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Detroit rockers to rattle Atwood

Rob Thomas  —  8/11/2008 2:22 pm

In the early 1960s, British bands invaded America. In 2007, the Deadstring Brothers returned the favor.

The blistering Detroit rock band was touring behinds its debut album "Starving Winter Report" and played a few dates in London, where, to the band members' delight, they found a cache of classic rock fans still rocking out in clubs to the likes of the Allman Brothers Band and the Rolling Stones.

When the band got back to the Motor City, they hooked up with some recent Brit expatriates in town to record the Deadstring Brothers' follow-up. The result, "Silver Mountain," is more bluesy and more sultry than its predecessor, with vocalist Masha Marijeh's powerful pipes getting most of the attention.

The Deadstring Brothers are headlining (from 5:45-7 p.m.) a full day of music at Atwood Summerfest on Saturday, July 26, playing the Maximum Ink/Ale Asylum Rock Stage near Players Bar at 2013 Winnebago Road. The festival is free, of course.

It's surprising (and a little disappointing) that show choirs and pep bands aren't a breeding ground for more indie pop bands. Take New York University's basketball Pep Band, which spawned The XYZ Affair. Just listen to the band's high-energy, giddy pop-rock and you know these guys cut their teeth root, root rooting for the home team.

Also, they somehow got the guy who hosted "Double Dare" on Nickelodeon to appear in their video for "All My Friends," so that's got to count for something. XYZ Affair is at the High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave. at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 27, ($7 cover) with Roommate and Meteorade.

A little reggae, a little punk rock, a lot of energy -- those are the three legs of the wobbly stool that is New York's Dub Trio. Back in town after a February show that, by all accounts, blew the roof off, the Dub trio is at the High Noon Saloon at 10 p.m. Friday, July 25, ($8 cover) with Czarbles and Dick the Bruiser.

If they ever make a sequel to "Harold and Maude" (unlikely, I grant you), the filmmakers could do worse than hiring Jeremy Jay to do the soundtrack. Jay is a slightly scruffy but graceful singer-songwriter whose tunes seem like a throwback to Cat Stevens or Harry Nilsson, but with just a hint of a post-punk irascibility.

Jay is playing the Project Lodge, 817 E. Johnson, at 7 p.m. Friday, July 25, ($5 cover) with Black Umbrella and TD Reisert.

Oh, heavens, not another musical "collective." Doesn't anyone just start a plain old band anymore? The Hellblinki Sextet of Asheville, N.C., occasionally do play as a six-piece, but that almost seems like the exception rather than the rule for the constantly shape-shifting collective.

The group has an affinity for creepy, Tom Waits-esque evocations of old-time music, but with brio and more than a wink of humor. Plus, you've got to like a band whose tour schedule features four nights at "Dragon Con" in Atlanta at the end of August.

The Hellblinki Sextet will play the Annex, 1206 Regent St., at 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, ($6 cover). Sanjula Vamana and Mute Grey open.

Alternative rockers Apollo Sunshine will not be playing at the UW Memorial Union Terrace, 800 Langdon St., at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, as originally scheduled. Instead, Chicago indie rockers Office will hit the stage for a free show.

Rob Thomas  —  8/11/2008 2:22 pm