Over the past few years of Screaming Females' existence, not a whole lot has changed about the band's sound -- and that's OK, because not that many others sound like them. The ragtag trio from New Jersey is a showcase for Marisa Paternoster's almost-growling vocals and shredding guitar skills; her snarl and skills have brought the group a signature sound even as its songwriting has wandered about (from sounding like The Slits or sometimes The Cure to covering Neil Young). Tonight the DIY rockers help open the new Mr. Roboto Project space on Penn Avenue in the Bloomfield-Garfield arts district. With Underground Railroad to Candyland, Gutter Glitter. Andy Mulkerin 8 p.m. 5106 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. $6-7. All ages. www.therobotoproject.org
[METAL] + SUN., OCT. 16
Local thrash band Crown the Lost has had a few lineup changes over the years, but the crew isn't any less for it, as evidenced by its new release, Cold Pestilent Hope. Eleven tracks of blistering metal (currently available online only), it's in turns epic, earnest, melodic and sometimes a little over the top, but in the best sort of guitar-dude way. The band opens tonight for a pretty epic guitar dude in his own right, Devin Townsend. Get your riff on with them tonight at Altar Bar. The Ocean plays as well. AM 7:30 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District. $20-22. 877-435-9849 or www.thealtarbar.com
[INDIE ROCK] + TUE., OCT. 18
British rockers Arctic Monkeys hit a lot of hype in the mid 2000s after the band's debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, surpassed Oasis's record for the fastest-selling debut album in the U.K. ever. The indie-slash-garage band hasn't necessarily maintained Oasis levels of popularity since, but it has put out some solid records. The latest, Suck It and See (featuring the ridiculously clever tune "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair") came out this past summer. The band plays Stage AE with Chicago garage-rock youngsters Smith Westerns. AM 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Drive, North Side. $25-27. All ages. 412-229-5483
[POP] + WED., OCT. 19
Modern reworkings of R&B have slithered their way into the pop montage of the moment. Swedish outfit Little Dragon has definitely been at the forefront of that sultry sonic movement with its tendency toward bright synth-y backdrops behind the angelic vocals of frontwoman Yukimi Nagano. The band's recent success has landed it on such festival lineups as Barcelona's Sonar and Detroit's Movement. Its tracks have been remixed by the likes of house hero Tensnake, while Nagano's vocals have been featured on the unofficial track of the summer, SBTRKT's "Wildfire." Kate Magoc 7p.m. Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Blvd., East Liberty. $15-20. 412-363-8277 or www.shadowlounge.net
