Heavy Dates

by Joe Longone and Matt Ashare

WORCESTER

This Friday, July 18, this year's Boston rumble champs the Amazing Royal Crowns join the Agents and 7/10 Split at the Espresso Bar, Stealth (featuring ex-members of the Bad Brains and Dog Eat Dog) are in concert with H8 Machine, N.E. Hostility, and Fuel at Sir Morgan's Cove, Clutch Grabwell party down at the Firehouse Café, the Deal rock the Tammany Club, Phenol, Argyle Socks, and Communion appear at Marley's, and the Latin jazz band Edu Tancredi Y El Banyon 33 perform at the New England Science Center. This Saturday, July 19, one of this year's winners of the Worcester Phoenix Best Music Poll, the Charley Dee Blues Band, plug in at Gilrein's, Slipknot jam at the Plantation Club, and Phenol, Gas Food Lodging, Sticker, and I Wish Eye get together at the Espresso Bar. This Sunday, July 20, One People bring their good vibe to the Plantation Club's Island Night, the No Sleep till New London Tour (featuring Chillum, Super Creb Star Dynomax, Stitch, Shed, and Humans Being) makes a stop at the Espresso Bar. This Tuesday, July 22, Bob Jordan and Cowboy Billy bring their music to Greenwood Park (Forsberg Street, Worcester). This Wednesday, July 23, Michael Hurley and the country outfit Workmen Ahead appear as part of the Worcester Artist Group's summer concert series at the Memorial Grove Amphitheater in Green Hill Park. Next Thursday, July 24, Victory recording artists Cast Iron Hike join 454 Big Block and Going on 7 at the Space, the No Sleep till New London Tour continues at Sir Morgan's Cove, and Valerie and Walter Crockett put on an evening free concert at Elm Park. Next Friday, July 25, rising stars Another Planet entertain at the Plantation Club, Pop Gun Picnic, Gas Food Lodging, and Sticker bring dynamite sounds to Marley's, Split, Epileptic Disco, Waiting Kates, and Son of Lucy are found at the Espresso Bar, and 78 RPM with Harry Skoler are spotlighted at the New England Science Center's Jazz at Sunset series.

-- Joe Longone

BOSTON/PROVIDENCE

Those who lamented the demise of the late Velocity Girl will have a few chances to see the principals in that band this week when Starry Eyes -- which features VG singer Sarah Shannon, drummer Jim Spellman, and guitarist/bassist Kelly Riles -- make a swing through New England opening for tuff & fuzzy popsters Tuscadero. Both bands will be at the Middle East (617-864-3278), in Boston, on July 20 with Merge Records dudes Verbena, then head to the Met Cafe (401-861-2142), in Providence, on July 22, where Purple Ivy Shadows will round out the bill.

In roots, the Celtic superband Solas bring their world-music buzz to the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park (617-876-4275), in Lincoln, for an afternoon show on July 20. On July 22 they'll move on to the Iron Horse (413-584-0610), in Northampton. Authentic '50s rockabilly gets its due when Boston's Racketeers and New Hampshire's Ragin' Teens hit the Green Room (401-351-7665), in Providence, on July 18; the Racketeers then join Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys and the Strangemen at the Middle East on July 19.

Meanwhile, organizers of the annual Vermont Reggae Festival are warning that this year's blowout -- the 12th annual -- could be their last. According to the organizers, the local town council has been hedging on issuing the necessary permits, and local police tripled their security deposit at the last minute. The free July 19 event, which runs from 9 a.m. till dusk, includes performances by Macka B, Mad Professor, the Robotiks Band, Natty Remo, Sister Audrey, and many more in Hardwick, Vermont (802-862-3092).

And as usual, you'll have to cross the state line to get a dose of live hip-hop -- this week it's Boot Camp Clik, who bring their "Worldwide Stop the Violence" tour to the Strand (401-272-0444), in Providence.

-- Matt Ashare