Pete Best Band

The Van Dyck, Thursday

Poor Pete Best. Well, not poor, really—he is the most famous almost-was in the history of the music business—but just imagine the torment the guy must have gone through from, say, 1964 to 1969. Being fired from any band is surely tough; being fired from a band that goes on to be the biggest band in the history of popular music must be agonizing. (For additional context, visit the Dave Mustaine segment of the Metallica documentary Some Kind of Monster.) His 2005 hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, either—his band’s planned visit to the Van Dyck earlier this year was postponed when the guitarist went into a coma. When it rains, it pours. Regardless, things are back on track, and the drummer who would be Ringo will bring his band and a boatload of early Beatles classics to the Stockade this evening. (July 28, 7 and 9:30 PM, $20, 237 Union St., Schenectady, 381-1111)

Between the Buried and Me, the Red Chord, the Acacia Strain

Saratoga Winners, Friday

Between the Buried and Me, in the middle of a long, punishing tour leading up to the planned September release of their next disc, Alaska, are monsters of metalcore. Or, as one writer put it, they are “one of the most technical and brutal bands to come out of North Carolina.” Our own in-house fan described them, admiringly, as “spastic and conflicted.” The Red Chord are best described by mathematical equation. As in: Grindcore + death metal + hardcore + tech metal = the Red Chord. Also on the bill will be the Acacia Strain. In a recent interview, the group’s frontman described their mission thusly: “We strive to write the heaviest music possible. . . . The three guitars, full stacks and A-sharp tuning help in doing this.” >From producer direct to consumer, that’s how the Strain deliver their tasty mix of death metal, noise, doom and hardcore. (July 29, 7:30 PM, $12, 1375 New Loudon Road, Latham, 783-1010)

Tsar

Valentine’s, Friday

Back in 2000, the self-titled debut album by California band Tsar was enthusiastically received by power-pop fanatics for its arena-sized choruses, glam-rock sass, and youthful energy; it even topped a few year-end listener polls. Unfortunately, their label didn’t know what to do with the exuberant rockers in a musical climate that favored self-important keg-rock like Creed and Nickelback, and the album tanked. After a few years off to regroup, Tsar have returned with Band-Girls-Money, and it seems their fortune is the only thing that’s changed. The single and video for the title track are getting wads of airplay, and the group have been picked to open a number of dates on the New York Dolls’ summer tour, so it looks like they’re on their way to nabbing the other two-thirds of their titular trifecta. Tomorrow (Friday), Tsar will headline a show with the Hanks, Rory Breaker, and the Glow. (July 29, 8 PM, $7, 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572)

THE HACKENSAW BOYS

Camp Creek 2005

Indian Lookout Country Club, Friday-Sunday

Not a lot goes on in Mariaville. The unassuming little hamlet on the northwest side of Duanesburg doesn’t really see a lot of rock & roll action. So who would think that, once a year, they have their own little Woodstock in the form of Camp Creek? Hosted by long-running jammers Max Creek, Camp Creek draws all manner of listeners in search of a good trip. Besides Max Creek, performers at this year’s festival include Albany’s own School Bus Yellow, Vince Herman and Rob Wasserman, and Charlottesville, Va.’s Hackensaw Boys. The ticket price gets you three full days of live music on two stages, plus on-site camping and parking. The best part for you family types: This is an all-ages event, and children ages 12 and under are free. Sweet. (July 29-31, 10 AM, $80, Batter Street, Mariaville, www.camp creek2005.com)

 Minamina Goodsong

Shelter Skatepark, Saturday

Atlanta-based Minamina Goodsong will play this weekend at the Shelter Skatepark in Albany. Minamina Goodsong’s lineup comprises DJ T’Challa and MCs Adahma AD, Twain, and Pgnut the Prehistoric, who got together in 2000 and have been building their name in the national hiphop scene ever since. They’ve played with acts like the Streets, the Pharcyde, Papa Roach and the Black-Eyed Peas, and their instrumental songs will soon be featured in upcoming programming on MTV and Fox Sports. Their first album, 2001’s Time for Breakfast, was released on ArcTheFinger Records, an Atlanta hiphop record company, to critical acclaim. Minamina Goodsong’s next album, Four Farmer Circus, will hit the streets Aug. 9. Rumor has it that the album will borrow “as many themes from comic books and emo-core records as they do from house, funk and other more traditional hiphop influences.” As-yet-unannounced guests will open the show. (July 30, 8 PM, $5, 35 Commerce Ave., Albany, 438-2228)

 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Black Crowes

Saratoga Performing Arts Center,
Saturday

Weather permitting, this looks to be the lawn show of SPAC’s summer lineup, and what a show it is. Tom Petty and co. haven’t hit the road in a few years, and according to Petty, the Heartbreakers are better than ever, and their set lists will vary wildly from night to night, highlighting both his massive hits (“Into the Great Wide Open”, “American Girl”) and others that haven’t been performed in quite a while (“Listen to Your Heart”, “Don’t Do Me Like That”). Upping the ante: the Black Crowes, back together after nearly five years off, and sounding rejuvenated and righteous. Although Petty has a new book and solo album on the distant horizon, neither he nor the Crowes are technically plugging product on this tour, so expect a straight-up crowd pleaser. (July 31, 7:30 PM, $25-59.50, Saratoga Spa State Park, Route 9, Saratoga Springs, 584-9330)

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