From: Portland
Website: www.blitzentrapper.net
In 50 Words or fewer: Portland rock band Blitzen Trapper first got noticed by a lot of people with their 2007 album “Wild Mountain Nation,” which combined their countrified rock with a noisier side. Since then they’ve filtered out some of their rowdier tendencies.
Could fit on a bill with: Wilco, Real Estate
Howl: On the title track to Blitzen Trapper’s 2008 album “Furr,” frontman Eric Early sings about turning into a wolf.

FRIDAY

Golden Boys at the Beauty Bar.“Dirty Fingernails,” the soon-to-be-released fifth album from Austin-based band the Golden Boys, is a howling chunk of rock ‘n’ roll gems. With Ghost Knife, Broken Gold, Lights Go Out. $5. 9 p.m. 617 E. Seventh St. thebeautybar.com/austin — Peter Mongillo

Also playing:

• Ben Kweller at the Beauty Ballroom
• Octopus Project, Deep Time, Hidden Ritual at Mohawk
• Action Bronson, Phranchyze, Table Manners Crew, Applied Pressure at ND
• Lennings, Miranda Dawn, Meggan Carney at Hole in the Wall
• Spray Paint, Nazi Gold, Same Sack, Cruddy, Marriage at Beerland
• Carolyn Wonderland, Minor Mishap Marching Band at Antone’s

(Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

SATURDAY

Thurston Moore at St. David’s Episcopal Church.The (former? once and future?) Sonic Youth frontman’s solo album “Demolished Thoughts” is the largely acoustic pluck-fest fans knew he would someday make. With Christina Carter of Charalambides fame (most likely) playing hazy clouds of improvisational guitar hum. Doors at 7:30 p.m. $17 (technically sold out). 301 E. Eighth St. 472-1196. www.stdave.org — Joe Gross

Also playing:

• Coma in Algiers, A Giant Dog at Trailer Space
• Lemonheads at the Mohawk
• Schatzi, Dynamite Hack at the Parish
• YOB, Eagle Claw at the Beauty Ballroom
• Z-Ro, Trae tha Truth at Emo’s East
• Wizard Wolf at the Legendary White Swan
• White Ghost Shivers at Skinny’s Ballroom
• The Soldier Thread at Stubb’s
• The Alice Rose at Frank
• Punx Picnic ATX at The Music Ranch

SUNDAY

Sadie Hawkins Valentine’s Dance at Hotel Vegas. It’s almost Valentine’s Day! Bobby Jealousy, Kay Leotard, Megafauna, Agent Ribbons and Foreign Mothers will help you remember how to love. $5. 8 p.m. 1500 E. Sixth St. www.hotelvegasaustin.com — P.M.

Also playing:

• Ringo Deathstarr, TS & the Past Haunts, Heywood at ND
• Tacks the Boy Disaster, Laura Gibson, Breathe Owl Breathe at the Mohawk
• Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Brother of Pearl at Stubb’s

Marmalakes & The Sour Notes 7” release party at Mohawk. Two Austin indie rock up-and-comers celebrate the release of a split seven-inch single. Speak, Marmalakes and Roky Moon & Bolt play outside. The Calm Blue Sea, Follow That Bird, The Sour Notes and more play inside. 7 p.m., $8. 912 Red River St. mohawkaustin.com.

Also playing:

• Trip Crystals at Trailer Space
• The Jensen Eyes, Creationists at the Scoot Inn
• The Dead Space at the Legendary White Swan
• Gaslamp Killer at the Beauty Ballroom
• Crash Gallery, Modok at Lovejoys
• Zapata! at Hotel Vegas
• Soul Rebels Brass Band at Stubb’s
• Trish Murphy at Flamingo Cantina
• The Sweet Nuthin’ at Skinny’s Ballroom

From: Houston

Website:balaclavas.bandcamp.com/

In 50 words or fewer: This trio is a clear frontrunner in the post-punk/goth sweepstakes. Check out the reverbed vocals, menacing guitars and a free-floating sense of doom, tangible like polluted air.

Could fit on a bill with:Bauhaus, A Frames, Puerto Rico Flowers, an art opening

Not to be confused with: Balaclava (singular), a decent punk band from Richmond, Va.

