POP/ROCK British-founded, Chicago-based punk stalwarts the Mekons, who have made meaningful music for 30 years, will team up with critic Greil Marcus, who has written books about punk rock and Bob Dylan, in the latest edition of the Current's Fakebook series. The Mekons released their 26th album, "Natural," last year. While the music may sound mellower, the words aren't, as they name-check Brian Jones of the Stones and Henry David Thoreau. Marcus, who teaches American studies at the University of California-Berkeley, authored his 14th book, "The Shape of Things to Come: Prophecy in the American Voice," in 2006. (8 p.m. today, Fitzgerald Theater, $18-$20.) (J.B.)
He's the son of a famous songwriter (Steve Earle) and was named after a not-quite-so-famous songwriter (Townes Van Zandt). Now Justin Townes Earle is setting out to make a name for himself. His Bloodshot Records debut, "The Good Life," is close enough to his forebears' music to merit comparison but strong enough to lighten their shadows. Earle opens for upstate New York alt-country quartet the Felice Brothers, fresh from their own opening tour with Drive-by Truckers. McCarthy Trenching opens. (9 p.m. today, 400 Bar. 18 & older. $8-$10.) (C.R.)
Ramones-based, emo-less American punk rock is alive and well in Laramie, Wyo., or at least that's what promising young newcomers Teenage Bottlerocket will have you believe. The relentlessly energetic, two-guitar-attack quartet went over well at the SXSW Music Conference and should be an even bigger hit with local fans of D4, etc. (5 & 9 p.m. today, Triple Rock. Early show all-ages. $6-$8.) (C.R.)
There's no mistaking Toronto tunesmith Jason Collett's myriad of solo albums for records by his better-known supergroup, Broken Social Scene. His latest, "Here's to Being Here," once again substitutes BSS' orchestrated whir with a rootsier, Dylan-esque Americana rock sound. (9 p.m. today, Turf Club. $10-$12.) (C.R.)
As a sequel to its Complex Rock Tour, Blue Man Group presents How to Be a Megastar 2.1, another performance-art commentary on the rock-concert experience. One of its themes/gimmicks this time is to see how the audience will react to a minute of silence at an arena rock concert. Adrian Hartley is the singer on this tour, and "Saturday Night Live's" Fred Armisen, a one-time Blue Man drummer, appears via video. (8 p.m. Sat., Xcel Energy Center, $51.50-$87.) (J.B.)
The idea of the Hotel Cafe Tour (named for a popular tiny club in Los Angeles) is to feature singer/songwriters on the verge of stardom -- including Ingrid Michaelson, whose "The Way I Am" landed in an Old Navy commercial and on the radio. She's actually popular enough to headline her own gig, which could explain why this show, which includes Josh Radin, Cary Brothers, Meiko and the Twin Cities' own star Dan Wilson, has been sold out for weeks. Read an interview with Michaelson in Sunday's Arts section. (8 p.m. Mon., Fine Line.) (J.B.)
One of the all-time R&B greats, Etta James was in splendid spirits and pretty good voice at the State Fair last year. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, 70, may perform sitting down (due to knee problems) but she still has blues power and a sassy, suggestive sense of showwomanship. And her repertoire, including "At Last," "All I Could Do Was Cry" and "Sugar on the Floor," is filled with the kind of big emotions to match her big voice and personality. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Mystic Lake Casino, $35 & $44.) (J.B.)
Buoyed by appearances on the Foo Fighters' and Tegan and Sara's latest albums, as well as the "Into the Wild" soundtrack, acoustic guitar wiz Kaki King returns in support of her own new record, "Dreaming of Revenge." It features her first-ever tracks with vocals plus those dazzling instrumentals that have won her many famous fans. (9 p.m. Mon., 7th Street Entry, $15.) (C.R.)
