THE GODFATHERS
What Material Issue was to the alternative-rock explosion in the U.S. in the early 90s, the Godfathers were to Brit Pop in the U.K.: The band arrived on the scene just a bit too early to benefit from all that would follow, though a strong argument can be made that its 1988 album Birth, School, Work, Death is at least as good as anything Oasis has ever given us. The group is now in the midst of an extremely finite reunion tour, and it performs its only U.S. gig Saturday night at Metro, 3730 N. Clark, after opening sets by Javelinas and the Norwood Park All-Stars starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the show; call (773) 549-4140; www.metrochicago.com.
Jim DeRogatis
MARAH
The band fronted by brothers David and Serge Bielanko performs songs that capture the chaotic heart and soul of rock ‘n’ roll. Their songbook is filled with themes of religion, destruction, redemption and joy. At 9 tonight at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. Tickets, $15. Call (773) 525-2508; www.schubas.com.
Mary Houlihan
BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO
Tanley Buckwheat Dural may have inherited the Louisiana zydeco from late traditionalist and mentor Clifton Chenier, but he quickly took the genre into a new, modern era. By merging rock and R&B, Dural created a party jam hybrid, which eventually earned him a second honor of the first zydeco band to land a major record deal. 9 tonight. House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn. Tickets, $23. Call (312) 923-2000; www.hob.com/chicago.
Centerstagechicago.com
GUGGENHEIM GROTTO
The buzz about the Irish folk-pop duo Mick Lynch and Kevin May began on the Dublin songwriter circuit and built a steady following. Theyve captivated listeners with a mix of poetic, literature-inspired lyrics set to timeless pop melodies. Theyre touring behind the new disc, Happy the Man. At 7 p.m. Saturday at Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln. Tickets, $7. Call (773) 404-9494; www.martyrslive.com. MH
F—ED UP
Insanely prolific, wildly chaotic and captivating onstage and gleefully boasting a provocative name they know can’t be published in the newspaper, the Toronto art-punk band F—ed Up perversely released what may be the most melodic and accessible record of its career with last years The Chemistry of Common Life on the Matador Records label. The band performs at the AV-Aerie, 2000 W. Fulton, after an opening set by Chronic Seizure starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 in advance; for more information, visit www.emptybottle.com.
JD
