BoomBox

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2014/jan/29/268195/

This act is comprised of two versatile producers, DJs, songwriters, multi-instrumentalists and longtime friends Russ Randolph and Zion Rock Godchaux. They collaboratively create a blend of vintage rock and blues, while folding in their signature backbeat, psychedelia and funky house sound gaining rapid popularity on the West coast. Each show unique to the venue and atmosphere, these two provide a rock and roll rhythmic experience using programming and live instrumentation with both members on drums, Randolph on keys, and Godchaux on guitar, bass and vocals.Their first hit, “Stereo,” provided the groundwork for their fanbase on their first release.
Thursday, Jan. 30, at Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., 9 p.m., $15.

Whatever Forever Tape Release Show

Head over to SeedCo around 5 p.m. and check out the artwork of the many talented artists housed in the studios. Stick around (or come back a couple hours later) and see Andrew Frederick, Mark Rockwell, Christopher Luxem, Taryn Miller of OILS perform to support the tape release of “TOTAL OILS USA.” Youngest Children, which is Angie Schoenherr and Nate Henricks, will also be joining the tape release party.
Friday, Jan. 31, at SeedCo Studios, 826 Pennsylvania, 7 p.m.

The Sluts [KANSAS CITY PICK, LAWRENCE BAND]

Kristoffer Dover and Ryan Wise of The Sluts are celebrating the release of Virile, their first full-length album released in November of last year. This garage rock, punk, grunge duo from Lawrence came together three years ago in attempts to create music that you could drink to (as if there is any that you couldn’t?) with the hopes of changing up the music scene with “pop-influenced grunge.” Within nine tracks on their debut record, they explore pent-up rage from real life situations, on one of which Wise not-so-subtly addresses a girl who scorned him. Not even trying to censor any situation, The Sluts aren’t going to play any junior high dances any time soon.
Saturday, February 1, at the Riot Room, 4048 Broadway, 8 p.m., $5-7.

Waka Winter Classic

Leaving their Wakarusa Festival fate in the hands of anyone who wanders into the Bottleneck on Feb. 1, select local/regional musicians will perform a small taste of what they’ll bring to Mulberry Park (June 5 through 8) if you send them there. Each attendee will receive one raffle ticket ($5 cover), which they can use to vote for their favorite band of the night. The winner will be announced after everyone has played. The Lawrence-born festival can only host one competitor from the Waka Winter Classic. Who’s it going to be? This year’s lineup includes Chase Compton, Cowgirl’s Train Set, Dsoedean, Flannigan’s Right Hook, and Hearts of Darkness.
Saturday, Feb. 1, at Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., 9 p.m., $5.

Hopsin

Marcus Jamal Hopson, aka Hopsin, hasn’t been trying to make friends throughout his rap career and on his new album “Knock Madness,” he seems to be following suit. Calling out modern rap heros like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, he dedicates rhymes to demeaning their success, claiming that he isn’t the only one who feels they’ve missed the mark, but he’s the only one who is saying something. This Los Angeles rapper has the hot-headed tendencies of Eminem, infusing pop, humor and an undeniable edge. Although he was slow to gain a fanbase, cutting ties with Ruthless Records in 2010 to start his own label Funk Volume, he is turning heads with his latest release and earned a feature on Tech N9ne’s “All 6’s & 7’s” album with B.o.B.
Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., 8 p.m., $20 in advance.

Judah & the Lion

Judah & the Lion is an americana-folk band born out of Nashville, Tenn. A combination of vocal harmonies, folk instruments including mandolin and banjo, and love for creative songwriting, these up and comers have been on their grind since 2011. Strongly resembling another Mumford and Sons — like so many other Americana bands that have been taking a ride on that popularity wave — this is the kind of three-piece band that will resonate with many Lawrence folks. Their eclectic love of bluegrass, Irish, electronic, hip-hop and folk influence the overall sound, along with memories of sweet home Tennessee.
Wednesday, Feb. 5., at Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., 7 p.m., $11.