Elizabeth Cook

Pick of the Week
Elizabeth Cook: Like Nashville’s great writers of yesteryear, Cook can do terrifying as well as tart. Like Nashville’s great singers of yesteryear, she has a high and clear voice that isn’t lacking twang. Unlike Nashville’s great stars of yesteryear, she’s too edgy to get played on country radio. HerWelder is one of the best country albums of the past decade. When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday; Where: McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; Tickets: $20-$22; 713-528-5999 or www.mcgonigels.com.

THURSDAY February 2nd
Poor Pilate: One of last year’s great local albums was Poor Pilate’s self-titled effort, which was a soulful stew that reminded of classic-era Leon Russell, with rolling and rollicking rhythms and gritty vocals. They’ll share a bill with Final Exam and Young Girls. When: 8 p.m. Thursday; Where: Walter’s, 1120 Naylor; Tickets: $5 at the door.

Los Lobos: The modest handle of the band’s first album, Just Another Band from East L.A., has proven folly over the past 30-plus years. Lobos remains a daring and soulful band with a varied but decidedly American sound. The group released Tin Can Trust two years ago; all these years later, it was another worthy entry by a musical treasure. When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday; Where: Dosey Doe, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; Tickets: $93-$153; 281-367-3774 or www.doseydoe.com.

Also . . .
- Bob Schneider: Don’t be fooled by the title of Schneider’s brand-new album, A Perfect Day. There’s a Band-Aid on his forehead on the cover, and the songs suggest he’s still often at his best when things aren’t going all that well. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999.
- V-Nasty: Foul-mouthed Oakland rapper lives up to her provocative name. 8 p.m. at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; 713-225-5483.
- Steve Aoki: The Dim Mak’s Deadmeat Tour finds the popular DJ headlining a bill featuring talent on his label. 9 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Theater, 520 Texas; 713-230-1600.
- G. Love and Special Sauce: The folky, bluesy, hip-hoppy thing tends to work like catnip for stoner
surfer types. G. Love is as much to blame/credit for it as anybody. 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 832-667-7733.
- Blaggards: They describe their sound as “stout Irish rock,” which is all you need to know. 10 p.m. at Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-529-9899.
- Bo Porter: Porter’s voice is deep as a well, perfect for dark country and other roots fare. 8 p.m. at Blanco’s, 3406 W. Alabama; 713-439-0072.
- Rozz Zamorano Group: Bass whiz Zamorano has played with blues, jazz and rock greats including Johnny Winter, Stanley Jordan and Eric Johnson. 7 p.m. at Capitol at St. Germain, 705-B Main; 713-492-2454.
- Nick Gaitan and Umbrella Man: This swinging and festive local band has elements of soul, jazz, country, rockabilly and conjunto. Gulf Coast gumbo. 10 p.m. at the Big Top Lounge, 3714 Main; 713-529-9899.
Ken Gaines
- Wayne Wilkerson: Singer-songwriters host their weekly song swap. 9 p.m. at Anderson Fair, 2007 Grant; 832-767-2785.
Hightailers: Local band turns out rock ’n’ roll that reflects the diversity of music along the Gulf Coast. 8 p.m. at Last Concert Cafe, 1403 Nance; 713-226-8563.
- D.R.U.G.S.: The name stands for Destroy Rebuild Until God Comes. The sound is glitzy and glossy and angsty hard rock. With Hit The Lights, Like Moths To Flames, Sparks The Rescue 8 p.m. at Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak; 713-862-3838.

FRIDAY February 3rd
Tontons: Houston’s the Tontons released the lovely Golden EP last year and have a group of new songs in the works for their next full album. Some may sneak into the set for this show, which kicks off the band’s next tour. When: 8 p.m. Friday; Where: Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak; Tickets: $8; 713-862-3838 or www.fitzlivemusic.com.

Johnny Winter: Beaumont native turned up the volume on the blues 40-plus years ago with a white hot rocking permutation of the form. With his new Roots, his best album in years, he tips his hat to the players who influenced him. Read an interview with Winter here. When: 8 p.m. Friday; Where: Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; Tickets: $20-$25; 713-225-5483 or www.warehouselive.com. Meet and greet: 5 p.m. at Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth; 713-526-9272.

