Worcester’s live music scene has never been particularly concerned with musical boundaries. You can hear punk at Ralph’s, country at Vincent’s, metal at the Palladium and an Irish session down the street, sometimes all in the same weekend. And that’s before you venture into the smaller bars, breweries and clubs where local musicians make their living, or at least enough to cover the gas. No, it’s not hopping and popping like it once was “back in the day,” but you can still find plenty if you look around.
Welcome to the Weekly Shuffle, a new Worcester Guardian column that takes a weekly spin through the local music scene, highlighting some of the bands, performers and venues worth checking out. Consider it a friendly nudge to get off the couch and hear some live music.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, Boston rockers Girl With A Hawk swoop into Ralph’s Rock Diner at 8 p.m. with the Weisstronauts and Frissons. Fronted by longtime singer-songwriter Linda Viens, Girl With A Hawk released its debut album, “Regenesis,” in June, mixing power pop, Americana and old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. The Weisstronauts, meanwhile, favor instrumental excursions into surf, psychedelia, rockabilly and whatever else strikes their fancy. Over at Vincent’s, The Heavy Sweaters take the stage at 8 p.m. to play ’80s pop hits acoustically, while Secondhand Serenade brings its emo-tinged acoustic rock to the Palladium at 7:30 p.m. Kerr Griffen performs at Femme Bar Worcester at 8 p.m., and aspiring performers can try their luck at The Raven’s open mic and jam, also beginning at 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6, takes a few sharp musical turns. At Mechanics Hall, Music Worcester celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with a 7 p.m. concert featuring the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, the Worcester Children’s Chorus and other regional ensembles. At the opposite end of the volume dial, Microwave and Free Throw bring their alternative rock and emo sounds to the Palladium at 7 p.m., joined by Carly Cosgrove and Kerosene Heights. Ralph’s hosts Opening Night, Jay Sully, The Roland High Life and Divorce Cake at 8 p.m., while the Rangemasters and Reckoners share the bill at Off the Rails at 8 p.m. Marc Turo plays the White Eagle at 6:30 p.m., and Ira Cantrell and the All Good Band set up shop at the Hotel Vernon at 7:30 p.m.
Vincent’s gets particularly interesting Friday night when Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners get fiddling at 9 p.m. The band marries country twang with Celtic folk, accordion and a healthy disregard for musical borders. Its latest EP, “Moonshine & Other Spirits,” arrived in March, adding to a catalog that includes an entire collection of Bavarian folk tunes and polkas. If your tastes run more toward familiar rock classics, Gold Dust Refugee revisits the music of Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty at Halligan’s in Auburn at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7, Ralph’s gets a visit from veteran punk outfit Flipper, sharing the stage with SQRM, Facepaint, Lewd and Violent Protest at 8 p.m. The Palladium counters with Honey Revenge and Dead Poet Society, joined by Hunny and Broadside, at 7 p.m., while Rascals turns back the clock to the pop-punk and emo years with The Warped Tour Band, Fake Out Boy and All The Blink Things at 6:30 p.m. Annie in the Water brings its genre-blending rock to The Electric Haze at 7 p.m., and the Foo Fighters get the tribute treatment from Monkey Wrench at the Worcester MCL at 8 p.m.
For something less likely to require earplugs, longtime roots-rock troubadour Greg Klyma performs at Vincent’s at 6 p.m. Klyma has spent decades traveling, recording and telling stories through songs that draw from country, folk and rock. Troy Mercy takes the later shift at Vincent’s at 9 p.m., while This Guy/That Guy performs at Wormtown Brewery at 6 p.m. and Brian Chaffee plays Greater Good Imperial Brewing, also at 6 p.m. Out in Webster, Best of Times revisits the music of Styx, Foreigner and REO Speedwagon at Samuel Slaters at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8, offers an opportunity to recover from Saturday — or ignore the concept of recovery altogether. Worcester bluesman Big Jon Short starts with a noon brunch performance at BirchTree Bread Company, then returns to Vincent’s at 7 p.m. Ripple Effect also performs at Vincent’s, from 3 to 6 p.m. At the Hotel Vernon, Mark Belanger’s Matinee Cabaret 21 features Abby Lamarre, Matt McMullen, Morgan Alyse and Korynn Gagne at 4 p.m., while Fiddlers Green Pub hosts an Irish session from 4 to 7 p.m.
For those still craving something heavier, Rascals hosts a Sunday Rock Party with Seven Hill Psychos, Xgression, Sonic Bomb and Exploder starting at 3 p.m. The Palladium welcomes Saosin, marking the 20th anniversary of its self-titled album, with Silent Planet, Like Moths To Flames and Save Us at 7 p.m. And the Hotel Vernon wraps up the weekend with Signs & Symptoms, Roof Tops, Tail Light Rebellion and Chris at 7:30 p.m.
The Weekly Shuffle is a weekly look at the bands, musicians and venues keeping Worcester’s live music scene interesting, with occasional stops in surrounding communities. It’s not a comprehensive calendar, but a sampling of what’s happening on local stages, from neighborhood bars to major concert venues. Listings are drawn in part from local music supporter Jay Berman’s extensive weekly roundup. Musicians, bands and venues are encouraged to share upcoming shows, new releases and other music news with the Worcester Guardian at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org. Show dates and times are subject to change.
