Hammer’s pix

So many shows, so little space in which to describe them. In a busy week for live music, one of the standout shows will take place this Saturday, April 3, at the lovely Emerson Theater. It’s the CD release party for the veteran metal band Spil. Known for their intricate heaviness, this group keeps getting better with age. It’s an all-star bill at the Emerson: Besides Spil, you also get Devil To Pay, 12 Tribes, Mayfield’s Best, MSD, The Nancy School and Escape From Earth. Not only that, but you get a copy of the CD with your paid admission.

The Emerson will also host some other cool shows this week: On Thursday, April 1, it’s Norma Jean, Underoath, Beloved, Dead Poetic and Haste The Day. On Friday, it’s a crowd-pleasing bill of The Malcontents, Project Bottlecap, The Honesty and America Owns The Moon. (And next Friday, April 9, it’s the incredible Cadavers.)

Elsewhere on the music scene, the legendary Urge Overkill will be at the Patio on Friday, with opening act The Pieces. Before that, seven bands — including the great pop/electronic act Lunar Event — will compete in the Battle of the Bands on Wednesday night.

The very wonderful Radio Radio has a very busy week ahead of it, too. On Wednesday, it’s Levinhurst. On Friday, the house band Bigger Than Elvis will play. Then, on Saturday, a very adventurous show featuring Aussies Sekiden and Kiddo will perform. They come with very high recommendations from the music press down under.

As if that wasn’t enough, Sunday brings another visit to Indy by the Pernice Brothers, the uncontrollably brilliant group headed by songwriter Joe Pernice. This is a Radio Radio show and a group well worth your time. It’s hard to come up with a one-sentence description of them, so Google them yourself. I like to think of them as a more soulful, Americanized version of the Smiths, but that’s just me.

When you’re making your evening plans, don’t forget to consider the World Mardi Gras complex in Circle Centre Mall. Their hip-hop party on Wednesday will be hosted by the Pacers’ Fred Jones. Also, the band Nine Miles will perform there on Friday and The Dirty Third on Saturday. It’s a great place to have some fun.

Speaking of fun, the Melody Inn will hold a special Bluegrass Night on Friday, featuring Blue FesQ and the Spud Puppies. On Saturday night, the Punk Rock Night crowd will be invaded by a series of ska bands, including The Malcontents.

Get ready, because the new local-music MP3 CD is just a few weeks away.