Tonight, Tonight: Devotchka at the Granada, The Supervillians at The Loft, O'Brother at Hailey's, Fleshtones at Dada, and Apollo 18 at Double-Wide

Devotchka and Telegraph Canyon at the Granada Theater
An inspired pairing of local and touring talent happens this evening at the Granada as Denver's indie rock heroes Devotchka are joined by our own beloved Telegraph Canyon. Many people may not realize that Devotchka have been playing their odd amalgam of gypsy and punk for well over a decade at this point; it's just that Nick Urata and crew didn't get noticed until 2004's How it Ends and even more so with the soundtrack to the film Little Miss Sunshine. The band's most recent effort, 100 Lovers, came out last week and features more strings than on previous releases, but the songwriting is as strong as ever. In a live setting, Devotchka can be a true revelation.

The Supervillians and Lionize at The Loft
Punk/ska/reggae band The Supervillians hail from Orlando and have a definite beach-bum attitude. Songs such as "I Hate Everything," "Drinking Tonight" and "Postmark from Paradise" aptly demonstrate these villains' dude quotient. That said, the music, especially the punkier stuff, is pretty first-rate, if lyrically dated. Also on the bill is Maryland's Lionize, a band that plays things closer to what Bob Marley originally had in mind. Both these acts offer music with power and passion.

O'Brother, Moving Mountains and Death on Two Wheels at Hailey's Club in Denton
Atlanta's O'Brother plays atmospherically loud rock along the lines of Mogwai and The Appleseed Cast. Dense and perhaps overly serious, the band can bring on the cascading wall of sound just as well as anyone this side of Mono. Another band from Atlanta, Death on Two Wheels, and New York's Moving Mountains offer more mainstream support. This triple-bill may well be the loudest of the night, so bring earplugs.

The Fleshtones, Sick of Sarah, Hunter Valentine and Lucas Silveira at Club Dada
Playing garage rock with a vengeance, New York's The Fleshtones have been doing their thing for an incredible 35 years. Somehow guitarist/vocalist Keith Streng has kept this outfit roaring into its fourth decade without mellowing in the least. The Fleshtones' most recent effort, Brooklyn Sound Solution, features former Patty Smith Group guitarist Lenny Kaye blazing through some top-notch originals and absolutely the worst version of "Day Tripper" that you've ever heard. Don't believe me? Go to the show and hear the proof.

Apollo 18, Brainstorm and The Pearl & The Beard at The Double Wide
Adding an international feel to this evening's gluttony of shows is Korea's Apollo 18, a hard and rather hefty trio that can shoegaze with the best of them. Also on this bill is Portland's Brainstorm, a duo of likeminded weirdos who build songs beginning with tuba and handclaps and then add in every guitar they can get their demented hands on. The band's 2009 effort, Battling Giants, is a testament to truth in advertising. Worth a look, to be sure.