Heavy Dates

by Joe Longone and Matt Ashare

WORCESTER: This Friday, June 6, the New England Science Center's Jazz at Sunset series kicks off (at 6 p.m.) with the Cecilia Smith Quartet, Angry Johnny and the Killbillies take over Ralph's, Rawhead Rex and El Dopa are sure to draw attention at the Espresso Bar, the Blue Hornets will be all the buzz a Gilreins, Cactus perform at Captain Ron's, the Deal play the Wong Dynasty, and Fajugaly, Full Contact, and Uplift are at Marley's. This Saturday, June 7, New York City's dynamite female rock band the Friggs take the stage at Ralph's, the controversial group Anal Cunt appear with Nightstick, 7 Dead, and Warhorse at Sir Morgan's Cove, the brilliant singer/ songwriter Jon Svetkey stops into Eleni's, the always soulful Toni Lynn Washington brings her band to Gilreins, local talent Julian Russell takes out his guitar in the Eco Village's Tea Room, and Spring Heeled Jack, Thumper, and Big D and the Kids Table get together at the Espresso Bar. This Sunday, June 8, the Plantation Club hosts a groove jam featuring members of Slipknot and Max Creek. This Wednesday, June 11, Broke and Ripple appear at the Cove's New Band Nite. Next Thursday, June 12, Doom Nation forecast our future at Ralph's, Ely's Gin, Dogma, 5 Gallon, and Bucket plug in at the Cove. Next Friday, June 13, Boston rising rockers Gravel Pit appear at Ralph's, local-boys-made-good Cast Iron Hike celebrate their new CD release at the Cove, Stitch and Punch the Klown help welcome back Stoolface for a reunion show at the Espresso Bar, Acoustic Planet bring their brand of world music to Gilreins, Clutch Grabwell plan to party at the Plantation, Bob Jordan plays at Eleni's, Lisa Thorson and Company with Cercie Miller perform at the New England Science Center, and Auntie Darth, Gateway, and the Rift rock Marley's.

-- Joe Longone

BOSTON/PROVIDENCE: The summer shed season is now officially in full swing, but there's still plenty of club action to be had. Philly R&B revivalists the Delta 72, who do for soul what the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion have done to the blues, hit the Met Café (401-861-2142), in Providence, on June 4 with openers the Quadrajets, Jet Pack, and 22 Sunsets. The following night, June 6, they're joined by Chrome Cranks, Quadrajets, and Daviess County Panthers at the Middle East (617-864-3278), in Cambridge. NYC's Skeleton Key, who come from Spencer's neck of the Lower East Side woods, do their art-damaged metal thing on June 5 at the Middle East with Tugboat Annie and Charlene, and on June 6 at the Met Café. And the cool and moody New Orleans outfit Royal Fingerbowl hit the Iron Horse (413-584-0610), in Northampton, on June 6 and the Kirkland Café (617-491-9640), in Somerville, on June 7.

The promising indie-rock double bill of Ida and a mostly unplugged Retsin team up on a tour that brings them to the Met Café on June 10 with Bermuda and Rebuilt Hangar Theory, and to the Middle East on June 11 with Spatula and Weeping in Fits and Starts. Or, for something louder, faster, and harder than just about anything else on the road this week, there's W.A.S.P. and Motörhead with the Impotent Sea Snakes on June 10 at Axis (617-262-2437), in Boston, and on June 11 at the Strand (401-272-0444), in Providence.

As for Great Woods, it's got the Indigo Girls with Ulaili and one of our favorite young singer/songwriters, Danielle Howle, on June 6; River Rave on June 7 and 8; the Moody Blues with a festival orchestra on June 11; and, sorry, but the Dave Matthews Band with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones on June 12 and 13 is already sold out. Call 617-423-6398 for tickets to the other shows.

-- Matt Ashare