The Funky Knuckles
10 p.m. Monday, January 4, at The Free Man, 2626 Commerce St., Free
The Dallas-based Funky Knuckles are virtuosos, through and through. They seamlessly jump between jazz and funk while maintaining perfect rhythm throughout complex time signatures. Their arrangements are dense, but that doesn't exclude people who aren't technical musicians themselves. Even if they're playing in an almost made-up melodic key, there's still a huge amount of soul thrown into the mix. Matt Wood
Paul Slavens
10 p.m. Monday, January 4, at Dan's Silver Leaf, 103 Industrial St., Denton, Free
Paul Slavens is a local legend. He was the frontman of the late '80s and early '90s outfit Ten Hands. He’s a renowned radio host at KXT 91.7 FM, as well. He also does this kooky little thing at Dan’s Silver Leaf in Denton every Monday. He takes song title suggestions from people and makes up a song right there. It’s like a freestyle. Whatever you do, don’t be the dick who tries to make him rhyme orange. H. Drew Blackburn
Blue, the Misfit
10 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, at Andy's Basement Bar & Grill, 122 N. Locust St., Free
You may be familiar with Blue, the Misfit as one of Dallas’ most decorated up-and-coming musicians. Aside from being a producer and rapper, he’s also a DJ who sets up shop at clubs all around North Texas. Every Tuesday, he and DJ Niro head north of the dial to Denton and tag team a DJ night at Andy’s Bar. It’s a night full of loud rap and electronic tracks and, most important, cheap drink specials. Head on out to get the club going up on a Tuesday. H. Drew Blackburn
George Quartz
10 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, at Double-Wide, 3510 Commerce St., Free
When you have an appointment to meet George Quartz, there's necessarily some uncertainty about who will show up. Will you be speaking with Bryan Campbell, the man behind the man George Quartz? Or should you prepare yourself for the flurry of ostrich feathers and blaze of neon light that would appropriately accompany his alter ego? Should you address him as Bryan or George? George Quartz is likely to appear just about anywhere, whether it's on stage performing live music, as a DJ at the next big party, the host at your next karaoke night, on an excursion to the Texas Theatre or on your TV. He jokingly says that he has his hands in so many pots because he's a "jack-of-all trades, master of none," but the way he has commanded an audience in recent years has hardly been short of masterful. Caroline North
TERROR VAULT FEST : August, 28, 2015Thanks so much to Ivy Kost-Vanhoose for this video documentation of Terror Vault Fest! Enjoy!!!
Posted by Pariah on Tuesday, September 8, 2015
8:30 p.m. Thursday, January 7, at Three Links, 2704 Elm St., $7
A particular brand of digital punk is brewing in the Dallas underground music scene and Teen Slut are a prime candidate to be its ambassador. In keeping with the most hardcore of traditions, Teen Slut embrace the nihilistic punk attitude by rejecting traditional instrumentation in favor of a Nintendo Gameboy and a vocal effects processor. They draw closest comparison to seminal New York art punks Suicide, but the sound is reinvented through a technology-driven, modern generation. Wanz Dover
Big Sam's Funky Nation
9 p.m. Friday, January 8, at Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., 214-824-9933, $15-$19
When you think of a bandleader, you'd typically think of a trumpet or saxophone player. But Big Sam refuses to let that image go unchallenged, as he takes the stage by storm with his trombone and larger-than-life dance moves. Sam's been playing with bands since he was 19, and he's only gotten more lively as he's gained experience playing with Dave Matthews Band and even playing on Monday Night Football alongside U2. But don't let his credentials qualify his superb musicianship — just wait until you hear him play. MW
The Midnight Stroll
With Wrestlers and Dark Rooms, 8 p.m. Friday, January 8, at Trees, 2709 Elm St., 214-741-1122 or treesdallas.com, $3
The Midnight Stroll, a psychedelic rock outfit from Austin, will be, uh, strolling into Deep Ellum this Friday. The band comprises Ghostland Observatory’s frontman Aaron Behrens and Lomita and White White Lights guitarist Jonas Wilson. After putting Ghostland Observatory on hiatus in 2013, Behrens recorded an EP for his new project, the Stroll. Behrens’ goal “has always been to take you on a trip” (according to the group’s Facebook page), and if you’ve ever been to a Ghostland Observatory show you know you’re in for just that — or you’ll be surrounded by people who are tripping, at least. Behrens is a legendary live performer and a creative musical mastermind. Trees will hardly be able to contain him, and Dallas is in for a treat. Sara Button
Curren$y
7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 9, at Gas Monkey Live, 972-243-6659 or 10110 Technology Blvd. E., gasmonkeybarngrill.com, $30-$60
Curren$y has spent his career, which spans well over a decade, in the company of hip-hop’s major players like Master P, Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa, each of whom took the rapper under their wings at different times. Because of that, the New Orleans native has been signed to and sought after by numerous major labels, but surprisingly Curren$y’s never achieved much mainstream success. Instead, he’s cemented a longstanding status as an underground legend selling out massive shows across the country and moving loads of mixtapes and albums via his own Jet Life record imprint, all the while appealing to the smoker’s club. This show at the large Gas Monkey Live indicates he’s approaching 2016 with the same boldness he’s shown since his No Limit Records days. Mikel Galicia
Pat Green
10:30 p.m. Saturday, January 9, at Billy Bob's Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, 812-624-7117 or billbobstexas.com, $16-$28
Before he released the long-awaited, perfectly titled and admirably solid Home a few months ago, Texas country icon Pat Green hadn’t necessarily gone into hiding, but he wasn’t exactly the king of the Lone Star Castle in the way he had been in the first decade of the millennium. Sure, his always energetic live show could still be enjoyed with some regularity, but a new generation of performers and an influx of diversified sounds and styles in the Texas music mix led to a landscape far different than the one Green’s previous record, 2009’s less-than-impressive What I’m For, had surveyed. Many fans thought Green’s new record would offer up an overcompensating turn into the rough-hewn roots terrain after polishing his past few records with copious amounts of studio gloss. But Home managed to successfully represent Green’s vision both old and new, and as a result, the record feels as complete and truthful as anything he has done since his days playing to a few dozen people at Poor David’s Pub. Don’t call it a comeback, call it a homecoming. Kelly Dearmore
The Legendary Shack Shakers
With the Yawpers and the Van Sanchez, 8 p.m. Sunday, January 10, at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill, 10261 Technology Blvd. E., 972-243-6659 or gasmonnkeybarngrill.com, $5-$100
You want to get out of the city, hit the suburbs, eat at The OG (Olive Garden, duh) and see a dangerous rock show? Keep reading. The Legendary Shack Shakers have many distinguished admirers, like Stephen King and Robert Plant. They are a rockabilly act from Kentucky with a plethora of eccentric influences like carnival music and swamp rock. The Legendary Shack Shakers have released several critically acclaimed albums, but are best known for their live performances. Frontman J.D. Wilkes takes the helm like the leader of a punk rock band and they have even collaborated with guitarist Duane Denison from the Jesus Lizard, one of the most intense live acts in history. Their live shows convey a spirit of irreverence, danger and fun, and the Southern wrecking crew is touring on their first album in five years, The Southern Surreal, which marks their 20th anniversary. Jeremy Hallock