RAMBLIN JUG STOMPERS
August 24. What a way to kick off your Spa City Travers weekend! If you’re looking for some serious fun, well, you just can’t do better than the Ramblin Jug Stompers. Fun is their business, and this funky acoustic combo learned it well as members of Blotto, Stomplistics and the Commander Cody Band. They recorded their aptly titled Crooked Songs CD at Lena’s last year, and now they return to the scene of the crime. 8pm. Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. $15. (518) 583-0022. www.jugstompers.com.
THE AUDIOSTARS
August 3. Led by vocalist J Yager, the Audiostars are the latest Capital Region all-star dance-rock band, featuring members of the Burners UK, the Refrigerators, and City Rhythm. They’ll be rocking the Horseshoe Inn each Friday night through August 24. 7pm. The Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill, Saratoga Springs. (518) 587-4909.
www.theaudiostars.com.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
August 4. It’s a one-man double-header with the finest Texas tunesmith working today. Escovedo performs with a string quartet for the 7pm show and follows it up with a 10pm show featuring the Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra. A great night of music! The Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, Massachusetts. $22.50 in advance per show; $25 at the door. (413) 584-0610. www.alejandroescovedo.com.
JIM GAUDET
August 6. Jim Gaudet proved himself to be one of the Capital Region’s best singer-songwriters with his acclaimed 1999 CD Give Up the Ghost, but then he dropped out of the music scene for more than five years. Fortunately, he’s back now with a residency at Tess’ Lark Tavern on the first Monday of each month. 7pm. Tess’ Lark Tavern, Albany. Free. (518) 463-9779. www.larktavern.com.
THE LUSTRE KINGS
August 9. Led by pompadored guitarist-vocalist Mark Gamsjager, rockabilly kingpins The Lustre Kings have just released their fourth CD, Way Out There, featuring a song penned by Los Straitjackets’ Eddie Angel (“Humes High”). So this looks like the place to be following the Los Lobos/Los Straitjackets “Alive at Five” double-bill (see The Forecast). 8pm. Franklin’s Tower, Albany. (518) 431-1920. www.lustrekings.com.
BOBBY SWEET
August 12. A sixth-generation musician, Bobby Sweet has long been the Berkshires’ best and most-popular singer-songwriter, and his songs have been heard on “Judging Amy,” “Touched by an Angel,” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” Join Sweet as he celebrates the release of his latest album, Days Gone By. 8pm. Club Helsinki, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. $12. (413) 528-3394. www.bobbysweet.com.
THE LAST CONSPIRATORS
August 25. Yet another new all-star band, The Last Conspirators are led by former Morons/Ghostrunner frontman Tim Livingston, who brings plenty of punk passion to his politically charged tunes on the band’s debut CD, Warparty. 9:30pm. Savannah’s, Albany.
(518) 426-9647. www.lastconspirators.com.
