Friday

"Bill Maher"
Paramount Theatre

Depending on what you believe, Bill Maher is either the refreshing kick in the pants politics needs or a pompous, sexist and un-American jerk. Either way, the man is funny. Fresh off a season of his hit HBO show, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” and a Tony nomination, Maher strolls through Austin to stick his stand up skills to the man, all sorts of men actually. Seing as how Maher will be in Texas, expect former House Majority leaders who recently resigned in shame, redneck Presidents and a plethora of partisan hacks to be prominent targets in his material.

—Ramon Ramirez

"Weary Boys CD Release"
Continental Club 4/14 & 4/15

The local bluegrass and country favorites celebrate the release of their fifth album, Jumpin’ Jolie, with a pair of shows. With furious strings and perfect harmonies, their hell-raising, foot-stomping glory bursts forth even on the gospel tunes.

—Doug Freeman

Saturday

"Centro-matic"
The Parish Room

Perhaps Denton’s hardest-working band of dilettantes, Centro-matic has been making diesel-fueled fuzzy southern rock under Will Johnson’s unmistakable sandpaper warble of a voice for a full decade now. They’ll be supported on this tour by fellow Misra artists, Great Lake Swimmers of Toronto.

—Kate Guillemette

"Deathray Davies"
Emo’s

Deathray Davies is the brainchild of Dallas’s John Dufilho, fleshed out live by a full band (and lately, on the records, too). As you might guess from the name, Dufilho really likes the Kinks ... and loudness. Also on the bill are Chicago’s The M’s, who like to have fun and make noise, adding some white-boy funk and glittery horns to the too-hip-to-be-entirely-respectable resurgence of New Wavey garage rock. Crunchy noise rock outfit the Good Times Crisis Band will open.

—Kate Guillemette

Tuesday

Courtesy of Anti-Records, by Victoria Renard

"Neko Case"
La Zona Rosa Tuesday

Neko Case possesses one of the most distinctive and alluring voices in music today. As a member of The New Pornographers, Case has beguiled fans with her haunting and sultry vocals. But it’s her more folk tinged work as a solo artist where she is allowed to really shine. Her latest album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, offers Case at her most powerful. With lyrics that range from bared emotional sentiments to cryptic poetic phrases, Case encompasses desire and heartbreak ala Billie Holiday, but like few others in music today.

—Doug Freeman

"The Fruit Bats"
Emo’s

The Fruit Bats, now with two records out on Sub Pop, have a shifting lineup of players of polished-spectacles-style pop that coheres around the folksy songwriting and guitar stylings of Chicagoan Eric Johnson. They’ll be supported by Amandine (from Sweden!) and Sam Jayne of Love As Laughter.

—Kate Guillemette

"Flickerstick"
Red Eyed Fly

Courtesy of Flickerstick

Remember the winners of VH1’s “Bands on the Run?”  Texas natives and reality-television survivors Flickerstick may be known better for their crazy, drunken off-stage antics, but they know how to bring the rock ‘n’ roll on-stage as well. Dreamt the End will open.

—Lucas Del Pico

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