Brave Combo, Joe Hurt Trio, J-San & The Analogue Sons, Modest Mouse

BRAVE COMBO
Hardcore fans of Brave Combo know them as a danceable band that’ll interpret just about anything. These Texans will put some frenetic energy into the “Hokey Pokey” and deliver Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” to you in a polka fashion. That’s right. They went there. It’s why their lively music has won this band two Grammy Awards for “Best Polka Album”. It’s also why they’ve been etched into celluloid history by making a 2004 appearance in an episode of “The Simpsons”. But let’s not pigeonhole them, for those who ease into the realm of musical classicism will miss the other great styles their covers and originals have tapped into, including the choro, samba, and mariachi. Truth be told, Brave Combo has been playing nationally since their inception in 1979, proving once and for all that polka-rock still has legs. (Appearing with The Polkaholics at FitzGerald’s on Dec. 1) –text: Nola Akiwowo

JOE HURT TRIO
What do you call a band with a pianist in his 20s, a drummer in his 70s, and a bass player somewhere in between? (Hint: don’t say Digital Divide.) The correct answer is The Joe Hurt Trio. This jazz group is a great example of how proficient musicians of extremely different backgrounds can get together and play music with little or no problem due to each individual’s experience and musical knowledge. That said, even a group that includes members from multiple generations can still have a very good idea of where it wants its sound to go. For the Joe Hurt Trio, that’s not asking much. Pianist Joe Hurt released his first jazz album at the age of 19, Isaac “Redd” Holt has been playing drums since the ’50s, and upright bassist Ken Haebich teaches music at Elmhurst College. Though practically every feature of the individual musicians is different from the next, these jazzers together offer a great mix of the old and the new. (Appearing at Pops For Champagne on Dec. 2) –text: Zak Stawski

J-SAN & THE ANALOGUE SONS
Fans of Michael Franti, Burning Spear, and John Brown’s Body may find themselves inevitably looking up J-San and the Analogue Sons. No upstarts they, the Ithaca, N.Y. roots group has been plugging away for over 10 years, with two of its members John Brown’s Body veterans. The Analogue Sons’ reggae beats, socially conscious lyrics and infectious melodies are accented by well-executed vocal harmonies and J-San’s rough soul-singer’s tone. Despite its long tenure, the band has only recently gotten it together to release some albums. Its sophomore effort, soundResistance, was released in January, and the group is hard at work readying a third album before its winter tour. Fans should expect a few new songs thrown into the standard set. (Appearing at Morseland on Dec. 7) –text: Caroline Evans

MODEST MOUSE
Fourteen years after their inception, Modest Mouse has proven to be one relentless band. Having released albums on a few different record labels, parting ways with band members and then sometimes welcoming them back into the fold, Modest Mouse has persevered as they continue to grow in popularity. Things got interesting in May of 2006 when Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths, decided to join the band and take part in the writing and recording of their most recent release, 2007’s We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank (Sony). While there are no guest appearances by Morrissey on the record, there is an eclectic blend of songs to be found, featuring much of Modest Mouse’s signature style blended with a fresh perspective and detail that Marr seems to bring. (Appearing with Man Man at the Congress Theater on Dec. 2) –text: Chris Sewell–photo: Autumn de Wilde