the dirty lowdown

Thursday

The Dirty Lowdown —There’s nothing particularly special or spectacular about The Dirty Lowdown, which might just be the most special thing about them. Just when you think, “Oh no, not another blues-based rock band,” lead singer Josh McGill comes up with a chorus or turn of phrase that grabs your ear and won’t let go. Unassuming, workman-like rock like this has been popular in the past from Dire Straits to Tom Petty to Warren Zevon, and McGill has a similar kind of recognizable voice, both in his singing and the songs he is writing. McGill frequents Bentz Kirby’s singer-songwriter and tribute nights, but with a band in tow he’s closer to electric Dylan than an acoustic folkie. K. Oliver
New Brookland Tavern: 8 p.m., $5 ($7 under 21); 791-4413, newbrooklandtavern.com - The Free Times

The Dirty Lowdown — Proving Occam’s theory that the simplest approach is often the best, The Dirty Lowdown keeps it simple: There are no tricky time changes and no flashy fretwork, just emphasis on solid tunes and sweet, soulful harmonies. This Chris Conner Foundation benefit also features performances by Stillhouse and a group of local troubadours rounded up by Bentz Kirby, including Petrillo Relents frontman Andrew Francis, who, we hear, will soon be leaving our hep little burg for Sin City. P. Wall
New Brookland Tavern: 6:30 p.m., $5 ($7 under 21); 791-4413, newbrooklandtavern.com. - Free Times