Heavy Dates

by John O'Neill and Carly Carioli

WORCESTER Friday starts off swinging, perhaps literally, when the lads from Boy's Attic open up for Vedder-ites Itchy Fish at Sir Morgan's Cove. Deal of the evening goes to Jack and Present Co. who play the Above Club and who are giving away a free CD at the door. It's believed that they're passing out their own CD, but this hasn't been confirmed as of press time. On Saturday, July 18, the Bull Run hosts bonafied folk legend Ramblin' Jack Elliott, the guy who had profound influence on Mumblin' Bob Dylan. Point Breeze gives you the Four Freshmen, the guys most responsible for molding Brian Wilson's vision of the Beach Boys. Ol' Bri became a music genius and then went straight off the mental diving board. The Freshmen went into prolonged obscurity but are back and in Webster. Also on Saturday, the Espresso Bar skanks to the groovy sounds of the Hi-Hats. Chokepuppy and the Nonions lend a hand. And Saturday features the return of Nuclear Assault. They hit the Cove with Candy Stripper Death Orgy, Dedlift, and Warhorse. And Tuesday, July 21, it's the one you've been hearing all about, because the buzz surrounding these cats usually hits town about a month before they do. Nashville Pussy are the hottest touring act in the country (especially now that John Tesh is off the road) and for good reason. Featuring ass-kicking rock and pyrotechnics, this evening's show should fall somewhere between the greatest night of music you ever witnessed and a flat-out sideshow, especially seeing how the dementos of Scissorfight are also on the bill. Rounding out this year's show of shows are Sub Pop Records excellent Murder City Devils. If you recover from that, or if you were silly enough to not attend, you can check out one of Wormtown's newest buzz bands, Aurora, who play the Space Wednesday with Wardance Orange and By Any Measure.

-- John O'Neill

BOSTON/PROVIDENCE: It's become more and more difficult to reconcile Metallica's second decade of existence with their first. Three albums into their career as international superstars, they're as irrelevant as they've ever been -- to metal or rock and roll or anything save, say, Skynyrd -- and more popular than they've ever been. An outfit that used to make music with the sonic angular rigidity of skyscrapers and jackhammers is now ensconced in its own penthouse suite. You can get a glimpse of Metallica's fading glory on Saturday (sold out) and Sunday (tickets still available) at Great Woods, (617) 423-6398, in Mansfield.

With a new album due out later this year, Buffalo Tom are beginning to make the rounds again, with a show July 16 at the Iron Horse, (413) 584-0610, in Northampton, and again at the Wellfleet Beachcomber, (508) 349-6055, on July 19 with the Pernice Brothers, the band who arose from the ashes of the Scud Mountain Boys.

B-grade techno-metal comes calling at Pearl Street, (413) 584-0610, in Northampton, where God Lives Underwater set up shop on July 20 before continuing on with Stabbing Westward at Avalon (617) 262-2424, in Boston, on the 21st. And in case you missed Laurel Aitken with the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble in Boston last week, you can catch them again at the Iron Horse on July 18.

-- Carly Carioli