Friday 28
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RHETT MILLER I’m sure Rhett Miller is a sweet guy, but going back and listening to his 2002 album, The Instigator (Elektra), it’s all too clear why his solo career didn’t take off: from its circa 1979 pouty-faced cover close-up to its circa anytime heartland lite rock, he just didn’t have enough firepower to distinguish himself. Alive and Wired (New West), the new live double CD by Miller’s band, the Old 97’s, is full of exactly what his solo effort was missing: excitement. It’s good to know that if he’s going to keep taking these solo flights, at least he has a good base to come back to. Griffin House opens. 9 PM, Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, 773-478-4408 or 866-468-3401, $15. –Monica Kendrick
SAMPLES Almost pretentiously unpretentious, the Samples have met nearly every trend during their 13-year career with the stolidity of a rock in a stream; their lot falls somewhere between “potential ‘XRT classic” and “thinking man’s Dave Matthews.” They’re touring in support of the new DVD edition of Seventeen, a live recording featuring main songwriter Sean Kelly and guitarist Tom Askin as an acoustic duo, as well as their latest studio album, Black and White. Frisbie opens. See also Saturday. 10 PM, Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln, 773-404-9494 or 800-594-8499, $20. –Monica Kendrick
SAMPLES See Friday. Backyard Tire Fire opens. 10 PM, Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln, 773-404-9494 or 800-594-8499, $20.
KOOL HERC See Sunday. Lady Kier headlines, Major Taylor opens. a 9 PM, Funky Buddha Lounge, 728 W. Grand, 312-666-1695, $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
