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The best Reno area concerts

This week's picks (and pans) for Reno, Sparks, Carson and Tahoe

By Mark Earnest

Special to Metromix
November 16, 2009

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Gwar, your friendly neighborhood demon-aliens, play Friday at the New Oasis. (Credit: Metromix/Ben Hicks)

It's hard to keep track of every show that's coming up, so let local musician-in-the-know Mark Earnest help you pick your playlist for this week. This page is updated with new concerts every Monday, so bookmark away.

With their annual visits, it almost seems like Gwar is a check-box as we count down to Christmas. Add them to Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Black Wednesday and get grossed out Friday night at the New Oasis. Be ready for blood and openers Job for a Cowboy and the Red Chord.

Also this week: Grynch, Amber Rubarth, Fanfarlo and many more.

Stones for Bones

John Ascuaga's Nugget - 1100 Nugget Ave. - Sparks

November 21 : 7 p.m.

Saturday’s pick: Last year’s KTHX-FM birthday party featured Reno artists covering Dylan. This time, it’s the Glimmer Twins (and their unsung hero, Charlie Watts) who are getting the tribute treatment. As always, the local lineup is strong and promises some surprises and reinventions here and there (if someone covers an obscurity from “Exile on Main Street” I’d be thrilled). The roster includes Drinking With Clowns, Guitar Woody, Jelly Bread, Kate Cotter, The Saddle Tramps, Jahzilla, Kung Fu Sophie, Mark Sexton and the Train Wrecks, with more to be announced I’m sure. Proceeds go to the Nevada Opera, Reno Chamber Orchesta and Washoe County School District’s “Music In Schools” program. $19, 7 p.m., John Ascuaga’s Nugget, all ages

Black Crowes

Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - 2500 E. Second St. - Reno

November 21 : 8 p.m.

Also on Saturday: With a new double album under their belts, this Georgia band returns to Reno for a show promoting the new songs (although expect the hits as well as obscurities in the set list). The new album is a bit closer to straight Americana at times, but there is still plenty of grit in the band’s mix of trad rock, blues and harder-edged rock. I realize they are a love-em-or-hate-em prospect for some listeners, but few bands these days can play this sound with zero irony and the true love for it that the Crowes still possess. $38.50, 8 p.m., Grand Sierra Theater, all ages

Ari Shine, Adam Bones

Whiskey Dicks Saloon - 2660 Lake Tahoe Blvd. - South Lake Tahoe

November 21 : 10 p.m.

Also on Saturday: Tonight, Tonic features a pair of excellent singer/songwriters from Cali who are as in thrall to power-pop and early punk as they are to Americana. Give ‘em a try! $5, 10 p.m., Tonic Lounge, 21+

Goldenhearts, DustRaiser

Davidson's Distillery - 275 East Fourth St. - Reno

November 21 : 9 p.m.

Also on Saturday: This show features The Goldenhearts, a Bay area band that merges indie-pop with Americana twang. The openers are DustRaiser, a new Reno band (with some familiar faces) also playing rock mixed with alt-country. Free, 9 p.m., Davidson’s Distillery, 21+

Look Alive, The Subtle Way, Lay Waste the Facade, The Waiting Ends

Studio on 4th - 432 E. Fourth St. - Reno

November 21 : 7 p.m.

Also on Saturday: A bill of melodic hardcore/metal bands, headlined by Look Alive from Sacramento and The Subtle Way from the Bay area. Lay Waste the Façade and The Waiting Ends are likeminded Reno groups. $7 adv., $10 door, Studio at 4th, all ages

Alpaca, DJ AD/AM

Se7en on West (Seven) - 148 West St. - Reno

November 21 : 10 p.m.

Also on Saturday: The Portland band Alpaca plays live electronica on the funkier side of things. Tahoe DJ AD/AM opens things up. $7, 10 p.m., Se7en at West Street Market, 21+

James Hunnicutt, Cowbelleros

Abby's Highway 40 - 424 E. Fourth St. - Reno

November 21 : 9:30 p.m.

Also on Saturday: Known for his work with Wayne Hancock’s band, guitarist and singer James Hunnicutt will play this 4th Street bar with local rockabilly band Cowbelleros. Free, 9 p.m., Abby’s Highway 40, 21+

Sharing Mass Graves, Off The Deep End

Knuckleheads Bar and Grille - 405 N. Vine St. - Reno

November 21 : 9 p.m.

