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.
Dark Party brings electronica to Bar 24 on Wednesday and Se7en on West on Friday.
Read on for Mieka Pauley, Agent Orange, Adam Freeland, Hot Buttered Rum and many more.
Mieka Pauley
On Tuesday: Singer/guitarist Mieka Pauley from NYC plays on campus tonight. She plays acoustic rock with a edgier, near-alternorock style. Free, 9 p.m., Starbucks at Joe Crowley Student Union, UNR, all ages
Control, The Business, Calling Cadence, MHD
Wednesday’s pick: Part of the second wave of trad punk acts in England, The Business distinguished themselves with their strong political content and their willingness to mix the subtle strains of punk (the three chord slower style, speedier hardcore, singalong melodic punk). They haven’t released an album in ages, so maybe this is a return to active duty. Also on the bill are similar UK punk band Control, Reno band Calling Cadence, and Dayton garage-meets-hardcore band MHD. So, yes, a very solid and intriguing mid-week punk bill. $10 adv, $12 door, 7 p.m., Vixens, all ages
Dark Party
Also on Wednesday: This first appearance of this electronica/techno traveling show featuring Chicago based DJ duo Dark Party and NYC DJ/artist Mux Mool. Both acts are equally in thrall to classic hip-hip and the glitchier side of techno. $8, 9 p.m., Bar 24, 21+
Cloaked Characters
Friday’s pick: A duo from Bend, Oregon, Cloaked Characters is one of the best of the new wave of alt-hip-hop acts. They manage to have an older-school, minimalist style that doesn’t skimp on the catchier aspects of their genre, but they also add more experimental touches (and a great minimalist rock streak) without coming off as self-conscious or deliberately difficult. It’s a neat trick that I wish more hip-hop acts on either side of the fence would try. $5, 9 p.m., Se7en at West Street Market, 21+
Also on Friday: Here’s the return of this shamefully underrated Cali punk band that mixes surf rock, straight-ahead melodic rock and early hardcore. $5, 9 p.m., Vixens, 21+
All That Remains, The Devil Wears Prada, Story of the Year, LoveHateHero
Also on Friday: I find it interesting that slightly-above-average melodic hardcore band St. Louis band Story of the Year now gets third billing for this tour of loud rock bands. Weren’t they the great hope/hype just a handful of years ago? Anyway, the show is now headlined by two younger run-of-the-mill melodic hardcore bands (All That Remains from Massachusetts and The Devil Wears Prada from Ohio) and begins with some glossy-sheen melodic rock (Lovehatehero from L.A.). The best band on this bill, Haste The Day, has dropped off the tour. $20, 7:30 p.m., New Oasis, 21+
Also on Friday: Here’s the Reno stop for this techno-meets-hip-hop electronica bill featuring a Chicago duo (Dark Party) and a NYC DJ/artist (Mux Mool). $8, 9 p.m., Seven on West, 21+
Schizopolitans
Also on Friday: This Reno troupe of noisy and arty modern rockers are back at one of their favorite haunts. $5, 8 p.m., Studio at 4th, all ages
One Time in Reno
Also on Friday: This (duh!) Reno band that plays a mix of straight-ahead rock and alternative music will be playing this free show downtown. Free, 10 p.m., Amendment 21, 21+
Moonalice
Also on Friday: Featuring G.E. Smith, best known for his work as the ‘90s Saturday Night Live bandleader, and members of the Jefferson Airplane/Starship/Whatever, Moonalice actually hues away from rock and closer to Americana. Free, 9 p.m., Crystal Bay Club, 21+
Captured By Robots
Saturday’s pick: Yes! After well over two years away from Reno, this truly one-of-a-kind hard rock act from the Bay returns to town. Basically, it’s a man now named JBOT. Why the impersonal name change? Well, the robots he invented to play in his one-man-band instead enslaved him and now control him. Sure, it’s comic (at times it’s even poop-your-pants hilarious) but JBOT and his robot “pals” also make good, solid rock music that mixes the best of metal and industrial into an interesting stew. As with all his tours, this one has a theme: “Get Motivated,” apparently a show to help you out of the rut you and the country are currently sharing. Needless to say, every self-respective fan of louder rock should see the Robots at least once in their life. $10, 9 p.m., Zephyr Lounge, 21+
Hot Buttered Rum
Also on Saturday: This is a solid duo of modern country/bluegrass and a must-see show for fans of those genres. Bay area band Hot Buttered Rum has evolved over the years from strictly bluegrass to something closer to jam-style melodic rock, but with touches of Americana still present. Split Lip Rayfield is the stunner, though, as this Kansas group melds trad Americana to the crazed energy of hardcore and punk. $20 adv., $23 door, 9 p.m, Crystal Bay Club, 21+
Also on Saturday: The brains behind the best Beach Boys material returns to the area for a show. Backed by a large band, they faithfully recreate the “Pet Sounds/Smile” era of the Boys. $77.50, 7:30 p.m., Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, all ages
Adam Freeland, DJ AFS, The Rhino, Ryan Howard, Chris English, Evan Bender
Also on Saturday: Hailing from the UK, electronica artist/DJ Adam Freeland has a more pronounced guitar-rock streak to his music, which helps his work stand out and gives it an edge some other modern DJ lack. A whole host of Reno DJs also join this party (see long list above). $10 adv., $15 door, 10 p.m., 210 North, 21+
Pulley, Our Hometown Disaster, Another Damn Disappointment, Single Second
Also on Saturday: A night of melodic but aggro punk-influenced rock with Pulley (from So Cal) and a trio of bands from Sacramento. $10, 7 p.m, Vixens, 21+
Heidi Newfield
Also on Saturday: Formerly a member of the modern country group Trick Pony, Heidi Newfield (who was raised in Cali) plays a similar mix of pop and rock with a country accent. $30, 8 p.m., John Ascuaga’s Nugget, all ages
RaiderDave, Alias John Brown, Arlamae
Also on Saturday: I’m still trying to figure out why these two Cali modern hip-hip artists (RaiderDave and Alias John Brown) are on a bill with local melodic hardcore act Arlamae. Let me know if you figure it out before me. $7, 10 p.m., Tonic Lounge, 21+
Shane Dwight
Also on Saturday: Here’s the return of blues/Americana guitarist Shane Dwight (who used to live in the Bay area and has since moved to Nashville). $10, 9 p.m., 3rd Street, 21+
Blasphemous Creation, Otis, Gates of Dilirium, Legion
Also on Saturday: A night of death-and/or-black-metal with four local bands, including headliners Blasphemous Creation, who’ll be releasing their debut CD tonight. $7, 7 p.m., New Oasis, all ages
DJ Kentot, DJ Jazzy Gems, DJ FredyG, Aaron "The Era"
Also on Saturday: Local hip-techno DJs get together for this masquerade party. $12, $8 with mask, 10 p.m., The Underground, 21+
Penny Dreadfuls, Calling Cadence, Antix
Also on Saturday: Three bands that play melodic punk rock are offered up in Tahoe tonight. The Penny Dreadfuls are from the Bay, but have former ties to Reno. Calling Cadence is still living in Reno. Antix are from Auburn, Calif. $5, 9 p.m., Whiskey Dick’s, 21+
Jeff Dunn
On Sunday: Here’s a show from the longtime Reno musician with a heart-on-sleeve writing approach to his punk-flavored solo rock. $5, 9 p.m., Zephyr Lounge, 21+
Metromix stories about the local music scene.
The biggest names touring near Reno, like Rob Thomas at the Events Center on Oct. 17.
