Music Listings
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7
Southern CultureOn The Skids
Should be a novelty act by now, but Mojo Box-followed by their new live album-mixes surf, soul and rockabilly in a tight and trashy style.
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 10, $15.
James McMurtry/Willie Nile
Childish Things has an overeager McMurtry striking pose of outrage; fortunately, the past decade shows he wasn't always an Americana artist afraid of Americans. Nile's in his third decade of trying to convince us punks wear blue denim.
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery and Chrystie Sts.), 212-533-2111; 7, $16.
Began as KRS-One with access to shortwave radio; still remains more powerful than smug, despite being rap's only "I-told-you-so" on Enron.
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery and Chrystie Sts.), 212-533-2111; 8, $15.
Natasha Bedingfield
More believable than Nelly Furtado as a hip-hop icon.
Nokia Theater Times Square, 1515 Broadway (at W. 44th St.), 212-930-1950; 8, $25.
Ellis Paul
American Jukebox Fables was rare modern folk that didn't sound composed in back of tour bus while proofing MySpace page.
Makor, 35 West 67th St. (betw. CPW & Columbus Ave.), 212-601-1000; 8, $20/$22.
Mason Jennings/Teddy Thompson
Now a veteran recording artist, Mason Jennings helms Boneclouds through major-label budget for slightly more gloss on gorgeous country vibes.
Webster Hall, 125 E. 11th St. (betw. 3rd & 4th Aves.), 212- 353-1600; 7, $20.
Rakim/Common
W/Lupe Fiasco, Rhymefest, DJ Z-Trip and Kid Capri. Designer Marc Ecko rallies to save endangered rhinos.
Rumsey Playfied, Central Park, 69th St. at 5th Ave., 212-930-1950; 6, $36/$40.
Dizzying pop with jazz flirtations and doses of sharp rock; subject matter sadly laden with moments from Jane magazine.
Webster Hall, 125 E. 11th St. (betw. 3rd & 4th Aves.), 212- 353-1600; 6:30, $20.25.
The Fame
One year and a drummer later, NYC's best rock band has ringing bravado rewarded with slot usually saved for geriatric punk reunion.
The Continental, 25 Third Ave. (at St. Marks Pl.), 212-529-6924; 11:30, $8/$10.
Swiss psych-pop used to consist of moptops trying to sound like Screamin' Jay Hawkins; Dungen reinvents sound with elfin moments and soulful prog-like his moptop forefathers went on to make. Which opens as dated stoner rock. Dated from '94, that is.
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (at 15th St.), 212-777-1224; 8, $18.50/$20.
Stew
Having gone over a year without recording a new album, Stew-and accompanist Heidi Rodewald-take a break from theater and film projects for yet another evening of wit, wisdom and wispy pop.
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St. (betw. Astor Pl. & E. 4th St.), 212-254-1263; 9:30, $15/$20.
Be Your Own Pet
The true hype's around the corner, but should be taken seriously when praised for pure punk in absurd artsy blasts. Lyrically, though, it's lame goth text messages.
Maxwell's, 1039 Washington St. (at 11th St.), Hoboken, 201-798-0406; 9, $10.
Teddy Geiger
Kind of interesting in a creepy pop-idol-as-coffeehouse-Lothario fashion, but Leif Garrett also learned how to pout at the same age.
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, Fulton & South Sts., 212-SEA-PORT; sunset, free.
Always pub-rockers at heart, Stiff Little Fingers hopes you don't remember all the crap albums they churned out in the '90s. The Tossers continue our grandparents' rightful assessment of punk as yet another excuse for drunken Irish louts.
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (at 15th St.), 212-777-1224; 8, $20.
Tommy Emmanuel
Australian for Al Di Meola-and who would've guessed that the Aussies had a smooth jazz scene? Fortunately, also sports an impressive country fixation.
B.B. King's Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42 St. (betw. 7th and 8th Aves.), 212-997-4144; 8, $20.
Bettye LaVette
Still a true soul legend, despite bad luck of being only true soul legend given comeback vehicle by hipster moron who thought she had to be overproduced.
Madison Square Park, Big Apple BBQ Block Party, 5th Ave. & 23rd St., 212-538-4071; 12-6, free.
Not the clever punk-pop of the past, but high-concept Flat-Pack Philosophy has enough hooks to make it a necessary addition to a collection that used to be summed up with 2004's 3-disc Singles Anthology-damnit.
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (at 15th St.), 212-777-1224; 8, $20.
Once a stereotype, moe. has now become one of the few jam bands that know how to keep their songs short.
Rumsey Playfied, Central Park, 69th St. at 5th Ave., 212-930-1950; 5, $30.
The Boy Least Likely To
Finally finished touring with James Blunt, charming popsters go off on their own to win over Belle & Sebastian fans with playful melodies.
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B'way & Church St.), 212-219-3132; 8, $10/$12.
The Yayhoos
Dan Baird, Eric Ambel, Keith Christopher and Terry Anderson-less a supergroup than a bunch of outdated musicians who should be too drunk and bitter to do anything about it. Put The Hammer Down somehow emerges as second fine collection of country/pop/rock.
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 9:45, $10.