England Swings IV
@ First Avenue

Anyone with a fondness for early Kinks, Beatles, Who and all other things eventually co-opted by Austin Powers should be plenty psyched for this all local music salute to the sound of the British Invasion and the fashion of Chelsea (I—for one—will be bringing my go-go boots). Although a number of these artists already display an obvious affinity for the Queen Mother, I’m most intrigued at the prospect of seeing bands whose music doesn’t seem particularly Brit-influenced (like, say, Landing Gear or Dan Israel and the Cultivators) take a shot at interpreting some of our talented musical brethren from across the pond. Featuring The Autumn Leaves, The Conquerors, Curtiss A, Fab Tab & the Teds, Faux Jean, Friends Like These, The Hypstrz, Jan, Landing Gear, The Melismatics, Ouija Radio, Pony Lavonne, Stephanie Says, The Vestals, The Violettes, Dan Israel and the Cultivators, The Wag. 7 p.m. $6 adv/ $8 door. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Rob van Alstyne

Neva Dinova
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

Singer/guitarist Jake Bellows and his revolving cast of buddies first came to the attention of the musical world outside their Omaha home-base (where they’d been quietly toiling away since the early ‘90s) via a split EP last year with fellow Nebraskan Bright Eyes. This is, in the current indie music climate, about the easiest route to immediate widespread attention one could ask for. I’m pretty sure you could cobble together a split EP of me doing spoken word improv on one side and if Conor Oberst was on the flip it would still have a shot at topping the CMJ charts. That being said, Neva Dinova proved themselves worthy of the hook-up by their old buddy and delivered the goods on the EP, showing a knack for dusty emotional-open-wound-folk on par with their famous friend. Now comes the full-length follow-up, The Hate Yourself Change, and although there’s plenty of solo troubadouring to be had (just check the album opening “Hat O’er Eyes”) there’s also some surprisingly slick pop (“Ahh” sounds like a more expressive Julian Casablancas fronting a Brit-pop band). Although latecomers to the Saddle Creek-induced spotlight, Neva Dinova have the skills to warrant attention regardless of their home address, and Bellows’ classy smooth croon is easily the most traditionally musically pleasing voice I’ve heard to come out of the whole heartland scene. With the Ashtray Hearts and headlining local act Jeff Hanson celebrating the release of his second album (see last week’s cover story). 10 p.m. $6. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. van Alstyne

At the River I Stand
@ Riverview Theater

Everyone remembers the assassination of Martin Luther King, but few remember the labor struggle that led to his death, the mass strike of trash collectors in Memphis, Tenn., in 1968. The issues people were fighting over in that campaign—the rights of low-wage employees, minorities and unions—are just as relevant today. While Black History Month is still going on, a local union is teaming up with a local Democratic Party chapter to present a little-seen documentary, “At the River I Stand,” about King and the Memphis union struggle. The Dallas Observer has called the film “one of the most clearheaded, evenhanded documentaries about the civil rights movement you’ll ever see, and a piece of gripping storytelling as well.” The showing will be sponsored by Minnesota Senate District 62 and the American Federation of State, Council and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Council 5. Donations optional and will benefit SD 62 DFL with a portion of proceeds to benefit DFL Somali voter outreach. 7 p.m. 3800 42nd Ave. S., Mpls. 612-729-7369 Brian Kaller

Subtle
@ The 7th St. Entry

Part Hip-Hop, part rock-crazy as all get out— Oakland sextet Subtle is anything but what their name implies. Working off of the warped mouth mushings of Adam “Doseone” Drucker and a slew of pals working a wide array of musical backing—one electronic drummer, one kit drummer, electric cello, three keyboards and three samplers in addition to the usual rock band instrument suspects—Subtle’s sound demands attention. Signed to avant label Lex Records (also host to hometown heroes Fog), anyone enamored with Andrew Broder’s cracked soundscapes will undoubtedly be won over by Subtle’s equally paranoid and jittery musical vision. Broder himself is already a fan (or at least his remixes of the band’s work suggest so). With Hrvatski, Mel Gibson & the Pants. 8 p.m. $10. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Nathan Dean

Women of the World and War
@ Augsburg College Foss Center

As the federal government implies a possible attack against Iran, the human-rights group Women Against Military Madness will host an Iranian-American scholar to educate Americans on her native country. Nasrin Jewell, Iranian-American Professor of Economics at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, will describe the terrible war between Iran and Iraq from 1980 to 1988, a war in which women were heavily targeted. Jewell has spoken on women’s issues before international organizations, and has written a number of articles on the subject. Her current research area is redefining and re-evaluating work, specifically as it applies to women in Iran. The presentation is the second of WAMM’s Women of the World and War series. 7 p.m., 625 22nd Ave. S., Mpls. 612 827-5364. Kaller

