~Clifford Antone Week continues
Antone's, Friday 18-Thursday 24
Here it is: a badass lineup of classic Antone’s acts in honor of something no one wants to celebrate – the first anniversary of Clifford Antone’s death. If you’ve forgotten just how hard the Scabs can rock, Friday night’s a good reminder of what Bob Schneider does to a microphone. Sunday features a triple whammy headlined by Jimmie Vaughan, Marcia Ball, and Lavelle White for this Blues Society extravaganza, but expect more names to pop in. Brandon Rhyder pays tribute to Buck Jones on Monday, but don’t miss master songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard with Walt Wilkins and Josh Grider. The “cast of thousands” on the Tuesday lineup hasn’t been announced, but here’s betting the stars will dim in the sky that night while the club inside dazzles with stellar appearances. No, he’s not one of those Sextons, but Wednesday night, you can hear for yourself how Martin Sexton’s earned his pop chops and critical acclaim. Thursday is Pinetop Perkins’ new DVD/CD release (see "Texas Platters," May 4), and longtime partner in good times Hubert Sumlin makes his way back to Austin for the event with Gary Clark Jr. and Chris Layton in tow. That’s as good a reason as any to spend good money or time on finding a parking space Downtown. Somewhere up there, Cliffy’s lovin’ it. – Margaret Moser

T~hunderchiefs, the Jungle Rockers
Continental Club, Thursday, May 24
Local golden-age pop with a side of old-school garage rock.

~Tower of Power
One World Theatre, Thursday, May 24
What’s hip? Oaktown’s Tower of Power. Formed 40 years ago, the horn-centered, funk-affirmative ensemble maintains their lockstep chops with a hearty touring schedule. In addition to a respectable stable of Seventies soul hits like “You’re Still a Young Man” and “So Very Hard to Go,” the Tower of Power horns have blown for everyone from Elton John to Aaron Neville to Public Image Ltd. 7 & 9:30pm. – Greg Beets

~Emissions From the Monolith Fest
Emo's, Thursday, May 24
Chaos continues this weekend with the ninth Emissions From the Monolith. Formerly a Youngstown, Ohio, venture, the transplanted four-night plod begins Thursday with a triple shot of local metal (Amplified Heat, Tia Carrera, SuperHeavyGoatAss), plus Kylesa’s dual drum and guitar. Friday hoofs it with Throttlerod and Beast, while Saturday highlights include RPG and the tribal thrash of Minsk. Vincebus erupts again Sunday with Blue Cheer, Rwake’s Southern sludge, and Suzukiton’s progressive instrumetalism. See www.emosaustin.com for more. – Austin Powell

SATURDAY

~Morrissey
The Backyard, Saturday, May 26
A full generation after Strangeways, Here We Come, the Smiths loom larger, and closer, than ever. (Hi, Voxtrot!) Capping a month that’s seen muse/nemesis Johnny Marr barbecue the Backyard with Modest Mouse and ex-bassist Andy Rourke DJ at Mohawk, Suedehead himself brushes Bee Cave to make up October’s Halloween-eve cancellation. Paunchier than the Bona Drag days, but not by much, Mozzer’s in a midcareer surge thanks to 2006’s trenchant Ringleader of the Tormentors. Drama-prone protégé Kristeen Young opens. – Christopher Gray

Ringside at Sullivan's: Alpha Rev (7:00)