Friday, January 18
Down
City National Grove of Anaheim
The buzzword with this heavy metal band is “super group.” Yes, we're aware that that's actually two words. But it should be mentioned that Down is comprised of well known rockers from already successful bands, not the least of which is Mr. Phil Anselmo from the amazing 90's metal outfit Pantera (You take this love, love, loooooooove!!!!) Hailing from New Orleans, Down rounds out its lineup with guitarists Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity) and Kirk Windstein, bassist Pat Bruders— and on skins– Jimmy Bower. Head down to the Grove, and get your pit on. —Brandon Ferguson
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Saturday, January 19
Allensworth
House of Blues Anaheim
If you're familiar with either the Fullerton or Newport Beach locations of the Commonwealth Lounge, you know about funk/soul outfit Allensworth. Frequent performers at the swanky establishment, Allensworth may be the hardest working septet in OC. Their love of funk is unbridled and they bring soulful goodness with rhythmic deftness– Funkified with a vengeance. On Saturday, the band celebrates the release of their long-awaited sophomore album Against the Grain at the House of Blues Anaheim with help from a cavalcade of local support including Alabaster Stones, Marc B, The Wheeland Brothers and Zach Churchill. —Brandon Ferguson
Los Rios Rock School
The Coach House
It's 9 p.m. on a Saturday night. You actually know where your 15-year-old is? The one with the potty mouth, dodgy friends and juvenile-delinquent tendencies? At the mall, like he told you? Dream on. If you'd got him into San Juan Capistrano's Los Rios Rock School, back when he was plinking on a guitar and making like Jim Morrison with those intriguing rhyming couplets, the question wouldn't even arise–he'd be headlining at the fabled Coach House. Check out Shoot Up the Cat, the pride of Tesoro High School, Las Flores, and Sterling Clan, who've already lit up Detroit Bar, and you'll see what might've been. There's 600 parents and friends goin' apeshit in the audience. Your kid coulda been a contender. —Jack Grimshaw
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Sunday, January 20
Nervo
Yost Theater
Oh, to have so many open doors in life, we can only imagine. Miriam and Olivia Nervo, the twin blonde beauties DJing tonight at the Yost, began their humble careers as models in native Australia. But over the loud call of high-fashion (they were even ambassadors at the L'Oreal Fashion Festival), music was their focus. At age 18, the twins were signed to Sony–after rejecting an acceptance to the esteemed Opera Australia Academy, they decided EDM was the path to take. And it's been a golden-gilded trail ever since. Nervo's worked with Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Afrojack and Steve Aoki, co-wrote the Grammy-winning single “When Love Takes Over,” and had songs dominate the UK club charts. When the twins' single “YGLA (You're Gonna Love Again)” leaked in 2011, it jumped to the top spot on the on the Hype Machine chart. They must've been very good in a past life. —Erin DeWitt
Pen Pals
The District Lounge
With a name like Pen Pals, you'd probably expect rappers C4mula and Brawdcast's new hip-hop collaboration to be a little syrupy and overly sentimental. That's probably because you don't realize that when two of the county's most vicious emcees get together, their written verses stab twice as hard. Earning their stripes through years of battling in OC's underground hip-hop scene, both rappers solo releases and mix tapes that knock most unsuspecting listeners on their asses. Celebrating the release of their debut album under a new moniker, both artists are ready to show you that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Supporting acts on the bill at the District Lounge include LuckyIAm of Living Legends, Blown Celeb, Nu3tron, Cap Angels and Mic Moses. —Nate Jackson
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