Roadtrips

A big week looms for Pearl Street (413-584-0610) in Northampton. Next Friday, May 29, it'll have back-from-the-grave alterna-rock vets Soul Asylum, who return in support of their brand-new Candy from a Stranger (Columbia), in one room. (They'll also kick off the free WBRU Summer Concert Series in India Point Park on the 28th at 5 p.m.) That same night there'll be an excellent concurrent bill headlined by UK space-popsters Swervedriver, whose epic struggle to release their awesome 99th Dream Day (Zero Hour) finally paid off last year. Local guys Orbit and the Red Telephone open for 'em.

And just to prove we're all about the kids, we'll remind you that WHRB's The Record Hospital is sponsoring yet another $6 all-ages gig at the Massasoit Elks Lodge (617-437-9010), 55 Bishop Allen Drive, in Central Square on May 22 with Red Monkey, Franklin, the Sin-Eaters, the 914, and Tac-Tic. In addition, Franklin, Red Monkey, and the 914 are on a bill with the Never-Never at the Space (508-753-0017) in Worcester on May 21.

In a bill that made it to T.T. the Bear's not long ago, John Wesley Harding (new album, Awake, out on Zero Hour) and the inimitable former Dream Syndicate leader Steve Wynn pop up at the Iron Horse (413-584-0610) in Northampton on Tuesday, May 26. And remember the May 22 Pearl Street gig by rap legends the Sugar Hill Gang featuring Grandmaster Melle Mel we mentioned last week? It pulled a Björk and got rescheduled for the same club on May 28. Plus, New Orleans firebrands Royal Fingerbowl, whose residency at the Middle East (617-864-EAST) in Cambridge brings them to that club on May 24, are also at the Met Café (401-861-2142) in Providence with the loungy Smoking Jackets on May 22.

--C.C.