Music notes: Waco Brothers serves up country with a side of punk

New Waco Brothers album

Waco Brothers was born at a time when lead Jon Langford was looking to dabble outside of the punk scene his band The Mekons was heavily embracing. Birthed initially in 1994 for raucous alt-country performances in Chicago, Waco Brothers eventually got around to recording, and over two decades later this side project is still going strong. Catch the band members as they release their newest album - "Going Down in History" - along with The Aunteaks at Fitzgerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $15. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26

Rock with Robbie Gold

Highland Park native Robbie Gold's musical story has meandered through touring with pop group Hanson, playing at big venues such as Arlington Park and House of Blues, and being tapped as the Chicago Cubs official Wrigley Field pregame entertainment. But his greatest satisfaction comes from connecting with fans at more intimate bar and club shows. Catch his acoustic pop as he plays a duo show with his bass player Matt Cushing Friday at Schaumburg's The Beer Market, 888 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg. No cover. (847) 517-8300 or facebook.com/TheBeerMarketSchaumburg. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26

Mutts gathers the pack

Mutts members have been performing in various side projects since the start of the year, but they join forces this weekend to kick off the band's performing season by headlining an intimate special event at Chicago's Schubas. The blues-rock trio will be joined by a cappella punk rock choir The Blue Ribbon Glee Club and indie rockers SAYERS. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $8-$10. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27

LBC acoustic

West suburban hometown heroes Adam Krier and Stubhy Pandav of local favorites Lucky Boys Confusion visit Palatine for an acoustic storytellers set Saturday. Hear the prolific performers discuss their influences, play their favorite LBC songs and talk about what makes them relevant to the band's history. Power popster Ryan Powers and singer-songwriter Josh Bryant open for the duo at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $10-$12. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27

New life for Afterlife

The boys from Wheaton are back, and they're bringing Afterlife with them. The weekend dance party took a brief hiatus, but the Kings of Class, Bobby de Maria and Erik (DJ Tsunami) Johnson, have given it new life at Annex Nightclub, which celebrates its grand opening this weekend at the site of the former Red Dog nightclub, one of Chicago's venerable institutions for house music in the '90s. Get out on the dance floor Saturday night to mixes by local artists Kings of Class, RJ Pickens, DJ Goodsex, DangerWayne and more. Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. Free cover until 11 p.m. (773) 278-4646 or annexnightclub.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27

Upcoming concerts

Trinity Community Philharmonic Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, Trinity International University's Arnold T. Olson Chapel, 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield. Classical. Tickets are $8 for general admission; $5 students and seniors. Call (847) 317-8021 or purchase tickets at the door. Visit tiu.edu.

Aiming for Average, Red Light Compliance, Ghost Sector, The Freedom Paradox, Landspeeder: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, Ashbary Coffee House, 8695 Archer Ave., Willow Springs. $7 with drink purchase. (708) 401-4238 or facebook.com.

District 97, Hood Smoke, Parallel Mind: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, Reggie's Music Joint, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $8-$10. Rock. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Mason's Case (EP release), The Fox and the Hounds, Blood Red Boots, The One Two Three: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Rock. $9. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

Crystal Bowersox: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$49. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

Celtic Tenors: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Celtic, operatic, popular tunes and more. $32-$45, (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.

Turtle Island Quartet: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday, Feb. 27, McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Jazz, bluegrass, classical, jazz and more. $45. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

Shawn Lacy, Wheelhouse: 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, Joe's Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Americana, bluegrass, rock and more. $10. Visit joesliverosemont.com.

Marty Sammon Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Feb. 26, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 South Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.

Suzuki Strings Senior Festival Concert: 10 a.m. Feb. 27, Wheaton College, Pierce Memorial Chapel, corner of Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton, The Community School of the Arts (CSA) at Wheaton College features group performances by CSA's most advanced violin, viola and cello students. Free and open to the public, (630) 752-5567 or wheaton.edu.

Saints N Sinners: Noon Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Joliet Chamber of Commerce Expo, Louis Joliet Mall, 3340 Mall Loop Drive, Joliet. Classic rock. Free. saintsnsinners1.com.

CLC Gospel Choir: 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The concert will include selections from "Gospel Mass" by Robert Ray, gospel songs by historic and contemporary artists and traditional spirituals. $3-$4. (847) 543-2300 or visit clcillinois.edu/tickets.

Elmhurst Choral Union with "Medley of Melodies": 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, 232 S. York, Elmhurst. program features a mix of choruses and solos from classical, Broadway, folk, and popular songs. Freewill donations will be taken. Tickets are not required. Proceeds benefit Elmhurst Choral Unions programs. (630) 758-1100 or elmhurstchoralunion.org.

New Colony Six, Pam Engelhart: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Rock. Dinner show for all ages. $20. VIP tickets $100. (847)358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Pepe Aguilar: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $60-$175. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Save the Clocktower, Armitage, Rex Rayburn: 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison Ave., Chicago. Alternative rock. $5-$7. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Skull Fogger, Mexican Werewolf, Let 'Em Hang, Big Sur, F.Y.B.: 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Smiler Coogans, 5637 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. $8. Rock. (773) 909-0303 or facebook.com/smilercoogans.

The Cactus Blossoms, Deke Dickerson: 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago. Country. $15. (773) 227-4433 or hideoutchicago.com.

"I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues: A Salute to Ella, Judy & Patsy": 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, Musical salute to Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Patsy Cline with vocalists Katie Deal, Angela Ingersoll and Karen Marie Richardson. $30-$35. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

Arlington Heights Community Concert Band: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band presents its "Winter Concert." Admission is free. The band is hosting a food drive at the event and will collect nonperishable food and toiletries to support the Elk Grove Township Food Pantry. To reserve tickets, call (847) 718-7702 Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or send email to ahccbtickets@gmail.com. Remaining tickets available at the door. Visit arlingtonheightsband.org.

Baroque cellist Shirley Hunt: 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Concert is part of the Early Music Series at the Byron Colby Barn, which features highly acclaimed musicians performing music from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Admission is $20 for adults and is available at the door only via cash or check (no credit cards). Youth under age 16 are free. Visit libertyprairie.org.

Double Treble: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2950 Bilter Road, Aurora. Concert organist Roderick Demmings Jr. and concert pianist Karl Van Richards, the musical duo known as Double Treble, perform classical selections and more. Free and open to public.(630) 898-5333. Visit doubletreble.org.

Dead Lucid, Burke Valley, Menacerno, Tea, Forgotten Tropics: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $10. Rock. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.