Playing loud is an art form in and of itself. If anybody knows that, it's Blue Cheer singer-bassist Dickie Peterson, who's made making eardrums bleed his business for the better part of three decades. "We wanted to make our music physical as well as audio," he says in a recent phone interview from the band's rehearsal space in Maryland. "I can really flip your gut around with my bass. We didn't want to hurt anybody. We wanted our music to caress you. We wanted to make the girls get jumpy and stuff. That's where the whole principle came from." What Peterson says young bands don't understand is that "playing less" is actually the key. "You can't play more," he explains. "We've done many shows where bands wanted to outdo Blue Cheer. They turn it up louder and they play their normal songs and they sound like crap. It's not because they're bad musicians. It's because there's a technique. You get too many overtones if you just crank it up." Blue Cheer generates a wallop of intense sound as only a trio, something that makes its bludgeoning take on the blues all the more impressive. The band's heavy new disc, What Doesn't Kill You, stays true to form, even though Peterson says the band would just as soon hit the road as spend time tinkering in the studio. "I have a strange relationship with recording," Peterson says. "Let's face it, Blue Cheer is a live band. The person listening to what we do, these are the people who make me play, not some producer. I even say it on stage that we are the three-piece and the people are the fourth piece. Without them, what we do is commonly known as masturbation." Lions and Devil Moto open at 9 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124). Tickets: $12. - Jeff Niesel

Ben Lee

As a member of indie rock outfit Noise Addict, Australian singer-songwriter Ben Lee was a prodigy. Still a teenager, he counted Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, the Lemonheads' Evan Dando and the Beastie Boys' Mike D. as fans and embarked on several well-received tours, coordinated around his high school schedule. That was over a decade ago. After a short hiatus, during which he wrangled out of his contract with the now defunct Grand Royal Records, Lee came back with Hey You. Yes, You., an album that didn't restore his underground status. His latest offering, Ripe, is another hit-and-miss affair that finds pop gems followed by throwaway drivel. That said, Lee is generally a gracious performer (he put on a great show to a small Agora crowd a couple years back) and his sleeper hit "Feel My Disease" still stands up as a terrifically infectious little number. Cary Brothers opens at 7:30 p.m. at the Agora Ballroom (5000 Euclid Ave., 216.881.2221). Tickets: $14. - JN

Stiff Little Fingers

Save for a four-year breakup in the mid-'80s, Belfast's punk progenitors Stiff Little Fingers have been making music for 30 years. And despite having released a great many fine albums (1980's Hanx! ranks among the great live albums of all time), for all that time, two songs from the band's debut album, Inflammable Material, have defined the group. It makes sense, though. Those songs, "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspect Device," are flawless examples of everything punk anthems should be - rousing, sing-alongable, ferocious, catchy as the flu, and boasting lyrics that have remained so pertinent all this time it's kind of eerie. So perhaps the band's decision to play that album in its entirety for its current tour, which includes a stop at the Grog Shop (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., 216.321.5588) is just a matter of giving the people what they want. Or it could be singer (and lone constant member) Jake Burns' way of welcoming original bass player Ali McMordie back into the fold. But whatever their reasons for doing it, they've been a fully ass-kicking live band for three decades now, and though they're pushing 50, they still bring the rock more than well enough to justify their immortal status. There's just no way this isn't gonna rule. The New Rivals and Humanoids open at 9 p.m. Tickets: $15. - Ron Kretsch

Cobra Starship

Cobra Starship's second effort, Viva La Cobra, is a raucous, booty-shaking good time. Its sound is a bit of a throwback to the '80s but also pays homage to modern-day groovers like Gravy Train. But it rises easily above the competition with strong riffs and thoughtful vocals. Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump produced the album and it shows in the vocal style of Gabe Sapora, who intermittently shouts and chants with gusto. It's easy to write off this style of music as all flash, no substance, but Cobra surprises with lyrics that convey a sardonic look at Hollywood and celebrity life, poking fun as well as provoking thought. Viva La Cobra outshines others in the synth-dance genre by leaps and bounds. Rumor has it the band is even better live. Find out when it opens for headliners The Academy Is. Armor for Sleep, the Rocket Summer and Sherwood round out the bill, and the show starts at 6:15 p.m. at the House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave., 216.241.5555). Tickets: $19.99-$23. - Lois Elswick

