Music Picks 

THURSDAY 8/18

OLD HAUNTS

Well, well, well'it seems at least one band has figured out how to use the Spinal Tap drummer curse to their advantage. Old Haunts call on three stick-wielding thumpers to keep rhythm on Fallow Field, while Craig Extine’s vocals warble across tinny beats and surf-rock guitar. Most attempts to describe the Haunts’ retro sound rely on inevitable Jack White namedrops, however those willing to disregard easy comparisons might find something quite fun to groove on. Best part? It’s pro bono! Spice, 123 S. West Temple, 8 p.m. All-ages. Free. Info: 322-4796.

Also Thursday: Shelby Lynne, Bob Schneider (Gallivan Center); Gorch Fock (Kilby Court); Zion Tribe (Port O’ Call); Love .45 (Club Vegas); Faster Pussycat (Whiskey)

FRIDAY 8/19

EBB & FLOW

Tickets to the Moog-synth symphony are now available. Pick them up at a bar near you. Be sure to mention the words Ebb & Flow. Let the doorman know these three musicians live in San Francisco, listen to Neil Young, Nico and most post-rock or jazz bands circa 1971. Try to approximate the lead siren’s angelic voice (alternating with an unusual male call), but stop if it sounds anything less than disarming. Once seated, scrap hopes for woodwinds and flutes. Bring earplugs'sweet, lush sounds explode intermittently. Leave with a copy of Time to Echolate. Listen and repeat. Sugarbeats, 2106 S. 1100 East, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Info: 403-4083.

RECKLESS KELLY

Visitors tend to frequent our state for two reasons: Seeking God through the Temple or seeking nirvana on the mountain. Reckless Kelly would likely admit to the latter. The Austin-based group, who contributed a song to extreme sports filmmaker Warren Miller’s latest ski flick, Impact, bears a passion for powder as strong as their love for alt-country rock. Sure, they’d love to play another gig at the Grand Ol’ Opry, but there’s something equally satisfying about hitting the slopes after recording Under the Table & Above the Sun, an album featuring a nice balance of radio-friendly singles and traditional standards. Egos, 668 S. State, 9:30 p.m. Info: 521-5255, ClubEgos.com.

Also Friday: Victory Records Tour (Lo-Fi Café); Annesty (Kilby Court); Reaper CD Release (Urban Lounge); The Breaks, Andale, The Heaters (Monk’s); SuperSoFar, Medicine Circus (Todd’s Bar & Grill), Salty Rootz, Smackwater (Liquid Joe’s)

SATURDAY 8/20

The Rodeo Boys, Vile Blue Shades (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); CKY, Fireball Ministry (Lo-Fi Café); James Taylor (Usana Amphitheater); Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Ogden Balloon Festival); Starmy, The Body (Urban Lounge); DJ Icey (Vortex); Royal Bliss (Port O’ Call); Punk Rock Karaoke (Egos); Suicide Machines (In the Venue'see Music)

SUNDAY 8/21

SUSAN TEDESCHI, BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA

In case you’re not aware, the Blind Boys of Alabama are not being ironic. Three of the quintet’s accomplished gospel singers don’t possess the gift of sight. They are, however, blessed with the ability to deliver joy and heartache through flawless vocal cords. After four decades of solid performances, the group has finally secured mainstream recognition. Collaborations with Booker T. Jones, Robert Randolph, Ben Harper and others helped increase their popularity, allowing everyone in on a longstanding secret. These boys will shatter your soul. Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, U of U Research Park, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 325-7328, Ticketmaster.com.

BUSINESS LADY, AGAPE

Situating a frantic noise-rock dance party in a cramped basement might be ill advised, unless of course club promoters are intent on preserving the non-so-subtle quality of Business Lady’s live show. Often labeled as a “weirdo-thrash-rock,” the San Diego-based group wave their freak flag with aggressive aplomb, interfacing with audience members like some Iggy Pop/Lightning Bolt hybrid. Such confident manic energy calls for a local artist with balls-to-the-wall aesthetics and a daring coif: Who better than Agape, our resident electronic artist specializing in “jerk-ass noise core”? Monk’s, 19 E. 200 South, 9:30 p.m. Info: 350-0950.

Also Sunday: Cherum (Wild Mushroom Pizza); The Life & Times, Attractive & Popular (Kilby Court)

MONDAY 8/22

Engine Down (Lo-Fi Café); Facing New York (Kilby Court)

TUESDAY 8/23

KASEY CHAMBERS

Warner Bros. Records has been (albeit quietly) working to break Australian Kasey Chambers in America for years now'The Captain, Barricades & Brickwalls, last year’s Wayward Angel, all deserving critical hits if not commercial smashes on par with stateside musical geniuses like Faith Hill and Gretchen Wilson. But then again, below-the-radar success befits one of the best country singer-songwriters you’ve probably never heard: “America is kind of a bonus for me,” she says. “The thought of getting a record deal in America was so far out of my grasp I didn’t even bother thinking about it.” Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, U of U Research Park, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 325-7328, Ticketmaster.com.

Also Tuesday: Jack Johnson (Usana Amphitheater); Old Scars First (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Rusty Miller (Egos); Eddie Shaw (Brewskis, Ogden)

WEDNESDAY 8/24

THE BIG WU

For those passing through Liberty Park on any given Sunday, it seems pretty clear that hippies are here to stay. The Big Wu, however, has a different take on the once-thriving subculture. Members of the former Grateful Dead cover band believe post-9/11 America is no place for Jerry’s kids. That’s why they’ve devoted their career to pleasing Frisbee-throwing, patchouli-wearing, tie-dye-loving audiences with extended jams, Southern-rock and blues riffs to accompany mass amounts of Bud or bud, should concert goers be so bold. Velvet Room, 149 W. 200 South, 9:30 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com.

Also Wednesday: Xiu Xiu (Kilby Court); SLUG Black & White Party (Room 32)

COMING UP

Keller Williams (Gallivan Center, Aug. 25). American Idols Live (Delta Center, Aug. 26). City Weekly SLAMMys Party (Port O’ Call, Aug. 27). Crosby, Still & Nash (Usana Amphitheater, Aug. 27). OK Go (Urban Lounge, Aug. 29). Flogging Molly (In the Venue, Sept. 1). Wayne “The Train” Hancock (Piper Down, Sept. 1). Jägermeister Music For Freedom Tour (Saltair Pavilion, Sept. 3). Tori Amos (Usana Amphitheater, Sept. 6). Interpol (Kingsbury Hall, Sept. 12). Keith Urban (E Center, Sept. 16). Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (In the Venue, Sept. 16). Green Day (Delta Center, Sept. 21). Dramarama (Velvet Room, Sept. 23). Local H (Urban Lounge, Sept. 23).