Fruit Bats ~ Friday, January 22
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Multi-instrumentalist Eric Johnson may have spent the past few years moonlighting as a member of the Shins, but right now for him it's all about The Ruminant Band, the album released last fall by Johnson's primary vehicle, the Fruit Bats. This new music is a marked step in a different direction from the Bats' standard indie-folk fare—and it's proven to be a fruitful transition. On one hand, the record's got enough jangly piano and down-home country sing-alongs to give it an Old West barroom feel, but at heart it's a superb '70s reference, enticingly reflective of those days of light hearts and free love. Johnson's vocals, in previous records so mellow and almost sleepy, are taking bigger and giddier jumps, and his piano sprinkles along with the genial melodies, softly interjected with hazy slide guitars. Neil Young could claim "Primitive Man" as his own and get away with it. You can practically see the hippies swaying along with it all. With Sonny Smith and Tu Fawning. Vera Project, 305 Harrison St., 956-8372. 7:30 p.m. $15.E. THOMPSON
Narrows ~ Friday, January 22
Considering Botch's esteemed place in the hardcore canon, it's surprising that frontman Dave Verellen's subsequent project, Narrows, hasn't received more attention. They have a self-titled EP and one full-length under their belts, and most recently recorded two smashing new songs with sludge-savvy producer Chris Common. Verellen's signature full-throttle, pitch-perfect growl is up front as always, but the guitar work of Ryan Frederiksen (of recently disbanded These Arms Are Snakes) is particularly inspired, curving tightly around Verellen's vocals with a surprising degree of elegance. Those new tracks will take up one side of a forthcoming split 7" with another underappreciated act, Heiress, also in fighting shape thanks to the recent addition of fleet-fingered guitarist Josh Freer. With Constant Lovers, Countdown to Armageddon. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 7 p.m. $8 adv./$10 DOS. All ages. HANNAH LEVIN
Pure Prairie League ~ Friday, January 22
There's a good reason why the first two Pure Prairie League albums aren't mentioned alongside country-rock standards like Grievous Angel and American Beauty. Shortly after the release of Pure Prairie League and Bustin' Out in 1972, chief composer Craig Fuller, a conscientious objector, was forced to leave the music biz and work in a VA hospital for the duration of the Vietnam War. Without its top talent at the helm, the band eventually descended into soft-rock hell. To this day, this is the stuff most folks remember. After several false starts, Fuller eventually rejoined the Prairies and released 2005's All in Good Time, the first album in more than 30 years to include music by Fuller. The production is a little too wedding-band at times. Oh, well. The tunes are just fantastic. Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 8 p.m. $35 adv./$40 DOS. All ages. JUSTIN F. FARRAR
Supervillains ~ Friday, January 22
Orlando-based ska-funk act the Supervillains certainly aren't on a mission to raise any IQ points; in fact, the group's repeated pro-weed pronouncements make it quite clear they're in the business of bubbling off as many brain cells as possible. While the idea of post-Sublime skunk rock may be somewhat less than appealing to those who enjoy keeping their hipster radar on at all times, the Supervillains manage to front a rollicking, party-hearty atmosphere while dishing out some surprisingly intricate brass-flecked punk jams. Sure, they manage to, er, bluntly squeeze a reefer reference into nearly every song they play (when they're not getting stuck in juvenile raunch), but as sellout crowds across the Southeast will attest, these guys bring a ridiculously fun live show. With Mike Pinto, Dat Fiya, Rude Tuna, Camp10. Studio Seven, 110 S. Horton St., 286-1312. 7 p.m. 10 adv./$15 DOS. All ages.JASON FERGUSON
Adam Franklin & Bolts Of Melody ~ Saturday, January 23
Shoegaze bands can sometimes approach a standstill, dousing any momentum with noodling and effects. Not Swervedriver, who plowed ahead in a fashion befitting the British quartet's name. Despite settling into quieter, melancholy terrain since that band's '90s life span, frontman Adam Franklin has often returned to the idea of motion. Case in point: the name of his backing band, Bolts of Melody, and last year's Spent Bullets. Considered alongside 2008's Swervedriver reunion and his more cinematic output as Toshack Highway, Franklin is simply exploring another side of the dreamy textures and splintered pop he's loved all along. Without Swervedriver, of course, there wouldn't be bands like Deerhunter and A Place to Bury Strangers. In case you still doubt Franklin's place in the lineage of great psych rock, he may be kind enough to provide a loving cover of Syd Barrett's "See Emily Play" or Pet Sounds–era Beach Boys. With Black Nite Crash, Nightmare Air, Bronze Fawn. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 322-9272. 7 p.m. $6. DOUG WALLEN
Witchburn ~ Saturday, January 23
Witchburn only proves further what we already knew: Seattle is a big, gaping vortex for stoner rock, doom, and sludge. Sure, the group has released just a single EP to date, but it's a real keeper. Dreadlocked guitarist Mischa Kianne (who's hot and who apparently plays fiddle as well) unloads one gnarly riff after another. Jamie Nova, meanwhile, howls about the kind of positive things teens into cigarettes and skipping class need to hear, like taking control, not taking shit, and standing up for your rights. Though the group totally worships the Melvins, its sound is a little more Fu Manchu and Acid Kind—that is, a little more bar rock. Which is just fine by me. Watching beautiful women rock out while drinking beer is one of life's great joys. With NighTraiN, Secret Shoppers. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St. 324-8000. 9 p.m. $12 adv./$15 DOS.JUSTIN F. FARRAR
