Starting out as a delta blues -inspired acoustic ragtime duo in Cincinnati, Pearlene has expanded its membership to four, and added electric and drums, taking the sound into its current conglomeration of country-rock-boogie-soul. Influenced by such greats as Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Willie Johnson, the band now finds itself touring with the White Stripes and Bellrays, as well as old timers like T-Model Ford and recent punk retirees Dead Moon. Pearlene’s latest recording, For Western Violence and Brief Sensuality (High and Dangerous), is being plugged with the new descriptive phrase “southern soul psychedelia,” a sweaty, sweet and boozy blend of sad themes, raucous rock and country twang. While comparisons to the White Stripes pop up inevitably, a more fitting one might be to the Black Keys with the way that Mississippi flavor oozes through. Pearlene plays at Mohawk Place on Friday (June 22) with the Found and Siren Street Shutdown, 10pm.

Buffalo’s maestros of the beep beep and blip blip are out to add some sonic atmosphere and texture to your Friday night. Sleeping Kings of Iona have put together a makeshift avant dance party highlighted by their brand of shoegazey electronic music along with DJ sets from like-minded friends Besnyo and Output Message. With Iona founding member Chris Groves recently departing the fold, a stream-lined SKOI quartet has been hard it in the studio putting together new material to follow up 2005’s unwieldy titled but excellent We Found A Love In The Streets But It Was Not Ours To Keep. You can hear what they’re up to courtesy of recent demos posted at their myspace page: www.myspace.com/sleepingkingsofiona. The show is at 9pm on Friday (June 22) at Soundlab.

Revoltingly entertaining whackos Anal Pudding are about to drop a new CD entitled A Nice Poop, and they’re celebrating the event on Friday (June 22) at Nietzsche’s. The band, fronted by local music guru Curt Rotterdam, floats somewhere between the outlandish musings of Frank Zappa and the theatrical celebration of Parliament Funkadelic. Complete with costumes, the show promises to be a sight and sound extravaganza with special guests the Vision Serpents, the Town and the City, Shaking Hands and Fashion Expo ’90. (What a potty!) Show starts at 9pm.

Busted China (pictured) plays at Nietzsche’s on Saturday (June 23) for the Second Annual Fundraiser to Benefit the AIDS Alliance of Western New York. They’ll be joined by local bands No Apologies and the Buzz, as well as friends, fans and family who’ll be out not only to appreciate the live music but to support a terrific cause. Affiliated with AIDS Community Services, the Alliance is a not for profit community based organization providing comprehensive service to the eight counties in the WNY region, as well as offering New York State’s second largest needle exchange program. Admission is $10 in advance and $12 at the door, and brings a chance to win at 50/50 drawings and Chinese and live auctions. Prizes include two round-trip plane tickets to New York City as well as the standard gift baskets, prints and paintings, a free “Happy Hour” and more. The show starts at 8pm, contact www.aidscommunityservices.com for advance ticket information

It’s no surprise that Sass Jordan, the daughter of a world traveling French professor and ballet dancer/actress, carved her way into the music-entertainment business. Breaking out as a solo artist in 1988, Sass has also recorded with Van Halen and was musically involved with members of Cheap Trick and Gene Simmons of KISS. After nearly 20 years of rock and roll under her belt, Sass’ talents extend beyond playing bass and singing. Acting and television have also captured the charismatic Montreal-raised beauty, who recently was cast as Janis Joplin in New York City’s off-Broadway hit musical Love Janis. Sass brings her matured “balls-out” rock and blues sound to Gateway Park on Saturday (June 23), just off the canal in North Tonawanda. Opening acts are Alison Pipitone, Dee Adams & The Housecats and Roadhouse. Show begins at 5:30pm, rain or shine

On Saturday (June 23) Mohawk Place will be hosting the Third Annual Hot Rod Revue. As per the last two years, Mohawk Place will be shutting down the entire block of East Mohawk Street to showcase over 50 vintage hot rod automobiles, all of which pre-date 1960. Members of various Western New York car clubs will be there to show off their prized possessions while live country and rockabilly bands perform inside. Among the bands peforming are Blue Rocket Trio, Krypton 88, Matty B & the Dirty Pickles and A Band Named Sue, which is a newly formed local band that performs strictly Johnny Cash covers. Anyone interested in vintage car culture or who is nostalgic for a more innocent time is urged to come and participate. The Third Annual Hot Rod Revue begins at 3pm and will end at 11pm.