Toben Shelby

Love them or hate them, Brand New's sold-out show on Thursday at Bear Tooth bodes for a loud, emotional performance.

In the more than three decades since getting their start at a Christmas party in Washington, D.C., the Capitol Steps have thrived on scandals, missteps and gaffes from politicians. With a seemingly endless supply of politicians to spoof and songs to parody, the group has produced nearly 40 musical satire albums and grown big enough that they can put on multiple shows in several locations.

It's easy to use the word "enigmatic" when talking about comedian Dave Chappelle, but it's also very, very fitting.

Iconic jazz crooner Tony Bennett has no plans for slowing down anytime soon. The New York native, who took up a singing career after serving in World War II, has pumped out dozens upon dozens of albums over the decades while earning a reputation as the best singer in the business -- at least according to fellow singers like the late Frank Sinatra.

After 20 years as a band, world music-inspired Rusted Root is set to play a sold-out show Thursday at Bear Tooth Theaterpub.

In what's being billed as his final visit to Alaska, Ramblin' Jack will wrap up a series of shows with a performance Saturday in Anchorage, joined by musicians Dan Bern and Talkeetna's Doug Geeting -- men whose styles, like many contemporary folk artists -- owe quite a bit to Elliott.

Phillip Blanchett's thoughts on the release of his band Pamyua's new double album "Side A/Side B" likely echo those of many fans of the local Inuit quartet: "It's about time."

It's been about 15 years since Flogging Molly got its start in Los Angeles, playing weekly gigs at Irish pub Molly Malone's. Alternating between rowdy Celtic rock and more soulful, reflective songs, the former pub band now reaches a worldwide audience. Flogging Molly's recent travels found the group in places like Greece and Russia. After visiting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the band sets its sights on Brazil. So how does a seven-member Celtic-rock group end up in Greece, Russia and Brazil -- locations that, at least on the surface, might not seem like hotbeds for Flogging Molly's sound? Singer and guitarist Dave King credits the Internet for the group's international fan base.

Seemingly always on tour, singer-songwriter Clarence Greenwood -- better known as Citizen Cope -- still manages to produce new albums from time to time, even if he's not getting help from a major label anymore. His latest, "One Lovely Day" was released Tuesday and is Cope's second album since he formed his own record imprint, Rainwater Recordings. His Anchorage concert on Saturday is the first of 50 he has scheduled through November and marks Moose's Tooth's 16th anniversary.

Seventeen years into its existence, Buckcherry shows no signs of slowing down. In just the past year, the Los Angeles-based rock group toured with Guns N' Roses, appeared on the soundtrack of one of the most popular movies ever ("The Avengers"), returned to the studio to work on a new album and is even planning a short film to accompany the record. But before new album "Confessions" and the corresponding film project are released, Buckcherry has a summer full of shows.

Sublime With Rome's journey has been an interesting one -- a group formed by the surviving members of popular reggae/punk band Sublime, faced with the challenge of fulfilling expectations of longtime Sublime fans while seeking out new opportunities. Now with more new members than old, the group seeks to light a new fire with fans this summer, with a busy touring schedule that includes stops in Fairbanks and Anchorage.

If you ever thought the Atwood Concert Hall could use a little more glitz and glam and a lot more rock (don't forget denim, studded jackets and a whole bunch of hair product), then you might not get a better chance than "Rock of Ages" to see how the hall handles an '80s makeover. A musical comedy featuring classic rock songs from Journey, Styx, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Poison and more, "Rock of Ages" is a celebration of that era's music and all its over-the-top style.

Lily Tomlin is tough to categorize. While many likely know Tomlin for her classic comedic roles on stage or screen, she's also spent substantial time honing her craft as an actress in the dramatic realm. The Detroit native has found success in show business for decades, thanks in part to the many funny characters she's created over the years, but also because of her ability to adapt and accept darker dramatic roles. During her two shows in Anchorage, the comedian will return to the well-known comedy and characters that launched her career.

The performing arts center is no stranger to comedy, and two stand-up acts appealing to two very different senses of humor will perform across the hall from one another Friday. On one hand you have Lisa Lampanelli, best known for hurling insults. The other is Paula Poundstone, a comic more likely to be found cracking wise on public radio.