Live: Music Picks Jan. 28-Feb.3 

THURSDAY JAN. 28

Grizfolk

Far from the grisly notion of yet another hipster folk band, Grizfolk is a Swedish-based indie rock band formed in Los Angeles. If that sounds a little convoluted, their hyperkinetic touring schedule since 2013, barely a year after forming, is the stuff of which they used to call paying your dues. But then, how many bands sign to a major label (Virgin) for their debut release? That EP, From the Spark, featured trademark polished harmonies, hummable melodies and jangling guitars in service of bouncing rhythms, a sound likeable enough if not earth-shatteringly novel or through-breaking. Their latest, Waking Up the Giants, was released to the fanfare of singles remixed by Saint Pepsi, Tyde and Dawn Golden. With Max Frost, Austin, Texas, producer/songwriter, whose hip-hop influenced compositions, he says, reflect on life's "highs and lows." (BS) Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m., $12 in advance, $14 day of show, KilbyCourt.com

FRIDAY JAN. 29

Slaughter

Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum debuted together in the Vinnie Vincent Invasion, a solo project by the one-time Kiss guitarist. A few years later, when Vincent screwed the pooch and lost his record deal, they formed Slaughter. The band landed huge hits in "Up All Night" and "Fly to the Angels," ruling the cock-rock roost until grunge reduced the genre to nuggets. Their arena shows, however, often copped out with a hits medley, when they were only on their second album and it wasn't justified. Now their recent set lists are packed with full-length hits—but only 7 to 10 of them. Oh, well. At least it's all killer, no filler. (Randy Harward) Liquid Joe's, 1249 E. 3300 South, 7 p.m., $30 in advance, $35 day of show, LiquidJoes.net

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY JAN. 29-31

Andy Frasco & the U.N.

Another case from the YouTube rabbit hole files: this mad hatter, leading a group of equally goofy but talented friends. The first clip that comes up is "Smokin' Dope and Rock 'n' Roll" and it shows what a freewheeling bunch the band is, with the Afro-ed Frasco, who's been called "Mr. Human Cocaine," puffing a doob while doing yoga. It also shows how much fun the band is live. And, although the song—and some online info—would have you believe they're just another blues rock band, their upcoming album Happy Bastards (Fun Machine) has brooding and breezy pop rock, phat funky soul, disco and, yeah, stomping blues rock on "Mature As Fuck," a song where this group of man-children assert their right to be themselves, because they're grown-up where it counts. You know, on the inside. (RH) Friday: The State Room, 638 S. State, 9 p.m., $17, TheStateRoomSLC.com; Saturday: O.P. Rockwell, 628 Main, Park City, 9 p.m., $16-25, OPRockwell.com; Sunday: Snowbasin Resort, 3925 Snowbasin Road, Huntsville, 3:30 p.m., free, Snowbasin.com

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SATURDAY JAN. 30

Salt Lake City Songwriters Showcase

Tonight, in the sublime confines of The State Room—one of Salt Lake City's best places to see cozy sets from singer-songwriters—four locals will show our city has the talent to suit the setting. Organized by Morgan Young of the band Triggers & Slips, the bill features himself along with Daniel Young (The Hollering Pines, The Trappers), Ryan Tanner (The Lower Lights) and Paul Jacobsen (The Madison Arm, The Lower Lights). Accompanying the songsmiths' sets are T&S member John Davis, THP's Kiki Jane Sieger and Dylan Schorer The Hollering Pines), and mandolin player Mark Horton Smith. Young promises the full, intimate experience: "It will be a sit-down show." (RH) The State Room, 638 S. State, 9 p.m., $10, TheStateRoomSLC.com

SATURDAY JAN. 30

Stick Figure

SoCal group Stick Figure puts something of a new spin on reggae music. They keep the traditional rhythms and vibes but add soundscapes, echoed vocals and sweeping guitar melodies that lend a psychedelic feeling to the music. Their music videos fit the experience just as well; imagery of beaches, sunsets, the band's placid faces, the calming drug trip they want their music to feel like to the listener. Since their first self-released album, The Sound of My Addiction (self-released) they've built up more and more of a following, up to their most recent release Set In Stone which received acclaim from critics and listeners alike. From lead singer Scott Woodruff putting together tracks in his dorm room to headlining shows in Reggae Rise-Up, Stick Figure has made the climb to success, all the while maintaining their quality, even reaching the No. 1 spot on iTunes and Billboard's reggae charts. With Fortunate Youth and Katastro. (DB) The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 8 p.m., $16 in advance, $21 day of show, DepotSLC.com

SUNDAY JAN. 31

The Knocks

Together, Ben "B-Rocc" Ruttner and James "Mr. JPatt" Patterson form the EDM duo The Knocks, coming from the birthing place of so many musical forms, New York City. The duo are out creating songs that mesh Daft Punk-esque disco dance funk with the alternative pop that dominates radio stations today, and the result is a new hybrid that works surprisingly well. The fact that their sound seems like an homage to Daft Punk is coincidental, considering that the two were accused of unmasking Daft Punk in an unauthorized photo. That's all water under the bridge, though, and The Knocks have been on a rise through producing and their own original productions; their biggest single to date, "Classic (feat. POWERS)" peaked at No. 24 on Billboard. The Knocks are scheduled to release their debut major release 55 (Big Beat) in March, and are touring in support of it, spreading their blend of one-of-everything dance. Cardinox and Devereaux open. (DB) The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 9 p.m., $15, TheUrbanLoungeSLC.com

TUESDAY 2.2

Lettuce

Boston funk ensemble Lettuce earned their place the hard way, after innumerable requests at area clubs to "let us play" finally paid off. When they got to show their chops (honed since meeting at the renowned Berklee College of Music in their hometown of Boston back in '92), word of mouth spread among jazz meccas as far afield as Tokyo. Still, they took time to develop, finally releasing Outta Here (Velour), in 2001. Their perfection of the precision elements of the genre shows in their originals as well as covers of Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up" and Charles Wright's "Express Yourself." Last year's Crush (Lettuce Records), reached No. 1 on the Billboard US Jazz Charts. (Brian Staker) Park City Live, 427 Main, 9 p.m., $22-40, ParkCityLive.net

WEDNESDAY FEB. 3

Dawes

Originally called Simon Dawes, the group changed its name when it lost a core member, then moved from their trendy '80s post-punk sound to folk-rock more firmly rooted in the earthy '70s Laurel Canyon scene. Their debut, North Hills, was occasioned by a jam session including such notables as Conor Oberst, the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson, and Tom Petty keyboardist Benmont Tench. Their latest, All Your Favorite Bands (HUB, 2015) is a wistful nod to the time of classic mellow rock, when gentle if sometimes lumbering and somniloquent LC "dinosaurs" (as they were termed by the punkers who soon followed) wandered the earth. Today, Dawes takes a retro musical style and uses it to craft something that feels fresh. (BS) Opening ceremonies, 2016 FIS World International Freestyle Skiing Competition. Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, 2250 Deer Valley Drive S., Park City, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m., free, DeerValley.com