Deke Dickerson and the Eccofonics at Crossroads Art Center
You can turn out a lot of Americana with a two-headed guitar, and Dickerson has been doing just that, turning out music that picks up every little thing along the highway of roots music, from surf rock to old-school country, making his name with rockabilly. He battles that two-headed monster to raise money for New Orleans musicians Friday, Nov. 3, at 9 p.m., playing with Lonesome Johnnie and the Lowdowns. $12-$15. 278-8950.
Beenie Man at Canal Club
Reggae’s child prodigy, Beenie, began his dancehall dominance at the age of 7 in Kingston and has been on the warpath ever since. His hip-hop-heavy lyrics take on the social ills of AIDS and violence, or turn up the tempo and consider pretty girls, as in this year’s “Undisputed” album, a collection of beat-driven songs that declare him King of the Dancehall. He plays Sunday, Nov. 5, at 9 p.m. $20. 643-2582.
Alabama Thunder Pussy at Alley Katz
Wrapping up a minitour to test out new vocalist Kyle Thomas and songs for the album due out in March, ATP comes home for a show Saturday, Nov. 4, with The Last Vanzant and Valkyrie, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. After this show, the group may burrow back into the studio to set down its gravelly Southern metal, and heck, we may not see them again until spring. $6. 643-2816.
The Derailers at Shenanigans
Listening to the honky-tonk version of Prince’s “Raspberry Beret,” you might suddenly realize how sexual it is (assuming you missed the skintight purple suits). There’s something about old-time country, Buck Owens-style, that seems innocent, or at least behind closed doors, which Austin’s Derailers bring out into the open with their own tunes and some eclectic covers. With a steely twang and a wink, it’s all a bit more suggestive and a lot less purple. They play Sunday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m. 264-5010.
Slow Learner at Poe’s Pub
It’s an indie-rock foursome run through the mind of a composer: long, sweet ballads, moody hoarse lyrics, a very respectable piano keeping the sound afloat even as it sounds lost. Maybe it’s a composer lost at sea, organizing an indie foursome there in the life raft, slow songs swelling over the ocean. Slow Learner plays Friday, Nov. 3, with Knotworking and Palominos at 9:30 p.m. $5. 648-2120. S