From: Austin

Website: franksmithmusic.com

In 50 words or fewer: Since moving from Boston a few years back, Frank Smith frontman Aaron Sinclair and the rest of the band have released a handful of fine alt-country albums. Their latest, “Before You Were Born,” is less twang, more rock.

Could fit on a bill with: Phosphorescent, My Morning Jacket

There is no Frank Smith: Well, there probably is somewhere, but not in this band.

The event will be a celebration of the 20th anniversary of Metallica’s “Black” album, which they’ll perform in its entirety on the first night of the fest. On the second night, they will perform “Ride the Lightning.”

“We’ve had the idea of doing our own lifestyle festival with lots of diverse music and fun and games for years…Finally this year all the practical ducks lined up in a row, and we are beyond psyched to bring Orion to our fans, friends and the curious,” Metallica’s Lars Ulrich said in a press release.

Several Austin-based bands will be part of the lineup, including Gary Clark Jr, Roky Erickson, the Sword and the Black Angels. Best Coast, Titus Andronicus, Modest Mouse and Arctic Monkeys will also play. Tickets go on sale Feb. 11 through the festival’s website (there’s also a pre-sale for Metallica’s fan club Feb. 10).

Orion is the latest in a string of high-profile partnerships for C3. Other recent moves include a partnership with Australia’s Big Day Out festival and the debut this spring of Lollapalooza Brazil (Lollapalooza Chile launched in 2011).

The Mary Chain — a core of brothers Jim and William Reid and various sidemen — was one of the most influential British rock bands of the 1980s.

Their fusion of wind-tunnel feedback, bubblegum melodies and druggie, couldn’t-care-less affect proved rather important to a few round of not-so-macho guitar-rockers, especially anyone who were called “shoegazers” (see also My Bloody Valentine, Lush, Ride, etc.) On this side of the pond, The JAMC sound and vision could be heard and see in a large chunks of “indie pop” bands.

Sonic Youth absolutely hated to be compared to them (fair enough, as they were doing completely different things).

Essential records for people of a certain age included “Psychocandy” (1985) “Darklands” (1987), the odds-and-ends set “Barbed Wire Kisses (1988), and for some people, “Automatic” (1989) and “Honey’s Dead.” The singles collection “21” is a pretty entertaining overview.

The Mary Chain hasn’t played in North America since 2007, during which they played a handful of shows and appeared at Coachella.

There, they proved no time had gone by since the height of their fame some 15 or so years earlier by standing still pretty much the way they stood still on, say, the “Automatic” tour.

One should expect them to stand still again.

No word on why they are here or news of a new recording.

(Thomas Dolby is also playing SXSW, but that guy goes on the road now and then.)

From: Birmingham, UK

Online: ladyleshurr.com/

In 50 words or less: A petite British spitfire with a versatile flow that pivots wickedly from slow and deliberate bravado to a devastating machine gun spray. Throw in a few melodic hooks every now and then to sweeten the package. Is this grime 2.0? We certainly hope so.

Could share a bill with: Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Invincible

Digit-al excess?: According to these folks, Lady Leshurr used to have 11 fingers.

“We are so very proud and honored to bring this award home for Austin and the live music scene here,” said director of marketing Sharilyn Mayhugh. “Austin truly is the live music capital of the world and this win further solidifies that.”

Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Beirut and Wilco have performed at the venue since it opened last year. ACL Live also serves as the new home of KLRU’s “Austin City Limits,” now in its 37th season.

From: Memphis, TN

Online: http://www.adamwarrock.com/

In 50 words or less: Eugene Ahn was a lawyer and comics nerd with a flare for rapping who did a comics podcast called “War Rocket Ajex” with noted comics critic Chris Sims. The flare turned into a fire — dude could actually rap quite well — and suddenly Mr. Ahn is Adam WarRock, a rapper about all things geeky, from comics to “Serenity” to “Parks and Rec.”

Could share a bill with: MC Chris, Das Racist, Stan Lee

To infinity and beyond: Ahn’s stage name is a riff on Adam Warlock, one of Marvel Comics’ classic 1970s cosmic characters and very psychedelic weirdo indeed. Ahn also contributes to the staggeringly excellent FakeAPStylebook

From: Austin
Website: thezoltars.com

In 50 words or less: The Zoltars, whose debut full-length, “Should I Try Once More?” comes out in April on Austin’s Sundae Records, combine sometimes snarky, sometimes bleak songs with weird, haunting and hypnotic garage rock. Read a 2011 interview with the band here.

