TUES., FEB. 2
The Shields Brothers Band at Jammin Java
It’s a family-filled night at Jammin Java with The Shields Brothers Band, Ivy Rose and MadBrenda, beginning at 8 p.m. The Shields Brothers take the stage first; expect the trio to perform hits like “Shark Attack,” “Be My Girlfriend” and “The Walk.” Then MadBrenda, a father-daughters band, will take the stage, followed by Ivy Rose. 8 p.m. $10. — AE
Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA; 703-255-1566; www.jamminjava.com
THURS., FEB. 4
Retribution Gospel Choir featuring Alan Sparhawk of Low at Rock N Roll Hotel
Alan Sparhawk scraps his penchant for low-key pop and comes up making glorious noise with Retribution Gospel Choir. Heavy and harmonic, RGCs full-length debut conjures the ghosts of Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Come be transfixed when this talented trio takes the stage at the Rock N Roll Hotel. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 8 p.m. — MC
Rock N Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, DC; 202-388-7625; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com
SAT., FEB. 6
Galactic featuring Cyril Neville at 9:30 Club
New Orleans favorite funksters promise to take it up a notch with the addition of Dumpstaphunk founder (and member of the Crescent City’s royal musical family) Cyril Neville to the bill. Galactic’s psychedelic jam sessions are legendary, but drummer Stanton Moore always manages to keep it locked in the pocket. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 8 p.m. — MC
9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, D.C.; 202.265.0930; www.930.com
THURS., FEB.11
Wanda Jackson at The Black Cat
Sixty albums on, the First Lady of Rockabilly (and former Elvis arm charm), Wanda Jackson is still belting out her firebrand rock and roll classics like “Riot in Cell Block #9” and “Fujiyama Mama” — though she does temper her set list with the occasional gospel number these days. Greasers in arms, The Lustre Kings, open. Tickets are $20. Doors are at 9 p.m. — HG
The Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, D.C.; 202-667-4490; www.blackcatdc.com
SAT., FEB. 13
Punch Drunk Poets and Brainfang at Jammin Java
On Tap featured artist, Punch Drunk Poets, will return to Jammin Java to headline this gig mid February. After a year-long creative hiatus from performing, this quartet is back and better than ever, having revamped their sound and spending time in the studio with music vet Jim Ebert. Their psychedelic rock sound is distinctive in the local music scene. With a solid group of musicians, including talented guitarist Kajun Kelley, there’s nothing holding PDP back. They always perform a high-energy live show; keep your ears open for “Lunatixx,” a personal live favorite. 10 p.m. $10. — AE
Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, VA; 703-255-1566; www.jamminjava.com
WED., FEB. 17
The Growlers w/ John Bustine and The Vermillions at The Black Cat (Backstage)
Stitching together a lo-fi mélange of surf guitar, garage rock and voodoo rhythm, The Growlers start out like the soundtrack to a beach house haunting before tripping out on tangents of Beefheart-ian proportions. (They are from Southern California after all.) Locals John Bustine and The Vermillions open. Tickets are $10. Doors are at 9 p.m. — HG
The Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, D.C.; 202-667-4490; www.blackcatdc.com
THURS., FEB. 18
Dave Alvin & A Couple Guilty Women at The Birchmere
As a Grammy Award-winning solo artist and former member of The Blasters and X, Dave Alvin casts equally large shadows in roots rock and punk circles. For his latest record, “Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women,” he recruited an all-female group of accompanists from both worlds — “a couple” of whom will be in tow for this Virginia show. Tickets are $27.50. Doors open at 7:30. — HG
The Birchmere: 3701 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA; 703-549-7500; www.birchmere.com
Los Amigos Invisibles at the Black Cat
