Chicago natives Umphrey’s McGee are on tour again in support of their latest release, The Bottom Half, which hit stores on April 3. This follow-up to their previous album, the much talked-about Safety In Numbers, is a double disc set that features a CD of 10 songs that didn’t quite make it onto Safety In Numbers and a second CD full of outtakes, alternative versions, a capella recordings, and other goodies from the band’s 2005 studio sessions. The Bottom Half is a natural evolution of the band’s highly conceptual style, mixing electric and acoustic guitars over lamentations of life’s troubles. It’s a heavy record, but sincere, and it balances out the somber tracks with more lively ones to create a powerful sound with an artsy vibe. Check out this Phish-influenced group when they come to the Town Ballroom at 7pm (doors) tonight on Thursday (April 19)

The latest release from legendary D.C. imprint Reflector (Dischord) comes from a three-piece that has been floating around the Dischord family for half a decade. Antelope’s Justin Moyer was formerly in supersystem and Guapo, while Mike Andre and Bee Elvy were in the Vertebrats. Antelope’s self-titled debut is a melodically taut blast of post punk and math rock coyly spare on the surface but showing off intriguing intracacies upon deeper listen. Antelope’s trade is a DIY pitch of feverishly precise rhythmic core, selectively adorned with understated melodies and poetically abstracted lyrics. They have found some glorious middle ground between the cold funk of krautrock stalwarts like Neu! and the unabashed indie aesthetic of Beat Happening. The result is an unpretensious brand of punk-informed art rock. Antelope plays Mohawk Place on Friday (April 20) at 10pm with Brooklyn’s Rahim and Buffalo’s own The Exit Strategy and Knife Crazy

The Buffalo Cannabis Coalition in conjunction with Deep Thinka Records is bringing the second annual Smart Puffs event to Broadway Joe’s on Friday (April 20) at 10pm. The purpose of the event is to encourage the City of Buffalo to adopt more intelligent cannabis laws, and not extradite the British Columbia 3 (Marc Emery, Michelle Rainey, and Greg Williams), arrested for selling cannabis seeds to Americans and now facing up to 30 years in prison. For years Marc Emery (aka “The Prince of Pot”) was a major proponent of cannabis prohibition reform in America, donating millions of dollars to the cause. In May he and the BC3 will face an extradition trial. This affects not only the BC3 but American patients who feel they have the right to use cannabis as a safe, alternative medicine, and college students who lose financial aid due to cannabis related offenses. Performing at this event will be Askew Artistry, Wise Mecca, Eimaj, Pastime, Camaican Sensation, and comedian Ben Verbeck

ActionReaction’s unconventionality is the result of the obvious chemistry between its three very different members, and the fact that they are close enough to share one roof while maintaining those differences speaks to the band’s integrity and commitment. Signed to indie label Equal Vision Records, ActionReaction has the freedom to go in new directions, and last summer’s release 3 is the Magic Number mixes smooth vocals with passionate and disturbing lyrics. Now commanding some serious media attention, the Jersey-based group comes to Buffalo on Friday (April 20) for a radio-supported visit that will see them play a free in-store show at the Galleria Mall’s FYE from 4-6pm before headlining 103.3 The Edge’s 4/20 Party at Club Infinity. Special guests include Agent Me, Love Puddle, and Burt McNasty & the Fabulous Reacharounds. Doors open at 7pm.

Canadian girl group Kittie, a fierce all-female metal band, has managed to stake their claim in an otherwise male-dominated genre. They are currently on tour in support of their latest release, Funeral For Yesterday, which is also their first recording on their own label (X of Infamy Records). Founded in 1996 by sisters Mercedes and Morgan Lander, Kittie has toured all over the globe sharing the stage with other established metal giants, co-headlined Second Stage at Ozzfest not once but twice, and been featured in major newspapers and music magazines for years. Their first CD, Spit, went gold, and their new record only reinforces their status as “Metal’s Truest Divas.” Catch them and their tourmates Walls of Jericho, I Killed The Prom Queen, In This Moment, and Neurosonic as they stop by the Icon on Saturday (April 21) for a night of truly inspired, ballsy rock-n-roll. Doors open 6pm

Spring is finally here (sort of), and UB celebrates with SpringFest 2007 at Alumni Arena on Saturday (April 22), which also happens to be Earth Day. This year’s line-up of big-name music acts includes Juxtaposse, a group of reggae rockers who won UB’s 2007 Battle of the Bands; Finger Eleven, a Canadian hard rock band; Jason Mraz, a popular acoustic rocker; and Grammy-winners The Roots (pictured), a true hip-hop powerhouse that shies away from radio-play banality, switching instead between heavy soundboard construction and a more acoustic feel, thanks to ?uestlove’s mastery of the drum-set. Guster, a popular alternative band that also happens to be very eco-friendly, is bringing what they’ve deemed the “Shift Consciousness Pavillion,” a set-up featuring booths and exhibits where students can experience the latest in environmental innovation. Come early to win prizes and play games, eat free food and listen to live local music before the national acts take the stage at 6pm. This show is free to UB students with a valid ID ($30 otherwise)

Comprising half of seminal drone/noise metal experimentalists Khanate, guitarist James Plotkin and drummer Tim Wyskida represent the most adventurous wing of extreme heavy music. Known for long-form ambient compositions, Khanate (which until its demise at the end of 2006 also included Sunn O))) icon Stephen O’Malley), follows feedback-bathed drones into territory usually left to the avant-garde. As such, fans who delved beneath the noise surface weren’t surprised to discover the breadth of guitarist Plotkin’s projects, which include highly disparate solo efforts exploring manipulated guitar and sound collage and collaborations with luminaries like Ikue Mori and John Zorn. Drummer Wyskida also leads a double-life, straddling aggressive hard rock and more exploratory music. In what is sure to be a mind-bending night for doom and experimental fans alike, Plotkin and Wyskida bring their new improv project to Soundlab on Wednesday (April 25) at 9pm. Opening are local drone rock minimalists Novelist and soundscape artist Beta Cloud.