Music Forecast March 15-21

Kepi Ghoulie, with Kevin Seconds, Long Shadows and Bent Left
Something about watching former Groovie Ghoulies frontman Kepi Ghoulie perform inspires a kind of fervent joy. The shows are like celebrations of friendship. And who wouldn’t want to be friends with a guy who paints pictures of bats with swords and sings songs about monsters having parties? Ghoulie leads pop-punk campfire sing-alongs with titles like “The Beast With Five Hands”; you’ll know the words after one go-through of the chorus, so there’s no excuse not to join in.
Friday, March 16, at the Replay Lounge (946 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-749-7676)

Sleepy Sun, with the Soft White Sixties
Spine Hits, the forthcoming album from psychedelic Californians Sleepy Sun, marks the band’s first full-length since the departure of vocalist Rachel Fannan. It remains to be seen whether singer Bret Constantino can fully execute without Fannan’s primal howl to harmonize with. But the band’s trademark fuzzed-out instrumentation remains, so you can count on having your mind pretty well blown by night’s end.
Tuesday, March 20, at RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

We Were Promised Jetpacks, with Bad Veins and New Cassettes
A tuneful exuberance seems almost intrinsic to much of the rock coming from Scotland, and We Were Promised Jetpacks is no exception. Rather than the twee sounds of fellow countrymen Belle & Sebastian or the emotional indie rock of Frightened Rabbit, the band glories in the wide-open pop favored by the likes of Aztec Camera or Big Country.
Tuesday, March 20, at the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)

Jane’s Addiction
Jane’s Addiction has reunited? Or something? It’s hard to keep up with the iterations of the ’90s alt-funk band and the solo exploits of Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro. The bottom line is that they’re at the Uptown Friday, and Navarro will be strutting around the stage wearing ass-hugging pants and no shirt. They’re touring on their most recent release, 2011’s The Great Escape Artist.
Friday, March 16, at the Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway, 816-753-8665)

Chuck Prophet, with the Grisly Hand
I wasn’t aware of Chuck Prophet until about a month ago, when reviews of his latest album, Temple Beautiful, coincided with some recommendations from friends. How did I miss this dude? He apparently has been making smart, thoroughly American rock records since the mid-’80s. It’s like discovering a whole new Tom Petty or something. Incredible.
Tuesday, March 20, at Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club (3402 Main, 816-753-1909)