This Month in Music: May 2016

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4
NRBQ vs. Los Straitjackets
When Mexican surf rockers Los Straitjackets hit the stage in their Lucha Libre masks and snazzy dark suits wielding space-age guitars, the audience knows its onto something unique. But sartorial gimmicks aside, Los Straitjackets play some ferociously tight rock ‘n’ roll. Meanwhile, NRBQ – the New Rhythm and Blues Quartet – hails from Kentucky and has been making upbeat, skilled music for more than three decades. Rolling Stone hailed their 2014 release, Brass Tacks, as having “the fun, zest, humor and flat-out rock that has defined the band since their birth decades ago.” $25-$35. Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club: 7719 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD;www.bethesdabluesjazz.com  

THURSDAY, MAY 5  
Delta Spirit’s Matthew Logan Vasquez
With his band Delta Spirit on a temporary hiatus, lead singer Matthew Logan Vasquez decided to dip into his own personal stash of songs and record a solo record. Good thing he did – the album is a gem. Vasquez crafted a collection of often moody and ruminative songs that chart the singer-songwriter’s growth into marriage, fatherhood and increasing responsibility. The musicianship is top-notch, with lots of chiming guitars and subtle tempo shifts. $15. DC9 Nightclub: 1940 9th St. NW, DC;www.dcnine.com  

Dweezil Zappa
Frank Zappa’s son has carried on the family tradition – not just of playing music, but of playing intricate, whimsical, sometimes silly stuff. Dweezil has spent years learning his dad’s tunes, but is also a composer in his own right. On this tour, he plays his own music, drawing from his newest release, Via Zammata. With openers Reformed Whores. $35. The Birchmere: 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA;www.birchmere.com

FRIDAY, MAY 6
Santigold
Philly’s own Santigold (a.k.a. Santi White) has been releasing innovative albums since her 2008 debut, Santogold. She mixes new wave and 80s pop, drawing from artists like Devo, James Brown and Fela Kuti, to make a sound all her own. Now she’s back out on tour celebrating her newest album, 99¢. $28. The Fillmore Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.fillmoresilverspring.com

MONDAY, MAY 9
Old 97’s & Heartless Bastards
Rhett Miller has ably led the Texas-based Old 97’s through 20+ years in the studio and on the road. The band’s 2014 release, Most Messed Up, demonstrates that their “cowpunk” spirit is still alive and well. Meanwhile, Erica Wennerstrom’s powerful vocals provide the perfect match for the bluesy, classic rock sound of the Heartless Bastards. Having honed their musical chops over a decade of relentless touring and recording, the Ohio natives are one of the most reliable touring bands on the road today. $30.9:30 Club: 915 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

TUESDAY, MAY 10
The Cowards Choir
Andy Zipf, who has been writing and playing intense, moving music in the area for over 10 years, has taken a new name: The Cowards Choir. At this show, Zipf will be releasing his new full-length album, Name The Fear – his first release under the new name. There will also be an accompanying visual score by William S. Davis of Small Creatures. The Duskwhales open the show. $12-$20. Jammin’ Java: 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, VA; www.jamminjava.com

THURSDAY, MAY 12
Titus Andronicus
New Jersey punk rockers Titus Andronicus bring their No Faith / No Future / No Problemtour to Washington this month on the heels of last year’s release of their exuberant fourth album, The Most Lamentable Tragedy. The 90-minute, 29-song, five-act rock opera includes covers of Daniel Johnston and The Pogues and marks a new high in the evolution of the band. Titus Andronicus plays with a manic intensity that belies the tightly-crafted songs underneath the noise. La Sera –the project of Katy Goodman (ex-Vivian Girls) and Todd Wisenbaker (Ryan Adams) – opens. $20. 9:30 Club: 915 V St. NW, DC; www.930.com

FRIDAY, MAY 13
We Are Scientists
The quirky Brooklyn by-way-of California rock duo We Are Scientists have a stronger following in England than in the U.S., in large part because British radio still plays modern indie rock. We Are Scientists could boost their homeland appeal with April’s release of Helter Seltzer, a sonically-rich and lyrically compelling new album. The first single, “Buckle,” is a power-pop rocket ride that will leave the chorus buzzing in your head long after the first listen. $18. Rock & Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC;www.rockandrollhotel.com

