Justin Martin kicks off the Dirtybird residency at Smart Bar this weekend, joined by J Phlip and veteran tastemaker Nate Manic. Continuing the success of the club’s periodic partnerships with musical heavyweights and their record labels, the Dirtybird residency promises a packed and sweaty bassment dance floor for the foreseeable future. Martin rolls with the bouncing, tech-house style championed by Dirtybird honcho, Claude Von Stroke, but adds his own melodic elements and heavy kicks to separate his sound from other San Francisco underground artists. His early efforts landed him international notoriety from Steve Bug’s Poker Flat imprint and Ben Watt’s Buzzin’ Fly, and his current work with Christian Martin (as The Martin Brothers) continues to fill dance floors. (John Alex Colon)
March 13 at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, 10pm.
Especially For You: A Preview of the Smithereens at the Memorial Opera House Serious music scholars all, the Smithereens distilled their musical loves into something that ultimately sounded like nobody but them. Diken points to Gary Lewis and the Playboys as an influence; it’s worth noting that the studio cats who played on those records—immortal pop tunes like “Count Me In” —included Leon Russell and drummer Hal Blaine.
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.
