Pernice Brothers,
The Bigger Lovers
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

Joe Pernice has long been independent rock music’s king of pain, the man eager to look beyond the silver lining in that cloud to the even darker liningless cloud behind it. He first married his downcast tunes to late night weepy country music in the Scud Mt. Boys (whose 1996 Sub Pop release Massachusetts is an overlooked classic in the alt. Country canon) and then shifted gears to the brighter string-drenched pop stylings of the Pernice Brothers, although the musical makeover didn’t cheer his lyrical outlook any. The latest PB offering, last year’s Yours, Mine & Ours, saw his band moving away from ABBA and Bacharach and more towards the Cure and New Order, arguably more fitting musical reference points for Pernice’s despondent words. Also on the bill are Philadelphia power-poppers The Bigger Lovers (who, not coincidentally I’m sure, happen to share a drummer with Pernice Brothers). Led by dual vocalist/songwriters Bret Tobias and Scott Jefferson, the group’s latest, This Affair Never Happened … and Here are 11 Songs About It, fails to reach the soaring melodic highs of its predecessor, Honey in the Hive, but is still an enjoyable listen for those prone to pull out old Velvet Crush albums and The Bigger Lovers churn out agreeably accessible electric guitar pop regardless of who’s at the helm. Touches like the outro electric fill on the light and bouncey “I Resign” are the little melodic moments that leave lasting impact, but when the band opts for gruffer garage-y fare, (“Blowtorch”), the results are considerably less palatable. The kind of act that rock critics rightfully love (drummer Patrick Berkery is a scribe for Magnet Music Magazine), The Bigger Lovers are definitely worth the accolades they’ve garnered. With The Long Winters. 9 p.m. $10. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. (Rob van Alstyne)

Michael Gordon
@ Woman’s Club

Celebrated composer Michael Gordon debuts his newest music, collaborating with acclaimed film director Bill Morrison on “Light Is Calling.” The performance features several of Gordon's works presented with new imagery Morrison created specifically for this music. Gordon, who is best known as one of the founders and artistic directors of New York's Bang on a Can Festival, has worked a lot with London's Icebreaker, including his 52-minute composition "Trance." He wrote "Link" for the group in 1998, in collaboration with David Lang, in complement to Lang's "Cheating, Lying, Stealing" for an Ashley Page ballet for The Royal Ballet in London. Sounds safe to say this guy knows what he's doing. The band for “Light Is Calling” will be: Gordon on keys, composer/instrumentalist Todd Reynolds (violin), Christian Bongers (bass), Bryce Dessner (guitar), and David Cossin (drums). There's a lecture-symposium at the U of M with Gordon on Thursday, and then a discussion with Gordon and Morrison on Friday, also at the U. "Light Is Calling" has its world premiere (via Walker without Walls) on Saturday at the Woman's Club. Lecture - Thu. Apr. 1, 11 a.m. Free. Alton Recital Hall, Ferguson School of Music, U of M West Bank, 2106 4th St. S., Mpls.; Discussion - Fri. Apr. 2, 1 p.m. Free. Alton Recital Hall, Ferguson School of Music, U of M West Bank, 2106 4th St. S., Mpls.; "Light Is Calling" - Sat. Apr. 3, 8 p.m. $18. Woman's Club of Minneapolis, 407 W. 15th St., Mpls. 612-375-7622. (Dwight Hobbes)

The Natural History
@ The Whole Music Club, Coffman Memorial Union

Obviously devoted Spoon fans, Brooklyn’s The Natural History have made the best Spoon album since 1998’s A Series of Sneaks on their latest, Beat Beat Heartbeat—the only problem of course being that these guys AREN’T Spoon. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery though, then the seriously KICK ASS imitation of The Natural History must have Mr. Spoon-man himself Britt Daniel feeling pretty damn good these days. Examined apart from its obvious similarity to one of the larger looming bands currently operating in indie-rock, however, The Natural History acquit themselves as a seriously dangerous and proficient rock trio. Martial bass-heavy spy soundtrack tunes like “The Right Hand” will have you bopping in lock-step (unless of course you happen to lack a pulse), and slinkier tunes like the short and sassy “It’s a Law” would perhaps make for great hipster makeout music if they managed to reach the two-minute mark in running time. All kidding aside, The Natural History are an exciting young band that somehow appear to be missing out on the NYC hype-train that has carried so many of their less talented peers into MTV2-dom; they’re a well honed unit well worth checking out. With Kid Dakota and The Plastic Constellations. 7 p.m. $5 with student ID / $7 general public. 18+. 300 Washington Ave. SE., Mpls. 612-626-6919. (van Alstyne)

You’ve Got to Be Kidding
@ Southern Theater

To begin its 26th season as a dance company, Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater sets out to prove that modern dance can be intentionally funny. “You’ve Got To Be Kidding” takes a lighthearted look at the human experience with a suite of original work. SPDT’s work stands apart in the field of contemporary performance for its vast emotional range, intellectual provocations and stunning visual environments. Dramatically powerful and insightfully witty, this company’s unique vision was hailed by one presenter as “non-passive entertainment—theater for the heart and mind.” Thu. Apr. 1 – Fri. Apr. 2, 8 p.m.; Sat. Apr. 3, 2 & 8 p.m. $19. Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Mpls. 612-340-1725. (Gyros Papadopoulos)