Also on Saturday: This bill includes Sharing Mass Graves, an Oregon band that splits the difference between early thrash and post-‘70s hardcore punk; and Off The Deep End, a great Tahoe band that plays noisy early metal and punk with a psychedelic twinge. $5, 9 p.m., Knuckleheads, 21+

Equipto, Dash, Extreme, J1Three, Optimo, Knowledge, DJ Gil T

Vixens - 906 Victorian Ave. - Sparks

November 21 : 8 p.m.

Also on Saturday: A ton of local hip-hop artists gather for this free show in Sparks tonight. Free, 8 p.m., Vixens, 21+

Nightmare Studios Anniversary Metal Party

The Underground - 555 E. Fourth St., Suite B - Reno

November 21 : 8 p.m.

Also on Saturday: Four metal bands from the region play as part of tattoo business Nightmare Studios’ annual anniversary party. Both Zend and Us You And Them play technical metal with hardcore influences. The Swamp Donkey plays groove-oriented sludge. Make It Reign are mix of death metal and hardcore. $5, 8 p.m., The Underground, 21+

Urban Jungle: A Circus of Creativity

The Tree House Lounge - 555 E. Fourth St. (behind The Underground) - Reno

November 21 : 8 p.m.

Also on Saturday: While the metal rages next door, a group of local artists and musicians will gather tonight for this fundraiser for the Evelyn Mount Foundation, which raises funds and food items for the homeless. Scheduled so far, music-wise, are garage/Americana band The Madorians, live electronica act In Space With Lasers,singer/songwriter Jenny O and Prince tribute act Formerly Known As. $5, 8 p.m., Treehouse Lounge, 21+

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Harrah's Lake Tahoe - 15 U.S. Highway 50 - Stateline

November 21 : 7:30 p.m.

Also on Saturday: This So Cal band who were a leading light in the swing revival from a decade-or-so are back in Tahoe tonight. $40, 7:30 p.m., Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, all ages

Keller Williams

Crystal Bay Club-Casino - 14 Nevada 28 - Crystal Bay

November 22 : 9 p.m.

Sunday’s pick: A hard-touring fella, that Keller Williams. Playing some of the most distinctive one-man sinurger-songwriter shows around, Williams (who’s based in Virginia) sometimes lacks in the songwriting department, but his live shows are never anything less than entertaining and fun. His newest album, “Odd,” is actually one of his most tuneful but it is loaded with some of his more humor-laden material (and a loose but sincere tribute to Fela Kuti of all people). Anyway, jam or folk fans who are less pop-paced should flock to this one. $25 adv., $27 door, 9 p.m., Crystal Bay Club, 21+

Amber Rubarth - Concerts in the Gallery

Sierra Arts Gallery - 17 S. Virginia St., Suite 120 - Reno

November 22 : 7 p.m.

Also on Sunday: For a two-night stand in town (the show on Monday Nov 23 is at Maytan Music Center), former Reno resident Amber Rubarth will bring her distinctive singer/songwriter skills from her new home in NYC. Seating is limited, so go here to reserve a spot or two: http://www.sierra-arts.org/concerts.html. Free, 7 p.m., Sierra Arts, all ages

Merrill

The Underground - 555 E. Fourth St., Suite B - Reno

November 22 : 8 p.m.

Also on Sunday: Merrill is a Portland-based power pop band featuring former Reno resident Robert Finn. They write catchy and smart tunes with the punch that’s expected of the better acts in this genre. Give ‘em a shot! $5, 9 p.m., The Underground, 21+

Lucas Cates Band

The Wal (Little Waldorf Saloon) - 1661 N. Virginia St. - Reno

November 22 : 8 p.m.

Also on Sunday: Hailing from Madison, Wis.,The Lucas Cates Band plays modern pop-rock music. Free, 8 p.m., The Little Waldorf Saloon, 21+

Not Sorry, SlutFungus

Club Envy - 1500 Old Hot Springs Road - Carson City

November 22 : 7 p.m.

Also on Sunday: This all-Carson bill includes early hardcore punk from Not Sorry and thrash/hardcore from SlutFungus. $5, 7 p.m., Club Envy in Carson City, 18+