Music events: JC Brooks howls at Prairie Center Friday

<b>Rising stars</b>

Chicago band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound has been thrilling audiences all over the country with its contemporary brand of soul music. Their last record, 2011's "Want More," earned them rave reviews and prominent spots in festivals like Lollapalooza. Now, the band is on the road in support of its third album, "Howl," released earlier this year to great acclaim on local label Bloodshot Records. Suburban music fans will have a chance to see one of JC Brooks' scorching live shows when the band performs in Schaumburg this weekend.

<b>8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $25. Go to prairiecenter.org.</b>

<b>Classic rockers</b>

John Ford Coley, writer of numerous pop and soft-rock hits like "Love is the Answer," "Nights are Forever Without You" and "Soldier in the Rain," will perform songs from throughout his career this weekend in the suburbs in a show that will also include Terry Sylvester of the legendary British Invasion band the Hollies.

<b>8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $15. Go to oshows.com.</b>

<b>Buzz continues</b>

Surfer Blood's debut album, "Astro Coast," earned the band acclaim from coast to coast. Reviews of the band's follow up from earlier this year, "Pythons," indicate that Surfer Blood has not experienced a sophomore slump. The band brings its energetic, poppy guitar rock to the city this weekend.

<b>9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at the Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $18. Go to bottomlounge.com.</b>