Also . . .
- Asleep at the Wheel: With Bob Wills long gone, Ray Benson’s crew keeps the King of Western Swing’s spirit moving. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.
- The Adicts: Durable British punk band has been bringing the noise for more than 30 years. 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 832-667-7733.
- Ray Price: First, he changed the beat of country music, then he became the genre’s finest balladeer. 7 p.m. at Nutty Jerry’s, 18291 Englin, Winnie; 877-643-7508.
- Achachay: Rock ’n’ roll infused with a shot of funk. Electric Attitude. 9 p.m. at Rudyard’s, 2010 Waugh; 713-521-0521.
- Eric Lindell: California-born guitar whiz has a voice that’s plenty comfortable in the blues, though there’s plenty of blue-eyed soul that breaks through. 9 p.m. at the Monnalisa at the Hotel Sorella, 800 W. Sam Houston Parkway North, Building 9; 713-973-1600.
- Larry Slezak: No word yet on what sort of ensemble this great local saxophonist will lead. 9 p.m. at Cezanne, 4100 Montrose; 713-522-9621.
- Nick Gaitan: Excellent bassist and band leader takes a little break from his bands Umbrella Man and Bang Bang Boom for a solo appearance. 6:30 p.m. at Natachee’s, 3622 Main; 713-524-7203.
- Buddy Mondlock: Nashville-based singer-songwriter has had his songs covered by Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith and others. 9 p.m. at Anderson Fair, 2007 Grant; 832-212-4057.
- Turnpike Troubadours: Lest you think it’s some Jersey bada-bing thing, they’re referring to Oklahoma’s miles of turnpike. So the music is a mix of country, bluegrass and string-band fare. 8 p.m. at the Firehouse Saloon, 5930 Southwest Freeway; 713-977-1962.
- Poetic Mental Aggression: Not as blustery a band as the aggro name might imply. Instead, PMA goes for a more experimental psychedelic sound. With the Illegal Wiretaps and Devil Killing Moth. 8 p.m. at Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak; 713-862-3838.

SATURDAY February 4th
Del McCoury Band: Perhaps the greatest protector of classic bluegrass the Del McCoury band doesn’t aspire to new grass or anything else that takes Bill Monroe’s sound into jam band territory. His band features two of his sons, and once their fingers start flying there’s no stopping them. Their most recent project is American Legacies, a collaboration with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. With Milkdrive. When: 8 p.m. Saturday; Where: Crighton Theatre, 234 Main, Conroe; Tickets: $49; 936-441-7469 or www.crightontheatre.org.

Buxton: Admittedly the new year is young. But this Houston band has turned out one of the first great records of 2012 with Nothing Here Seems Strange, an atmospheric and haunting fusion of folk and rock. They celebrate its release this week. Read about the band here. When: 8 p.m. Saturday; Where: Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak; Tickets: $8; 713-862-3838.

My Education: Austin band makes an expansive and intriguing sort of instrumental rock, that is at times melodic and other times ominous and droning. They share a bill with one of Houston’s best instrumental rock bands, the loud and dynamic Co-Pilot. With Harold Borup. When: 8 p.m. Saturday; Where: Walter’s, 1120 Naylor; Tickets: $5 at the door.

John Egan: After releasing a fiery live album last year the local blues player has a new studio set in Phantoms that finds him slashing away at his National steel guitar. Its official release isn’t for another two weeks but he’ll offer a chance to hear the new stuff early. When: 3 p.m. Saturday; Where: Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth; Tickets: Free; 713-526-9272.

