The Five Must-See Shows in OC This Week

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Monday, July 29

Nightmare Air
Detroit Bar
Taking over this month's residency at Detroit Bar is Los Angeles band Nightmare Air. Their energetic rock show is underlined by their massive sound which has garnered them praise all across the board in magazines and music blogs such as Filter, ArtRocker and BuzzBands LA. Indeed, with raucous electric guitar, Swaan Miller's icy cool vocals, Jimmy Lucido's roaring drums and fuzzy psychotic noise, their passionate live performances display the utter raw power of it all. They definitely qualify as contenders for one of the best live residencies to come down to Detroit Bar ever. That being said, come and see them play one last time– tonight they share the bill with Young Light and Bright Matter.
(Aimee Murillo)

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Tuesday, July 30

Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants
Fingerprints
Several years back, a friend asked Foo Fighters lead guitarist Chris Shiflett to play at the Hootenanny–and though the rockstar insists his newly assembled ragtag rockabilly band sounded “terrible,” a unique project was born: Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants. Their debut album, a self-titled record released in 2010, was a well-received collection of original tracks (and one cover) blending roadhouse, rock and old country. For the band's new album, All Hat and No Cattle, released on Tuesday, they do just the opposite: classic honky tonk covers from greats like Buck Owens and Don Rich and the Buckaroos, reimagined with fresh twang and grit–plus one original track called “A Woman Like You.” Call Fingerprints to get on the guest list for this free show. (Erin DeWitt)

Wednesday, July 31

The Flaming Lips
Pacific Amphitheatre
As busy as 2012 was for them, it pales in comparison to what 2013 had in store for the Flaming Lips as the band celebrate their 30th anniversary. To honor this landmark, they plan to release not only a new album, but also a film (they're considering several concepts as of press time). They'll also rerelease their 2005 documentary, The Fearless Freaks, and a retrospective featuring every song they've recorded over their career. In a time when it's difficult for a band to have sustained longevity, the Flaming Lips continue to crank out endlessly-evolving psych rock that breaks music-industry molds–and records.(Daniel Kohn)

Thursday, August 1

Hell or Highwater
Alex's Bar
Get ready to rawk this Thursday night as five-piece hard rock outfit Hell or Highwater hits Alex's Bar. And that's lucky for us–considering the band's madman guitars, breakneck drums and black metal vocals (courtesy of ex-Atreyu drummer Brandon Saller), any lesser venue would simply implode upon itself under the weight of so much bad assery. Currently on a mini-tour of the West Coast (with some dates in the near future opening for Avenged Sevenfold), they headline tonight with support from local wild boys Mammoth Thunderpower. Make a night of it with Johnny Saloon's “party bus” package that includes a ride to Alex's, free booze, an advance copy of HoH's new EP and then a ride back to the HB dive for an after-party. (Erin DeWitt)

Friday, August 2

Owen
The Constellation Room
Owen is the brainchild and solo project of singer-songwriter Mike Kinsella, who previously had performed as part of bands Cap'n Jazz and Joan of Arc (to name a few), and damn if the guy isn't prolific. His 2001 solo debut Owen was recorded in his old room at his mother's house, conveying total control of his sound which features a quiet acoustic guitar and the faint sounds of instruments like piano, drums, and keyboard that lightly sprinkle over his vocals like snowflakes. Fast forward to 2013, and Kinsella has produced about 8 albums and EPs. Take your pick of a favorite one, as the indie rocker provides a surprising storytelling oeuvre, made more intimate with quiet opening preludes that hook you into his albums. Tonight he plays the Constellation Room with Laura Stevenson. (Aimee Murillo)

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