FRIDAY
ANTiSEEN
With Pissant and Angry Youth
Cult punk rock act ANTiSEEN is a group of blood-drawing, redneck-proud North Carolinians. The decidedly non-P.C. band is admittedly intolerant of immigrants who don't speak English. Yet lead singer Jeff Clayton chuckles about his own ignorance of language in a particular Muslim prayer, "gibberish" the band used at the end of its Toby Keith-gone-punk "Pledge Allegiance," a post-9/11 war anthem.
For a quarter-century, Clayton, guitarist Joe Young and an interchangeable cast of rhythm section members have been putting out album after album of music the band calls "destructo rock."
The guitar churns. The drummer and bassist pound away. The vocals sound is if they are pushed through broken glass.
The shows can get violent. Most nights, Clayton cuts his forehead -- so covered in scar tissue that he says he can't even feel it. ANTiSEEN recorded the album "Murder Junkies" with G.G. Allin, another infamous onstage cutter, but Clayton said his razor blade antics were inspired not by Allin but by professional wrestlers.
Podcast
ANTiSEEN's Jeff Clayton
More podcasts
Consider yourself warned. ANTiSEEN, critically reviled but deeply loved by its niche audience, hits the stage at the Coffee Pot on Friday. Roanoke punk acts Pissant and Angry Youth open the show.
Go to this story at roanoke.com/entertainment or to blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch to hear a podcast with Clayton.
Details: 9 p.m. Coffee Pot, Roanoke. $10; 21 and older. 774-8256, myspace.com/coffeepotroadhouseinc, girliepunkproductions@hotmail.com, myspace.com/girliepunkproductions, antiseen.com.
SATURDAY
Einstein's Monkey
This Roanoke-based band writes and performs music for kids, but parents can get into it, too. Bassist Jeff Hofmann says the act plans to do its originals, plus songs by The Who, Talking Heads and Ramones. See a video at youtube.com/watch?v=AKeEpj3KWzE.
Details: 2 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $3; adults free. kirkavenue@gmail.com, kirkavenuemusic.com, einsteinsmonkey.com
TODAY
Groova Scape and Jamiel Allen
Resilient jammers Groova Scape join forces with Allien's keyboardist Jamiel Allen for a night of jams.
Details: 9:30 p.m. Allsports Cafe, Salem. Free. 389-4647, allsportscafeinc.com,myspace.com/thegroova.
Hamill, Trout and Hill
Charlie Hamill and Jason Hill sound great together when they're singing and playing acoustic guitars. Here, they add Ben Trout to the mix.
Details: 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar and Grill, Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com.
Kelly Scott
Scott is a guitar player's guitar player. Come out and get schooled.
Details: 9 p.m. The Blues BBQ Co., Roanoke. Free. 344-5683, bluesbbqco.com.
FRIDAY
Coyote Run
This Williamsburg-based group, which bills itself as the thinking person's high-octane Celtic rock band, is hitting Roanoke for a holiday show. Expect tunes from Coyote Run's new DVD, "A Kilted Christmas," which includes the ancient "Coventry Carol." That tune and others feature an almost prog-rock approach to such comfy Christmas classics.
Hear multi-instrumental work from Doug Bischoff, Michael Kazalski and David Doersch, driven by Catherine Hauke's unique and at times polyrhythmic drumming. The band lays down some tight, harmony-driven a cappella work, too.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $20. kirkavenue@gmail.com, kirkavenuemusic.com, coyoterun.com.
Larry Sparks
Sparks, who calls himself "the youngest of the old-timers," won the International Bluegrass Music Association award for best male vocalist in 2004 and 2005.
Details: 7 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, Marion. $20; general admission. (276) 783-6092, thelincoln.org, larrysparks.com.
Electric Woodshed
If you're into the likes of the Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters and Little Feat, this is the band for you. Good originals go along with the good musicianship.
Details: 9 p.m. Blue 5 Restaurant, Roanoke. Free. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com.
Kike and Miguel
Two members of Solazo, Kike Rodriguez and Miguel Benitez, lay down Latin jazz and folk songs.
Details: 8 p.m. Fork in the City, Roanoke. Free. 345-3675, forkinthecity.com.
Materia Project
With Mighty Soul Empire
Hear fusion jams with splashes of reggae, played well, from Materia Project, a band that impressed opening for Jamie McLean at Martin's a few weeks back.
Details: 10 p.m. Village Grill, Roanoke. Free. (540) 767-0057, myspace.com/themateriaproject, myspace.com/mightysoulempire.
The Andalusians
With The Bastards of Fate, 3 AM Friday
Washington-based Andalusians have a new record, "Do The Work," on the Dischord label. If you're into musical adventure, you can't go wrong with the Bastards of Fate.
Details: 9:30 p.m. Gillie's Vegetarian Cuisine, Blacksburg. Free (donations accepted). 961-2703, myspace.com/gilliesmusic, myspace.com/theandalusians, myspace.com/thebastardsoffate.
Bad Circus
With The Shack Band
The headliner, a Lynchburg alt-rock band, has a batch of slow and moody MP3 on its MySpace.com page. Campus faves The Shack Band bring a more uptempo vibe.
Details: 9 p.m. Attitudes Bar and Grill, Blacksburg. $6. inticketing.com, attitudesbar.com, myspace.com/badcircus1, myspace.com/theshackbandvt.
SATURDAY
Beyond Folkfest
With The Bastards of Fate, Chick Tragic & The Roosters, Coke Dealer at a Bar, Chick Pimp, 3 AM Friday, Jesse Ray Carter, Maria Levitov
A tradition continues for Hollins University's Near East Fine Arts group. Come for the excellent band names. Stay for the music.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Rathskellar at Moody Student Center, Hollins University, Roanoke. $5; $3 with Hollins student ID. hollins.edu, myspace.com/thebastardsoffate.
Celtibillies
With Rootstone Jug Band
It's a Kirk Avenue twofer. Check out two quality acts, both members of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Celtibillies were participants in the 2003 Smithsonian Folklife Festival; their music has been played on NPR's "Thistle & Shamrock." Rootstone, led by guitarist/singer Scott Baldwin, carries on the tradition of the Roanoke Jug Band.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $10. kirkavenue@gmail.com, kirkavenuemusic.com, celtibillies.com, rootstone.net.
Little Rodger & The Cheap Thrills
Some of Roanoke's finest bluesmen will ply their craft.
Details: 9 p.m. Blue 5 Restaurant, Roanoke. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com, littlerodger.com.
Jonathan Byrd
Fine Americana music from this North Carolina singer/songwriter.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Bedford Central Library, Bedford. $10 suggested donation. 586-8911, friendsofbedfordlibrary.org, jonathanbyrd.com.
SUNDAY
Jim Brickman
With Orla Fallon
Popular solo pianist brings his Christmas show to Roanoke. Opening act Orla Fallon is a former member of Celtic Woman.
Details: 3 p.m. Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, Roanoke. $51, $41, $31. (877) 722-8496, roanokeciviccenter.com, jimbrickman.com, orlafallon.com.
Twelve O'Clock Knob
Grab a hose, take a drag and listen to some pop/rock.
Details: 8 p.m. Oasis Hookah Cafe & Lounge, 5524 Williamson Road, Roanoke. 777-5586, oasishookah.com, myspace.com/twelveoclockknob.
TUESDAY
The Movement
Bounce-friendly alt/pop/reggae from a Philadelphia band that has toured with Steel Pulse, Slightly Stoopid, The Wailers and more.
Details: 9 p.m. Attitudes Bar and Cafe, Blacksburg. $6 advance; $8 door; 18 and older. inticketing.com, attitudesbar.com.
