Heavy Dates

WORCESTER: It's loud, fast, and in your face, which is actually the norm come to think of it. Tonight, Friday, August 28, Eastcide, Split, H8 Machine, and Comic Book Super Heroes let it loose at the Espresso Bar. H8 Machine stick around for a Wormtown sleepover and then head to Sir Morgan's Cove the following evening. Remember Joe Rockhead? At one point they were a pretty Big Deal in this town and played lots of local gigs. Lately they've been sighted in Boston and the surrounding 'burbs. Tonight they play Legends in Leominster. Also on Friday, Shakey Steve and the BlueCats dig in at Tom Foolery's, and the strong and steady Clutch Grabwell swing through the Plantation Club. On Saturday, Ralph's hosts the Cerebral Coalescence Cultural Festival, a virtual cast of dozens, featuring everything from live experimental jazz and groove-jam music to techno and trance DJs to poetry and psychic readings. There will even be a drum circle to get in touch with your inner vibe. Sonic Explorers, Bob Jordan, Religion of Sound, Dave Nader, and the Jay Tyer Quintet are just a sampling of who'll make the scene. Halobox and Garrison return from their swing down the East Coast with a homecoming gig at Dinny's. Battle of the Network Stars (who are changing their name to I Quit) also appear in a warm-up gig before they kite off to California for a month on the road. Saturday also finds fabulous, fabled home-boys Reggie Walley's Bluesicians at Gilrein's, and it's the final bow for Mud Soup who wind it out one last time at C.R. Goody's, in Fitchburg. Sunday brings more music mayhem to the Espresso Bar in the form of Madball. Also on the bill are 7th Rail Crew, Reach for the Sky, and At Any Cost. (And, all it will cost is ten bucks.) We don't know where the heck they went to, but we're sure glad they're back! All hail the kings of Wormtown dunce-rock (and perhaps the most frightening line-up of punks to plug in since the legendary Alex and the Droogs were thrown out of every self-respecting club in the city), SBGB, who return to the Cove on Thursday, September 3, along with Helicopter-Helicopter and Battle of the Network Stars.

-- John O'Neill

BOSTON/PROVIDENCE: With Brian Setzer giving rockabilly the big-band swing overhaul, it might be just the right time to take another look at the intercontinental champs of Western swing, Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Boys. Long considered gods by the rockabilly kids, the band play a twang that harks back to the days when Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys stalked the South doling out a high-octane, pre-rock-and-roll mix of jazzified country. It's the kinda stuff that'd burn the enamel right off the Reverend Horton Heat's pompadour and shake the wax out of the Swingin' Utters' ears. Check out Big Sandy and crew Saturday August 29 at the Middle East, (617) 864-3278, in Central Square in Cambridge, with the outstanding Boston roots-rockabilly band the Cranktones and the Boston Blackouts, a swingin' roots-punk outfit fronted by former Cast Iron Hike singer Jacob Brennan; and also September 3 at the Iron Horse, (413)-584-0610, in Northampton.

By now everyone's familiar with Newport's legendary Jazz and Folk festivals, but you may not be as well acquainted with the Newport Irish Festival, now in its fifth year on the hallowed grounds of Fort Adams State Park, (401) 849-2028. On August 29 the festival features Aine Minogue, Danny Doyle, Craobh Rua, 7-Nations, Pat Kilbride, John McDermott, Tommy Makem and the Makem Bros., along with a Celtic bagpipe competition. The following day Minogue and Doyle return with New Barleycorn, the Whole Shebang, and Frank Paterson, plus authentic Highland dancing.

-- Carly Carioli