Friends in High Places

Tuesday, May 8: Incubus @ Riverside Theater, 7 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
Though the band has taken a minor hiatus here and there since its So-Cal inception in 1991, few rock bands have been able to match Incubus’ longevity, consistency and continued popularity. Fronted by charismatic singer Brandon Boyd and driven by the intergalactic guitar virtuosity of Mike Einzinger, Incubus has remained one of the biggest names in rock music while progressing its sound over the years, releasing the mellowed-out, but altogether solid If Not Now, When? last year. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)

Also: Isa Christ with Diablo, True Color Of Venus and Mildew @ Borg Ward Collective, 8 p.m. ($6)
(823 W. National Ave., theborgward.org)

MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Wednesday, May 9: Polica with Collections Of Colonies Of Bees @ Turner Hall, 7:30 p.m. ($12/$14)
Being able to tell people that your new band consists of members from Vampire Hands, Gayngs and Bon Iver probably didn’t hurt Minneapolis-based Polica’s ability to get its foot in the door. But this band is anything but a rehash of an existing musical pedigree. Dual drum sets power the rhythms as dreamy soundscapes wrap lead singer Channy Leaneagh’s breathy vocals like a warm blanket of ethereal goodness. But perhaps even more exciting is the return to the stage of our own COCB. (1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)

Also: Animals In Human Attire with Castle Thunder @ The Hotel Foster, 9 p.m.
(2028 E. North Ave., thehotelfoster.com)

Thursday, May 10: Pierced Arrows with Big Eyes, Head On Electric and Tenement @ Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($7)
This is not your typical garage rock band. After releasing 15 LPs throughout nearly 20 years with the band Dead Moon (and both nearing 60 years of age), husband and wife team Fred and Toody Cole decided to hang it up. Well, for a few months at least. Soon they were back on the road as Pierced Arrows, Fred’s hearing aid in tow, delivering macabre, dirty rock licks better than most kids half their age. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)

Also: Freedy Johnston with Alison Scott @ Club Garibaldi, 8 p.m. ($12)
(2501 S. Superior St., myspace.com/clubgaribaldis)

Also: Tyrone Wells with Joe Brooks @ Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10/$12)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)

Also: Roster McCabe with SLM @ Miramar Theatre, 9 p.m. ($10/$12)
(2844 N. Oakland Ave., themiramartheatre.com)

Friday, May 11: The David Mayfield Parade with Tim Schweiger and the Middlemen and Jackraasch @ Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m. ($8)
After winning over crowds across the country while opening for The Avett Brothers last fall, The David Mayfield Parade brings its country-tinged folk back to town for a headlining gig. Mayfield spent many a year playing musical bridesmaid, backing up the Avett Brothers and opening for Mumford & Sons in the band Cadillac Sky before successfully striking out as a frontman. (2501 S. Superior St., myspace.com/clubgaribaldis)

Also: The Snowbirds with Big Falls, Myles Coyne & The Rusty Nickel Band @ Stonefly Brewing Company, 9 p.m. (735 E. Center St., StoneflyBrewery.com)

Also: Vic & Gab with The Gazettiers, The Lower 48 and Wolfgang Schaefer @ Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)

Also: Tweed Funk (CD release) with WhiskeyBelles @ Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($8) (1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)

Also: God’s Outlaw with Jason Moon and Warrior Songs @ Lo-Cash Live, 8 p.m. (124 W. National Ave., locashlive.com)

Saturday, May 12: The Thriftones with St. Anyway @ Bremen Cafe, 9 p.m.
Folksy Milwaukee band The Thriftones has made a name for itself as a distinctly dark rockabilly-meets-bluegrass crew. The band keeps itself busy with an eventful live show and recording schedule. Check out the band’s latest song, “The Better Man,” here <http://thriftones.com/?section=music>. (901 E. Clarke St., bremencafe.com)

Also: DJ Abilities with Arnett Hollow and AUTOmatic @ Cactus Club, 10 p.m. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)

Also: Chris Botti @ Riverside Theater, 7:30 p.m. ($35) (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)

Also: The Uptown Savages with Beaker @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($7) (1001 E. Locust St., linnemans.com)

Sunday, May 13: Willy Porter with Patty Larkin @ Pabst Theater, 7 p.m. ($20)
We all know that Milwaukee’s godfather of singer/songwriting Willy Porter is a popular guy around town. But it turns out the man has some influential friends all over the country. Case in point is this unique double bill that sees Porter sharing the stage with renowned folk singer/guitarist Patty Larkin. Larkin, a Milwaukee expat, will no doubt be dipping into material from her most recent studio album 25, a collection of 25 of the biggest love songs from 1985-2010 reinterpreted with the help of a special guest. Guest artists included Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and, you guessed it, Will Porter. What can we say, the man gets around. (144 E. Wells St., pabsttheater.org)

Also: Quintron and Miss Pussycat with Cave and Catacombz @ Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($10) (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)

Also: Grouplove with Reptar @ The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($15) (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)

Also: Fahri with Nightinghales @ Circle-A Cafe, 8 p.m. (932 E. Chambers St., circle-a-cafe.org)