SATURDAY, MAY 14
Chopteeth
Hailing from the DC area, Chopteeth is a 12-piece Afrofunk powerhouse, drawing on Fela Kuti’s pioneering Afrobeat sound. Chopteeth has been winning Wammies for years in DC, and they deserve each one. Their live show will be peppered with Afrobeat classics, as well as original compositions. $20-$30. AMP by Strathmore: 11810 Grand Park Ave. North Bethesda, MD; www.ampbystrathmore.com  

Sweetlife Festival
“It’s all about the experience,” says Sweetgreen Co-Founder Jonathan Neman about the annual Sweetlife Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion. This year’s lineup includes Blondie, The 1975, Halsey, Flume, Vince Staples and Grimes, plus up-and-comers like Thundercat, Shamir and Wolf Alice. The festival also offers concertgoers fare from DC area restaurants, food trucks and farms to curate the best in food experiences for a true taste of the “sweet life,” according to Neman. He says there’s something for everyone’s musical tastes at this year’s festival, from singer-songwriters to hip-hop artists.

“For us, the ‘sweet life’ is about unique combinations that inspire, and that is why having a diverse lineup all in one place is very important.”

General admission tickets are $100. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; www.merriweathermusic.com

SUNDAY, MAY 15
The Avett Brothers
Roots rockers The Avett Brothers return to the scene of their 2014 sellout date on May 15 with a special guest, singer-songwriter Brett Dennen. Banjo player Scott Avett and guitarist Seth Avett formed The Avett Brothers with standup bassist Bob Crawford in 2001. The Avett Brothers and Dennen will both be touring in support of forthcoming albums. Tickets start at $39.50. EagleBank Arena: 4400 University Dr. Fairfax, VA;www.eaglebankarena.com

Buckcherry
The band that launched a million lap dances with the sleazy but undeniably catchy song “Crazy Bitch” is still making new music and rocking venues across the country, even if their formula hasn’t changed much. Buckcherry plays blazing, gritty guitar rock that makes you miss the (old) days of Gun N’ Roses and Motley Crue. Buckcherry recently dipped its toe into country when lead singer Josh Todd recorded a duet with Gretchen Wilson, but expect a whole of lot of big hair and head banging when they play the Tally Ho in Leesburg. $30-$35, or $70 for VIP. Tally Ho: 19 West Market St. Leesburg, VA; www.tallyholeesburg.com  

Emily Henry
Local singer- songwriter Emily Henry, a Vienna native, will celebrate the release of her first EP, Matchsticks, at IOTA. Henry plays folk-influenced indie pop, and her voice has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Patty Griffin. This all-ages early show starts at 4 p.m. and also features Natalie York and Kevin de Souza. $10. IOTA Club & Cafe: 2832 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; www.iotaclubandcafe.com

VÉRITÉ
VÉRITÉ (real name Kelsey Byrne) burst on the scene with a viral hit, “Strange Enough,” in 2014. She’s back with a new five-track EP, Living, and a string of tour dates. The indie-pop singer-songwriter sings with intense passion and emotion. $14. Rock and Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

TUESDAY, MAY 17
Rogue Wave
A potent combo of indie, pop, and electronic influences come together to propel Rogue Wave’s sixth studio album, Delusions of Grand Fur, to a new level for the band. Zach Rogue and longtime bandmate and collaborator Pat Spurgeon recorded and produced the album themselves, which gave them time to experiment and create together. $16 in advance; $19 at the door. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC;www.blackcatdc.com

THURSDAY, MAY 19
Derek Evry
Derek Evry has been rocking clubs around Arlington and DC for a while now, but that doesn’t mean he’s playing the same old songs all the time. A prolific and gifted alt/pop singer, songwriter and guitarist, Evry is always working on new material, and releasing new tunes all the time. With Turtle Recall and Bells and Hunters. $10. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com

The Hackensaw Boys
Virginia natives The Hackensaw Boys have been trudging along the rock ‘n’ roll highway for 17 years, and they’ve just released Charismo, an album they call their magnum opus. This time around, the roots rockers employed a producer, Larry Campbell, who has worked with Bob Dylan and Levon Helm. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC; www.gypsysallys.com

