Perhaps the most refreshing sound in pop music today is the sound of a punk rock band that’s not recycling the Ramones’ four-beat pogo-bop into yet another bowl of dreary, derivative gruel. Fortunately, Michigan-based punk quartet Small Brown Bike is anything but the same ol’ slop. This powerful, original band takes its cues from legends like Husker Du and Fugazi and unleashes songs that shimmer with distinctive chord progressions, soaring melodies and subtle, surprising arrangements. Yet everything the band plays is jolted with blistering punk intensity and dynamism. The band’s 2003 CD, “The River Bed” (Lookout!), is both inventive and as down to earth as a skateboard’s belly.
SMALL BROWN BIKE performs Friday and Saturday at the Fireside Bowl, 2646 W. Fullerton Ave. $10. 773-486-2700.
A LIST
DAVID BOWIE, Tuesday, Wednesday and Jan. 16 at the Rosemont Theater. Sold out. Although David Bowie has been cited as both an astute anticipator of musical taste and trend-hopping opportunist, his newest record, “Reality” (Columbia), is a reflection of the past rather than a look into the future. But that’s OK. The infectious rock on “Reality” frequently echoes Bowie’s history (the sumptuous, melodic balladry of “Hunky Dory,” the dissonant, edgy arrangements of “Scary Monsters”) without ever actually recycling old formulas. The result is fresh, engaging music steeped in what Bowie does best. Macy Gray also performs.
WU-TANG CLAN, Friday and Saturday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. $25-$30. 773-549-0203. The Wu-Tang Clan may not release many records, but the music it does produce has consistently set the hip-hop standard for bleak, mean-streets brilliance. While many hip-hop acts are notoriously reluctant to tour, the Clan is living up to its samurai pit bull image by hitting the road in the dead of winter. This incarnation of the Clan will reportedly feature Cappadonna, Remedy, GZA, Killah Priest, Rhyme N Reason, Deserteez, Ill Noiz and “surprise guests.”
GREG TROOPER, Thursday at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. $8. 708-788-2118. Apparently, Billy Bragg, Vince Gill and Steve Earle know something that you may not. They know that Greg Trooper can cut, sand and shave the raw planking of American roots music into rustically handsome songs with all the skill of a master woodworker. But Trooper’s first-rate new record, “Floating” (Sugar Hill), should help raise his profile as this guitarist, songwriter and 20-year music scene vet uses it to deftly explore bluegrassy picking, backwoods soul, country-blues and even Chuck Berryesque rock. Yet he leaves everything he touches with a memorable blend of lyric and melody.
JAZZ MANDOLIN PROJECT, Thursday at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. $15. 312-923-2000. While both jazz and mandolins have a large role in this quintet’s music, the name Jazz Mandolin Project is misleadingly simple given this group’s stylistic range (post-bop jazz, fusion, rock) and tonal palette (crystalline picking, fuzzy distortion). And on its new CD, “Jungle Tango” (Lenapee), JMP also incorporates drum ‘n’ bass and spacey jamming into a set of music that’s both conventional and out there.
OTHER CONCERTS
VUSI MAHLASELA, Monday at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Free. 312-744-6630. Renowned South African singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela is an interesting figure in a number of ways, not the least of which being the fact that his alluring voice and cultural accomplishments are sometimes a bit more impressive than his music. That music is a seamless, melodious mix of South African song forms with western pop influences, and many of Vusi’s songs played an important, inspirational role in the anti-apartheid movement. His new compilation, “The Voice” (ATO), captures both his buoyant lyricism and occasionally unfortunate reliance on bland adult-pop arranging.
FIERY FURNACES, Thursday at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. $10. 773-276-3600. Ever think about crossing rickety, old-time, barrelhouse rock with bits of Suicide’s electro-drone and the falling apart song structures of early Pavement? Of course not. No one would. At least not until this New York-based brother-sister duo and their debut CD, “Gallowsbird’s Bark” (Rough Trade). The Fiery Furnace’s avant-roadhouse sound is like nothing else out there.
