Early Day Miners, Snocore, Cake ... 

THURSDAY 1/20

Jägerdance 2005 (Velvet Room); Crystal Method, The Exies (Blender Sessions @ Harry O’s, Park City).

FRIDAY 1/21

EARLY DAY MINERS

Daniel Burton’s personal ad might go something like this: “I don’t like my depressive nature. I lack organization and am very inefficient.” That’s what you’ll gather from his Creative Loafing profile. Of course, the Early Day Miners singer-guitarist’s idea of fun is a converted church full of apparitions, so it’s doubtful he has time for moonlit walks on the beach. Growing up in Bloomington, Ind., apparently called forth EDM’s dark side—a bit of sunny-day suicide for the post-Bauhaus set. The group recently completed their fourth full-length album, All Harm Ends Here, a cheery platter featuring a large portion of material recorded in a converted church, like Ichiban but spookier. If you dig seemingly directionless dirges drenched in organ, this band’s for you. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m. Info: 320-9887.

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD

There are only so many ways to give power to the people. Singer-songwriter Michael Franti swears by the proactive approach, traveling to places like the Middle East to enlighten and empower voiceless populations. I Know I’m Not Alone documents his latest jaunt—uncovering the cost of war. The film premieres at this year’s Slamdance, an event he’ll attend in between Sundance performance sets. He’ll also give a special acoustic show at Park City’s 608 Gallery, baring his soul with passion to match his gigs with System of a Down’s Serj Tankian during the 2004 Republican National Convention: “It was an inspiring honor to be onstage with all those cats, and even more inspiring to be out in the streets with all those who are working so hard to get this country back on track. I just wanted be a drop in the mighty river of change.” Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd., Kimball Junction, Park City, 8 p.m. Info: 435-658-2665.

Also Friday: Calexico (Egos); Ghostowne CD Release (Liquid Joe’s); A Thorn for Every Heart (Lo-Fi Café); Kings of Leon, Juliette & the Licks (Blender Sessions @ Harry O’s, Park City).

SATURDAY 1/22

SLAMDANCE LOCALS @ BREWVIES: THE RUBES

The Rubes have a doppelgänger called … The Rubes. Brewvies’ Website currently features a link to an Ohio-based butt-rock trio, an error the group may or may not have instigated with the purpose of destroying their counterpart. According to a semi-reliable insider, The (Ohio) Rubes have been spreading false Internet rumors about The (SLC) Rubes. At press time, however, our local heroes had ousted their Midwest archenemies and were scheduled to play after the 2005 Slamdance screening of Male Fantasy. Speaking of fantasy, the last time The (SLC) Rubes played Egos, frontman vocalist/guitarist/pianist Greg Midgely tore off his stark dress shirt and writhed about the stage. Later, at an after-hours house party, the wiry singer was overheard saying, “I did what?” Perhaps Bizarro Greg should handle that one. Brewvies, 677 S. 200 West, 9:30 p.m. Info: 355-5500.

Also Saturday: The Brobecks CD Release (Kilby Court); G. Love & Special Sauce (Suede, Park City); Dashboard Confessional, Fountains of Wayne (Blender Sessions @ Harry O’s, Park City); Cyrus Chesnut Trio (Sundance Theatre, Provo Canyon).

SUNDAY 1/23

SNOCORE TOUR

Hailed by X96 as the first huge concert of the year (see abovementioned acts for proof to the contrary), Snocore is sure to please weary bros and betties on the hunt for radio-friendly rock. This year’s lineup features Chevelle, Strata, Crossfade, Future Leaders of the World and Helmet (!). The main stage also will boast a giant dual-screen projection setup airing “sick” video footage of “sick” extreme skiers and snowboarders. But this awesome concert isn’t all fun and games—it’s about life, man. Take a cue from Helmet’s Page Hamilton, who reaped valuable insight from the band’s seven-year hiatus: “Part of the job of being a musician is to have respect for the past. Whatever’s trendy or whatever the kids are buying, I won’t be doing.” In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South, 6:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 800-888-8499.

Also Sunday: Mike Doughty (Suede, Park City); Ludacris (Blender Sessions @ Harry O’s, Park City).

MONDAY 1/24

CAKE

Five words: Best. Gloria. Gaynor. Cover. Ever. What else do you need to know about Cake? Well, how about their fun, jilted vocals detailing car races, short skirts, long jackets and friends who are, in fact, four-letter words? Some people think they’re S.Q.U.A.R.E., and that’s OK. Even vocalist John McCrea has noted his band’s “cultural irrelevance.” No amount of negative feedback could stop the Sacramento-based group from releasing, Pressure Chief, another album packed with humorous takes on depressing relationships with cruel women. Rock! Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd., Kimball Junction, Park City, 8 p.m. Info: 435-658-2665.

Also Monday: The AKAs (Lo-Fi Café); Snoop Dogg (Blender Sessions @ Harry O’s, Park City).

TUESDAY 1/25

SCISSOR SISTERS

Hmm … they are, how you say … post-disco? These people, these … Scissor Sisters, with their funny jumpsuits and feathered boas prancing around like pinball wizards at Studio 54. Ha! Ha! They manage to fit bits of Elton John and Bee Gees (about New York conservatism and coming out to your mom in a gay club) into interesting round pie! Scissor Sisters debut album breaks language barriers by speaking in tongue-and-cheek tongues. Check, cha-cha, check it out. Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd., Kimball Junction, Park City, 8 p.m. Info: 435-658-2665.

Also Tuesday: Tony Furtado (Velvet Room); Eric Johnson (Port O’ Call); Two Cow Garage (Egos).

WEDNESDAY 1/26

MC LARS

Nerd rap has earned a bad rap among traditionalists claiming the punchy subgenre is driven by a bunch of sucka emcees with no respect—no respect, they’ll tell ya—for hip-hop culture. Other people rave about kids like MC Lars, a former Stanford University student who modeled his dorm-spun recording sessions after neo-bohemian Beck. Lars spent his pre-college years balancing solo open-mic gigs with performances in Amphoteric, a more straightforward punk band. Then he went to England and penned a love song to Atom & His Package. Now he’s gained notoriety for “Signing Emo,” a touching piece about out-of-touch record execs and the misguided youth they try to follow. In The Venue, 579 W. 200 South, 6:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 800-888-8499 (with Riddlin’ Kids, American Hi-Fi and Bowling for Soup).

Also Wednesday: Collective Soul (The Canyons Forum).

COMING UP

Black Eyed Snakes (Urban Lounge, Jan. 28; Brewskis, Ogden, Jan. 29). Jimmy Newquist (Velvet Room, Jan. 27). Violet Run CD Release (Urban Lounge, Jan. 30). Cher (Delta Center, Jan. 31). Anthony Gomes (Egos, Jan. 31). The Thermals (Kilby Court, Feb. 2). Otep (The Circuit, Feb. 2). Tift Merritt (Liquid Joe’s, Feb. 8). Social Distortion (In the Venue, Feb. 11). Secret Machines (Lo-Fi Café, Feb. 12). Legendary Shack Shakers (Urban Lounge, Feb. 15). Bettie Serveert (Velvet Room, Feb. 19). Sage Francis (Lo-Fi Café, Feb. 23).