ALT-COUNTRY/BLUES: Scott H. Biram
Scott H. Biram is eloquent and to the point. He’s lyrically profane and socially vulgar. He opened his last show here in Rochester with the words, “Who wants to fuck?” And his music is equally salacious; a hybrid of Delta blues and violence. Biram is a one-man band of sheer insanity and wit, with the relentless kick-drum drive of classic rock ’n’ roll. It’s like if the Dead Kennedys ever did a field holler, or if Seka worked for Planned Parenthood. It’s a righteous riot, a hellacious hullabaloo. Lydia Loveless opens the spectacle.
Scott H. Biram plays Wednesday, June 13 at 8 p.m. at Abilene, 153 Liberty Pole Way. $8-$10. abilenebarandlounge.com. — BY FRANK DE BLASE
SOUTHERN ROCK: Molly Hatchet
Molly Hatchet crawled from the swamps of Florida three decades ago to round out the first wave of Southern rock, joining industry icons like Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special. After flirting with obscurity for years, the1979 hit “Flirtin’ with Disaster” solidified Molly Hatchet’s place as one of the definitive groups of the decade. While the line-up may rotate along with the venue, Molly Hatchet will always offer equal parts nostalgia and timeless rock and roll. This is the first concert in the 2012 Party in the Park series.
Molly Hatchet plays Thursday, June 7 at 5 p.m. at Riverside Festival Site, Exchange & Court. $2. rochesterevents.com. — BY JARED BENNETT
BLUES ROCK: Boom Chick
Boom Chick plays a special Sunday night show at Abilene to remind us of two universal truths: summer is hot and rock music should be loud. With songs like “When I Don’t Love my Rock and Roll” or “Ghost of Bo Diddley,” it’s no secret that the group pays homage to the golden age of American music, but the distorted guitar and fuzzy vocals of Frank Hoier over the no-frills percussion of Moselle Spiller emulate those rock legends beyond surface-level tribute. While Boom Chick calls Brooklyn home, Abilene is probably the best place to see this upbeat act; it’s a place where elbows rub and, above all else, music reigns.
Boom Chick plays Sunday, June 10 at 8:30 p.m. at Abilene Bar and Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way. $5-$7. abilenebarandlounge.com. — BY JARED BENNETT
ROCK: A Tribute 2 Prince
For its tribute to Prince, The Lobby has thrown together a plethora of Rochester bands to put their twist on the mysterious one’s music. The visual-arts showcase “The Artist: Formerly Shown As Prints” will offer up Prince-related imagery for your eyeballs, while the stage will feature music for your earballs. The line-up includes George Grady & The Beautiful Ones, Filthy Funk with Danielle Ponder, Ahura Mazda, Sound Principals with Hassaan Mackey, Reece Q, Thievin’ Stephen & The Archaeologist, Jahn Henry, Left of Center Stage, and special guests. Get off!
A Tribute 2 Prince takes place Friday, June 8, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave. $6 after 9 p.m. bugjar.com. — BY FRANK DE BLASE
CLASSIC ROCK/FOLK: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash’s legacy goes way beyond David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. This legendary trio’s members have also been associated with The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and The Hollies. First performing as a three piece at Woodstock, CSN’s magical harmonies have been the baseline for folk-rock vocals for more than 40 years.
Crosby, Stills & Nash performs Tuesday, June 12, 8 p.m. at CMAC 3355 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua. $20-$79.50. cmacevents.com. — BY FRANK DE BLASE
POP: 98PXY Summer Jam
The 98PXY Summer Jam has become an annual rite of the warmer months, with past performers ranging in scope from Destiny’s Child to Aaron Carter. This year’s iteration of the Jam doesn’t feature any bona fide superstars, but if you should recognize at least one of each of the artists’ songs. From the maddeningly addictive (Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”) to the silly (Wallpaper’s “F**king Best Song Everrr”), each of this year’s artists can lay some claim to being The Next Big Thing. Whether or not you appreciate 98PXY’s taste in music, it’s difficult to deny that its finger is on the collective pulse of the pop landscape. In addition to the two mentioned, Breathe Carolina, Neon Hitch, Chiddy Bang, DEV, Karmin, and local product Gym Class Heroes all perform.
The 98PXY Summer Jam kicks off at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12 at Frontier Field, 1 Morrie Silver Way. $30-$50. 98pxy.com. — BY ANDY KLINGENBERGER
INDIE: XVSK
There is a familiar ring to XVSK’s sound. Maybe it’s lead singer-cellist Trevor Exter’s vocals that suggest artists like Jack Johnson. Imagine “Brushfire Fairytales” driven by a cello instead of an acoustic guitar and this may partially paint the XVSK picture. Formed in 2009, the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based duo’s musical roots are diverse. Drummer John Morgan Kimock is a second-generation rocker whose father performed with several Grateful Dead-affiliated bands. Exter is influenced by the world beat of Argentina and Brazil. Together the members of XVSK (Exter vs. Kimock) are purveyors of a fine blend of indie cello blues rock that should get you in the mood for the upcoming Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.
XVSK performs Wednesday, June 6, 9 p.m. at Lovin’ Cup, 300 Park Point Dr. $3. 292-9940, lovincup.com. — BY ROMAN DIVEZUR
FOLK: Rochester Women’s Chorus
There’s something easy about warm weather and days with long light. It turns me around from the depths of Russian classical masterworks into folk, blues, guitars, and campfires. Here’s a concert that sounds just right for this time of year, put on by the Rochester Women’s Community Chorus. The evening will feature songs about friendship, community, and hope. Mind you don’t sing along too loudly to programmed works like “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Lean on Me,” and “We are Family.” Also on the program is a folksong, “Igraj Kolce” (“Come and Dance in a Ring”) by Slovenian composer Jakob Jez. A portion of the concert proceeds will benefit the Gay Alliance Youth Program.
Rochester Women’s Community Chorus performs Saturday, June 9, 7:30 p.m. at St. Anne’s Church, 1600 Mt. Hope Ave. $5-$10. 234-4441, TheRWCC.org. — PALOMA CAPANNA