If you like to get your dance on, you won’t want to miss Los Amigos Invisibles’ February show at the Black Cat. The Venezuela-born, New York-based party band’s propulsive brand of Latin disco music is guaranteed to keep the crowd jumping from start to finish. Trippy yet accessible, Los Amigos Invisibles move seamlessly from electro-pop to house to bossa nova to salsa to lounge to …whatever. A cool, retro sheen shimmers over the band’s eclectic sound, but the feel is always forward-looking, never nostalgic. At the Austin City Limits music festival last September, Los Amigos Invisibles turned a small side tent into an afternoon dance party that had attendees talking for days. Expect the same when they heat up a cold February night at the Black Cat. Show at 9 p.m. $25 — MC
The Black Cat: 18811 14th St. NW, DC; 202-667-4490; www.blackcatdc.com
SAT., FEB. 20
John Mayer with Michael Franti and Spearhead
Once the writer of ballads like “Your Body is a Wonderland” and “Daughters,” a more mature (well, musically mature) John Mayer returns to the Verizon Center with another album, full of tracks that prove he’s one hell of a musician. Mayer, who released “Battle Studies” in November, will likely feature new songs, but expect plenty of his hits mixed in. He always dishes out guitar solos that make the best of musicians envious, and anthems that demonstrate how he is reinventing the blues for a more modern generation. 8 p.m. Tickets priced from $42.50. — AE
Verizon Center: 601 F St. NW, DC; 202-661-5000; www.verizoncenter.com
Nouvelle Vague at 9:30 Club
Known for their cabaret pop covers of punk and new wave classics, France’s Nouvelle Vague may have expanded their ’60s exotica sound to include reggae and (gasp) country, but the formula remains the same. Their latest, “3,” mines hits from college radio staples past, including The Specials and Depeche Mode. Clare and the Reasons open. Tickets are $20. Doors are 8 p.m. — HG
9:30 Club: 815 V St NW, D.C.; 202-265-0930; www.930.com
TUES., FEB. 23
Howie Day w/Serena Ryder at Rams Head Tavern
The singer of hit songs like “Collide” and “She Says” will be in Annapolis performing at Rams Head On Stage beginning at 8 p.m. With a sound that’s similar to Matt Nathanson, Day is sure to wow the crowd with his catchy acoustic sound. $20. — AE
Rams Head Tavern: 33 West St. Annapolis, MD; 410-268-4545; www.ramsheadtavern.com
SAT., FEB. 27
Honor By August at IOTA
This On Tap featured band, who just headlined the 9:30 Club, will hit the stage at IOTA at 9 p.m. They’re talented, dynamic, engaging and worth the visit to this Clarendon hot spot. Be sure to listen for “Found,” which could prove to be a hit for this hometown band. $12. —AE
IOTA Club & Café: 2832 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-522-8340; www.iotaclubandcafe.com
SUN., FEB. 28
The Queers w/ Off With Their Heads and The Scare at The Black Cat (Backstage)
Joe Queer has been doing what he does best — two-minute bursts of hook-laden punk rock — since 1982, but may finally be maturing…a bit. He’s sworn off his circle pit standards for this year’s tour and plans to play only his band’s occasional, one-off pop tunes. Off With Their Heads and The Scare open. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. — HG
The Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, D.C.; 202-667-4490; www.blackcatdc.com
MON., MAR. 1
Rodrigo y Gabriela at 9:30 Club
When Rodrigo y Gabriela took the stage at the Virgin Fest in 2008, the crowd was mesmerized by their fast, rhythmic acoustic guitars — and I mean heavy metal thrash fast and with as much precision. They are currently touring on the heels of their recent release, “11:11,” consisting of 11 original songs that are a “personal gracias” to the first 11 bands that influenced them, including Pink Floyd, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix. Alex Skolnick (Testament) guests on the album, as do widely respected acoustic veterans Strunz & Farah. The first show sold out quickly so get your tickets today as this may be the last time you will catch them in such an intimate setting. 7 p.m. $35 — CP
9:30 Club: 815 V St NW, D.C.; 202-265-0930; www.930.com
