Best of the week: Local music

Wednesday, May 18  - For The Sake Of The Song Plays Neil Young’s Harvest featuring Sarah Blacker + Autumn Hollow Band + James Houlahan + Patrick Coman

Almost 40 years after its initial release, there’s still scarcely a songwriter alive who hasn’t felt the influence of Harvest, Neil Young’s beautifully achy 1972 masterpiece. At least the folks behind For The Sake Of Song seem to think so, as they continue their ongoing live tribute series by paying homage to the record on Wednesday night. Local artists including Sarah Blacker, James Houlahan and the Autumn Hollow Band will take turns covering the album track by track, with each performer bringing their own interpretations of Young’s famously cathartic songwriting to the table. For more info check out forthesakeofsong.com.


Thursday, May 19 - Sasquatch & The Sick-A-Billys + Ska Prest + The Parasites + Gun Shop Daddy

With their muddy mix of rockabilly, blues and punk, Providence’s Sasquatch & The Sick-A-Billys are gritty proof that good rock and roll is born on the road and bred in dank hole-in-the-wall clubs. Ten years into their run as Providence’s reigning kings of hell-raising punkabilly, the trio lives as hard as they play, maintaining a menacing touring schedule that finds them averaging 200+ shows a year. But if it’s true that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, the Sick-A-Billys could just be revving up for another decade in the rock and roll trenches. Boston’s Ska-Prest will open with their groovy brand of trad ska along with old guard pop-punks the Parasites and Jamaica Plain blues rockers Gun Shop Daddy.


Thursday, May 19 - The Boston Typewriter Orchestra + The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library

Anyone who doubts that inspiration can sometimes spring from the most unlikely of sources might do well to check out the Boston Typewriter Orchestra. Founded in 2004 by Tim Devlin, the BTO’s musical M.O. is decidedly McGuyver-like, with members playing their typewriters with the rhythmic precision that a seasoned jazzman would his trumpet. And more often than not, the troupe’s performance plays as a hilariously off-kilter office place satire as well as it does an exercise in musical deconstruction. The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library will kick things off with a set of songs from their debut record, Volume 1.


Saturday, May 21 - Age Rings + Taxpayer + Pretty & Nice + You Can Be A Wesley
 
The wait has been considerable for the Age Rings’ proper follow up to their 2006 debut Look...The Dusk Is Growing. But judging from what’s been leaked from the double album sophomore release Black Honey, it may well have been worth it. The angsty art rockers are rolling out the red carpet with a CD release party downstairs at the Middle East, where local favorites Taxpayer will open in support of their latest effort Photo. Pretty & Nice will indulge fans with their spastic brand of pop rock, while the new school indie sounds of You Can Be A Wesley round out the bill.