Roadtrips

Erstwhile Canadian punks Propagandhi just released their first disc in five years, the bruisingly infectious Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes (Fat Wreck Chords). It's an early contender for pop-punk album of the year, and it's a good bet the ascendancy of George W. has got these radicals a little extra riled up -- regardless of what country they call home. Propagandhi are heading up a Fat Wreck Chords package tour that makes its only area stop Saturday at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel (401-272-5876) in Providence with openers Avail, J Church, and Fabulous Disaster. California pop-punkers Counterfit and Tsunami Bomb are also headed this way: they'll be at the Middle East (864-EAST) in Cambridge on Sunday, the Met Café (401-861-2142) in Providence on Monday, and Drifters (603-595-5200) in Nashua on Tuesday. Boston emocore guys Jericho will open the Providence show; they'll also be playing a pair of shows with the Stryder -- a benefit for the Marlboro Boys & Girls Club featuring Garrison, Eulcid, and a slew of others Saturday at the Civic League (508-875-5218) in Framingham, and an all-ages show Sunday at the Portuguese-American Club (508-222-9748) in Attleboro. On the rougher side of the all-ages spectrum, Hatebreed buddies Death Threat will be at New World (781-593-1300) in Lynn on Sunday with Mass metalcore monsters Killswitch Engage and a bunch more.

St. Patrick's Day fever begins in earnest on Wednesday with the Chieftains' annual stop at Symphony Hall (266-1200). Beyond that, you can take your pick of Irish rock bands -- both newcomers and old favorites. The Saw Doctors will be at the Paradise (423-NEXT) in Boston on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Prodigals celebrate the release of their new Dreaming in Hell's Kitchen (Grab) at the House of Blues (491-BLUE) in Cambridge on Saturday. Black 47 are at the Met Café on Friday and Seven Nations play Lilli's (591-1661) in Somerville with the Humming next Thursday, the 15th.

Tickets will be scarce for A Perfect Circle, and the big Pantera show in Lowell is sold out, but mainstream metal shows abound as usual in the suburbs. Ace Northampton rockers the Unband will be at Ralph's (508-753-9543) in Worcester on Friday. That city's Lucky Dog Music Hall (508-363-1888) will host Tree on Saturday, then Tree will move on to Karma (421-9595) in Boston on Sunday for a big all-ages show with 7th Rail Crew, Colepitz, and Superkollider. And Nuno Bettencourt's Mourning Widows will be at the Station (401-823-4660) in suburban Providence on Friday. Last and definitely least, the Monkees give it a go one more time at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium (931-2000) on Friday.
-- Sean Richardson