Ridin' the spine

Distant planetary sighting

New England Music News

Sound advice

Last call for a really good one featuring locals BROWN BIRD, TIG & BEAN, and CACTUS ATTACk opening for Brooklyn's O'Death at the Met on THURSDAY (the 26th); call 401.729.1005 for details. On FRIDAY (the 27th), action abounds starting with an all-ages double-dip at the News Café in Le Bucket (401.728.6475) with KID MOUNTAIN and Wakefield's POINT STREET BRIDGE. R&B crew FELIX BROWN plays the Newport Blues Café (401.841.5510), and there's a solid rap bill at Firehouse 13 (401.270.1801) with Brooklyn's SKYZOO leading the way, along with local wordsmith ZUMO KOLLIE (get his Last Showing), and get back to FH13 on SATURDAY (the 28th) for a great cause as THE [VIENNAGRAM:], MOTHER NIGHT, and more help out the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Also on Saturday, THE SILKS play the "Red, White and Blues" benefit at the Pell Chafee Performance Center, with eats provided by Nick's on Broadway, Gracie's, and more. Tickets are $60, and all proceeds benefit Trinity Rep's artistic and educational programming. Then shoot over to Pawtucket for JOE FLETCHER & THE WRONG REASONS, PETE BERNHARD (of Devil Makes Three), and THE MIGHTY GOOD BOYS at the Met, and head back there on SUNDAY (the 29th) for the RI LEGENDS BLUES JAM (starting at 4 pm) with hosts Marty Ballou, Mark Taber, and more (and free of charge). Some afternoon family fun is to be had at Roots Café downtown with the new "SUNDAY STOMP!" weekly music party, with plenty of activities, storytelling, and face-painting for the kids; Joe's Backyard Band, Chris Monti, Sean Rogan, and more will entertain the tykes while you hit the bar; the fun starts at 3:30 pm, followed by the Blues & Jazz Jam hosted by SWEET P & THE WHO DAT BAND; call 401.272.7422 for all the details. On MONDAY (the 30th), DJ NOOK spins at Local 121's Taproom (21+ and no cover). And on WEDNESDAY (the 1st), head south to the Knickerbocker Café in Westerly for blues trio JOHN FRIES & THE HEAT from New London (no cover, 401.315.5070).