[FOLK POP] + FRI., MARCH 10
Seasaw may be just two people, but the duo of multi-instrumentalists Eve Wilczewski and Meg Golz amp up its sound with intricate harmonies and a careful weaving of folk-laden melodies to create a warm indie-pop vibe. The lyrics are sharp, and meld heartfelt, witty stories into the acoustic guitar, banjo, synths and strings that provide the musical foundation. Getting in on the fun at Cattivo is the upbeat alternative folk of Robin Vote, as well as the country rock ’n’ roll of Franny Moon. Side Eye draws the rock attitude of each act and swirls it into a dreamy surf-rock sound that manages to blend the ’tude of Joan Jett with the pop delight of the Beach Boys. Meg Fair 7 p.m. 146 44th St., Lawrenceville. $6. 412-687-2157 or www.cattivopgh.com
[HOBOCORE] + FRI., MARCH 10
“Y’all Motherfuckers Need Jesus.” No, that’s not an observation about our fine readers (although it may certainly hold true for some of you). It’s a shredding, catchy-as-fuck earworm of a song from The Goddamn Gallows. The band is mostly metal and hardcore, but when your instrumentation includes an upright bass, a banjo and a dude who shreds on both an accordion and a washboard, the sound that comes out isn’t traditional metal. The group spent four straight years living in a vehicle, and touring the country perfecting its game (thus the Hobocore label). The boys roll into Cattivo tonight to bring Jesus to Y’all Motherfuckers, with Crooked Cobras and The Hills & the Rivers. Charlie Deitch 8 p.m. 146 44th St., Lawrenceville. $10-12. 412-687-2157 or www.cattivopgh.com
[BRUTAL] + SAT., MARCH 11
Forget black-metal yoga. Tonight, at Black Forge Coffee, you can get your power-violence aerobics on with some of the Rust Belt’s finest. From the dear, unsuspecting town of Ashtabula, Ohio, arrives Homewrecker, a wickedly brutal metal band who performs every gig like it’s tearing up a beer-soaked basement full of rowdy punks. Its menacing sound harkens back to the dramatic, squealing-metal goodness of the ’90s, but the breakdowns are dirtier and the bass tone is dank. Massachusetts’ High Command kicks in on the fun with a punk-meets-black-metal bite. Steel City’s heavy scene represents with the death-metal savants of Taphos Nomos and Legendry, a heavy-metal band that rocks a retro sound. MF 7:30 p.m. 1206 Arlington Ave., Allentown. $10. All ages. 412-291-8994
[POST ROCK] + MON., MARCH 13
Tortoise’s latest release, The Catastrophist — its first in seven years — is also its first to use prominent vocals (even tapping Yo La Tengo’s Georgia Hubley for a guest spot on this album’s “Yonder Blue”). The Chicago-bred five-piece is a pioneering force in instrumental rock, one of the firsts to incorporate heavy jazz and electronic-synth elements into something cohesive and accessible. Tonight, Tortoise is joined by notable locals IT IT at Mr. Smalls. Alona Williams 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. $16. 412-821-4447 or www.mrsmalls.com
Critics' Picks, March 9-15
Check out performances this week from Seasaw, Tortoise, The Goddamn Gallows and more
