Music: Picks

THURSDAY

Funeralizer. This could be thought of as former J Church lead guitarist David DiDonato's full band version of his metal solo project D.F.I. I think it was supposed to be a secret that the first set of this show is all of 'Led Zeppelin II,' but that news leaked like a sieve. Free at the Whisky Bar. 303 W. Fifth St. 481-8599. -- Joe Gross

Aaron Winters. A strong young songwriter in the tradition of such frat rock faves as Counting Crows and, say, a funkier Jack Johnson. Tambaleo. 302 Bowie St. 472-3213. -- J.G.

Bobby Bare Jr. A dark, funny, snotty tunesmith who knows enough about country cliches to overturn some and find new details in others. He sounds like he's lived a bit, loved a little bit more and, come on, the dude's band is called Young Criminals' Starvation League. What's not to like? With Centro-Matic frontman/songwriter/head cheese Will Johnson, whose broken-in ball cap solo songs are as rich as his full-band work. Continental Club. 1315 S. Congress Ave. 441-2444. -- J.G.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

Angela Strehli. She was voted Austin's best female singer five times. Clifford Antone has called her one of the most perfect blues singers ever. She was an integral part of Antone's salad days, when that club overflowed with hot local talent and the era's finest bluesmen. She played with the best, and she's one of the best. Antone's. 213 W. Fifth St. 320-8424. -- J.G.

FRIDAY

Mission of Burma. Some thought their 2004 performance at South by Southwest was a little substandard, but I was too busy screaming my head off seeing my heroes for the first time to notice. I mean, these are the guys who nearly single-handedly gave birth to indie rock's simple/complicated guitar rock vibe. They even disbanded with their myth intact. Even more astonishingly, Burma is one of the few reunited bands that pulled off their reunion without an aesthetic misstep. As one pal of mine said of the band's 2004 album 'OnOffOn,' 'There's really no reason in the world this should be as good as it is.' Amen. Show of the year? Yeah, maybe. With Sally Crewe and the Sudden Moves and I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness as part of the 30th anniversary of Emo's. 603 Red River St. 477-EMOS. -- J.G.

David Allan Coe. Kid Rock sure looked cooler standing next to him than Coe looked standing next to Kid Rock, but those shows they played together a few years did bring Coe back into the public eye. Coe's public image is so extreme (and so extremely unpleasant from time to time) that it's easy to forget that the man made some absolutely singular outlaw country in the 1970s. I wonder if he still has that dyedred beard. Nutty Brown Cafe. 12225 U.S. 290 W. 301-4648. -- J.G.

SATURDAY

Transgressors. This band plays Gothic hick rock. No, not that kind of Goth; no mascara was used in the making of these records. Gothic as in noir: crime, cold wind, an unforgiving Texas landscape, old time religion, blood-soaked knives, that kind of thing. With Two Hoots and a Holler and Gadjo Banjo, who really know their way around Tom Waits and Eastern European folk melodies. Also, they have a tuba. Beerland. 711 1/2 Red River St. 479-ROCK. -- J.G.

SUNDAY

Lamb of God. They used to be called Burn the Priest, back when life was good and Richmond, Va. still had one of the most powerful punk/metal scenes in the country. Now they're called Lamb of God and, at least live, they haven't lost a step. With A Life Once Lost, Chimaira, Opeth and Unearth. A metal bill for the ages at Stubb's. 801 Red River St. 480-8341. -- J.G.

DJ Dojo grand opening. This independently owned record store and studio offers classes for aspiring deejays and producers in addition to underground and local music, deejay equipment and information on local events. All ages are welcome from 7 to 10 p.m. with live music and free food at 2210 S. First St. 447-3656. -- J.G.

TUESDAY

This Microwave World. This show is a record release party for the band's new new-wavey album 'Red States' (Tight Spot). This is not a bad title, but it doesn't come close to the brilliantly knowing 2004 EP, 'Love Your Zine Let's Go to Bed.' Genius! With Young Heart Attack, the Innocent, and DJ Self Help Gary at Beerland. 711 1/2 Red River St. 479-ROCK. -- J.G.

A.J. Roach. He comes from hardcore Appalachian stock and isn't afraid to tell you. In fact, he makes it the cornerstone of his songs; these family stories that double as tales of Scott County, Va., where he was raised. It's smart, detailed, emotionally subtle stuff. Cactus Cafe. 24th and Guadalupe streets. UT campus. 475- 6515. -- J.G.

WEDNESDAY

The Willowz could very well be garage rock's next big thing, four kids straight outta Anaheim, Ca. with a few good tunes. These O.G. O.C. dudes-n-gal blend 1960s punk riffs with 1960s pop gestures, and one spin through the new 'Talk in Circles' (on Sympathy For The Record Industry -- once the home of the White Stripes) and it's tough to imagine them staying small for long. See them here and now; you can say you were there when. With the Ends, Original Blackouts at Beerland. 711 1/2 Red River St. 479-ROCK. -- J.G.