It seems unabashed rocker chic is alive and well in the Japanese sonic underground. As evidence witness the Toyko foursome DMBQ, who hit the stage at Soundlab this Friday (May 25) at 9pm. Equal parts heavy psych guitar and freak out noise, DMBQ are mind-blowing because they don’t apologize for their stinging power chords, straight out of Blue Cheer or Led Zeppelin. A hyper-energetic burst of underground garage bluster, the group has fun with the old sound while pushing psychedelic freakouts into the realm of contemporary noise. The group’s notorious on-stage antics are a major draw. See guitars being played in teeth, drums flying through the air and band members hanging from rafters. Rounding out the bill is Tentet/Octet, a new improv project featuring members of Bare Flames and Post and DJ sets from Dave G of the Irving Klaws, who will unleash the freakier side of his legendary record collection between acts.

It’s a double-bill for benefits at Nietzsche’s on Friday (May 25), with the Ed Hernandez Memorial Concert/Los Tacos Locos Reunion starting the evening off at 6pm, along with special guests Ashford Junction. Then Band Aids for Bruisers gets underway at 10pm, with proceeds going toward the Queen City Roller Girls’ “Bruiser Fund.” Case in point: Nickel City Knockout teammate Fleshette broke her leg in three places during an April match, and needs all the help she can get to make it back in the rink. Music by Pam Swarts, the Grade Grubbers, the Genuflektors and Blue Thunder as well as an appearance by the Stripteasers and the Naughty Nurses are just a few highlights of the night.

Celebrity guest DJ Swamp visits OPM Lounge on Friday (May 25) to play the Luau Party (Clam Bake & Martini Bar on the Patio!). Former touring musician and DJ for Beck during the Midnight Vultures years, Swamp blends a Black Metal asthetic with a veteran turntablist’s rhyme, rhythm and flow. His on-stage demeanor reflects this duality too, as Swamp may be prone to violent fits, smashing vinyl and even cutting himself with the record shards. Sometimes he used to spit fire, but the rules have since tightened and the pyrotechnics are a thing of the past. What you will get at a Swamp show is expert hip hop turntablism drawn from a wealth of raw material and influences from dance/electronica to punk to industrial and in between. Support comes from DJ D-Star & Chae Hawk, Basha and Devious

Abrasive riffs and dynamic tempos along with passionate, harmonious lyrics set Chevelle apart from the usual crashing beats and harsh power chords that surround this genre of music. A combination of emotional lyrics with powerful chords creates an innovative sound that has been captivating audiences of all kinds. The Chicago based trio recently released a second album, Vena Sera (Sony). Recorded at Vegas’ Palms Studio, the new CD expresses a renewed drive and commitment along with the group’s tighter knit and continued growth. (Much has been said in the past about the band’s tempestuous working relationship). Chevelle will play at the Town Ballroom on Friday (May 25) along with Canadian rockers Finger Eleven and northern California group Strata, who have both also released new albums. Doors open at 8pm.

It’s Bob Dylan’s 66th Birthday! (Well, on Thursday, May 24 it is). On Saturday, May 26, in his honor (and absence) Syracuse based singer/songwriter Jamie Notarthomas will take the stage at Nietzsche’s for an all-night, all-Dylan marathon. Notarthomas knows by heart 120 songs that span Dylan’s entire career, and he’ll be taking requests throughout the evening. Clearly Notarthomas is a big Dylan fan, but the line between fan and something more was crossed when he opened for Dylan at Darien Lake in 1990. This weekend’s performance is a special one too, as Notarthomas has brought with him Grammy-award winning drummer Steve Mitchell all the way from San Francisco, to make Dylan’s presence a little more palpable. The show starts at 9pm

The class reunion is often used by as a device to bring characters back together, a way to observe the comedy of life as it plays out over time. Old joys are remembered and old wounds forgiven (or not). How’s this, then, for a Hollywood-worthy reunion? On Sunday (May 27) at 2pm the Amherst Middle School Baroque Orchestra will reunite at their alma mater with 35 of the original 40 members from 1972-1977. In the day they earned widespread acclaim, performing at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and at the Washington National Cathedral. To top it off, original teacher Clayton Wahl will conduct them. The program, billed as “Mr. Wahl’s Opus,” will reunite musicians from all around the country. Some continue to play with orchestras including the BPO; others have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, and corporate executives; others still have discovered the secret to happiness. Which ones? Who knows... The concert takes place at the alma mater, the Amherst Middle School at 55 Kings Highway