POP/ROCK In indie rock, 10 years is a lifetime -- especially for a record label in this tumultuous time. No wonder, then, that the Modern Radio 10th anniversary shows are so impressive. Friday's gig will feature some of the Minneapolis label's younger bands, including noisemakers ft (The Shadow Government), psychedelic meisters Daughters of the Sun, boy/girl post-punkers the Chambermaids, plus Double Bird and a Clown Lounge solo set by His Mischief's Sheridan Fox. Saturday's bill is the real monster, with two of our towns' best punk bands of the '00s roaring back for the occasion: the Plastic Constellations, who amicably split up two years ago, and the STNNNG, who have been semi-inactive but are storming toward a return. Skoal Kodiak and Vampire Hands also perform, making it possibly the noisiest show the Cedar has ever seen. (9 p.m. Fri., Turf Club, 21 & older, $7. 5 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center, all ages, $10.) (C.R.)
Last spring at the Dakota, folk legend turned art-song stylist Judy Collins offered a retrospective of her life and career -- from her classical piano lessons and her dad the DJ, to Leonard Cohen showing her his poems and wondering if they could be lyrics. She punctuated her performance with all kinds of political commentary and comic one-liners. After years in concert halls, she's clearly found comfort as a cabaret performer. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Fri., Dakota, $24-$65.) (J.B.)
Following tributes to the Band and Johnny Cash comes a new Cabooze celebration, "Happy Birthday, Janis," for what would have been Janis Joplin's 67th birthday. Vocalists who'll bare a piece of their hearts include Jill Mikelson, who starred in the Ordway's "Love, Janis," plus Stephanie Devine, Debra G, Katy Hays and Bettina Villamil. The full-tilt-boogie backing band will include members of Fancy Bastard, Gold Standard and God Johnson. The show will open with the Jones Gang's tribute to the Dead, the Other jOnes. (9:30 p.m. Fri., Cabooze. 21 & older. $8.) (C.R.)
Claps is a young, New Wavey dance-rock trio from St. Paul with a couple of proven local backers behind its debut EP, "New Science." It's produced by Mystery Palace frontman and Solid Gold producer Ryan Olcott, and is being released by the label Guilt Ridden Pop (Gospel Gossip, Baby Guts). In songs like "Fireworks" and the "Fold" (remixed on the EP by Sovietpanda and Howard Hamilton), singer Patrick Donahoe sounds like an unlikely cross between Roger Waters and Andy Bell, and the trio's all-synth music channels the likes of OMD and the Pet Shop Boys. Gospel Gossip and Mercurial Rage round out this release party. (10 p.m. Sat., Kitty Cat Klub. $5.) (C.R.)
Zak Sally gave up his bassist duties in Low to pursue his passion as a comics/graphic-novel artist, and now he is finally combining the two art forms. Fresh from issuing a riveting, freakish nine-song solo debut, "Zak Sally's Fear of Song," he will perform some of the new music and discuss his visual work alongside renowned "literary horror" writer and O. Henry Prize winner Brian Evenson, who recently collaborated with Sally on the book "Fugue State." Evenson will also read. (8 p.m. Mon., Bryant-Lake Bowl. $6.) (C.R.)
In the 1990s, Everclear frontman Art Alexakis was one cool dude. Not only did he sing such alt-rock hits as "Santa Monica" but he covered the 1996 political conventions for MTV and later testified before Congress about child-support laws. In the early '00s, he tried a solo career and then re-formed Everclear with new members. "Vegas Years" was a forgettable 2008 collection of pre-grunge rock covers (Hall & Oates, Go-Go's, Thin Lizzy) and last year's "In a Different Light" revisited Everclear tunes including "Rock Star" and "Summerland" with a mellow acoustic vibe. Edison and Clayton Senne open. (8:30 p.m. Mon., Fine Line, $20-$22.) (J.B.)
On her Grammy-nominated 2009 "Live," a solo acoustic Shawn Colvin revisits many of her songs in a stripped-down showcase that puts the emphasis on the songwriting. Don't underestimate her gifts as a singer and between-song conversationalist, either. She is one of the quickest wits on the singer/songwriter circuit. (7 p.m. Tue.-Thu., Dakota, $45.) (J.B.)
Band of Horses and My Morning Jacket fans, take note: Alberta Cross is kicking up a dust storm of hype with its own brand of frenzied guitar jams and echoey, Neil Young-ian vocals. The New York-based, London-reared band first broke out in England in 2008 and issued its U.S. debut in late '09. "Broken Side of Time" is full of amped-up down-and-out songs based on the members' struggles to get noticed. Hey, it worked. Tour partner Hacienda was a standout at South by Southwest last year, playing punky Tex-Mex rock steeped in Doug Sahm and the Dicks. A can't-lose double-bill. (9 p.m. Wed., 400 Bar. 18 & older. $10.) (C.R.)
