The Electric City Spectacular returns to Nietzsche’s this weekend on Saturday (March 22) at 9pm. Doubling as an after-party for the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair, this month’s “Spectacular” features New York City-based hobo-rockers Dufus (pictured), the ethnic sounds of the Golden Calves, the Buffalo rock trio It’s Like Going on Vacation For One Day and solo artists Oak Orchard Swamp (a.k.a. Jaye Bartell) and Eric Unger. Visit www.buffalosmallpress.org for info on the Book Fair (held at the Karpeles Maunuscript Museum on Porter Ave. from 12-6pm) and gear up for a day and night full of literary, artistic and musical entertainment.

Mae is actually an acronym that stands for “Multisensory Aesthetic Experience,” an attempt to describe the ideal artistic connection between the senses. The acronym speaks to the high-intelligence of the band members, whose last album, Singularity, came to fruition through through heavy discussions among the fivesome. The music is a lively combination of influnces like Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam and U2, but even more than that, it focuses on lyrics meant to allow listeners to connect to the music. Mae plays at Club Infinity on Saturday (March 22), with special guests the Honorary Title, Between the Trees and Far-Less. Doors open at 7pm

This freaky looking bunch is called AIDS Wolf and they’re a Canadian noise-rock/punk band coming to Soundlab on Wednesday (March 26). So weird are they (this picture doesn’t even begin to do them justice), it may be best to let their own words describe them: As to their music, AIDS Wolf likes to quote Captain Beefheart and describes the sound as that of “a squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag.” As to their name, AIDS Wolf refers to an urban myth about infected wolves spreading AIDS to household pets, who in turn pass it on to their owners. As to their history, they say “We are a fucking cult and will cause you harm and ill will.” Finally, one of the 9 Principles of AIDS Wolf as posted on their website: “When In Doubt, Bum Them Out.” Sound good? Seriously, don’t believe a word of it—this band is fun. The show starts at 9pm with Science vs. Witchcraft and Cages

Montreal’s Miracle Fortress finally breaks through in the States with a tour that brings them to Soundlab on Easter Sunday (March 23). Their debut album Five Roses (Secret City) was released to international acclaim, leading the way to tours throughout Canada and Europe and then on to opening gigs for Stars last fall. Miracle Fortress is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Graham Van Pelt (also of the Montreal band Think About Life), who functions primarily as a one-man band, playing all the instruments on the album and expertly blending sonic textures into hooky experimental pop. On tour, Van Pelt brings on a full band to take the sound up a few notches and add to the excitement on stage. Miracle Fortress is joined on tour by New Zealand singer-songwriter Liam Finn and the California band Most Serene Republic. The show starts at 9pm.

Solo artist Langhorne Slim is a fine example of modern bluegrass. A native of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, (from where he takes his stage name) and now a bona-fide Brooklyn musician, Slim came to public attention after years touring with the ecclectic Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players. Since then he’s gone on to supporting dates with Cake, Lucero, Jeffrey Lewis, Murder By Death and the Violent Femmes. His song “Electric Love Letter,” the title track of his first EP, landed the number 5 spot on Rolling Stone’s top ten editor’s picks and was featured in the movie Waitress, getting him plenty of national attention of late. This solo tour should help continue that trend. Langhorne Slim comes to Mohawk Place on Wednesday (March 26) at 8pm. Brian Wheat & Groggy Darlin’ open the show