and every other band that gets a little more attention than these true early ’80s fire-starters. Heatseekers would be well advised to get to Will’s Pub for Negative Approach’s show this week, where original singer John Brannon will be shredding more than just his vocal cords with his signature intensity. Reunited in 2006, Negative Approach consists now of Brannon and early drummer Chris “Opie” Moore, but Brannon notoriously shut out other members of the classic Negative Approach lineup, preferring instead his Easy Action bandmate Harold Richardson and former Easy Action bandmate Ron Sakowski. NA’s tourmate, Detroit’s Child Bite, should not be overlooked as
intriguing openers with shrill Dead Kennedys-esque vocals and fiercely bouncing riffs.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Will’s Pub, $10-$13
Have Mercy
It's a good week for emo revival fans, kicking off with Baltimore's Have Mercy, whose latest song, "Collider," smoothly rolls out this polished indie rock terrain only to skid out to raw throat-ravaging angst.
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Backbooth, $14
Bleubird
Vigorous Fort Lauderdale rapper Bleubird kicks off his East Coast tour at Backbooth, where we expect the kinda bounce you catch in his latest video, "Blkboi."
8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at
Backbooth, $8
The Wonder Years
More Hopeless Records love funnels into town with the Wonder Years on their latest No Closer to Heaven, a sensational spin for old fans that frays their studied pop-punk appeal to create more intrigue. Don't miss local openers You Blew It!
6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at House of Blues, $20.25-$32.75
Franchise
Pedal nerds, prepare to gawk: We’re feeling warm and fuzzy that local noisy mutants Franchise finally return to the stage this week. The guitar-heavy psych act is one of Orlando’s most thrilling bands to catch live, and they rarely perform, but this show promises extra excitement with the intel that Franchise has new songs they’ll be debuting at this engagement. It feels so stuffy to be describing the warped pop mentality of Danny Feedback (of Crack Rock Opera fame) with such reverence, but we’re gonna lay off the jokes for once and tell it straight: Their freakish fingerwork paired with dazzling effects create an experience that sparkles and crushes in equal kinds to leave you cross-eyed, with one eye on the pedals and one eye on the strings. Add to this that art-rock sensation Obliterati opens (they have new songs too!), and it’ll be a shock to the system all around.
9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Will’s Pub, $5
Alex Clements
Local musician Alex Clements (Out Go the Lights) has a golden voice that elevates his studied approach to creating infectious indie songs worth fixating on. Looks like we got our wires crossed regarding this event - sorry! Go groove with DJ Smilin' Dan instead!
10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Lil Indies, free
Nobunny
In today's endlessly diverse artistic world, is it even possible to be a true original? To stand so far apart from the mainstream that regular folks don't know what to make of you? To marry the high and the low, the garage-rock raunch and the twisted romance, in such a way that moralistic critics are swept up by the bubblegum-pop charm? To build a cult following even though your combined output over 14 years consists of just four LPs, a handful of scattershot singles and a couple of hard-to-find compilations – one even appropriately titled Secret Songs? In Nobunny's case, the answer is yes – as in, he's as original as it gets. Who else performs wearing a tattered rabbit mask, women's underwear and occasionally a ball gag, among other smutty attire? With this underground icon returning to Orlando just four days before Thanksgiving, we thought it more than appropriate to compile our top five reasons to be thankful for Nobunny. - Nick McGregor
8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, Will’s Pub, $12-$14
Circa Survive
Touring on their 2005 debut, Juturna, Circa Survive makes you remember what a shock to the system it was the first time you heard frontman Anthony Green's yowl.
6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at House of Blues, $19
Useless Jester
Seek out Orlando punks Useless Jester on Facebook to listen to their addicting new earworm, "Devil Girl."
8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Olde 64, free
The Front Bottoms
New Jersey pop punk band the Front Bottoms have exploded in popularity over the past few years. The underground buzz on their 2013 album, Talon of the Hawk, caused enough of an uproar to get them signed to former-indie label Fueled by Ramen. Their major label debut, this year’s Back on Top, has gained praise from even the most I-liked-their-early-stuff-better of their fans, enough so that this show, originally scheduled for the smaller Social space, had to be moved to the Beacham to accommodate demand. – Thaddeus McCollum
7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Beacham, $17-$21
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
Shaking up your favorite pop songs by time-warping them to a different era, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox gives the hits a new swing.
8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Hard Rock Live, $27.50-$47.50
