Like Your Music Hard-Hitting? Try D.R.I. At Ichabod’s North

There’s a noisy niche in music where hardcore punk, thrash and metal collide.

Occupying that ear-spitting zone is one of the all-time influential hardcore bands, D.R.I., which has a new album out called “Full Speed Ahead.”

The San Francisco band, otherwise known as the Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, will storm “Full Speed Ahead” into Ichabod’s North on Monday night.

D.R.I. has been at the core of hard-hitting music since 1983.

In recent years, the band’s sound has leaned increasingly toward muscular metal, but the band’s dedication to chastising social injustice in its lyrics has remained the same.

“Full Speed Ahead” is no exception.

The album marks the band’s eighth release. Other quintessential D.R.I. albums include “Crossover,” “Dirty Rotten EP,” “Thrash Zone” and “Definition.”

Preceding D.R.I. on stage is fellow Rotten Records labelmates Acid Bath.

The abrasive noise band is notorious for enlisting convicted serial killers to do art for its records.

The cover of the combo’s last album, “When the Kite String Pops” was painted by the late John Wayne Gacy. A cleaner, abridged version of the same album features art from the “Night Stalker,” Richard Ramirez.

Spokane’s Cringe opens.

Noise at 9:30 p.m. The cover is $5.

Calling all dead-heads

Merl Saunders, who played keyboards for a stint in the Grateful Dead, will bring his Rainforest Band to Ugly Rumors at the Mars Hotel on Sunday and then to the Panida Theatre in Sandpoint on Monday.

Saunders and the Rainforest Band are in the midst of a Northwest tour.

Aside from his work with the Grateful Dead, Saunders also has collaborated with the late Dead singer-guitarist Jerry Garcia on three albums, including “Blues from the Rainforest” and “Keystone Live Volumes 1 and 2.” On his own, Saunders most recent recording is the album “Fire Up Plus.”

Playing drums in the Rainforest Band is Spokane native Vince Littleton.

Littleton has been laying down the foundation for Saunders for four years now, and he also appears on three of Saunders’ albums.

Lately, Littleton has been recording with Zakiya Hooker and blues legend John Lee Hooker. He’s also been working on some video game soundtracks.

Merl Saunders and the Rainforest Band will hit the stage at 8 p.m. at Ugly Rumors. Tickets for that show are $17.50 and are available at all G&B outlets and at the Mars Hotel.

Monday’s show at the Panida also starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and are available at Eichardt’s Pub, Java Adagio and Ground Zero in Sandpoint. They’re $12 at the door.

Dan Seals at Kelly’s

Tonight, veteran country singer Dan Seals will be high-tailing back into the area for a concert at Kelly’s at State Line.

Seals, no stranger in these parts, last played here in September at the Palouse Empire Fair.

The country crooner may not be one of the biggest names in country music today. His traditional blend of honkey tonk isn’t quite as fashionable as Garth-Brooks-style, bubble-gum country pop. Yet he’s still a worthy contender.

Now middle-aged, Seals continues to pen affecting material. His 1994 album on Warner Bros., “Fired Up,” best exemplifies this.

“Fired Up” is exactly what Seals is on this album. His youthful spunk seems to have been rejuvenated. It’s an optimistic-sounding record, and Seals isn’t nearly as self-absorbed on this release as he is on prior albums.

At the pinnacle of his career, mainly the 1980s, Seals churned out 11 No. 1 hits, including “Three Time Loser,” “Love on Arrival,” “Big Wheels in the Moonlight” and “Meet Me in Montana.” The latter song was a duet with Marie Osmond.

The concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Mother’s still open

Despite rumors, Mother’s Pub has not been sold.

The live music club was closed for a couple of weeks earlier this month, so owner Bill Engberg could take a vacation.

There’ll be live music this weekend. Tonight Fence will be on stage with guests. And tomorrow, pop rocker Ball of Destruction plus guests will entertain. Both shows start at 9:30 p.m.

Sweaty Nipples cancels

The Sweaty Nipples concert Saturday at Outback Jack’s has been canceled. A new date has not been scheduled.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: NIGHTWATCH PICKS Best bets at area clubs: TONIGHT: Dan Seals and the Kelly Hughes Band at Kelly’s Grand Ole Opry SATURDAY: Ball of Destruction at Mother’s Pub SUNDAY: Merl Saunders and the Rainforest Band at Ugly Rumors in the Mars Hotel MONDAY: Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, Acid Bath and Cringe at Ichabod’s North