A story on The Whigs in the (Boulder) Colorado Daily. They played there Thursday night.

The (Vancouver) Province has an interview with Mike Mills. R.E.M. plays there tonight.

A show review of Dark Meat and Quiet Hooves in the St. Louis Riverfront Times.

The Augusta Metro Spirit has a review of Jason Beckham’s new CD, “Union Park and Magnolia Street.”

Despite being rock stars in their native land, releasing No. 1 albums and selling out stadiums, Irish band Bell X1 (playing Saturday at the Melting Point) is still virtually unknown in the United States. That’s fine with lead singer Paul Noonan. After having so much success in Ireland, Noonan says, “I’d sort of feel empty” if the band was big everywhere. “It’s like the old cliché, we’re enjoying the journey.” In 2005, the band’s third album, “Flock,” hit number one on the Irish charts and was eventually certified quadruple platinum. The album’s success led to a sold-out show at The Pointe Theatre in Dublin, which was filmed for a live CD and DVD, “Tour de Flock.” Read the full story…

THIS WEEKEND IN THE CLUBS: Who’s playing where this weekend in Athens, featuring a song from Ham1.

Lefty Williams
9 p.m., Allens Bar and Grill

Jason “Lefty” Williams, left, earned his moniker through hard work and determination. Although he was born without a right hand, Williams taught himself to play guitar and graduated from the Atlanta Institute of Music with honors. Although he’s been in heavy metal and grunge bands, his current style is a mixture of jazz, blues and rock. On Friday, Williams will perform a solo acoustic show that is free and open to all ages. - Trisha Klein

Dexter Romweber Duo, Miwa Gemini
9 p.m., 40 Watt
Romweber, formerly of Flat Duo Jets, was featured in the 1987 documentary “Athens, GA: Inside Out,” while rocking out with the Rev. Howard Finster. Cited as a major influence by Jack White of The White Stripes, Romweber is joined by his sister, Sara, for the Dexter Romweber Duo, which plays a mix of rockabilly and classic R&B. Miwa Gemini combines acoustic, indie rock with The Brothers Grimm. - Trisha Klein

Big Eyed Beans From Venus, The Seventh Ring of Saturn
10 p.m., Caledonia Lounge
Local band Big Eyed Beans From Venus plays Captain Beefhart and The Magic Band covers. Atlanta’s The Seventh Ring of Saturn plays intergalactic, psychedelic rock. Admission is $6 to $7. - Trisha Klein

Friday:
• 40 Watt: Dexter Romweber Duo, Miwa Gemini, Guitar Bomb, Ham1.
• Alibi: John Martin and Southern Drive.
• Allen’s: Lefty Williams.
• Caledonia: Big-Eyed Beans from Venus, Seventh Ring of Saturn, Zombie Puppet Show.
• Farm 255: Josh Roberts Band.
• Flicker: Dust Congress, Sleepy Horses.
• Foxz: The Johnny Ozone Band.
• Melting Point: Strawberry Flats.
• Mercury Lounge: The Peabodies.
• Rye Bar: Adam Payne Band, Brad Downs, Chris Moore.
• Tasty World: Days of Hysteria, October Frequency, Sephirias.
• Wild Wing Cafe: Wormsloew.

Saturday:
• 40 Watt: Carla LeFever & the Rays, Rollin’ Home.
• Alibi: Joe Pitts Band.
• Allen’s: Jazzchronic.
• Caledonia: The Cotton Jones Basket Ride, Nero and the Burning Violins.
• Farm 255: The Bearfoot Hookers.
• Flicker: Chop Chop, The Mary Sigalis Variety Show.
• Go Bar: Lightning Bugs, Resident Patient.
• Little Kings: Dusty Lightswitch, Faraday Rage, Hot Pink Money Shot, Christopher Henderson.
• Melting Point: Bell X1, Brooke Waggoner.
• Rye Bar: Live Well.
• Tasty World: Don Chambers, Dave Marr.
• Wild Wing Cafe: The Tangents.

The Boise Weekly has a very good story about The Whigs. They’re playing in Boise tonight as they continue their touring assault across the country, and even a foray into Europe in July.

The Baton Rouge Advocate has a story about The Packway Handle Band, who will be playing there next week. The band is also touring around the region, and will be home on June 2 for a show at Ashford Manor.

And the Canadian Globe and Mail has a story about a little band from Athens called R.E.M., who kick off their summer tour tomorrow in Vancouver.

The Coathangers, Taylor Hollingsworth
9 p.m., 40 Watt

Atlanta’s all girl band The Coathangers are feminists who like to party. They play indie rock with a punk rock flair. Hollingsworth is a blues rock guitarist who plays garage rock with an swagger that brings to mind The Stooges. Tickets are $5 to $7.
- Trisha Klein

The Wydelles, American Aquarium, Brass Bed
10 p.m., Tasty World
Led by Bo Bedingfield, local act The Wydelles, rounded out by Philip McArdle, Brandon Reynolds and John Neff (Drive-By Tuckers), play country music with smooth, twang-free vocals. Raleigh, N.C.’s American Aquarium’s alternative country sound has a rich, fullbodied flavor supplied by a lap steel guitar, violin and piano. Brass Bed plays cute indie pop with a slight psychedelic edge. - Trisha Klein

• 40 Watt: The Coathangers, Taylor Hollingsworth.
• Caledonia: First Master, Sea of Bones, Subrig Destroyer.
• Farm 255: A Contrail to Follow, Lullwater, Sugar in the Dirt.
• Flicker: Brian Connell.
• Little Kings: Betsy Franck & the Barenuckle Band, The Granfalloons.
• Melting Point: Jazzchronic.
• No Where Bar: 3 Foot Swagger.
• Rye Bar: Levi Lowery.
• Tasty World: The Wydelles, Sleepy Horses, Brass Bed, American Aquarium.
• Wild Wing Cafe: Sabo.

The Last Waltz Ensemble performed Monday at Ashford Manor as part of its Concerts on the Lawn Series. Here is a gallery by Ann Marie Miani.

Dark Meat evidently got held up by blizzards for a couple of days in Denver on their spring tour, but will be playing in St. Louis tonight. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a story and interview with Jim McHugh. Their tour continues through the end of the month.