Could Fit On A Bill With: Velvet Underground, Wreckless Eric

Sick day: The Zoltars trace their roots back to Chicago, where lead singer/songwriter Jared Zoltar began writing songs when he was sick with mono.

SXSW.com announced the lineup for the NPR Music showcase Wednesday, March 14 at Stubbs BBQ today, and it’s a good one. While the music festival technically begins on Tuesday this year, with more music events than ever programmed to correspond with the end of the Interactive festival, Wednesday is the traditional start of the March Music Madness. NPR, who last year kicked off the fest with soul sensation Raphael Saadiq alongside up-and-comers James Blake and the Smith Westerns has a fairly consistent record for programming memorable music nights. This year’s showcase featuring hotter-by-the-moment garage soul band the Alabama Shakes, who tore up the Continental Club a few weeks back and yesterday’s Band of the Day Sharon Van Etten and Andrew Bird should be no exception. We can feel the buzz build a month away.

FRIDAY

Zola Jesus at the Parish. Over the course of three albums and as many EPs, Nika Roza Danilova, also known as Zola Jesus, has created some lovely, wide-screen sound-planets that are equal parts classic Goth mope and forward-thinking electronic music. Doors at 9 p.m. $10. 214 E. Sixth St. theparishaustin.com — Joe Gross

Also playing:

• They Might Be Giants, Jonathan Coulton at La Zona Rosa
• Cause for Applause at Beerland
• Three’s Away at The Annex at 1808
• The French Inhales 7” release show with Bottle Service, Kingdom of Suicide Lovers, Manikin at the Legendary White Swan
• Smoke and Feathers at the Mohawk
• Pong at Hotel Vegas
• No Idea Festival at the Broken Neck
• D.R.U.G.S. at Emo’s East; Rafiki Project album release at Flamingo Cantina
• Hello Caller at Lamberts
• Ha Ha! Loud Loud! Music & Comedy at the Scoot Inn
• Royal Forest at Frank
• Split Lip Rayfield at Jovita’s
• Blood Sweat & Tears at One World Theatre

SATURDAY

King Khan and the Shrines at Mohawk.Over-the-top garage rock that leans heavily on ’60s soul and R&B, complete with a go-go dancer, horns, weird masks and other on-stage antics. With Jacuzzi Boys and American Sharks. 8 p.m. $13. 912 Red River St. mohawkaustin.com. — Peter Mongillo

Also playing:

• G Love and Special Sauce at La Zona Rosa
• Flesh Lights, Blood Royale, OBN IIIs at Beerland
• Final Club, Literature at 29th St. Ballroom
• The Sideshow Tragedy, Franny & Zooey at the Mohawk
• Nakia at Frank

SUNDAY

Riotgod at the Mohawk.This is old-school hard rock the 1970s way — large, catchy riffs, big vocals and a few guys who were in Monster Magnet. OK, you didn’t have the latter in the ’70s. With Texas heavy dudes Dixie Witch, Modok and Bay of Pigs. 9 p.m. $10. 912 Red River St. www.mohawkaustin.com — J.G.

Also playing:

• Illicit Relationship, Thrashold at Club 1808
• Bob Marley’s Birthday Celebration with General Smiley at Antone’s
• Kiddoo & The Dude at the Red Eyed Fly

The Zoltars at Beerland.Having evolved from a two- to a three- to a four-piece over the past few years, Austin-based band the Zoltars, whose debut full-length is on the way this spring, churn out some of the best songs on Red River Street. With These Are Words, Black Gum, Modfather. 9 p.m. $5. 711 Red River St. www.beerlandtexas.com. — Peter Mongillo

Also playing:

• Anthony Green, the Dear Hunter at Mohawk
• Matt the Electrician, the Moonlighters at Saxon Pub
• Frank Smith, Frank Mustard Project, Oh No Oh My at the Continental Club
• Indian Jewelry, Holy Wave, Hundred Visions at ND

From: Athens, GA and Omaha, NE

Online: haroukizombi.com

In 50 words or less: Conceived as both dance party and performance art piece, this pop-up shop collaboration between Nina Barnes (wife of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes) and musician Orenda Fink includes rave-y club grooves and zombie geishas. Fink DJs while Barnes’ technicolor geishas splash across the screen and gorily sexy live girls roam the crowd.

