Music notes: Montrose Room hosts Bob Mould for two nights

<b>Rock and reading</b>

Bob Mould, former leader of the seminal '80s punk band Husker Du and an icon in the indie-music world, makes two stops in the suburbs this weekend. Mould will perform songs from throughout his career, which includes the alt-punk band Sugar and numerous solo albums in addition to the Huskers, and read passages from his new autobiography, "See a Little Light: The Trial of Rage and Melody." Mould is a great performer and speaker, so these promise to be special outings from one of the most important figures in rock in the last 30 years.

<b>8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, at the Montrose Room, inside the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. $20, $30. Go to montroseroom.com.</b>

<b>Local alt rockers</b>

The Freddy Jones Band is a roots-flavored rock outfit from Chicago. After breaking through in the mid-1990s, the band has maintained a devoted fan base, especially in the Midwest.

<b>8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. $30 general admission. Go to viper-alley.com. </b>

<b>Back on his own</b>

One of the giants in the "alternative" revolution of the 1990s was Stephen Malkmus, former leader of indie/ironic/slacker band Pavement. After a triumphant reunion tour with his old band, Malkmus is back with a new solo album recorded with his post-Pavement band, The Jicks. The record, titled "Mirror Traffic" and produced by Beck, has garnered strong reviews. Malkmus is uniquely smart, offbeat and creative; this might be a show to check out.

<b>Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks perform (Holy Sons are the openers) at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $22.50. Go to metrochicago.com.</b>