Also . . .
- Machina TX: Houston band makes bombastic heavy rock that never lets up. They’re celebrating the release of a new album. 8 p.m. at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; 713-225-5483.
- Soul Track Mind: Austin band digs a deep groove with a modern blend of 1960s-era soul, jazz, R&B, blues, rock and funk. 9 p.m. at the Monnalisa at the Hotel Sorella, 800 W. Sam Houston Parkway N., Building 9; 713-973-1600.
- MilkDrive: Four blazing acoustic players (including members of the kaput South Austin Jug Band) came together to form this fleet, nimble and improvisational band. They’re something to behold live. 8 p.m. at Last Concert Cafe, 1403 Nance; 713-226-8563.
- Blood Sweat and Tears: Durable jazzy, soulful rock band has been at it since 1967, albeit with a hiatus and a bit of turnover along the way. They’re joined by the Guess Who, a Canadian band best known for writing the worst song ever about an American woman. 7 p.m. at Nutty Jerry’s, 18291 Englin, Winnie; 877-643-7508.
- Possessed by Paul James: Who needs a band? Not Konrad Wert, a multi-instrumentalist, who plays lively roots music with a bunch of wood-and-wire instruments under the name Possessed by Paul James. With Westbound. 9 p.m. at Rudyard’s, 2010 Waugh; 713-521-0521.
- Square and Compass: Houston band released a self-titled EP of blistering post-punk music last year. With Ensane, Jon Black and Twenty Eleven. 8 p.m. at Super Happy Fun Land, 3801 Polk; 713-880-2100.
- Guy Forsyth: Blues-rock is the lazy category for this genre-blurring Austin singer-songwriter and guitar whiz who used to do time with the Asylum Street Spankers. 7 and 9:30 p.m. at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999.
- Skyrocket: Do you love the ’70s and ’80s? This Austin supergroup, featuring some ex-locals such as Trish Murphy and Johnny Goudie, does. 10 p.m. at Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-529-9899.
- Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular: It’s what it sounds like. Not as good as a reunion, better than nothing. With lasers. 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 832-667-7733.
- Mike Wheeler: Jazz guitarist leads a quartet with pianist Pamela York, bassist David Craig and drummer Tim Solook. 9 p.m. at Cezanne, 4100 Montrose; 713-522-9621.
- Billy Dean/Trent Willmon: ’90s country star Dean had a big hit with Billy the Kid. Willmon has penned tunes for acts including Brad Paisley, Eric Church and Little Big Town. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.
- Whiskey Myers: Tyler-based band takes its cue from bluesy Southern rock such as Skynyrd and the Allmans. With Uncle Lucius. 8 p.m. at the Firehouse Saloon, 5930 Southwest Freeway; 713-977-1962.
- Paula Held: Austin-based musician shares a singer-songwriter night bill with Andrew Hardin. 9 p.m. at Anderson Fair, 2007 Grant; 832-212-4057.

SUNDAY February 5th
Jacuzzi Boys: It’s a questionable name that suggests a high-rolling hip-hop act or someone just begging some sort of nasty water-borne infection or a terrible John Cusack movie. Alas, these boys do not do the hip-hop, nor do they seem to carry any hot-tub illness. Instead they turn out a fetching type of lo-fi garage rock as evidenced by the great new Glazin’. With Psychic Palms and Mikey & the Drags. When: 9 p.m. Sunday; Where: Mango’s, 403 Westheimer; Tickets: $8; 713-522-8903 or www.mangoscafe.com.

Also . . .
- Allstar Weekend: Effervescent emo pop from San Diego. 6 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 832-667-7733.

TUESDAY February 7th
Jesse Winchester: Louisiana-born, Memphis-raised musician does soulful singer-songwriter stuff that made a big impression on Lyle Lovett, who covered a Winchester tune on his latest album. Winchester’s Love Filling Station, released two years ago, ended a decade-long silence. When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; Where: McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; Tickets: $25-$28; 713-528-5999 or www.mcgonigels.com.

Also . . .
- Johnny Cooper: Young songwriter and guitar whiz folds blues and soul into his rock. 8 p.m. at the Dosey Doe, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.
- Matt Nathanson: Sometimes jokey singer-songwriter from San Francisco released Modern Love last year. It had nothing to do with David Bowie. 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 832-667-7733.

WEDNESDAY February 8th
Kinky Friedman: You know the songs in all their sing-songy politically incorrect glory. The writer, singer, humorist and iconoclast is on his Southern Discomfort tour. So don’t get too comfy. When: 8 p.m. Wednesday; Where: Dosey Doe, 259111 I-45 North, The Woodlands; Tickets: $58 - $98; 281-367-3774 or www.doseydoe.com.

Also . . .
- Brandi Carlile: Rootsy singer-songwriter type is going on three years since her last album, so there should be some new stuff in the works. She’s here with her acoustic trio. 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 832-667-7733.
- Doomtree: Seven-person ensemble splits the diff between hip-hop and punk. With Nosaprise. 8 p.m. at Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak; 713-862-3838.
- Jazz Marauders: Houston outfit plays improvisational music with a worldly bent. 8 p.m. at the Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-533-9525.
- Patrice Pike/Irish Session: The regular Wednesday twofer offers disparate but equally enjoyable music. 6:30 p.m. at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999.