Chicago outfit Welcome to Ashley celebrates the release of “Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead” tonight, which follows likable EP “The Catbird Seat” and a self-titled full-length. Relatively straightforward pop rock gives way to Clash-like guitar creations, but a significant vocal hook seems to always be on the band’s mind. You can’t fault the band for wanting to firmly plant its choruses in your head, and to Welcome to Ashley’s credit, it doesn’t get too annoying after hours and hours of “Wild Blue Yonder” giddily hopping up and down like a kid in a Jumpin’ Jack inside your brain. (Hey, it’s better than “Rock & Roll All Night,” which I will unwaveringly contend is THE WORST song to have unshakably stuck in your head.) Welcome to Ashley’s endearing deliveries make the band better than the average four-piece-that-wishes-it-were-The-Smiths, and that keeps the material afloat. Also, it helps that there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be The Smiths. (Tom Lynch)
February 7 at Subterranean, 2011 W. North, (773)278-6600, at 9:30pm. $8.
Last Punks Standing: A Preview of Mekons at Hideout Mekons have endured by refusing to adhere to anyone's ideas regarding what is and isn't punk rock (which is in and of itself a defiantly punk attitude).
Still Breathtaking: A Preview of Sting at Ravinia Festival Sting's solo catalog boasts more than a dozen studio albums. He may not rack up the hit singles like he once did, but he remains a compelling writer, musician and performer.
