24FRI
Chk Chk Chk (!!!)
Assembly Music Hall, 8 p.m., $13
When your name is a trio of exclamation points, thus leaving it up to interpretation as to how to actually pronounce said name, you get a sense of where this band’s head is at. Chk Chk Chk’s (or !!!) music and videos only enhances this feeling. The “And Anyway it’s Christmas” video features almost four minutes of of nothing but a fire in a fireplace, and the one for “Californiyeah” cleverly has various shots of film playing out within three illustrated exclamation points. And then, there is the music itself: With the downright ebullient disco pop of “One Girl/One Boy” and the equally dance-heavy “Slyd,” there is no end to the fun on the band’s latest release, 2013's Thr!!!er. 1000 K Street, www.chkchkchk.net.
—Brian Palmer
24FRI
Velvet Underground Tribute Show & Benefit
Center for the Arts, 8 p.m., $12-$15
In 1967, when most bands were singing about peace and free love, the Velvet Underground released its dark, gritty, surreal debut, The Velvet Underground & Nico. Singer Lou Reed sang about heroin, prostitution and sadomasochism—not exactly in line with the Summer of Love movement, but the group inspired many bands in the ’80s and ’90s. This show is a benefit for the drug-and-alcohol treatment center Community Recovery Resources, featuring local artists and musicians playing their favorite Velvet Underground or Lou Reed songs. Performers include Lorraine Gervais, Lasher Keen, Meri St. Mary (pictured) and Jay Tausig. 314 W. Main Street in Grass Valley, www.thecenterforthearts.org.
—Aaron Carnes
25SAT
Los Rabanes
Assembly Music Hall, 8 p.m., $15
It’s been 10 years since Latin Grammy winners Los Rabanes performed in the United States. Emilio Regueira, Javier Saavedra and Christian Torres are stopping in Sacramento as they tour on the heels of their December 2013 release, Urban Rock. The album’s title may describe the music the Panamanian band’s now performing, but the guys will also likely pull from 2007’s award-winning Kamikaze, 2011’s Demons on Fire or 2012’s Rock Latino. Los Rabanes is where Latin meets metal and hip-hop and straight-up rock. Often classified as ska-punk or punk-rock, this band doesn’t slip easily into any category. Also performing are La Noche Oskura, Pro Mañon and DJ Fili Sainz. 1000 K Street, www.twitter.com/losrabanes.
—Trina L. Drotar
26SUN
Emery
Assembly Music Hall, 6 p.m., $15
Emery’s musical journey has been a trek. Pushing itself hard to find its identity, the Seattle band produced its 2011's album, We Do What We Want, with the intention of melting off some faces—and it succeeded. The music is cohesive hard rock with pulsing beats, precise guitar and ethereal synth sounds topped by enchanting lyrical vocals by lead man Toby Morrell. Backed by Matt Carter on guitar, Josh Head on keyboard and Dave Powell on drums, Morrell performs largely self-written songs, exploring faith, personal struggles and his recent embarking into fatherhood. The Classic Crime, This Wild Life and Peacemercentio open the show. 1000 K Street, www.badchristian.com/band/emery.
