So Percussion, Dirty Projectors

Academy Hall Auditorium, Friday

Pretentious arthaus clowns, unite! Rensselaer’s Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC, whose physical building is still one of the coolest nonentities we’ve seen) are presenting this show, which features two bright lights of contemporary music. So Percussion, fresh off a tour with oddball avant-noise team Matmos, are a Brooklyn-based percussion ensemble (naturally) who commission and perform new works from young composers; on tomorrow’s show, they’ll perform compositions by David Lang and experimental-music godhead Steve Reich. Dirty Projectors is the nom de weird for Dave Longstreth, whose performances feature a rotating cast of backing musicians coupled with live-video projection. If you make a habit of listening outside the box, this is right up your alley. (Jan. 19, 8 PM, free, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, 276-3921)

I Am the Avalanche

Valentine’s, Friday

Fronted by former the Movie Life singer Vinnie Caruana, and backed by ex-Further Seems Forever guitarist Brandon Swanson, Brooklyn’s I Am the Avalanche have a lot of emo credibility. So, for all of you discriminating emo-maniacs who were thinking about taking a Sociology class at UAlbany titled Emo-Pop and Issues of Class and Ethics, can instead fork out the five bucks to get a lesson in true emo-spirituality. (Jan. 24, 7 PM, $5, 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572)

Max Creek

Revolution Hall, Saturday

“Max Creek is something that will never cease to exist,” band member Scott Murawski once said. “It’s like a snowman that won’t melt. You put so much snow on the goddamn snowman that it just won’t go away.” Global warming aside, it’s apparent Murawski is on to something. Max Creek have been touring the Northeast for three-plus decades now, and their mix of original bluegrass-country music and jam-band covers (they’ve been confused for a Grateful Dead clone band more than once) has attracted a faithful following sure to be dancing the night away at Revolution Hall Saturday night. Also performing: School Bus Yellow. (Jan. 20, 9 PM, $16, $18, 425 River St., Troy, 274-0553)

Art Garfunkel

Proctor’s Theatre, Sunday

You may have heard of this guy—apparently he was part of some folk-rock duo in the ’60s, or something. No, not that one who went bald. The other one. With the funny hair. Art Garfunkel returns to the Capital Region for the first time since 2004, this time in advance of his solo album Some Enchanted Evening, to be released later this month. The one knock on Garfunkel has always been his inability to pen his own music, and that will be apparent in his playlist on Sunday, which will be split between the borrowed tunes he sings on his new album, standards from his earlier solo work, and old Simon and Garfunkel favorites. Even at 65, though, no one will dispute the quality of the man’s voice, which should fill Proctor’s venerable chambers beautifully. (Jan. 21, 7 PM, $59.75, $49.75 , $39.75, $19.75, 432 State St., Schenectady, 346-6204).

Rock Star Supernova, the Panic Channel

Times Union Center, Sunday

Like the bastard half-brother of the American Idol tour comes this monstrosity, brought to you by the fine folks at CBS and, uh, Brooke Burke, and, what the hell, INXS. Supernova—a band comprising frequently sans-pants Crüeman Lee, ousted Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, and guitarist Gilby Clarke, who was/is in some form of Guns N’ Roses at some point (we think)—found their “rock star” (singer Lukas Rossi) via CBS reality series Rock Star: Supernova, then had to tack that unwieldy first chunk onto their name when it was realized (via lawsuit) that there just happened to have existed another band called Supernova. Then Newsted practically tore his arm off trying to catch a falling bass rig, and the band called in the Black Crowes’ first-album bassist Johnny Colt to cover. So here they are, whoever they are. If you’re a Tommy Lee fan, we guess this could be fun. If you’re a Jane’s Addiction fan, however, stay home: The Panic Channel, a new band featuring former Jane’s members Dave Navarro and Stephen Perkins, open the show. (Jan. 21, 7:30 PM, $38.50-$48.50, 51 S. Pearl St., Albany, 800-30-EVENT)

Rockabilly All Star Dance Party

O’Brien’s Garden Grill, Wednesday

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: The Capital Region is blessed like Carl Perkins’ mama was when it comes to rockabilly. Combine the terrific musicians who live here with the, well, terrific musicians who treat this like a home away from home, and you have rockabilly heaven here on Earth. This Wednesday, there will be a rockabilly summit at O’Brien’s Garden Grill featuring Eddie Angel and Jason Teen Beat (of Los Straitjackets), and Johnny Rabb and Graham Tichy. This awesome foursome will perform favorites by the “Beatles, Elvis, Neanderthals and more.” So put on your blue suede shoes already, dumbass. (Jan. 24, 8 PM, $8, 276 Second Ave., Albany, 462-0571)

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