The Heartless Bastards
@ The 400 Bar

Hailing from Cincinnati, the Heartless Bastards are a propulsively rockin’ power trio with an interesting pedigree. Led by 27-year-old singer/guitarist Erika Wennerstrom, the band is signed to renowned Blues revival record label Fat Possum (the first female fronted band to do so), but sounds more like Guided By Voices than Muddy Waters (it’s no coincidence that Wennerstrom originally hails from Bob Pollard land—aka Dayton, Ohio). Debating just how “bluesy” or not The Heartless Bastards are quickly becomes a moot point once the chugging riff of a song like “Onions” kicks in and Wennerstrom’s powerful slightly-snarlier-take-on-Chrissie-Hynde-voice begins to belt out. Solid Indie-Blues? Stellar Indie-rock? Fucking great music? Your fist will be too busy pumping to make the distinction. With Split Lip Rayfield and The Pines. 9 p.m. $8 adv/ $10 door. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne

Story of the Sea
@ The Terminal Bar

Based around the core of brothers Adam (vocals/guitar) and Ian Prince (drums), these two vets have played in a number of bands (Manplanet, Houston) but their new joint endeavor, Story of the Sea, doesn’t sound like any of them. Currently finishing up recording with Darren “Kid Dakota” Jackson on their debut, the 4-song studio teaser I was lucky enough to get hooked up with has me counting the days until the record’s eventual summertime release. A blend of muscular drumming, pent-up post-punk energy and a knowing way with a pop hook, SOTS hit all the right notes whether at their most rocking (“Well Adjusted”) or turning out a frayed-at-the-edges ballad (“Free to Go”). The band’s been gigging out locally in earnest as of late (with new bass player John McEwen of Align) and anyone curious to check out a few demos of their sound can head on over to MySpace.com/StoryOfTheSea. Tonight they’ll be the first act on the bill, so be sure to get down there early. With High On Stress, Duplomacy. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 409 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls. 612-623-4545. van Alstyne

Ken Avidor, Roger Lootine & Andy Singer
@ One on One Bicycle Studio

There was a time when Wednesdays meant grabbing a Pulse, flipping to the back of the paper and devouring the comics of R. Lootine (Residue) and Ken Avidor (Road Kill Bill) in an attempt to feed my insatiable desire for exquisite inking and biting social commentary. These days Lootine and Avidor are absent from our weekly, but thankfully they’re still voraciously drawing—and biking. As dedicated to bikes as they are to comics, these eco-friendly artists will be joined by another local favorite, Andy Singer, to form a triad of cartoon acumen at One On One Bicycle Studio in the Minneapolis warehouse district. Billed as Bikes, Comics and Beer, the opening reception takes place Friday night. 7 p.m. 117 Washington Ave. N., Mpls. 612-371-9565 or OneOnOneBike.com. Nancy Sartor

Eat Meat, Chariots
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

Eat Meat is the kind of forward thinking “damn I wish I had thought of that” collaborative project that can’t help but make a music lover salivate. A meeting of the minds between all-star local DJ Mr. Dibbs (best known for working the decks live alongside Slug on innumerable nationwide Atmosphere tours) and visual artist Jake Keeler (he’s had exhibitions of his work shown in St. Paul galleries in addition to handling tons of music-related visual work for the RSE empire), Eat Meat promises to be a slammin’ tag team of audio/visual representation. Their working methods sound immediately intriguing, Keeler collects samples and musical bits, Dibbs mixes them, and then the two construct a bevy of visual goodies around the resulting creation. One album has already been spawned from this turbo tandem and another is on the way shortly. Seeing them bring this high concept mish-mash of sound and sight to the stage should be a treat, and according to RSE’s website “Deejaying, sampling, painting, image projections, and crowd participation are all part of the EATMEAT show. They aim to put the ‘show’ back into performance and give the crowd reasons to go ape-shit.” Did that sound incredibly dope to anyone else? With Carnage, Eros & the Criminal. 5 p.m. All Ages. $10. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. And again at 10 p.m. $10. 21+. DJ Fat Beats

Barb Tilsen & Judy Gorman
@ Bryant Lake Bowl

Roll into Bryant Lake Bowl this weekend for an earful of smoky, soulful serenades by Barb Tilsen and Judy Gorman—two solo artists and songwriters who rarely perform on the same bill. Barb Tilsen is an award-winning artist who connects her women-centered music to current events and the rich history of grassroots movements and social change in this country. Judy Gorman hails from New York City and has performed her bluesy, evocative songs throughout the United States and Europe. Her latest release, The Rising of Us All, features songs about peace and justice, women and work, struggle and celebration. With deep-seated roots in the folk scene, these women add a tasty blend of blues, jazz and gospel to their repertoire that spices things up nicely. 7:30 p.m. $6 adv/ $8 door. 801 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-825-3737. Sartor