Could Fit On A Bill With: Oxy Cottontail, Kid Sister, DJ Spooky, DJ Shadow. Also pretty much anyone DJing at the Fader Fort.

Calling all zombies?: In an interview on the band’s website Barnes describes the live zombie geishas who interact with the crowd as “our girls, who basically are whoever wants to perform and be weird with us.” We haven’t seen a casting call for sexy undead yet, but if one emerges we will happily pass it along.

Austin band the Couch began in 2007 as a three-piece musical endeavor quite literally on a couch in San Marcos. They quickly became regulars in the music scene there and in 2010, two of the original three members made their way to Austin. They’ve since added two members and the band has developed a following in its adopted city.

I caught up with the band on a rainy day in December for a couple of short videos. “Ain’t Getting Married” was written by Taylor Wilkins, the lead singer, on a whim. On the night that I showed up, they had just arranged the harmonies over a few beers. We moved some furniture around in their Hyde Park living room and after two takes, we had the first video.

For “Indian Summer” we moved out to the front porch where colored Christmas lights and the rain added to the intimate vibe of the moment. Wilkins, Sara Houser and Jud Johnson couldn’t have been more fun to work with. I hope the videos show just how wonderfully talented these folks are.

The Couch plays Friday with Wild Child and the Baker Family at Beauty Ballroom ($5. 9 p.m. 2015 E. Riverside Drive).

Elizabeth Cook at the Cactus Cafe. Elizabeth Cook’s Don Was-produced, 2010 album “Welder” earned the crossover country singer/songwriter rave reviews for her traditional style. She is set to head out on tour opening for Willie Nelson next week. $15 8 p.m. 2247 Guadalupe St. www.cactuscafe.org

Also playing:

• Jon Dee Graham at the Continental Club
• Animal Train, the Millipede at Beerland
• Matt Pryor (the Get Up Kids), Anthony Raneri (Bayside), Ace Enders (the Early November), Chris Conley (Saves the Day), Evan Weiss (Into It. Over It) at Antone’s
• Hound & Fox, Waah at the Beauty Bar
• the Nevarwas, Chris McFarland, Yorba Linda at Hole in the Wall

The Mexican American Experience 2012, a two-day music showcase featuring rhythms from Tejano to Latin rock, comes back for the second time this spring at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center on March 14 and 15.

Music starts at 6 p.m. for these free family-friendly concerts, which are being produced by Crossroads Events in collaboration with the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Culture Center, the City of Austin and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. To alleviate parking woes, a shuttle service will be available to and from parking lots at Sanchez Elementary School, Martin Middle School and Fiesta Gardens. Food and refreshments will be sold on-site.

For those who want a break between dancing, bleacher seating will be set up and lawn chairs are welcome, too. The Pan Americana Festival follows on March 16 and 17, with details about their line-up to be released later.

Here’s the Mexican American Experience 2012 line-up:

March 14
Little Joe y La Familia
Los A-T Boyz
The Frank Gomez Band, along with the Austin Tejano Music Coalition’s Tejano Idol winner Ashley Borrero
Haydn Vitera

March 15
Sunny and The Sunliners
Shelly Lares
Patricia Vonne
Susan Torres y Conjunto Clemencia

• John Mayer is scheduled to play Stubb’s on Saturday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) with Justin Townes Earle.

• Peter Case and Paul Collins of the Nerves and the Breakaways have a date at Maria’s Taco X-Press.

• Of Montreal, Deerhoof, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Owen and Casiokids are set play Emo’s East.

• The Ghost Room, which closed its doors last summer, will be in use during SXSW for a showcase featuring Of Montreal side project Yip Deceiver, according to the Of Montreal website.

Cloud Nothings - "No Future / No Past" Official Video from Urban Outfitters on Vimeo.

From: Cleveland

Website: www.facebook.com/cloudnothings

In 50 words or less: Yes, another solo, bedroom-type project, but this one has since morphed into a band with other people, who put out a not-bad-at-all full-length, “Attack On Memory,” earlier this month. The music also translates into live show that stretches out in surprising directions.

Could Fit On A Bill With: Yuck, Real Estate, Sunny Day Real Estate

Produced by Steve Albini: Frontman Dylan Baldi told Pitchfork that Albini, who has an open-door policy, spent most of his time playing Facebook Scrabble while the band recorded.