Music Forecast 3.12-3.18: the King Khan & BBQ Show, Reverend Horton Heat, Jazmine Sullivan, Fashawn, and more

The King Khan & BBQ Show
In 2010, the King Khan & BBQ Show infamously called it quits following an onstage dispute. Five years later, Arish “King” Khan and Mark “BBQ” Sultan have mended the broken fence that was their friendship, and they have let the healing spill over, into a brand-new album called Bad News Boys. In fact, the Canadian duo has changed the name of its act to Bad News Boys, but the transition is proving a little sticky. So while the two are trying to convince everyone to call them Bad News Boys, we’ll focus on the sound of that latest album, which is the same rowdy, sweaty, no-holds-barred, bareknuckled blues-rock that attracted fans in the first place.

Friday, March 13, the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)

The Colourist
If you’re one who subscribes to the notion of guilty pleasures, the Colourist makes a good candidate. On its self-titled debut, the Orange County, California, four-piece happily prances through a host of glittering power-pop numbers. You could bemoan the lack of substance on The Colourist‘s 11 tracks, but that misses the point, which is that this band has a mighty talent for catchy hooks and feel-good, synthy highs. Sunday at RecordBar, warm up with this sunshine-loving band.

Sunday, March 15, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Ha Ha Tonka, Reverend Horton Heat
Texas rockabilly outfit Reverend Horton Heat seems to be constantly on tour, which means the trio makes frequent stops in Lawrence and Kansas City. Well, we’re fine with that: Jim Heath, the Rev himself, always arrives via furious tornado, all music and energy. Co-headlining Sunday at Knuckleheads is local-boys-made-good Ha Ha Tonka. The West Plains, Missouri, band is still riding the waves of its latest album, Lessons, which is starting to feel like an Americana classic. If you’re looking for a quiet night of easy listening, this ain’t it.

Sunday, March 15, Knuckleheads Saloon (2715 Rochester, 816-483-1456)

Jazmine Sullivan
Let’s be honest: Jazmine Sullivan could sing “The Alphabet Song,” and chances are, it would give you the shivers and make you weep. The 27-year-old singer-songwriter delivers gutsy, raw singing on a par with that of any diva you can name. Thankfully, though, Sullivan concentrates on themes that strike close to the heart. She’s returning to us after a five-year hiatus from music, and “Forever Don’t Last” — the first-released track off her forthcoming album, Reality Show — is a reason to give thanks. Once again, she aligns devastating chords with a relationship sob story. It’s a breathtaking reintroduction to a talent we’ve missed.

Tuesday, March 17, The Midland (1228 Main, 816-283-9921)

Fashawn
Six years after his stunning 2009 debut, Boy Meets World, Fashawn is back with a buzzed-about follow-up called The Ecology. On it, the Fresno, California, rapper splits his time between swaggering raps celebrating his status (“Guess Who’s Back,” “Confess”) and lyrics that carve out a far more personal narrative. It’s the latter that stand out, as when Fashawn remembers growing up with an absent father (“Man of the House”) and an addict mother (“Mother”). It’s tough talk, but it sounds good with Fashawn’s energetic flow.

Wednesday, March 18, the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)