Radney Foster
Radney Foster might be the best Texas singer-songwriter you’ve never heard of. Foster hails from the same stomping grounds in West Texas as Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Robert Earl Keen, but he’s more contemporary than Gilmore and less self-conscious than Keen. Considered an elder statesman of Texas singer-songwriters, Foster has been a friend and mentor to many younger artists on the Texas scene including Randy Rogers, Jack Ingram, Kacey Musgraves, Wade Bowen, Josh Abbott, Pat Green, Cory Morrow and many others. $20-$22. Jammin’ Java: 27 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, VA;www.jamminjava.com www.dc9.com

FRIDAY, MAY 20
Debo Band
Debo Band are a large ensemble led by Ethiopian-American saxophonist Danny Mekonnen and fronted by vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. Since they started in 2006, the band has won critical acclaim for their innovative take on Ethiopian pop music, which incorporates traditional scales and vocal styles alongside American soul and funk rhythms. Their new album Ere Gobez has just been released. $12 in advance; $15 at the door. Tropicalia: 2001 14th St. NW, DC; www.tropicaliadc.com

Hard Working Americans
Todd Snider made his musical mark as a droll, scruffy singer-songwriter who chronicled the misadventures of a rogue’s gallery of characters. Snider’s still one of the best songwriters around, and now he’s playing with an all-star rock band featuring Dave Schools and Duane Trucks that gives his sound more of an edge. The Americans’ latest album – a live recording titled The First Waltz – deftly captures the band’s bluesy, improvisational feel. $29.50. The Birchmere: 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA;www.birchmere.com

Hayes Carll 
After a nearly five-year hiatus, renegade country singer-songwriter Hayes Carll is back with Lovers and Leavers, his most understated and introspective album yet. His songs still have a shambling, self-deprecating quality, but on his newest album, they seem sung from the next day’s perspective, with maybe a touch of hangover. Hayes has stripped away the brash, boozy bravado to reveal the introspective soul of a poet set to beautifully-tuned acoustic guitars and piano. $17-$25.50. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamilton.com

SATURDAY, MAY 21
Laurel Canyon: Golden Songs of Los Angeles 1966-1972
The legendary music scene found in Los Angeles and the Laurel Canyon neighborhood in the 1960s is the focus of this brand new show from Newmyer Flyer. This bill features an all-star lineup of some of the DC area’s most accomplished and exciting young artists, including Margot MacDonald, Luke Brindley, The Sweater Set and Victoria Vox. $18-$27.50. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; www.thehamilton.com

MONDAY, MAY 23
Car Seat Headrest
Will Toledo – the kid genius behind Car Seat Headrest – recorded 11 Bandcamp albums in college and put forth his first official studio album, Teens of Denial, last fall. The album sees the prolific Toledo moving bedroom pop to something approaching classic-rock grandeur with nods to The Cars, Pavement and Jonathan Richman.Consequence of Sound recently dubbed Toledo the “indie rock savior we’ve all been waiting for.” This month, we’ll see if the talented 23-year-old lives up to the hype. $15.The Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; www.blackcatdc.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
The son of American musical legend Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson was born in Austin, Texas and raised in Hawaii. He had a chance to play music with his dad, of course, but also legends like Neil Young and Bob Dylan. His newest album with band Promise of the Real, released in March, is called Something Real. With Fruition. $15 in advance; $17 at the door. Gypsy Sally’s: 3401 K St. NW, DC; www.gypsysallys.com

THURSDAY, MAY 26
Hall & Oates
What can you say about the legendary Daryl Hall and John Oates? From hits like “Say No Go,” which has been sampled by other artists, to “Maneater,” and many others in between, these guys are the real deal. And they are still rocking it. With Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Tickets start at $18.75.   Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Dr. Bristow, VA; www.livenation.com

FRIDAY, MAY 27
Alejandro Escovedo with Peter Case
Peter Case and Alejandro Escovedo both hail from new wave/punk rock bands that first gained attention in the 1980s. Case was the lead singer of California’s Plimsouls and Escovedo fronted Austin’s True Believers. Both men have since matured into distinguished singer-songwriters, but they’ve also retained their rock ‘n’ roll snarl. The difficult-to-categorize Case has been nominated for three Grammys, and cites bluesman Muddy Waters and ragged country crooner Lucinda Williams as two of his favorite singers. The Mexican-American Escovedo brings a street tough sensibility to his intelligent songs of heartbreak and hope. $35. The Birchmere: 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA; www.birchmere.com