THURSDAY, APRIL 17

Todd Rundgren Band

Razor and Tie (ENLARGE)
Dead Confederate plays not one, but two free shows this week.
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DRIVING HIS OWN CAR: For those under 30, Rundgren's probably best known — if at all— as the man actress Liv Tyler thought was her father when she was a child. He isn't, but he's created some other things that are just as pretty: "I Saw the Light," "Hello, It's Me" and "Can We Still Be Friends" for starters. After a stint with the New Cars, he's back doing his own stuff, and that's a much better use of his time — and ours.

• THE 411: 8 p.m. $30. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Little Five Points. 404-521-1786, www.variety-playhouse.com.

Dead Confederate

DEAL OF THE WEEK: This is just your first chance to see Dead Confederate for free this week (the other is Saturday, April 19, at Criminal Records). The band's atmospheric, rocket-fueled blast is already gathering national and international buzz. Their self-titled EP and phenomenal performances have amped up the anticipation for the Athens quintet's full-length debut, already recorded but not yet released. This show has the added bonus of the Constellations, a combo that includes Grammy-nominated Gnarls Barkley producer Ben H. Allen.

• THE 411: 9 p.m. Free. Star Bar, 437 Moreland Ave. N.E., Little Five Points. 404-681-9018, www.starbaratl.com.

Ra Ra Riot

PERSEVERANCE: The Syracuse, N.Y.-formed Ra Ra Riot was hit by tragedy last June when drummer John Pike died shortly before the band's self-titled debut EP was released. The band has forged ahead, spending many months on the road and recording the full-length debut album (which looks set for a late summer release). The frequent Arcade Fire and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah comparisons aren't completely unfounded, but fans of their pals Vampire Weekend should check Ra Ra Riot out, too. With the Littles Ones.

• THE 411: 9 p.m. $10. Lenny's, 486 Decatur St., Atlanta. 404-577-7721, www.lennysbar.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18

The Selmanaires

LOVE YOUR LOCALS: Why hasn't the rest of the world caught on to the wonder of Atlanta's Selmanaires? Earlier this week, online indie rock blog Pitchfork (www.pitchforkmedia.com) reviewed the band's sophomore album, "The Air Salesman," giving it a 6.8 out of 10 score. "Playing the ego to the [Black] Lips' id, the Selmanaires show off a (slightly) more civilized musicianship, exploring several decades worth of genres versus hedonistically ripping through three-minute Stones and Motown throwbacks," the review offers, later praising the band's "enthusiasm." The reviewer has many quibbles, but perhaps he just needs to see them live. Everyone should. With the Coathangers, Sleep Therapy.

• THE 411: 9 p.m. $5. Lenny's, 486 Decatur St., Atlanta. 404-577-7721, www.lennysbar.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Murder By Death

TUMBLEWEED GOTH: This Bloomington, Ind., quintet adds a cello to indie rock and comes up with more than the sum of those parts would suggest on its four inky, ominous albums. The latest, "Red of Tooth and Claw," is cinematic, like a widescreen gothic Western filmed in high-contrast black and white. Murder by Death is the sound of an abandoned ghost town at midnight, incorporating all the creepy stories that ooze from the creaking walls.

• THE 411: 7 p.m. $12 advance. The Masquerade, 695 North Ave. N.E., Midtown. 404-577-8178, www.masq.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22

Nick Lowe

LET ME COUNT THE WAYS: "Cruel to Be Kind," "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding' (Lowe wrote it and first recorded it with Brinsley Schwarz), "So It Goes," "Marie Provost" (the icky tale of an actress that "became her doggie's dinner") and everything on Rockpile's "Seconds of Pleasure." That's 16 reasons Nick Lowe is awesome, and there are many, many more.

• THE 411: 8 p.m. $25. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Little Five Points. 404-521-1786, www.variety-playhouse.com.