Music notes: Rock on with Warrant at Viper Alley

Hair-metal survivors

Warrant came from the decadent Hollywood metal scene of the 1980s, along with such contemporaries as Motley Crue and Poison. Warrant went on to achieve huge success in the glammed-up hair-metal era, particularly after the release of the band's second record, “Cherry Pie.” (The title track, a massive hit, benefited from an innuendo-filled music video that was a mainstay on MTV.) Today, the band is touring behind its most recent record, “Rockaholic,” with a new lead singer but the same brash, in-your-face glam-metal sound.

8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets start at $20. Go to viper-alley.com.

20 years ago ...

Steve Albini is a giant in the local indie-rock world because of his wizardry as a producer, his commitment to business ethics and his acerbic wit. But he's also an accomplished musician, and his current group, Shellac, is celebrating 20 years of making bracing and intelligent rock 'n' roll. The band, a bruising trio that features Todd Trainer on drums, Bob Weston on bass and Albini on guitars and vocals, will play three 20th-anniversary shows this weekend.

9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24-26, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $16. Go to lincolnhallchicago.com.

All-American Rejects

Since their first album came out nearly a decade ago, rockers The All-American Rejects have churned out hits that helped them sell 10 million albums worldwide. Hear songs from their new album, “Kids in the Street,” at Benedictine University's annual BenFest. Don't miss the synth-pop Neon Trees, too.

Gates open at 6 p.m.; concert starts at 7 p.m. at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, 5700 College Road, Lisle. Tickets cost $30, $15 for Benedictine students. See ben.edu/benfest.

Birthday bash

Chicago singer-songwriter Michael McDermott will have two things to celebrate this weekend — his birthday and the release of his latest record, “Hit Me Back.” McDermott emerged on the scene in the 1990s with his successful debut record, “620 W. Surf,” and its hit single “A Wall I Must Climb.” He's never stopped making music, and his Chicago-area shows are always energetic.

8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Montrose Room, located inside the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $12. See montroseroom.com.