Music notes: Plain White T's rock the Genesee
Hometown Throwdown
The Plain White T's, the West suburban-based pop-punk group behind the Grammy-nominated “Hey There Delilah,” return to the Chicago area for the Genesee Theatre's Hometown Throwdown show Wednesday, Dec. 28. The T's are joined by Chicago rock standouts AM Taxi and Fairview, a pop-rock band from Addison who has been building a name on the local scene since 2010. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $25-$45. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com.
Commonweather at the Cubby Bear
Commonweather's sound is intriguing. One second the Plainfield- and Joliet-based rockers are riding an organic, guitar-based groove, the next they're shredding up the stage with vocals blazing. Their April release, “Apparitions,” has barely cooled, but the quartet is already hard at work on the next EP. Expect to hear something new when they play the Cubby Bear Friday with fellow rockers Gardens, Stratford and Dude Same. 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison Ave., Chicago. $5-$7. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Power-ful pop
Ryan Powers and The Secret Weapons will bring a little heat to Chicago's frigid landscape with upbeat power-pop tunes like “Weekend” and “Mr. Sunshine” when they play the Cobra Lounge Wednesday, Dec. 28. Daniel Wade, who tackles guitar and backup vocals for the Secret Weapons, also will be opening with a hard-rock set, along with More More More (featuring Bob Nanna and Lauren LoPiccolo) and acoustic sets by Michael Chorvat and Dave Valdez. Be sure to stick around after the Secret Weapons for a joint jam session, featuring a lot of the night's performers playing together. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $7-$10. (312) 226-6300 or cobralounge.com.
Concert highlights:
Inept, StarStruck, Ryan's Hope, The Burst and Bloom, Starter Kit: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $13. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
Bear Mace, Beyond De-th, Mexican Werewolf: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Reggies, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $15-$19. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.
Mr. Blotto & Shooter McGavin - Staying up for Santa Pajama Party!: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Cairo Ale House, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $10-$12. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com.
The Personnel: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Mickey Finn's, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Free. (847) 362-6688 or mickeyfinnsbrewery.com.
Modern Day Romeos: 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Durty Nellies, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Run Forrest Run: 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Mr. Blotto's Annual Christmas Show: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $15. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
DNK., The Giving Moon, Trick Shooter Social Club, Owens Room: 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $10. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
Hemmingbirds, Mutts, Archie Powell & The Exports, Jesse W. Johnson: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.