Heavy Dates

by Joe Longone and Matt Ashare

WORCESTER: This Friday, June 13, Boston rising rockers Gravel Pit appear at Ralph's, local-boys-made-good Cast Iron Hike celebrate the release of their new CD 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, Lisa Thorson and Company with Cercie Miller perform at the New England Science Center, Clutch Grabwell party at the Plantation, Bob Jordan plays at Eleni's, and Auntie Darth, Gateway, and the Rift rock Marley's. This Saturday, June 14, Another Planet bring their bright originals to the Firehouse Café, Twist 160, Cream Team, Hascals, and Dimwit converge on the Espresso Bar, Todd Thibault (of the Courage Brothers) performs at Ralph's, Mike Ladd and Dick Barsamian team up at the Eco Village, Blues Deluxe pour it on at Gilreins, and Heckling Nun, Heroine Boy, Third Eye, and Angry Hill can be seen at the Cove. This Sunday, June 15, the Plantation Club kicks off its Sunday-night reggae series with the legendary Yellowman, and the Espresso Bar hosts an afternoon show with 454 Big Block, Honkeyball, and Get High. This Wednesday, June 28, it's another New Band Nite at the Cove with C.H.P., Spike, and Syphalloids. Next Thursday, June 19, three of New England's most exciting bands, Barefoot Republic, the Laurels, and Quintaine Americana are showcased at Ralph's, Brilliant Trees, Purrr, and Flick all plug in at the Cove. Next Friday, June 20, rebel songstress Jen Trynin kicks out the jams at Ralph's, one of this country's best blues duos Paul Rishell and Little Annie Raines appear at Gilreins, the Espresso Bar gets funkin' heavy when Forced Fed Shovelhead, East Coast Psychos, Shed, and Pitchfork Seven hit the stage, the Joe Parillo Ensemble jazz up the New England Science Center, and Sloppy Joe, the Westies, and Communion get together at Marley's.

-- Joe Longone

BOSTON/PROVIDENCE: Underage Australian sensation Ben Lee's voice has changed, and his tastes have evolved from indie punk to indie pop, picking up a hint of country twang along the way. He'll headline the Met Café (401-861-2142), in Providence, with openers Chick Graning and Lisa D on June 13, then hit the Middle East (617-864-3278), in Cambridge, with openers Jack Drag and the Puddle Jumpers on June 17. Ethereal popsters Elysian Fields join the Bill Keough Experience at the Strand Café (401-272-0444), in Providence, on June 12 before hooking up with Flux on June 13 at Bill's Bar (617-421-9678), in Boston. And the biggest threat to the American Way since fluoridated water -- shock rockers Marilyn Manson -- won't be playing the now sold-out "Ozzfest" at Great Woods on June 14. But Manson will headline the Strand this Friday the 13th.

You don't have to go all the way to New York City's Randall's Island to get a nice sampler of what the Guinness Fleadh has to offer on June 14 and 15, though you can call 617-931-2000 for tickets. Ireland's Big Geraniums and Nova Scotia's Great Big Sea will also be joining forces at the Phoenix Landing (617-576-6260), in Cambridge, on June 13. Eleanor McEvoy headlines the Paradise (617-562-8800), in Boston, on June 14. Sinéad O'Connor supports her new EP with a show at the Strand on June 17, which is probably the last time she'll be seen in these parts until she plays Harborlights Pavilion (617-423-6398) on August 28. You can check out Ireland's Luka Bloom on June 17 and 18 at McGann's (617-227-4059), in Boston. And Austin troubadour Jimmie Dale Gilmore hits the Iron Horse (413-584-0610), in Northampton, on June 17 and the House of Blues (617-491-2583), in Cambridge, on June 19.

-- Matt Ashare