George Winston

Like the Jackson Browne of new age, pianist George Winston hasn't changed in 20 years. He's still medium height and slightly balding. And he still plays somber piano melodies that convey more emotion than most of what passes for new age. You wouldn't want Winston to change, either. The just-released 20th anniversary edition of December shows just how moving his music was (and still is). While his last album was a tribute to New Orleans (and generated money to help fund relief efforts), expect to hear at least a few December tracks since the Yuletide season is nearly upon us. Winston plays at 8 tonight at Renaissance Performing Arts (138 Park Ave. W., Mansfield, 419.522.2726) and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Stocker Arts Center (1005 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, 440.366.4040). Tickets: $29.50 for the Renaissance show and $35 for the Stocker show. - JN

Against Me!

Any musician will tell you it's easier to write a sad or angry song than an upbeat one. Florida punk band Against Me! isn't known for happy-go-lucky numbers. But in a scene inundated with negative sentiments and pessimistic tones, it's achieved something uplifting with its latest effort, New Wave. The album - largely written while the band was on tour supporting its previous release - perpetuates the group's signature raw, driving punk sound and singer Tom Gabel's politically tinged, self-aware lyrics. Sage Francis, World Friendship Society and Cobra Skulls open at 7:30 p.m. at the House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave., 216.241.5555). Tickets: $15-$18.

- Emily Zemler

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Sharon Jones has taken a fascinating path from Augusta, Georgia to New York City and her status as a powerfully emotive soul chanteuse. Jones began in church but a family move to Brooklyn in her teenage years enabled Jones to pursue occasional studio back-up work, But in the '80s Jones dialed back her music interests and pursued full-time employment. In 1996, Jones was introduced to Desco Records, which brought her in to sing back-up for their roster. Later, New York producer/bassist Bosco Mann envisioned a soul revue with a revival feeling and a strong personality in front of it all and assembled the band that is now the Dap-Kings, installing Jones as the lead vocalist and focal point. In her late 40s at that point, Jones was an unlikely pick for success. But her star has risen steadily since 2002, and she's now joined by the Dap-Kings as her backing band. They're featured on Jones' latest disc, 100 Days, 100 Nights, and their frenetic live shows in New York have inspired a fevered following and glowing press. The Ultimate Ovation opens at 9 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124). Tickets: $15. - Brian Baker

Sondre Lerche

While his appearance in Dan in Real Life hasn't done for his career what Jonathan Richman's cameo in There's Something About Mary did for his, Sondre Lerche's contribution to the film is undeniable. For the soundtrack, he penned some 15 songs, most of which figure prominently in the film. Not a household name (even amongst the indie rock cognoscenti), Lerche has amassed a fine career that almost spans a decade now. The Norwegian singer's voice is so delicate and detached that it's cool. At least that's what the songs on Dan and elsewhere convey. Opener Dan Wilson is no stranger to the struggle. As part of the power-pop act Semisonic, he saw his career rise and fall. But with a new album, Free Life, to support, he'll no doubt be emphasizing the material from his solo career. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the House of Blues Cambridge Room (308 Euclid Ave., 216.241.5555). Tickets: $13-$15. - JN

...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead

After 2005's Worlds Apart failed to win ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead mainstream attention, the pressure was on Conrad Keely and his band to deliver something grandiose yet palatable. Last year's So Divided easily fulfills the first goal - it's full of the epic swells, falls and overall prog-rock attitude people have come to expect from the band. Whether or not it's met the second goal is anyone's guess. "Eight Day Hell" almost sounds like a sitcom theme, with dour lyrics atop pop music. "Stand in Silence" finds Keely lamenting that he "had a band/ had a song/ had a vision, where's my vision gone." He recently moved to New York City, leaving the rest of his bandmates in their longtime home base of Austin, Texas. So the album isn't just titled after a song - it seems to be the state of things in the band's hierarchy. Multi-instrumentalist and band co-founder Jason Reece - a frequent lead vocalist on past records - is virtually absent from the microphone here, save his only lead turn on closing track "Sunken Dreams." Maybe So Divided will end up marking just another rough period for the band, but if this is its death knell, what a way to go out. Sun God and To Be A High Powered Executive open at 9 p.m. at the Grog Shop (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., 216.321.5588). Tickets: $10 advance, $12 day of show. - Jeremy Willets