Returning to The Strutt tonight for the third year in a row is the lethal combination of Jack Oblivian and John Paul Keith, both hailing from the rock ‘n’ roll mecca, Memphis, Tennessee.

Jack Oblivian, aka Jack Yarber, was a member of garage punk legends The Oblivians. For the last few years, he has been performing in an outfit known as Jack O & The Tennessee Tearjerkers.  These Tearjerkers backing him up are actually Jack’s tourmates and opening act, John Paul Keith & The One Four Fives.

Local skitter-stompers, Aaron Young & His Night Jars, will set the night in motion with a high-energy set of their jittery, shufflin’ tunes.

The show takes place at The Strutt, 773 W. Michigan, Kalamazoo TONIGHT, Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 starting at 9:00 p.m.   $8 at the door and ages 18 and up!

You should do yourself a favor and watch/listen to the above music video before moving any further into this article.

Okay?  A bit nauseous?  Alienated?  Excited!?!  Yes, Chicago’s D. Rider bring off-kilter riffs and disturbed grooves to the table for a meal that may very well be the most filling blend of bizarre and infectious that you’ve had in some time.  Featuring former members of classic deconstructionist group U.S. Maple, D. Rider returns to Kalamazoo for the first time since they toured with AIDS Wolf last fall.

Also on the bill are Astro Bats out of Grand Rapids, with their minimalist rock/jazz noise that recalls early improv-heavy post-rock bands like The Dead C and Les Rallizes Denudes. Check out their track Into The Sun

Kalamazoo’s pride and joy, Unitard, will also play one of their unique sets, always a guaranteed high quality occasion.  One DITKalamazoo member describes them as “the most intelligent noise band you’ll ever see.”  Fitting, for sure!

This show is happening tonight, Thursday, March 31st, at the ol’ Louie’s Trophy House at 440 E. North Street just a shot over from downtown Kalamazoo.  Entry is $6 and show kicks off promptly at 10 p.m.

Louie’s is ’bout to be off the chain, ya’ll! Local favorite Glowfriends will be performing with HMS, Victory! and Good News (in lieu of the unfortunate cancellation of Evelyn) on the 30th, and, as always, you are encouraged to come out to Louie’s and subject your ears to the sweet, sweet beautiful musical magic of some fine Kalamazoo artists.

What’s that? What do I hear from the crowd of enthusiastic listeners chomping at the bit for more information about this show? YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW THE TIME!? Well I’m not going to tell you. You’ll just have to hang out at Louie’s until you see the limos show up. Just kidding, it starts at 8:30.

Be there or be square, y’all.

Do you like afro-cuban, electro-pop dance music with a horn section? Well if one or any of those things appeal to you, then you should probably be at the Strutt tonight when Rubblebucket gets down and dirty.  These guys are loud, rowdy, energetic, and an absolute blast – I know I had fun when they came through the Strutt last year.

Plus, opening for these bad boys and girls is TY BEAT, a Michigan electronic player that kicks the jams and kicks them well. This will be a show to remember, or at least get down at.

The good ol’ boys from the Reptilian have returned to us safely from a 3 week tour and are ready to wrap it up with a BOOM at the Strutt tonight!

Also on the bill: Empire! Empire!, who also just returned from tour, Pan, Kalamazoo’s favourite prog punk rockers, and Binary Marketing Show, a New York duo bringing an interesting brand of indie pop to the table. This is not a lineup to miss, kids.

Doors @ 8, bands @ 9. All ages. $9. Come hang out!

It’s another Saturday night, and you want to get out of the confines of your home and the mess that surrounds you and haunts you (not to assume things about our readers). Look no further than Louie’s Trophy House at 440 E. North Street in Kalamazoo, where the wacko-jazz of Saxsquatch and Bridge Band will be featured from 8:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. It’s a mere $3 to enter, and Louie’s new pizza will be available. I’ve consumed it! It’s tasty! The music AND the pizza…

Tonight, for those that enjoy getting down on Folk music, the Fletcher Collective is the place to be! Once in a blue moon the fine folks at Fletcher see fit to throw a show, and they always prove to be a great time. This time, I’m sure, will be no exception.

Coming in from AA-Way is the Appleseed Collective, a rag-tag old-timey Ragtime outfit. These guys come complete with a violin and washboard player, and some excellent excellent vocals.

Grand Rapids has two of their fine outfits on loan tonight as well. Soil in the Sun will be cranking their airy, rather experimental folk music. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve heard, and their live show comes highly recommended. It’s some cool tunes for sure.

Also out of GR, the relatively new group Patchwork will be performing. Sing-songy, happpy-go-lucky folk music for the masses. Come out and support these guys while they play and grow.

And finally, local yokels The Almanac Shouters will be bringing their punk-inspired folk music to the fore. They’ll yell at you, you can yell at them, and everybody will be yelling. Good times will be had by all. Plus, the Shouters just put out a new album. Grab you a copy or two!

Courtesy Suck it, Alex.

If you’re lookin’ to get down ‘n’ dirty on a Friday night (that would be tonight), the melodic and sonically adventurous punks Jacuzzi Boys from Miami, Florida are dropping into Kalamazoo at Louie’s Trophy House with support from high-octane Grand Rapids punk rockers The Amoebas and Kalamazoo rock ‘n’ rowdy Tiny Rhythm.

Louie’s is located at 440 East North Street in Kalamazoo. Doors at 9 p.m., show begins at 10. Ages 18+ welcome, and $8 at the door.