If you were a fan of Wu-Tang Clan when Enter the Wu-Tang was released in 1993, there’s no doubt you connected with a member and tagged him as your favorite. For me, beside ODB — everybody loved ODB — it was GZA (even if I wasn’t exactly sure how to say his name in my pre-internet college years). He was the anchor in one of the Clan’s best tunes, “Protect Ya Neck,” taking down a record industry that was afraid of raw, real hip hop. “The Wu is too slammin’ for these cold killin’ labels / Some ain’t had hits since I seen Aunt Mabel / Be doin’ artists like Cain did Abel.” His follow-up record, Liquid Swords, is widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop records of all time; the Chicago Tribune called it “one of the most substantial lyrical journeys in hip-hop history.” Take your own voyage with GZA tonight at the Rex Theater, with openers Amir Miles, Hubbs and NXFCE. Charlie Deitch 7 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. $25-30. 18 and older. 412-381-6811 or www.rextheater.com
[POP PUNK] + THU., MARCH 2
Florida’s five-piece We The Kings are celebrating a decade of hits this year with its WTK10 tour. Whether it’s fast-paced tracks like “Check Yes, Juliet,” or more recent singles like “We’ll Be a Dream” (featuring Demi Lovato), this crew is an undeniable standout in the crossover punk genre. If the band hitting the 10-year mark doesn’t make you feel old, then maybe tonight’s midnight start time at Stage AE will do the trick. Alona Williams Midnight. 400 North Shore Drive, North Side. $25. 412-229-5483 or www.stageae.com
We The Kings
[ROCK OPERA] + FRI., MARCH 3
In the world of ’60s rock operas about pinball, The Who’s Tommy ranks easily in the top 10. The 1969 two-disc concept album about the life of a deaf, dumb and blind boy has been translated to film, ballet and Broadway. Tonight, it’s in the hands of some of Pittsburgh’s finest musicians at the Rex Theater. In support of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Josh Verbanets, Max Somerville, Rich Kawood, Guy Russo and Nathan Zoob (plus some special guests) are playing the album in full as a part of WDVE Rocks for Children’s Radiothon. Alex Gordon 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. $20. 21 and older. 412-381-6811 or www.rextheater.com
[INDIE ROCK] + TUE., MARCH 7
“Foxing is a band. Someday Foxing won’t be a band.” So says the still-a-band’s bio on Bandcamp. For the uninitiated, Foxing is a tough-to-classify, emo-leaning post-rock crew from St. Louis. Singer Conor Murphy’s rugged vocals and somber, spacey guitars color this five-piece’s unique, explorative sound. The latest release is a two-song EP called, appropriately, Two, which finds the group in a more atmospheric and abstract mood. Get in while the getting’s good tonight at Cattivo, with Yohuma and Oyama. AW 6:30 p.m. 146 44th St., Lawrenceville. $13-15. 412-687-2157 or cattivopgh.com
