Music notes: Montrose Room hosts McLovin's band

The real deal?

The Young Rapscallions, an up-and-coming garage-rock band from California, will make a stop in the suburbs this weekend. The band has attracted notice because its drummer is Christopher Mintz-Plasse, an actor best known for playing the character McLovin in the comedy “Superbad.” But reviews of the band's earlier shows suggest this band is the real deal.

7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at the Montrose Room, located inside the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $12. Go to montroseroom.com.

Killer harmonies

The great alternative country band Freakwater will take the stage next week in Chicago, part of the band's first tour in four years. Freakwater combines rustic, old-fashioned musical styles — acoustic guitar, stand-up bass and drums are the primary instruments — with lyrics that are witty and wholly contemporary. The band's ultimate weapon, though, comes from the vocal harmonies created by singer-guitarists Catherine Irwin and Janet Bean. I'd be hard-pressed to identify another duo whose voices blend as beautifully as theirs do. The band is playing at the Hideout, an intimate venue that should provide the perfect environment for their singing and Freakwater's music. This show comes highly recommended.

8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago. $12. Go to hideoutchicago.com.

Cathy's solo show

DuPage County resident Cathy Richardson will perform a solo show next week in the city. Richardson, who has performed with Jefferson Starship and with her bands the Macrodots and the Cathy Richardson Band, is always a magnetic stage presence, galvanizing audiences with her energy and stellar rock voice.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Shelley Miller & the BCC will perform after Richardson's set. $10. Go to citywinery.com.