The Big Gigs for week of 2/24

POP/ROCK

One of the Twin Cities' favorite rock 'n' roll couples, Ryan Smith and Kathie "Pony" Hixon-Smith of the Melismatics have turned into quite the charming musical compatriots, too. They operate as co-leaders like never before on the new record "Mania!," which arrived two weeks ago via Chicago's Pravda Records. She ably takes over lead vocals in "Out of Yer Mind," co-written with Mr. Grammy Dan Wilson. Together, they craft Mates of State/Imperial Teen-style, bittersweet boy-girl pop hooks in "Divided Devotions." It's all catchy stuff, but the band's punkier foundation was left intact. Already kicking up steam on the CMJ charts, the album was produced by Ed Ackerson and the Posies' Jon Auer, who is an expected guest for this release party. Sick of Sarah opens. (8 p.m. Fri., Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls. $8-$10.) Chris Riemenschneider

After seeing all the young babes who joined them on stage for "Kiss Me, I'm S---faced" last year -- a surprisingly sweet and even wholesome scene -- it's no wonder the Dropkick Murphys return to First Ave this time every year as part of their build up to St. Paddy's Day. Boston's beloved Celtic punks are about to issue a concert album recorded at their local Taj Mahal, "Going Out in Style: Live From Fenway" (due March 13). As usual, they have an excellent opening act: firebrand British songwriter Frank Turner and his band the Sleeping Souls. Irish Canadian band the Mahones also perform. (6 p.m. Sat., First Avenue. $31.50.) Riemenschneider

As unlikely as it was to find two young siblings from Minneapolis who can harmonize through vintage country tunes like the Louvin Brothers, the Cactus Blossoms managed to turn Monday at the Turf Club into a happening night thanks to a new weekly residency. Lead Blossoms Page Burkum and Jack Torrey landed on our 2011 Twin Cities Critics Tally with their mostly original debut record and are showing off more great tunes at these gigs, featuring stellar backup from Randy Broughten (Gear Daddies, Trailer Trash), Mike "Razz" Russell (Original Harmony Creekdippers) and Liz Draper (Black Blondie). (9 p.m. Mon., Turf Club. $3.) Riemenschneider

Boston's Del Fuegos, a stomping, garage-y, roots-rock group from the mid-1980s heyday of MTV, were one of those near-great bands featuring brothers who didn't get along (see Black Crowes, Oasis, et al.). Dan Zanes went on to fame as a Grammy-winning maker of first-rate children's music while author/professor Warren Zanes is the head of the nonprofit Rock and Roll Hall Forever Foundation (he conducted a terrific interview with Paul Westerberg in 2007 at First Avenue that never aired anywhere besides the Rock Hall of Fame's website). The band reunited last year for the first time in 21 years to play two charity gigs in Boston. Now they've hit the road for a 12-city tour to prove they had more going for them than playing their song "Don't Run Wild" in a documentary-like commercial for Miller beer. Opening are the local combo Jeff Arundel and the Bahama Boys. (8 p.m. Tue., Varsity, $20.) Jon Bream

Twenty-two years after Gibby Haynes produced his Sub Pop debut, the Rev. Horton Heat (Jim Heath) still tours like a young punk. The Dallas vet hasn't really changed his full-cylinder rawwwkabilly sound in that time, but it's as timeless as those muscle cars he fancies. One of the mightiest guitar maestros to call First Ave a home away from home, he's making his regular trek up the I-35 corridor with Oregonian street-busker-style pickers Larry & His Flask and Detroit garage-punks the Goddamn Gallows. (8 p.m. Wed., First Avenue. $20.) Riemenschneider

COUNTRY

JAZZ

Best known for their decade of globetrotting with Prince, the Hornheads have also recorded with Chaka Khan, Babyface, Mandy Moore, Phil Upchurch -- their list of CD projects has more than 60 titles now, and even includes an appearance on "Lines, Vines and Trying Times" by the Jonas Brothers. Yet the Hornheads sound best when left to their own devices, playing trombonist Michael Nelson's snappy original charts. They are the special guest of this year's University of Minnesota Jazz Festival, a big-band freebie event also showing off the U of M jazz ensembles. (7:30 p.m. Sar., Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. 4th St., Mpls., free.) Tom Surowicz

Any band led by trombonist Steve Turre is worth seeing. But Turre -- a longtime staple of the "Saturday Night Live" band who's both a great musician and an engaging host -- is just one of the draws of the Latin Jazz All-Stars, a sextet featuring trumpet dynamo Ray Vega and conga king Chembo Corniel. Watch especially for Venezuelan-born piano marvel Benito Gonzalez, a Kenny Garrett sideman who has enthralled listeners in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore club scene. (7 & 9 p.m. Mon., Dakota Jazz Club, $20-$30.) Surowicz

The Walker celebrates pianist and composer Vijay Iyer with two nights of music. Thursday's gig has the world premiere of a new duo with avant jazz and world music trumpet vet Wadada Leo Smith, plus some solo piano and a set by the Vijay Iyer Trio, featuring bassist Stephan Crump and drummer Marcus Gilmore. Next Friday's gig is a bit more exotic, as the duo set features hip-hopper Mike Ladd, and the trio is the tabla-driven Tirtha, combining Indian music and jazz. See Sunday's Variety section for an interview with Iyer. (8 p.m. Thu.-next Fri., Walker Art Center, $22.) Surowicz

WORLD

BLUES

A veteran of more than a dozen releases with his band the Hawks, versatile Chicago bluesman Studebaker John has also toured and recorded with latter-day editions of the Yardbirds and the Pretty Things, contributed songs to two movies by acclaimed Canadian director Atom Egoyan, and had his powerful music used on TV by NASCAR and Ford. A triple threat, Studebaker John is a potent harp blaster, a savvy slide guitar specialist and a prolific songwriter. (7 p.m. Fri., Wilebski's Blues Saloon, $10.) Surowicz

CLASSICAL