SHURMAN A cross between the Black Crowes and Steve Earle.

Four years ago, local alt-country darlings Rosavelt were off to Europe, but one of its members, bassist/singer/songwriter Keith Hanna, wasn't aboard. He was having trouble with his passport, and the band, nervous he wouldn't make it, took another bassist along. Hanna was already wondering if the whole thing hadn't already run its course. Luckily, friends from LA-based country-rockers Shurman were looking to fill in a hole of their own.

"These guys were more of a touring band and always on the go, and it seemed Rosavelt were kind of more of a local thing, a regional thing," Hanna says via phone. "And me, I kinda need to keep moving. [Shurman lead singer/songwriter] Aaron [Beavers] was on the phone, they had a record out on Vanguard, had William Morris representing, and he was like, the gig's yours if you want it. I was at the Southside in Cleveland, and I was staring at a guy named Sherman when the guys from Shurman called. It was cosmic."

Shurman has a rockier edge than Rosavelt, and Hanna describes it as "a cross between the Black Crowes and Steve Earle." Touring behind their new album, Waiting for the Sunset, a mix of old-timey rural music and rock recorded in Danny White's renowned Nashville studio with legendary pedal steel player Al Perkins, the band comes to the Beachland Ballroom (15700 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 13. Get there at 6 p.m. for a barbecue to benefit operation-helmet(.org), which provides safer, more comfortable helmet liners for soldiers overseas. Hanna, who used to work as kitchen help for Iron Chef Michael Symon of Lola/Lolita, will man the barbeque grill (see some of Hanna's prize recipes at shurmanville.com). "Without getting too politically involved," he says, "I don't necessarily think we should be over there, but if we are, our people should have what they need to get them through." Admission: $8. — Dan Harkins

Chimaira Turns 10

In celebration of a decade of ultimate metal insanity, Chimaira plays at Peabody's (2083 E. 21st St., 216.776.9999) at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Prepare yourself for hot, stinky beards and sweaty chicks in stacked boots, because the show will be sold the fuck out. The guys are hot off the heels of a fresh digi-deluxe release of Resurrection with two new songs. Coupled with a strenuous road schedule, Chimaira is always glad to chill at home for a bit. It issued an open invitation to this show via Blabbermouth.com, the CNN of music Web sites. Loosely translated, they said that Cleveland rules and anyone that wishes to be a part of their 10th anniversary needs to come out, regardless of zip code. The show will be a cross section of the guys' entire career — a fantastical array of old and new songs. Openers include talented Clevelanders Years of Fire, along with Toledo natives Mobile Deathcamp, who've opened on a few Chimaira tour dates this year. Tickets: $20 advance, $23 day of show. — Jara Anton

Jack Fords Issue EP

Fans of the Jack Fords have seen the line-up change behind guitarist Bobby Latina and vocalist/guitarist Brent Kirby, and its sound evolve and flourish. But the band's last (and only) release was its live 2006 disc, Bent Outta Shape. The group, which now includes bassist Paul Lewis, drummer Greg Campolieti and keyboardist Chris Hanna, plans to get into the studio in the fall with noted producer Eric Ambel. In the meantime, it's teasing fans with a four-track EP featuring three of its gritty, Stones-y rockers and the plaintive ballad "All Over Now." It'll be giving it away at its upcoming show at the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 13 opening for Shurman. — Anastasia Pantsios

Davenport Benefit

About a year and a half ago, Matthew Rolin, Todd Pincombe, Gheramy Demery and Ryan Yankee started the West Side indie music venue the Davenport underneath an Arabica. Disagreements with Arabica owner Steve Ravida led to the group's eviction, conflicting accusations and legal issues. The group is now hosting a Davenport Legal Defense Benefit concert to pay for its lawyer at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) at 9 p.m. Friday, July 11. The multi-local-band lineup includes reunions of Plasma for Guns and Rolin, Demery and Yankee's band Poor Sailor, Pincombe's band Insurrect, Return of Simple, Hockey Fight, Rockabye Ransom and Joshua Miles featuring Katie Merkur. Tickets: $8. — AP

Brookstock Returns

Cleveland Metroparks' "Brookstock - A Celebration of Music and Nature" offers a batch of the best local Americana/folk/ country/blues acts, along with family activities, at the Brookside Valley Event Site in Brookside Reservation from 4-10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12. Main stage acts include Lost State of Franklin (4 p.m.), Hayshaker Jones (5:30 p.m.), Crookneck Chandler and the Tibbee Bottom Boys (7 p.m.) and the Alan Greene Band (9 p.m.). The side stage will host Tim and Jeanne (5 p.m.), Blonde Boy Grunt & the Groans (6:30 p.m.) and Heelsplitter (8:15 p.m.). Refreshments and merchandise from the Metroparks' EarthWords Nature Shop will be available, and there will be hikes, games, exhibits, live animals and crafts including a station where you can tie-dye either a shirt you bring or one you purchase there. It's free. Call 216.206.1000 for info. — AP

Bill Dobbins Returns

In 1973, Clevelander Bill Dobbins headed east to teach at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Some 35 years later, he's not only doing that but has forged a towering reputation as a jazz pianist, composer and arranger who's also made forays into classical music as well. He's coming back to Cleveland to lead the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra in two evenings featuring some of his own signature pieces. There will be two performances at the Cleveland Bop Stop (2920 Detroit Ave.) at 8 p.m. Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12. Tickets are $30; call 216.521.2540 or go to clevelandjazz.org for tickets and info. — AP

League of Proper Musicians Issues Debut

Progressive fusion-funk quartet the League of Proper Musicians, which hails from various cities around Northeast Ohio, is dropping its debut CD at the The Winchester (12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216.226.5681) at a 9 p.m. show Saturday, July 12. The $10 admission includes food, a free copy of the CD, an opening comedy set by Bill Squire and a "sexy time." — AP