Cousins Nate and Tim Kinsella and the rest of Make/Believe faced a slight challenge in the recording of the band’s latest album, Of Course (Flameshovel Records), when Nate learned he’d be spending some time in an Oklahoma county jail for causing some trouble at a Christian rock concert the year before. The band rallied, and turned out its sophomore effort in less than a month, furthering Tim Kinsella’s reputation as one of the most productive and inspired influences on the Chicago area avant-punk scene. Make/Believe consists of members of Kinsella’s prior collaborations Owls, Joan of Arc, Friend/Enemy and other important bands out of the “Windy City.” They play at Soundlab on Friday (Nov. 17) with support from Ecstatic Sunshine and Knife Crazy. Doors open, 9pm

Cousins Nate and Tim Kinsella and the rest of Make/Believe faced a slight challenge in the recording of the band’s latest album, Of Course (Flameshovel Records), when Nate learned he’d be spending some time in an Oklahoma county jail for causing some trouble at a Christian rock concert the year before. The band rallied, and turned out its sophomore effort in less than a month, furthering Tim Kinsella’s reputation as one of the most productive and inspired influences on the Chicago area avant-punk scene. Make/Believe consists of members of Kinsella’s prior collaborations Owls, Joan of Arc, Friend/Enemy and other important bands out of the “Windy City.” They play at Soundlab on Friday (Nov. 17) with support from Ecstatic Sunshine and Knife Crazy. Doors open, 9pm

Performing at Nietszche’s for the fourth year in a row, Bread Gone Wry takes the stage on Saturday (Nov. 18), 9pm. Bassist Jonathan Hughes will take the place of Brian Burd, who has since retired from the position, but otherwise the line-up remains the same with veterans Guillermo Izquierdo, Katherine Joyce Chris Mattioli, Tara Neil and Naryan Padmanabha. Fans of a Wisdom of Children, an alternative pop band origninated here in Buffalo, will be happy to hear they are reuniting one last time, joining Bread Gone Wry for this special show. Opening is Que Sera, and Holocene will play in between sets.

Richard Shindell’s albums, from his first in 1992 to his last release in 2004, include ballads and love songs that deal with war and prejudice. His melodies are laced with lyrics that include narratives and revelations from different perspectives. A former New Yorker now living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his latest recording, 2004’s Vuelta, is his first new studio recording since he expatriated. Shindell is back in the area as part of the Buffalo Friends of Folk Music 2006-07 concert series. The series is being held at the Village Meeting House in Williamsville on Sunday (Nov 19th) at 7pm.

Buffalo-based rock band the REV has the total package: An on fire stage presence and an on the edge attitude. They won “Top New Band” at the 2005 Buffalo Music Awards and now play, on average, over 100 shows a year. With the highly anticipated release of Flesh Capsule Mess, their debut album, they are now gaining popularity outside this area. The REV CD Release Party is on Wednesday (Nov. 22) at the Tralf with special guests More Then Me, Bensin, Third Estate and From These Eyes. Doors open at 7pm

Canadian indie rock group Islands released its debut recording, Return to the Sea (Rough Trade/Equator) in April of this year. The group’s calypso- tinged, whimsical pop is widely appealing as it ranges from sugary-sweet to something closer to rap, creating a complex, post-modern sound. The current line-up boasts two violinist brothers, Alex and Sebastian Chow, and founding member Nick Diamonds (formerly of the Unicorns and Th’ Corn Gangg). Having just formed in 2005, this is a young band that is already keeping pretty good company: One of Islands’ first performances was opening for Beck at 2005’s Pop Montreal Music Festival and guest players on Return to the Sea include members of the Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade. Islands plays at the Icon on Wednesday (Nov. 22), with Subtitle and Blueprint, 7pm.