Music Picks 

Thursday 4/20

DEL THE FUNKY HOMOSAPIEN, VON BONDIES

While Grand Kerfuffle sounds like 1. something that deserves a “Bless you,” or 2. a bargain-shelf breakfast cereal, it’s actually just an awkward name for three days of killer music, food, fireworks and … an auto show? Could be cool. Probably not as cool as Del the Funky Homosapien, a wicked lyricist who successfully escaped his legendary cousin’s (Ice Cube) shadow by prizing humorous wit over street-fighting grit. Closely aligned with Bay Area hip-hop collective Hieroglyphics, Del cuts albums with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala in addition to solo projects, and occasional gigs with innovative groups like Gorillaz. Tonight he shares the marquee with Jack White’s nemesis Jason Stollsteimer, leader of Detroit blue-collar blues-rockers the Von Bondies. C’mon, c’mon, let’s go! Olpin Union, University of Utah, 8 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 355-2787, ArtTix.org.

Also Thursday: Bullets & Octane (Avalon); Earth Jam (Egos); Cherem (Club Overdrive'see Music)

Friday 4/21

DR. CYCLOPS RECORDS PARTY

Someone sinister is afoot'Mr. Sinister to be exact. Don’t be afraid. This is a man whose passion for dark rock helped inspire Dr. Cyclops Records, a local label specializing in various takes on horrorbilly. Its current roster boasts such spine-tingling acts as Die Monster Die and Left for Dead, both fueled by subhuman vocals and lyrics that at times reflect a certain sense of tongue-and-cheek humor. Catch both bands tonight with local Goth-rockers Tragic Black and Arizona’s Grave Danger, along with a special burlesque performance by Betsy Bosen. Burt’s Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State, 9:30 p.m. Info: 521-0572.

Also Friday: Virgin College Tour: Yellowcard (Olpin Union, University of Utah); The Iron Maidens (Club Vegas); Red Bennies (Monk’s); War (The Depot)

Saturday 4/22

YEAH YEAH YEAHS

Some critics think Karen O’s lost her groove, that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ ragged glory days came to a close somewhere between 2003’s Fever to Tell and their more polished recent release Show Your Bones. Others commend the New York doll for cleaning up a bit (i.e. pouring beer in her mouth as opposed to on her stylish clothing) and exploring understated vocal techniques (as opposed to frequent shrieking). Then there’s the tension between O and guitarist Nick Zinner, which they’ve discussed publicly. Is the band going downhill, or simply heading in new, exciting directions? Think about it while they’re tearing down the U tonight as the Grand Kerfuffle continues in all its awkward glory. Olpin Union, University of Utah, 8 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 355-2787, ArtTix.org (with Blood on the Wall).

SPLEEN

Those unfamiliar with Ween won’t likely understand the equally bizarre glory of local tribute band Spleen. But as my hero G.I. Joe once said, “Knowing is half the battle.” The other half boils down to experience. Which means going into this one-of-a-kind spectacle with an open'but not empty'mind. First timers might feel left out when the crowd sings along to deconstructed ditties like “Pork Roll Egg & Cheese,” “Don’t Get 2 Close (2 My Fantasy)” and more, but chances are at least one or two newbies will bob their heads to the group’s ’90s radio hit, “Voodoo Lady.” Ultimately, everyone will leave feeling slightly violated'in a good way. Burt’s Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State, 10 p.m. Info: 521-0572 (with Double Dipped Cream Dream).

Also Saturday: VegFest: Vile Blues Shades, Glinting Gems, In Camera (Library Square); Coheed & Cambria, Avenged Sevenfold (Great Saltair); The Iron Maidens (The Circuit); Uzi & Ari CD Release (Kayo Gallery); Murs, Deadbeats (In the Venue); The Editors, Stellastar (The Depot); CunninLynguists, Kno It Alls (Urban Lounge)

Sunday 4/23

SPANISH FOR 100

Aaron Starkey bears more than a passing resemblance to Black Francis on “Mood in the Clouds,” a frantic skat of a track off Spanish for 100’s debut album Newborn Driving. Three years later, the Illinois native ditches off-the-cuff non sequiturs and random noise for the easy pace of porch-swing Americana. Produced by Phil Ek (Modest Mouse, Built to Spill), 2005’s Metric reflects the Seattle quartet’s fondness for heartfelt harmonies and jingle-jangle guitar. Hear that twang? That’s the sound of falling in and out of love, on a train from your hometown. Captain’s Quarters, 64 W. 400 South, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 800-888-8499

Also Sunday: Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers (The Depot'see A&E)

Monday 4/24

Gatsby’s Great American Dream (Avalon); The Start (Captain’s Quarters); The M’s, Deathray Davies (Kilby Court'see Music)

Tuesday 4/25

She Wants Revenge, The Heaters (Avalon); Dixie Witch, Cart! (Club Vegas); Night of the Vixens (Burt’s Tiki Lounge)

Wednesday 4/26

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Nathan’s Chainsaw (Kilby Court); Switchfoot (McKay Events Center, Orem)

COMING UP

Pinback (The Depot, April 27). Mike Doughty (In the Venue, April 28). Pretty Girls Make Graves (Avalon, April 28). Shaggy 2 Dope (Great Saltair, April 28). The Sounds, Morningwood (In the Venue, April 29). The Helio Sequence (Kayo Gallery, April 30). The Subways (In the Venue, May 2). Mogwai (The Depot, May 2). Acid Mother’s Temple (Urban Lounge, May 2). Dick Dale (Liquid Joe’s, May 3). BT (The Depot, May 5). Imogen Heap (In the Venue, May 6). Sigur Ros (The Depot, May 6). Tech N9ne (Great Saltair, May 6). The Aquabats (In the Venue, May 9). Kelly Joe Phelps (Egos, May 13). Theo & the Skyscrapers (Urban Lounge, May 24).