Mike D’s Top 5 Can’t Miss Shows of February

1. Saturday, February 6: Get The Led Out: The American Led Zeppelin; $25; All ages; Lupo’s, 79 Washington St, Providence. I am finally coming around on tribute / cover bands. I think the fantastic Talking Heads tribute (Start Making Sense) and the local Huey Lewis tribute (Power Of Love) are responsible for my making a full philosophy turn-around on the subject. Before the recent wave of cool tribute acts, I think I associated most of them with acts I wouldn’t want to see the original, let alone the tributes. Bon Jovi or Creed in West Warwick? No thanks times a thousand. Here comes a tribute for a band I love and that I stand roughly a 99.99% chance of never getting to see: Led Zeppelin. I hear Get The Led Out are great, and I will make the attempt to check them out.

2. Saturday, February 13: Defeater, Caspian, O’Brother; $17 advance / $20 day of; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. This is a tremendous and eclectic bill. It’s a co-headline between two of New England’s best national talents — Boston’s punk rockers Defeater and Beverly, Mass’s post-rock instrumental powerhouse Caspian. Defeater are currently touring off their fourth full-length and Epitaph Records debut, Abandoned. Caspian also released a new record in late 2015 titled Dust and Disquiet. The two bands are both known for their live performances and this is a show not to be missed. Atlanta’s experimental sludge rockers O’Brother open what should be one of the best and most eclectic shows of the year.

3. Tuesday, February 16: Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers, Dave Dondero; $16; All ages; Fete, Providence. It’s so strange to think back and know that Laura Jane Grace is at this point a veteran punk rock troubadour. It feels like yesterday seeing her front Against Me! at the long since closed The Call in Providence supporting the bands second record …Eternal Cowboy. But nope, that was almost 13 years ago. With six Against Me! full lengths behind her, a solo record and a zillion EPs, Laura Jane has been one of the most prolific songwriters in punk rock. I am not sure what the set list will consist of, but I would be shocked if she didn’t play some of her regular gig band’s classics. Celebrated cult songwriter hero Dave Dondero opens the show.

4. Friday, February 19: Way Out (EP release), Black Beach, Savage Blind God, Laika’s Orbit; $5; All ages; Aurora, 276 Westminister St, Providence. This concert is in celebration of Way Out’s recently released self titled EP. The record was produced locally at Pawtucket’s Machine With Magnets and is a great showcase of their dark post punk, goth influences. Go to their bandcamp (wayoutband.bandcamp.com) to preview the record. My favorite track is the brooding “No Release.” Joining them on the show are Boston’s fuzzed out punks Black Beach, Providence hardcore act Savage Blind God, and power garage pop act Laika’s Orbit. I am confused as to where Laika’s Orbit is actually from; they seem to name check several not near each other locations in New England. But check out their record “No Matter What It Takes” and fund their next record as apparently they are broke.  Gofundthem or something.

5. Saturday, February 19 / 20; Wavves & Beast Coast with Cherry Glazerr; $25; All ages; Royale, 279 Tremont St, Boston. Wavves are my favorite live act from the last five or so years, and I try never to miss them. Their commanding use of punk, garage, grunge and power pop falls directly into my interests’ wheelhouse. Their last record, V, leaned mostly on their garage and power pop sensibilities. Check out lead single and album standout track “Way Too Much.” This tour is a co-headline with Los Angeles dream indie pop act Best Coast. Best Coast is out supporting their fantastic release from last year, California Nights. Also, check out the band’s first album, my favorite Crazy For You. Psych punk grunge rock upstarts Cherry Glazerr open both nights. As of print time, the Friday night is sold out, but there are still tickets for the show. So grab them while you can.