Matchbox Twenty

It's hard to imagine that after a decade of playing together off and on, Matchbox Twenty is only now starting to function as a band. Yet that's what guitarist Kyle Cook maintains in a phone interview from New York, where the band was prepping for its first major tour in four years. "This past summer, we got together to write here in the city," he says. "[Guitarist] Paul [Doucette] and I and [singer] Rob [Thomas] got together at his house and [bassist] Brian [Yale] came later. It was a relaxed vibe. It was a hang, too. We wrote music and it was like we'd never been apart. We'd stay up every night and then watch the sun come up. We wrote a lot of bits of material. We didn't complete a lot of it. We had never done something like that. In the past, Rob would bring in songs that were either completed or finished." The result, six new tracks, appeared as an EP that came with Exile on Mainstream, a greatest hits collection released last year. During the time the guys took off from Matchbox Twenty, they all had side projects, even though Rob Thomas' solo albums were the only ones that caught national attention. Now the band, famous for radio-ready hits such as "Push" and "Bent," has rediscovered its '80s fascination and taken to watching old footage from Live Aid when recording the new songs. "The '80s is when we all grew up and were coming of age musically," Cook explains. "We were amazed by the Queen performance in particular. We were getting inspired by all of that again. We started thinking of touring again and the fact that we did have something great that we didn't want to let go of." I'm not so sure Thomas can deliver a performance of Freddie Mercury proportions, but find out when indie rockers Mute Math and singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette open at 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena (216.241.5555). Tickets: $35-$75. - Jeff Niesel

Friday, February 8

Turtle Island String Quartet with Stefon Harris

When it comes to string quartets, the Turtle Island String Quartet is at the head of the class. Formed in 1985, the group's explored music of all genres and has over a dozen recordings, including soundtracks and collaborations with everyone from the Manhattan Transfer to the Parsons Dance Company. Its latest offering, A Love Supreme, is a tribute to jazz great John Coltrane and includes versions of several of his staples, including "A Love Supreme" and "Moment's Notice." Percussionist Stefon Harris joins the group for this performance, which begins at 8 p.m. at Tri-C's Metro Campus Auditorium (2900 Community College Ave., 800.766.6048). Tickets: $30. - JN

The Whigs

Just out on ATO Records, the Whigs' Mission Control is one of the young year's finest offerings. Produced by Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith), the Athens, Georgia-based band's disc commences with the call to arms "Like a Vibration," a tune that borrows equally from Nirvana and the Pixies, while balancing its noisy side with some fine vocal harmonies courtesy of frontman Parker Gispert. From the Clash-like rave-up "Production City" to the psychedelic rocker "Already Young," the group traverses a wide range of musical territory on Mission Control, and there's never a dull moment. Tulsa and the Drexels open at 10 p.m. at the Grog Shop (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., 216.321.5588). Tickets: $7. - JN

Saturday, February 9

Paul Shapiro's Ribs and Brisket Revue

Most people probably think of the roots of jazz as being primarily African American, and honestly, that's true. But throughout much of its history, the music has also attracted a disproportionate number of Jewish musicians, from legendary clarinetist/band leader Benny Goodman to many of the young players of today. New York-based musician Paul Shapiro weaves those strands together in his Ribs & Brisket revue, which has been playing around New York since 2003. His troupe of six Jewish and African-American musicians plays '40s-style swing and jump, music from the era when jazz was the pop music, and adopted R&B and blues influences. The ensemble returns at 8 p.m. to the Mandel Jewish Community Center's Stonehill Auditorium (26001 Woodland Rd., Beachwood, clevejcc.org), where it played a sold-out show in 2006. Tickets: $12-$24. Call 800.766.6048. From 6:30-7:30, there'll be a He'Brew Gourmet Kosher Beer tasting. Tickets: $10; call 216.593.6258 for reservations. - Anastasia Pantsios

TURTLE ISLAND STRING QUARTET - Exploring music of all genres.

Tommy Womack

Like kindred musical spirits Todd Snider and Will Kimbrough, singer-songwriter Tommy Womack bridges alt-country and indie rock, and writes with an acerbic wit that's as sharp as they come. His latest endeavor, last year's There, I Said It!, was his first album in four years and finds the man writing about life's struggles ("Nice Day") with the knowledge of a guy who's really been down and out. His nasally vocals and sparse arrangements suit the songs perfectly, too. His Web site (tommywomack.com) is chock full of throwaways ("When Disney Takes Jerusalem," "Big Money") that any other artist would be proud to call his own. The show starts at 9 p.m. at the Beachland Tavern (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124). Tickets: $10. - JN

Sunday, February 10

Exodus

Exodus is hailed as a founding father of the long-lasting and influential Bay Area thrash scene. Slashing into the music world with its most revered album, Bonded By Blood, over 20 years ago, Exodus still remains atop its brutal game. With members that have included Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Slayer's Paul Bostaph, the band continues to push the thrashing-mad envelope with shredding guitar god Gary Holt. Alongside Exodus, the tour includes New Orleans' Goatwhore, Virginian labelmates Arsis and Los Angeles' Warbringer. So all you heathens out there would do well to check out The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A, Exodus' latest album, and then call all the skate punks, metalheads and rippers you know and thrash like you mean it. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Peabody's (2083 E. 21st St., 216.776.9999). Tickets: $15. - Hannah Verbeuren

Tuesday, February 12

Blind Boys of Alabama

A gospel group, the Blind Boys of Alabama have been around since 1939. They first formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939, and the three main vocalists were all blind. Jimmy Carter (not that Jimmy Carter) and Clarence Fountain, the original vocalists, remain with the group. Grammy Award darlings, they were winners every year from 2002 to 2005. The Gospel Music Hall of Famers did a rendition of Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole" which became the theme song for HBO series The Wire. The Blind Boys of Alabama are on their "Spread the Word" Tour. They'll be at Oberlin's Finney Chapel (90 N. Professor St., 440.775.8169) at 8 tonight, and at the Kent Stage (175 E. Main St., 330.677.5005) at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. Oberlin tickets: $15; Kent Stage tickets: $30 advance, $35 day of show. - Jara Anton