The Five Must-See Shows in OC This Weekend

Friday, September 6

Back Street Boys
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Did you catch that 'N Sync reunion performance on the VMAs last week? Shit was outta control, yo. Everybody who saw it said that the reunion was, like, what dreams are made of. The trouble is they're copycats. Cuz Backstreet Boys have been back (alright!) and touring for, like, a year and half already, guys. Where have you been? Now, BSB approach their 20th anniversary as a reconciled group–nay, as the original, top dog, best-selling boy band in history–having just dropped a new album titled In a World Like This and currently on a global tour. That's, like, the entire planet. And they stop by Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine this Friday. So suck on that you lame 'N Sync-ers! AJ, Howie, Nick, Kevin and Brian 4eva! (Amanda Parsons)

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Tesla Boy
The Constellation Room
Everything about Tesla Boy seems out of this world, from their cosmic new wave aesthetic to their funky synth pop jams. Heavily influenced by his love of American pop music, Anton Sedidov would go on to spawn Tesla Boy in 2010, setting off a new era of electronic music artists to emerge from Russia. Just like the famous inventor Nikola Tesla, this group makes the most out of playing with electronics, combining hypnotic, synth beats with funk, pop and disco sounds. Night time is the right time to enjoy this group, especially if you're in the mood for dancing. Check them out tonight at the Constellation Room. (Aimee Murillo)

Saturday, September 7

Dramarama
The Coach House
You'll always love this New Jersey band for giving us one of the greatest songs about infuriating romantic relationships “Anything Anything (I'll Give You)” but mainstream success beyond that seems to have eluded them. Lame, of course- true fans realize the real lies in calling this band washed up, since their eventual reunion on VH1's Bands Reunited helped ease the group back into the studio. And here they are, playing their sweet pop punk, alt-rock thrills for audiences again. What would fans give for a chance to rock out with Dramarama again? I'm sure the answer is 'anything.' Tonight they play The Coach House with Honey and The Heroine and The Relatives. (Aimee Murillo)

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Havok
The Constellation Room
Although this neo thrash band from Colorado formed in 2004, these up-and-comers have proven their worthiness among thrash metal fanatics and earned a rabid fan base by touring practically non-stop over the past few years. Skillfully fusing the aggression and musical intensity of thrash titans like Slayer and Dark Angel, Havok's uncompromising approach to speed metal can be seen in their live performances, which always incite a roaring mosh pit. Havok have earned the respect of bands such as Exhumed, Cannibal Corpse and Testament, all of who have taken the band on the road over the past few years. The band's new critically acclaimed album, Unnatural Selection, will see the band embark on a tour opening for Soulfly next month. (Alex Distefano)

Sunday, September 8

Everlast Acoustic
The Coach House
Known best for his breakout hits in the '90s, Everlast weaves in and out of hip-hop, rock and blues. His earlier work with House of Pain gave him global exposure by unleashing the anthem “Jump Around,” and the three-time Grammy Award-nominee snagged a win alongside rock legend Santana in 2000 for the track “Put Your Lights On.” Everlast's solo efforts as Whitey Ford saw additional success with the politically tinged, blues-fusion track “What It's Like” and, now, the singer/songwriter stretches his boundaries yet again with his recently released album, The Life Acoustic. This record is the third consecutive project on his personal label, Martyr Inc., and features stripped down versions of previous material including “My Medicine” and the aforementioned “Jump Around.” With an affinity for intimate settings, his stop at the Coach House is poised for a pleasant ride down memory lane. (Heidi Darby)

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