Haggis (or “sheep’s pluck”) is traditionally a mainstay among many Scots, but is perhaps not so easily stomached by the rest of us: An acquired taste, to be sure. Toronto band Enter The Haggis has aptly chosen this name, since they and everyone who hears them knows they rock, but do it Celtic-style. Listening to this lively band made me want to grab some spoons and join in on the fun. They keep up a constant flow of energy throughout their sophomore record, Soapbox Heroes (UFO Records), mastering instruments such as the fiddle, which is a shining star on the album, as well as the bagpipe, whistles, harmonica, and mandolin. This flavorful quintet comes to Neitzche’s on Friday (May 4) for a 9pm show

Local indie-rock outfits Ice Cream Social, La Cacahouette, and the Grade Grubbers are herding forces on Friday (May 4) in an effort to “SAVE THE ELEPHANTS!” at the Buffalo Zoo... or at least to make them more comfortable. Proceeds from this concert event at Broadway Joe’s will be put toward the renovation of the Zoo’s Elephant House, current home to three gigantic mammals named Buki, Jothi, and Surapa. Pictured here are the members of Ice Cream Social and an unidentified pachyderm. Perhaps the band’s trumpeter? Doors open at 9pm, and your $5 donation ($8 if you’re under 21) will go to the cause —and, of course, your listening pleasure.

Although Noble Truth picked up an ARTVOICE Best of Buffalo award for Best Hip-Hop Act last Monday, he will be hereafter dropping that name. Now going by Chae Hawk, he will be teaming up with Dj.dstar to form the hip-hop force Team Radio. The official “Death of a Noble Truth” party is set for Saturday (May 5) at Soundlab at 9pm, also featuring indie rock bands Speakerfire and Gracer. Chae Hawk has a smooth flow that compliments the cutting of Dj.dstar. The sampling of dstar draws a diverse crowd, and during any given performance he can spin records from house music to indie-rock to hip-hop. This duo is on the rise with their exceptional stage presence that has resurrected the classic dj/emcee relationship from the glory days of old-school hip-hop

There are many ways to describe the Slackers: One would be to say they have an eclectic style influenced by blues, classic rock and reggae. Another might be, as stated in their bio, “The caterpillar told them not to eat the mushroom on the right. But they did and for 15 years now they’ve had to play imaginary-Jamaican-rock-and-roll.” However you would describe them, the Slackers play music that sounds easy-going but has an underlying level of complexity that has kept them unique. Their latest album, Peculiar (Hellcat Records) has received notable praise for maintining rock-and-roll roots and soulful unity. On Saturday (May 5) the Slackers perform at Broadway Joe’s with the Phenomenauts, the Ops, and Mechatama. Doors open at 7pm

Not enough people stage-dive anymore, but Brooklyn duo Matt & Kim are bringing back the lost art in full force. Less than a few minutes into their dance-filled sets limbs are flying everywhere as this party band turns out song after song. The recent release of their self-titled album has kept them busy and they shine brightest in their live shows, a result of the practice they’ve gotten playing at house parties up and down the east coast. They still sleep on couches and tour in an Astro van, motivated by the energy of audiences going crazy for them every time they perform. So crazy in fact, they have coined the term, “bang-over” to properly describe aftereffects of the crowds’ headbanging. Matt & Kim play and party hard, a perfect combination for their Monday (May 7) show at Mohawk Place at 7pm. Just be sure not to forget the Advil for your hard-earned “bang-over” Tuesday morning

An instrumental dub-funk band born from the culture of hipster artists, filmmakers and scenesters living in San Francisco’s Mission District, Tussle’s off-kilter polyrhythmic grooves epitomize contemporary indie-rock disco. Utilizing bass, drums and oddball junk percussion in addition to keys and samplers, the group’s “sweatfest performances metronome between ‘70s krautrock robotics, ganja-fried echo chamber dub, and full-on Blue Man bang-a-can hysterics” (San Francisco Weekly). Having toured with Erase Errata and Numbers and submitted to remixes by Hot Chip and Matmos, Tussle cross-fades brilliantly between dance floor shuffle and indie rock urgency. Check them out headlining a 9pm“Dub-Electro Punk-Funk Dance Party” at Soundlab next Thursday (May 10), which also includes a live set by Mark Webb and DJ interludes by the MJB Corporation and more.