Heavy Dates

by John O'Neill and Carly Carioli

WORCESTER: Back from an extended layoff, the Above Club once again opens its doors to live entertainment this Friday, October 3, with the Above Club All-Stars. Wormtown expatriates Popgun Picnic return to the Espresso Bar to celebrate the release of their fine new CD, Stinks Like Truth. They share the bill with the super-cool Westies, Lotion, and Eye Wish Eye. Saturday October 5, Jerry Sabatini leads the always excellent Sonic Explorers through a workout at the Above Club, while the Space welcomes Boston's Karate, who are on tour in support of their new CD, In Place of Real Insight (Southern). 6 Going on 7 and My Own Sweet round out the bill. Tuesday, October 7 finds the Space again hosting a great all-ages night with Promise Ring, Compound Red, Piebald, and the premiere of Halobox. The Deal, Worcester's under-appreciated pop demons, let it rip at the Firehouse Café. Three-fourths of Stone Temple Pilots (minus frontman Scott Welland; think of it as "New Junkie-Lite STP") play the Wallace Civic Center, in Fitchburg, as Talk Show, when they open for the Pat Smear-less Foo Fighters on Thursday, October 9, along with Trouble Charger. Get to the Espresso Bar early on Friday, October 10, to witness the four lovable nitwits collectively known as SBGB (whose stunning rendition of "Louie, Louie" would make even the Kingsmen blush) open for the Deadites, Flipside, and Just for Sundae.

-- John O'Neill

BOSTON/PROVIDENCE: You could argue that the kind of bedrock skull-krunching noise terror enacted by the Melvins and Helmet never really goes out of style. Except that Helmet's last album is said to have stiffed, and the Melvins, having worn out their Kurt's-favorite-band welcome over at Atlantic, are indie once more on Amphetamine Reptile. So much for that theory. Still, metal is as metal does, and both Helmet's Aftertaste (Interscope) and the Melvins' Honky find them as close to their best work as they're likely to get now that their best work is behind them. And they're back in the clubs again, which means King Buzzo's white 'fro will hover closer to the ceiling than it has been accustomed to in recent years. Reason enough to check 'em out tonight and tomorrow, October 2 (all ages) and 3 (18-plus), at the Middle East (617-864-3278), in Cambridge; or Monday the 6th at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel (401-272-5876), in Providence. Wharton Tiers, who produced some of Helmet's early efforts, leads his own Ensemble in the opening slot.

Meanwhile, Elephant 6-associated neo-artfolks Apples in Stereo hit town opening for No Depression pin-ups Sun Volt at Avalon (617-931-2000), in Boston, on October 3 and Lupo's the following night.

Not making it this way: Fugees papa Wyclef Jean and his Refugee All-Stars, touring behind the former's celebrated solo album, will be at the Strand (401-272-0444), in Providence, on October 8. And having already done a two-night stand at the Middle East plus a one-off at the Roxy in Boston this year, Pavement opt for Lupo's on the 7th, with an opening band named after the cute alien life form from Gremlins.

-- Carly Carioli