Music Picks 

THURSDAY 7/21

THE CAESARS

There are few things quite so funny as the Family Guy’s spoof on iPod’s dancing-shadow commercial. Watching Stewie groove to Patty Smyth will be forever etched into our collective pop-cultural consciousness as the greatest thing since light-up sneakers. Swedish rock group the Caesars also got in on the dancing-shadow action, landing the perfect venue from which to launch their catchy tune, “Jerk It Out,” into our mental boomboxes. The group hopes their fourth proper album, Paper Tigers, will inspire mass dance-party frenzies across the globe. This could be the start of beautiful madness, folks. Lo-Fi Café, 127 S. West Temple, 7 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com (with The Sights).

ETTA JAMES & THE ROOTS BAND

At last'Etta James is returning to Salt Lake City. The legendary blues artist has been going strong for 50 years, pushing the envelope and establishing feminine power in a male-dominated field. James’ first hit, “Roll With Me Henry,” showcased a confident woman bent on shaking things up. Fierce and sultry, her style turned heads and earned widespread acclaim, including a 1993 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame followed by the reception of the 2003 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Still touring and recording, the skilled vocalist is often joined by her sons, Donto and Sametto. Don’t miss this opportunity to bask in her ever-increasing glory. Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, 8 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 355-2787.

Also Thursday: Galactic (Gallivan Center); Head Automatica (In the Venue); Get Him, Eat Him (Kilby Court); Bluebird Café Songwriter Showcase (Sundance); I Am Electric, Tolchock Trio, Glacial, Coyote Hoods (Todd’s Bar & Grill)

FRIDAY 7/22

GET IN THE VAN TOUR

While there’s no obvious connection between the Record Collection’s “Get in the Van” tour and Henry Rollins’ Black Flag literary account of the same name, it’s likely the label’s featured bands have a soft spot for the early days of punk. Or at least, skateboarding and underground sounds. Mt. Egypt, Simon Dawes and Nicky P will be getting close and personal in their indie label’s 15-passenger van, perhaps holding hands while sharing stories behind heartfelt albums. Those expecting bare-bones, full-throttle hardcore will be sorely disappointed. Everyone else should dig the trio’s respective styles'varied shades of mellow. Sugarbeats, 2106 S. 1100 East, 8 p.m. All-ages. Info: Sugarbeats.net.

Also Friday: Team Sleep (Lo-Fi Café); Exumbrella Showcase (Kilby Court'see Music, p. 51); Shapeshifters (Urban Lounge); Gothic Rap Project, Misfit Toys (Monk’s)

SATURDAY 7/23

MEREDITH BRAGG & THE TERMINALS

Speedwell begat the Terminals, and gentle lovers rejoiced. For in the land of Indie Rock came Meredith Bragg, a savior of all things soft, solemn and introspective. The singer/songwriter rose from the Eastern Seaboard, clutching a guitar discovered at age 8. He read the gospel of Ted Leo, The Promise Ring, Engine Down, The Dismemberment Plan and more, preparing to spread a message of his own. And the people rejoiced, for they fell in love with Vol. 1, a debut ripe with beauty. Its songs overfloweth with awesome greatness. They wept with joy. Amen. Sugarbeats, 2106 S. 1100 East, 8 p.m. All-ages. Info: Sugarbeats.net.

DJ REVOLUTION

Aside from his highly lauded day job'manning the ones and twos for Tech and Sway’s Wake Up Show, an L.A.-based, nationally syndicated hip-hop radio program'DJ Revolution spreads mad skills through production, recording, distribution and education The mix-tape master wants today’s B-boys and B-girls to fully comprehend hip-hop’s potential to enrich and inspire. No bling, no hoes, no area codes'just straight up, cut-up art. Revolution works overtime to keep his turntable metabolism in check, staying fit by producing works for artists including Styles of Beyond, running Millenia Records and releasing breaks of his own. Work it! Egos, 668 S. State, 9:30 p.m. Info: 521-5255.

KILBY COURT SIX-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

It’s hard to imagine Salt Lake City without Kilby Court. The all-ages music venue/art collective is popular among 16-year-old Melt Banana fans and national press outlets alike, earning acclaim for its stellar underground scene. Critics often voice complaint over Kilby’s alcohol-free policies and tiny quarters, however most locals hold a soft spot for the joint'no matter how secret. Countless unknowns cut their teeth beside green fiberglass as their images became immortalized through resident artist Leia Bell’s unique concert fliers. Tonight, appreciative acts including The Annuals, Form of Rocket, The Tremula, The Brobecks and Guitorchistra will ring in six years of access to the underground. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Info: KilbyCourt.com.

Also Saturday: The Rocket Summer (Lo-Fi Café); Underground MC Contest (Urban Lounge); DJ Disciple (W Lounge); Horns, Blackhole, The Hotness (Todd’s Bar & Grill)

MONDAY 7/25

ULTIMATE UTAH CELEBRATION

It’s Monday, which means Utah can now safely celebrate its pioneer heritage without fear of retribution. And who better to ring in Fourth of July Part Deux than the Jets and The Love, “Rebel Billionaire” Sean D. Nelson’s hard-rockin’ band? Back in the ’80s, few would have thought a pop sensation might one day share a stage with the owner of a beanbag company. We know, we know'it’s technically not a beanbag. In addition to this strange pairing, freedom lovers can rejoice in the sounds of Insatiable, Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband, Carmen Rasmusen, Joe Muscolino and Everclean, stars of Sons of Provo and lovers of all things satire. Franklin Covey Field, 77 W. 1300 South, 8 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 325-7328.

Also Monday: Scout Niblett (Kilby Court'see Music, p. 50)

TUESDAY 7/26

Dredg (In the Venue); ETTS (Burt’s Tiki Lounge)

WEDNESDAY 7/27

Alkaline Trio (In the Venue); Modified Retrofied: Howard Jones, Naked Eyes & Collin Hay (McKay Event Center, Orem)

COMING UP

Big Head Todd, Anne McCue (Gallivan Center, July 28). Global Funk (Urban Lounge, July 28). Collective Soul (In the Venue, July 29). U92 Summer Jam (Utah State Fairpark, July 30). Blessid Union of Souls (Suede, July 30). John Prine, Kathleeen Edwards (Abravanel Hall, July 31). Reel Big Fish (In the Venue, Aug. 3). Howie Day (Capitol Theater, Aug. 4). Motley Crue (Usana Amphitheater, Aug. 5). Julie Roberts (Red Butte Garden, Aug. 7). Gallivan Folk & Bluegrass Festival (Gallivan Center, Aug. 13). Ozzfest 2005 (Usana Amphitheater, Aug. 16). CKY (Lo-Fi Café, Aug. 20). Kasey Chambers (Red Butte Garden, Aug. 23). Jack Johnson (Usana Amphitheater, Aug. 23). American Idols Live (Delta Center, Aug. 26).

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