Group of the Altos, Gaslight Anthem and Alabama Shakes

Monday, March 9: Norma Jean with For the Fallen, Dreams, Sirens & Sailors, Silent Planet, Versus Me and After Hour Animals at The Metal Grill, 5 p.m. ($18)

The Christian metalcore band Norma Jean plays the Metal Grill in Cudahy this Monday night on the Fuel the Passion Tour. Boasting a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim in smaller punk and Christian metal circles, their last four albums all reached higher than 50 on the Billboard 200 and spawned a greatest hits album. (5036 South Packard Ave., Cudahy, themetalgrill.com)

Tuesday, March 10: Skizzy Mars with Prelow and Swizzymack at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($15)

The young Manhattan-based alt-rapper Skizzy Mars follows in the path blazed by fellow silky smooth late night crooners Drake and Big Sean. His debut EP, The Red Balloon Project, definitely shows some promise and Tuesday night’s Rave show offers an opportunity to catch the Warner Bros.-signed rapper before he’s all over the MTV Music Awards, or stay away if that overexposure will inevitably bug you. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)

Wednesday, March 11: La Santa Cecilia at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($15)

The Mexican-American group La Santa Cecilia offers spirited live shows featuring the sounds of many Latin music genres like cumbia, bossa nova, corrido and mambo. The Los Angeles-based band’s record Treinta Días won a Grammy last year for best Latin, urban or alternative album, which includes a lusty guest appearance from Elvis Costello.

Thursday, March 12: The Gaslight Anthem with Northcote and The Scandals at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($25)

New Jersey natives Gaslight Anthem have long been associated with Bruce Springsteen, thanks to their shared hometown state and Gaslight Anthem’s retro rock n’ roll spirit. The band’s excellent sophomore album, 2008’s The ’59 Sound, mined the same influences that the Boss had at his disposal. Frontman Brian Fallon has understandably grown tired of the ceaseless comparisons. After an insufferably New York audience pleaded for covers, he responded on a tumblr post: “Don’t come to see Bruce, he won’t be there. Don’t come to hear a cover, it probably won’t happen. Don’t come to yell at me when I’m trying to share something with the audience to reach out to them about something I feel is moving me.” Gaslight Anthem attempted to shift the narrative from Springsteen devotees on last year’s Get Hurt, which Fallon said was inspired by Bob Dylan. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)

Also: Hayward Williams with John Staz and Todd Kessler at Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m. (2501 S. Superior St., ClubGaribaldis.com)

Friday, March 13: Zebras with Midwives and Piles at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)

Also: Zakir Hussain at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($45-$65) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)

And: Andy Shauf with Marine Dreams at Walker’s Point Anodyne, 8 p.m. ($10) – (224 W. Bruce St., AnodyneCoffee.com)

Saturday, March 14: Group of the Altos (album release) with Dead Rider at Company Brewing, 9 p.m.

Right when you think you have Group of the Altos pegged, they become something else. Altos, the band’s latest moniker (or is it GOTA now?), resurfaced this year with a drastically different sound, quite a leap from its stunningly gorgeous post-rock debut. The new album, entitled R U Person Or Not, whizzes frantically past over 8 songs and 29 minutes in a whirl of post-punk and fractured R&B. The ensemble has grown to a hefty 15 members, including a new addition in the form of local rapper Klassik who gives an impassioned contribution on one of the album’s tracks. By the time this release show rolls around at the newly opened Company Brewing this Saturday, be prepared to throw any expectations out the window. (735 E. Center St., CompanyBrewing.com)

Also: Of Montreal with Deerhoof at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($22.50) – (1032 N. 4^th St., PabstTheater.org)

And: Genau with Plastic Crimewave Syndicate and Apollo Vermouth at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)

Sunday, March 15: Alabama Shakes with Songhoy Blues at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. (SOLD OUT)

The Athens, Ga. roots rock four-piece Alabama Shakes rode a tidal wave of success off 2012’s ebullient single “Hold On.” With their follow-up to the buoyant debut album Boys & Girls coming out this April, it’s time for the band to get back into the sea and swim a new current. The early returns from Sound & Color so far seem promising—lead single “Don’t Wanna Fight” finds singer Brittany Howard digging deep to get through the soulful track and “Gimme All Your Love” builds tension by slowing things down. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)