Surely by now the notion of Dinosaur Jr. axeman J. Mascis easily somewhere in my Top Five Guitarists of All-Time list expertly pounding away at the drums is no longer a novelty, what with his stints over the years as drummer in Witch, Deep Wound, and Upsidedown Cross. Mascis is hitting the skins for yet another band these days: Sweet Apple, fronted by singer John Petkovic and guitarist Tim Parnin (both of glammy Cleveland punk band Cobra Verde, as well as Robert Pollard co-conspirators) and also featuring Witch bassist Dave Sweetapple. Together, the foursome tears through loud, grimy, muscular 70s-style arena-rock that all at once honors such forebears as Blue Oyster Cult, Deep Purple, New York Dolls, and the Stooges. Though Mascis, the bands most recognizable member, takes a backseat creatively to Petkovic and Parnin, theres no doubt his monstrous rhythmic glue helps hold this indie supergroup together. With Dead Meadow, Blood Red Dancers. MICHAEL ALAN GOLDBERG
Tue., Jan. 11, 8 p.m., 2011
