Music Forecast 11.6-11.12: Peelander-Z, Apocalypse Meow, Tristen, and more

Peelander-Z
We’ve all seen some weird shit. We all have stories. But it’s unlikely that you have anything on a par with the total weirdness of Peelander-Z. The New York City punk-rock band has been around for 16 years, and its members — who present themselves as colors onstage, hair dyed to match their names — refer to their project as a “Japanese action comic punk band.” They take this designation seriously. The songs are true to their genre: straightforward, frantic bursts of energy and noise with titles like “Taco Taco Taco” and “E-I-E-I-O.” Monday night at RecordBar, be prepared for stage dives, moshing and the strangest best time ever.

Monday, November 10, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Apocalypse Meow
When the Midwest Music Foundation first conceived the Apocalypse Meow benefit seven years ago, the goal was simple. Money raised from the benefit would help the organization’s co-founder, Abigail Henderson, pay a stack of hospital bills accumulated from her fight with breast cancer. Henderson died last year, but the MMF rallies again to raise money for Abby’s Fund, which assists local musicians with health-care-related financial struggles. This year, Apocalypse Meow falls on two consecutive nights. Friday, local blues stars Katy Guillen and the Girls perform at RecordBar, and Various Blonde and the Philistines appear at Mills Record Co.; Saturday, Westport Saloon hosts a big lineup, including Joe Pug, Outsides, the Pedaljets and more.

Friday, November 7, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5280) and
Mills Record Co. (314 Westport Road, 816-960-3775)
Saturday, November 8, Knuckleheads Saloon (2715 Rochester, 816-483-1456)

Tristen
When Chicago-via-Nashville singer-songwriter Tristen released Caves last year, critics were split on how the album made them feel. The major beef of most naysayers was how much it differed from Tristen’s 2011 breakthrough, Charlatans at the Garden Gate, a smart bundle of wry, witty pop songs laced with just enough Nashville dust to keep them from sounding inauthentic. With Caves, Tristen added some booming synth sugar — she has called it her “dance album” — and shrugged off any folksy allegiances. Her sound is different, but her songwriting has remained sharp. Tristen’s tunes are still left-of-center pop, and her voice hasn’t lost that breezy, secretive Mona Lisa–smile quality. Get acquainted Saturday at the Riot Room.

Saturday, November 8, the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)

SZA

New Jersey artist SZA shape-shifts through atmospheric electronic beats on her latest album, Z. The 24-year-old’s voice slithers around neo-soul and 1980s R&B. It’s sexy, to be sure. SZA also gets help from Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate Kendrick Lamar on the spine-tingling “Babylon.” Throughout the album, she seems to creep from one shadowy, sultry beat to another. Aside from the vibe-y beauty of Z, there isn’t much of a statement. You wish there were something more to grab onto here from the lone woman on TDE. Thursday at Liberty Hall, we’ll see if SZA has more to offer.

Thursday, November 6, Liberty Hall (644 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-749-1972)

Streets of Laredo
Streets of Laredo may prompt an allergic reaction if the thought of bands like the Lumineers gives you hives. But if you find yourself drawn to old-fashioned, rootsy hoedowns inspired by such acts, clear your Thursday night. New Zealand natives and brothers Daniel and David Gibson, along with David’s wife, Sarahjane Gibson, and four additional band members have cobbled together a high-spirited Americana sound not unlike their antecedents. That doesn’t make it any less likable. “Girlfriend,” the lead track off Volume I & II, is a sprightly, hook-laden gem, worthy of any Sunday-afternoon playlist.

Thursday, November 6, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)