Along with the likes of Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, and the Damned, England’s Wreckless Eric was part of the notorious Stiff Records, a British punk and new wave label that thrived in the late 70s and early 80s. While much like his contempories in that he bashed out simple three chord punk rock, Wreckless Eric (who got his name for his antics both onstage and off) charged his songs with boozy pop melodies and lyrics sung with an even boozier cockney accent. His early singles, “Whole Wide World”, “Sephamore Signals” and “Take The Cash (K.A.S.H.)” remain classics in the punk genre and continue to get play all over the world. Although he never acheived the celebrity status of his counterparts, he has retained a cult audience with his passion and credilibiltiy intact. Wreckless Eric peforms a rare solo show at Mohawk Place on Friday (July 28), 11pm. Opening is Terry Sullivan, whose band the Jumpers once opened for Wreckless Eric in 1979

Since his departure from Fuel in early 2006, the former front man Brett Scallions has moved on in his musical career to team up with Chris Goercke, John Law and Mike Maenza to form The X’s. With a heavy electric sound, it’s obvious the music is greatly influenced by the 90’s alternative rock from which Scallions gained his fame. Dark and jagged vocals supplied by Law grind perfectly with the bass lines and guitar riffs to create rock for real rock fans. The music is somewhat of an anomaly, full of lyrical metaphors like “a rosebud and a bottle of vodka”. Along with the homegrown acts Breakerbox and The Waildogs, the X’s are set to perform at Club Diablo tonight!! (July 27). Doors open at 7pm.

Named one of New York’s finest instrumentalists by Latin Beat, renowned percussionist Wendell Rivera has made a name for himself over the last decade as one of the most talented and inspirational musicians in the area. Captivating audiences with an upbeat take on contemporary jazz music, Wendell Rivera’s Latin Jazz Ensemble has successfully drawn a wide variety of loyal fans, both locally and in the jazz community at large. Celebrating the release of his self-titled new CD, Wendell Rivera and the Ensemble bring their danceable groove to the Burchfield-Penney Art Center this Friday (July 28), 5:30pm, for a special happy hour performance. During the set they will also preview music from their upcoming project Que Viva La Raza, a tribute to Latin music icon Carlos Santana.

For those too young to remember the 1970s and the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll that helped shape that illustrious era, we give thanks that there are still energetic bands like Crash Kelly to carry the spirit of acts like Kiss and Cheap Trick into the 21st century, by combining 70s power-pop with a hint of 80s glam-rock. Crash Kelly’s new album Electric Satisfaction (Liquor & Poker) is a perfect tribute to what rock ‘n’ roll has been, and what it strives to be. This Saturday (July 29) the band will at perform a free acoustic set at FYE in the Galleria Mall at 2pm, and later on at Desiderio’s on Broadway at 8pm, where they'll be plugged in and rocking out. What with guitarist Sean Kelly’s finalist position in Guitar Player's 2005 “Guitar Heroes Contest” and the band being chosen to tour with the legendary Alice Cooper earlier this summer, Crash Kelly seems unstoppable!

Best known for their mix of traditional Irish pub music with grunge and punk, Flogging Molly has produced a multitude of hit singles such as "What’s left of the Flag," "Another Bag of Bricks," and "Drunken Lullabies." Always striving to one-up themselves, Flogging Molly is making the jump to the silver screen with the release of a feature-length documentary, Whiskey on a Sunday. Filmed over two years and in seven different countries, the film dives into the lives of all seven band members. From Bridget Regan, the group’s lone female, to Dave King, the singer/songwriter and front man who grew-up in war torn Dublin, the film depicts a heart-wrenching and candid look at the long and rocky road each member traveled to get to where he or she is today. The documentary will be shown at the Town Ballroom on Friday (July 28) at 6 & 8pm as part of the 103.3 The Edge Free Movie Night.

Jamestown-born Big Leg Emma kicks off a summer tour at Nietzsche's on Saturday (July 29). Comprised of six equally dedicated members, this is a band that exudes passion and intensity for the music. This is true down home folk Americana with a fiddle barn-dance feel, blending bluegrass, country, folk, funk and zydeco into one. The band has made its mark around the country playing festivals —obtaining an enormous following in the process— and they’ve shared the stage with the Gin Blossoms, Keith Anderson, and 10,000 Maniacs, to name a few. This time they tour in support of a new release, The Color of Wind, an album full of the deep, soulful lyrics and fun music this Big Hearted band is famous for. The show starts at 10pm, with Uberfunk opening.

Oneida’s sound is all over the place –disjointed, wild, trancy, repetitive, orgiastic— you name it, really, and it could be said. Likewise, an endless list of comparisons has followed this band through its nearly decade-long career: MC5, Pere Ubu, Pink Floyd, Foghat, Butthole Surfers, Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, 13th Floor Elevators —again, you name it, and it probably has been said. Oneida was at the forefront of the late ‘90s artist-loft scene in Brooklyn, playing unconventional music in similarly off-track spaces and gaining a reputation for rather wild behavior. Founding members Kid Millions (crazed drummer) and singer Papa Crazee have since split, with bassist Hanoi Jane picking up the vocals. The latest release, Happy New Year (Jagjaguwar), showcases the trio at its psychedelic best. Oneida may be down one member, but the remaining three are noisy as ever. The show is at Soundlab next Thursday (Aug. 3), 9pm with Monuments to Masses and Sleeping Kings of Iona.