If Andy Warhol Were My Dad: 20 Scenes of Generation X
@ Red Eye Theater

Rosy Simas Dance Projects presents “If Andy Warhol Were My Dad: 20 Scenes of Generation X,” a kinesthetic, visual and audio soundtrack of the life of one GenXer. Twenty short dance stories interwoven with icons, art, music and history of a generation. Rosy Simas Guthrie directs an eclectic collaborative cast that brings comical improvisation, distinct choreography and cameo performances by some of the Twin Cities most unique dancers to a soundtrack of The Fall, Queen, The Pixies, Radiohead, The Smiths and more. Fri. Apr. 2 – Sat. Apr. 3, 8 p.m.; Sun. Apr. 4, 2 p.m. $12/$14. Red Eye Theater, 15 W. 14th St., Mpls. 612-788-0047. (Papadopoulos)

The Vestals
@ The 400 Bar

With so many talented guitar pop bands in the Twin Cities, can it really hurt to add one more to their ranks? The Vestals make a strong play at grabbing notice in an overcrowded field on their self-titled debut album, to be released nationally in two weeks on newly launched local label Warming House Records, but available for purchase in advance at this gig. Anchored by vocalists/guitarists/brothers in arms Ben and Jeremy Gordon, the Vestals’ Beatles-y (both Gordon’s were finalists in 2000’s National John Lennon Songwriting Competition), vaguely psychedelic pop is sure to garner local acclaim quickly. Tracks like “Telescope” expertly balance smooth vocals and pop melodies with darker musical textures and dexterous guitar work. If you’re still wavering on the Vestals then the posse they’ve managed to assemble for their CD release gig should convince you. It’s not very often that newcomers can land the likes of scene veterans as show support, so head Honeydog Adam Levy must have seen something special in these boys to sign up for the gig – and who am I to doubt Adam Levy? With Ken Morton of the Indicators, Adam Levy of the Honeydogs and headlining act Friends Like These. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. (Nathan Dean)

Rainer Maria
@ The Ascot Room

True road warriors, New-York-by-way-of-Wisconsin rock trio Rainer Maria have been on the road in earnest since the January 2003 release of Long Knives Drawn, RM record No. 4. Nearing a decade since their formation and with the sale of more than 100,000 records under their belt (most of those into the clamoring hands of the sweaty college aged set), it seems the right time for Rainer Maria to pull one of the classic elder statesmen career retrospective moves and release a live album. Fortunately, the double disc CD/DVD set Anyone in Love With You (Already Knows) is far from the typical half-assed fan gouging affair that so many indie-live albums accidentally end up being. The CD is fine, but it’s the accompanying full-length concert DVD that’s a true revelation. Capturing the band in action at the start of the Long Knives Drawn tour on stage at the packed (and oh so sweaty) Cats Cradle in North Carolina, Rainer Maria rips through their set with the kind of energy and exuberance one would expect from a bunch of high school kids—not pending thirtysomethings. Vocalist/bassist Caithlin De Marrais belts out like a banshee on the run and guitarist Kyle Fischer buzzes around the stage in an absurd sleeveless tank-top doing karate kicks and Mr. Airplane Man moves like he’s freaking on PCP or some other equivalent hallucinogenic hyper-stimulant. The DVD footage served as a powerful reminder that Rainer Maria is the exception to the rule that most music tagged with the “emo” label sucks. With Brazil, Funeral for a Friend and headlining act Coheed and Cambria. 5 p.m. $12 adv / $14 door. All Ages. 110 N. Fifth St., Mpls. 612-338-3383. (van Alstyne)

Rebel, Rebel: Rock for Pussy—A Tribute to David Bowie
@ First Avenue

David Bowie is such a musical chameleon it figures that it would take approximately two dozen musicians to properly portray all facets of his musical persona in a tribute concert. Fortunately the Twin Cities scene boasts the requisite musical might so there should be no shortage of special moments when legions of great local singer/songwriters (among them James Diers of Love-Cars and Halloween, Alaska, erstwhile Jayhawk Kraig Johnson, and former Zuzu’s Petals frontwoman Laurie Lindeen) put their own Minnesotan spin on the thin white duke. Even better all the proceeds are going to a good cause. The show is a benefit for Minneapolis Area No-Kill Cat Shelters and the DAMF (Developing Arts and Music Foundation). Let’s dance! With too many other local music heroes to possibly mention all of them in this space. 8 p.m. $5 adv / $7 door. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Dean)

Damien Rice,
The Frames
@ The Pantages Theater

Two of Ireland’s best unite for a tour of the states in a show that should sate those craving fiery rock (The Frames) or sedate folk tunesmithery (Rice). The Frames have been a veritable rock institution in their homeland since the early 1990s (while sadly bouncing between poorly funded indie-labels here in the States), and if you need any proof of their devoted following simply check out the recently released Set List, a live album culled from the band’s hair raising performance in Dublin during the fall of 2002—the incessant crowd screaming and sing-along worship provides a strong indication of just how beloved this mercurially talented quintet is. Tracks like the impassioned and epic “God Bless Mom” possess the same combination of spirituality and world conquering swagger of previous Irish heavy hitters (equal parts U2 and Van Morrison), and it seems like the time may have come for The Frames to start charting No. 1 records in the rest of the world. The Irishman closer to mainstream success, however, is Rice. Still riding high off of his well-received solo debut, O, Rice is a real deal talent, worthy of the magazine covers (in Harp) and industry awards (the Shortlist prize) that have been coming his way in recent weeks. Like an Irish (and markedly superior version) of Ryan Adams’Heartbreaker, O is a meditation on failed relationships aided by swelling strings, an understated rhythm section and gently plucked acoustic guitars—but solely starring Rice’s tantalizing set of windpipes. A voice that’s evocative enough when whispering and near transcendental when cutting loose. 7:30 p.m. $20.50. All Ages. 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-339-7007. (van Alstyne)