With a melodic and smooth but raspy voice —somewhere between Macy Gray and Bessie Smith — Drea, with her band the Unexpected Gift, performs at Steel Drums on Friday (June 30) at 10:30 pm. Her profound songs touch upon real life themes including broken homes, slavery, and ghettos—combining pop elements with reggae, hip hop beats and R&B. Influenced by God, revolutionaries, life’s pain and truth seekers, the band is sure to connect with all members of the audience on one level or another. The harsh realities reflected in their songs are compassionately portrayed through the sweet vocals of singer Drea. Doors open at 9pm.

Producing music with passion, the Ohio-based Lovedrug is on a mission to overtake those present day radio favorites who sing without meaning or any concept of storytelling. The sound is dark and melancholy, heavily influenced by bands like Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins, and even Fleetwood Mac, and it would work well as the soundtrack for an Armageddon-like battle. Since the re-release of Lovedrug's debut album, Pretend You’re Alive (Red Ink/Columbia), the touring has been almost non-stop, appearing with acts like The Killers, Cat Power, and Robert Plant. Lovedrug will be performing at the Showplace Theatre on Friday (June 30), at 7pm with Bensin, Come The Dawn, Elektromat, & Tonight The Riot.

Hard, heavy, doomy and booming is Massachusetts-based Witch, a quartet that makes metal as it was meant to be made. Bassist/guitarist Dave Sweetapple riffs away while singer Kyle Thomas and guitarist Asa Irons (both from the feted freak-folk group Feathers) add equal darkness and nihilism. The big question: which Witch is also a Dinosaur? That would be the drummer, J Mascis. The iconic Dinosaur Jr. frontman returns to the drum kit (a seat he has loved since his ‘80s daze with hardcore outfit Deep Wound) alongside Sweetapple to make what they considered “real” hard rock. Witch shares the stage at Soundlab with the immortal power trio Blue Cheer this Saturday (July 2) at 10pm.

Skateboarding champion Tony Hawk has established himself as the Michael Jordan of his sport. Complete with a line of video games and clothing, he has become one of the most recognizable athletes in the world and an icon of the sport. Hawk turned pro at age 14 and was the number one ranked vert skater for 12 straight years. Now at the age of 38 Hawk is still skating at a high level, on a par with a generation of kids he’s inspired. Hawk's Boom Boom Huckjam tour features some of the worlds top skaters —and Hawk still counts among them —BMX bikers, and motocross riders performing on million dollar ramp systems. The tour comes to Six Flags/Darien Lake, July 5th and 6th, and is free with park admission.

State Radio’s catchy and original style advocates a proactive worldview, using pop, rock, and reggae beats paired with positive messages. Hopefully, this is encouraging listeners to embrace diversity and take action against social inequities. Appearing Thursday (July 6) at 6pm at the Icon, State Radio will be joined by the hard rocking Monty Are I, who is touring before the August 1 release of its debut album, Wall of People (Stolen Transmission). Headlining this bill are Progressive, horn-incorporating alt-rockers The Rx Bandits, celebrating the release of their latest album, And the Battle Begun (MDB Records)

Singer and songwriter Steve Angel is in complete harmony these days —not only with his music but with his fans as well. A multi-instrumentalist, Angel combines accordion, trumpet, keyboard and guitar into his music, resulting in a sound that is cool and relaxing. Fresh off the release of his second album, Find my Way (Zing Music Group), Angel is touring the east coast and putting listeners at ease with his mellow conversational vocals —similar in style to those of Jack Johnson and Elvis Costello. On Thursday (July 6) this Florida native makes a stop in Buffalo to perform at Nietzsche’s. The show starts at 8pm. —brian w. wright