Best of the week: Local music

Monday, Apr. 25 - Wolfgang Gartner + Hot Pink Delorean

If nothing else, the psychedelic electronica leanings of Hot Pink Delorean give concrete proof that there’s life beyond Faneuil Hall’s one-note dance scene. That’s not to say it’s a full-on departure, as the group owes much of its success to a pumping backbeat, but the group does just enough to crack the mold and step out into slightly more heady territory—dirtying up the dance music template with flashes of rock and other sonic trickery to carve out a place of their own. The group offers up opening act services to Austin, TX DJ extraordinaire Wolfgang Gartner.


Tuesday, Apr. 26 - Matt Heaton and the Electric Heaters + The Spytones + Trabants

It would be easy to write off the Electric Heaters as some sort of cosmic goof on the hyper-niche surf rock genre, and maybe in part it is. Then there’s another part that swings with the same sort of warm weather vibes popularized by pioneers such as Dick Dale and Link Wray. In the end it might be up to each fan to decide if these guys are sincere or just getting their kicks (or both), but there’s fun to be had just trying to figure it all out. Fellow surf rockers The Spytones and Trabants will open.


Wednesday, Apr. 27 - Rob Potylo and the Lonely Planets + Grey Valley Ghosts + Zip-Tie Handcuffs

With a myriad of projects ranging from music to radio, television and comedy, Rob Potylo has emerged in recent years as Boston’s own rock and roll Peter Sellers, infusing the local scene with a healthy does of irony and humor at every step. Best known perhaps for his satirically boorish alter ego Robby Roadsteamer, Potylo has busied himself as of late with a number of different ventures, namely as the creator and star of MyTV’s mock reality show Quiet Desperation and guitarist of the Lonely Planets. Stripped of the Roadsteamer persona, the Planets still don’t stray too far from a good laugh while at the same time staying true to Boston’s purebred rock pedigree. Local garage rockers Grey Valley Ghosts, who cheekily brand themselves as “evil pop,” open alongside bratty pop-punk misfits Zip-Tie Handcuffs.


Friday, Apr. 29 - The Wandas + The Honors + The Highway + Old Abram Brown

The Wandas’ serene blend of mid-tempo indie rock and power pop brings more than a few bands to mind—namely Nada Surf, Teenage Fanclub and, don’t hold your breath, the Beatles. But if this Boston band wears its influences on its sleeve, at least its members have got enough good taste to take their cues from the best in their musical neighborhood. Touring behind their 2009 release New Wave Blues, the Wandas excel at making those familiar pop sounds feel fresh and comfortable. Echoey indie poppers Old Abram Brown, playing in support of their most recent disc Restless Ghosts, offer support along with the Honors (think Guided By Voices meets the Strokes) and The Highway.