Roadtrips

This weekend's NEMO Conference & Showcase spawns its own little outbreak of mini-tours, with bands coming into Boston tacking on a few extra area shows, and locals taking the opportunity to branch out. Thrasher-size aerobic-metal dudes Sam Black Church take their heavy workout to the Espresso Bar (508-770-1455) in Worcester on January 16, then headline a Wonderdrug Records NEMO showcase at the Greek American Political Club (call 617-338-3144 for info on all NEMO gigs) in Cambridge with 6L6 (who are at Mama Kin -- 617-536-2100 -- on the 19th), Non Compos Mentis, Staind, and Humans Being on the 17th before firing out to Pearl Street (413-584-7771) in Northampton on the 23rd. The Amazing Royal Crowns will be performing at the Boston Music Awards at the Orpheum on the 15th (617-423-NEXT); on the 17th they'll play an early show at the Espresso Bar with Brass Monkeys, the Racketeers, and the Mr. Rogers Project, then dash back to Boston for a NEMO showcase at the Middle East (617-864-EAST) with the Pinetops, Planet Mosquito, Middle Finger, and Bonesugar; and they'll head to the Met Café (401-861-2142) in Providence on the 23rd with Bim Skala Bim, Double Nuthin's, and Big D and the Kid's Table. Big D also show up for a ska blowout with Sgt. Skagnetti, the Pilfers, and Five Iron Frenzy at Pearl Street on the 18th; the latter two bands are on a NEMO ska bill at the Greek American Political Club on the 16th with Skavoovie & the Epitones and the Hi-Hats.

The perhaps unduly buzzed-about Rubyhorse play what's sure to be an A&R-choked NEMO gig at Bill's Bar (617-421-9678) on the 16th with the already signed Big Wreck, plus Model Engine and the Friggs; on the 17th Rubyhorse start a Saturday-night residency at the Iron Horse (413-584-0610) in Northampton, which they're sharing with transplanted singer/songwriter Another Girl (who's got a NEMO gig on the 17th at T.T. the Bear's Place with Talking to Animals).

Marcy Playground (of alterna-radio's nefariously saccharine "Sex and Candy" fame) hit the Iron Horse on the 20th, the Middle East on the 21st, and the Met Café on the 22nd. Former Smithereen Pat DiNizio brings a trio to the Middle East on the 21st and the Iron Horse on the 22nd. Jen Trynin performs at the Boston Music Awards on the 15th and at the Iron Horse on the 21st. Former Scarce frontman Chick Graning and Gravel Pit frontman Jed Parish play solo sets together at the Met Café on the 18th, then return home to do the same at the Green Street Grill (617-876-1655) in Cambridge the following night. And original space-rocker Robert Fripp drags out Frippertronics and a lot of other "Space Music" astrology for a night of solo soundscapes at the Iron Horse on the 18th.

-- CC