DJ Crucial Birthday/Retro Active Double Cassette Release Party w/ Count Bass D, DJ Crucial, DJ Agile One, Black Spade Friday, February 27 Blank Space 9 p.m. | $7 By Charles Purnell St. Louis' Rob Fulstone, better known as DJ Crucial, is a long-time luminary in the local hip-hop scene. From his massive record collection to his killer DJ sets and boom-bap, sample-heavy production style, he has become a consistent figure in an ever-shifting musical landscape. Retro Active is his latest cassette release -- the product of a partnership between F5 Records and ambitious upstart Thrash Flow -- that continues to solidify Crucial as one of the best in the city. DJ sets from Count Bass D, Black Spade, DJ Agile 1 and Crucial himself will keep the grooves fresh while visual artist Ian Quattrocchi will dazzle with live art. You snooze, you lose.
Peter Martin w/ Federico González Peña Friday, February 27 The Sheldon 8 p.m. | $30-$50 By Nick Horn University City native and jazz pianist Peter Martin has a pretty impressive set of credentials, and that's putting it lightly. Martin serves as the musical director for iconic jazz singer Dianne Reeves, and was responsible for arranging and providing piano for her Grammy-winning soundtrack to the film Good Night, and Good Luck. In addition to his work with Reeves and the three albums he has released under his own name, Martin has recorded with jazz legends including Johnny Griffin, Wynton Marsalis and Joshua Redman, and he also offers an innovative and comprehensive curriculum of online jazz-piano lessons via his website, petermartinmusic.com.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Koffin Kats w/ Opposites Attack Saturday, February 28 Fubar 8 p.m. | $10-$12 By Jaime Lees From the RFT Music archives: Instead of feeling cornered or trapped by its "psychobilly" label, the Koffin Kats embrace it. The tattooed, mohawked and pompadour-sporting trio possesses endless energy, meaning that its music is fast-paced, punk-derived and just a little bit evil. The band's sound isn't limited to just one genre, however; anthemic new songs prove that the Koffin Kats really know how to bring the horror business. (Think a slightly punk-rock Elvis Presley singing the Misfits.) Its live shows are always lively and fun, but take care: Sometimes the Koffin Kats excite audiences so much, its fans get a little rowdy and aggro.
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Friday, February 28 The Sheldon 8 p.m. | $40-$45 From the RFT Music archives: Reading Ricky Skaggs' bio is like skimming a list of country, folk and rock critical darlings. The celebrated mandolin player started out as a sideman for Ralph Stanley and Emmylou Harris, recorded with Bruce Hornsby and has jammed with Phish and the Raconteurs. But such ecumenical tastes haven't dulled his love for bluegrass from his native Kentucky. This past fall Skaggs released Solo: Songs My Dad Loved, and the disc pays tribute to his musical roots with little more than mandolin, banjo, fiddle and his slightly weathered, tenor voice. While Skaggs plays and sings every note on Solo, this week he'll be joined by his all-star backing quintet, Kentucky Thunder.
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Milo Greene Sunday, March 1 Blueberry Hill 8 p.m. | $15 By Kiernan Maletsky From the RFT Music archives: The many-headed Milo Greene has found its national footing this year on the strength of its exceptional self-titled debut full-length. The Los Angeles quintet employs masterful harmony and thoughtful composition to the end of one of the year's best folk efforts. Everyone but drummer Curtis Marrero sings and switches instruments, so what might have been a fairly staid live show should instead be dynamic. This will be Milo Greene's first stop in St. Louis, and given its trajectory you might not have many more chances to see the band this up close and personal.
Note: Though we wish we could, we can't feature every great show happening in town in just one post. Look for plenty more recommendations this Friday in our weekend shows post, peruse the St. Louis concert calendar for more ideas and let everyone know what else you're looking forward to seeing this week in the comments below. To be considered for coverage in RFT Music, submit show info online or drop us a line anytime.
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