Rock to reggae to groove, it’s all at Knitting Factory
The Knitting Factory Concert House will be visited by a vast variety of genres in the coming week, including prog-pop, hard rock, reggae and New Orleans groove.
Tickets are available through TicketFly (877-435-9849, www.ticketfly.com) for the following shows at the Knit, 919 W. Sprague Ave.
Minus the Bear, with Themes and Empty Space Orchestra
Saturday, 8 p.m., $16/advance, $18/day of show
Seattle prog-pop band Minus the Bear surprised fans over Memorial Day weekend by offering its new EP for free on its website, www.minusthebear.com.
“Hold Me Down” isn’t exactly new, though. It contains songs from the band’s 2010 full-length “OMNI” along with a few live tracks, the b-side “Broken China” and a fan-made remix of “My Time.”
For fans of the group’s melody-driven hooks, pop anthems, sophisticated time signatures and poetic lyrics, “Hold Me Down” is a fitting addition to the catalog.
The live version of “The Mirror” is more upbeat than the original, despite the Moog synth lines and moodier lyrics. And “My Time” is a left hook from the original with its hypnotic rhythm patterns.
Though “OMNI” was Minus the Bear’s most accommodating album to date, the live versions on this new EP cast glints of the intricate performances from the band’s previous works.
Taking Back Sunday with Thursday, Colour Revolt, and New Regime
Sunday, 7 p.m., $27.50
The eponymous fifth studio album from Taking Back Sunday plays on the angst-ridden sentiments that the band is known for, delving into experimentations with vocal arrangements and fist-pumping rigor.
“Taking Back Sunday,” scheduled for release June 28, marks a return to the band’s original lineup from its 2002 debut, “Tell All Your Friends”: singer Adam Lazzara, guitarist Eddie Reyes, drummer Mark O’Connell, guitarist/singer John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper, who split with the band in 2003.
Fans can pre-order the album through the band’s website, takingbacksunday.com. The limited-edition set is enhanced with a bonus disc with six demo tracks, an mp3 download of “El Paso” and poster art with song lyrics written on the back.
Stephen Marley with Ghetto Youths Crew
Tuesday, 8 p.m., $22/advance, $25/day of show
The son of reggae legend Bob Marley, five-time Grammy Award winner Stephen Marley returns with the first installment of a two-part album compilation, “Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life,” released last month.
In addition to his brothers Damian and Ziggy, the album also features reggae artist Buju Banton, Guyanese/Canadian singer Melanie Fiona and rapper Wale, who pays homage to “mother Africa” on the track “Made In Africa.”
The sequel, “Revelation Part 2: The Fruit of Life,” is already recorded and slated for fall release.
With “Part 1” Marley digs deep into the roots of reggae music, while already publicizing “Part 2” as having a more electric feel.
Dr. John & the Lower 911
Wednesday, 8 p.m., $27.50/advance, $28/day of show
More than five decades and 20 albums into his career, Dr. John (aka Mac Rebennack) continues to build on his brand of blues-pop-jazz-zydeco-boogie woogie-rock.
In March, the New Orleans institution added the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to his long list of accolades and achievements.
Dr. John’s latest album, “Tribal,” picks up where he left off on the politically charged 2008 release “The City That Care Forgot,” which earned him a fifth Grammy Award.
“Tribal,” released last year, was nominated in the same category, Best Contemporary Blues Album. It evokes Dr. John’s classic flair, recalling his Night Tripper persona, mixing Mardi Gras theatrics with voodoo rituals and down-home blues.