Wolfy, The Last Domino, The Working Hour, Rodeo Ruby Love, Company of Thieves
The Underground at the Harrison Center for the Arts
Friday, Jan. 18, $5, all-ages

Brush off your metal studs and comb out your Mohawk: The Underground has gone soft. After putting on hundreds of hardcore and punk shows over the last two years, local promoters Piradical Productions have started to turn down the amps.

Piradical is at it again this weekend with an entire evening of soft indie rock. The show features local favorites Wolfy, who played their brand of piano pop at last year’s Piradical Fest and are no strangers to the Underground. The band’s sound has been described as having “incredible commercial radio potential,” which is befitting, as their sound suggests Ben Folds, The Fray and Keane.

But pop success isn’t always a bad thing. Wolfy does what they do quite well and the band is energetic live. Drummer Matt Wilson is especially well attuned for live performances.

Another Piradical Fest alum to bear his softer side is former Bolth bassist John Orr, aka The Last Domino. After parting ways with his former hardcore outfit, Orr has fashioned himself into a soulful, acoustic singer-songwriter. Fans of Jack Johnson, Howie Day and John Mayer should enjoy the subtle sounds of TLD, especially as his 2007 release Seconds gains more and more local acclaim.

Hopefully, the new, softer side of the Underground will open the local all-ages scene up to more than just hardcore kids, and maybe open the hardcore kids up to something different than their normal diet.