Eric Grandy on the Constantines tonight in Up & Coming:

Noise for the Needy: Constantines, Crystal Antlers, I Was a King, Hey Marseilles

(Neumos) Constantines are a Toronto band that make Americana-inflected rock 'n' roll that's toughed up with a little post-hardcore distortion and disregard for vocal-cord damage. The most common critical formula deployed to describe them is Fugazi + Bruce Springsteen, and loath as I am to give in to such a trite construction, the equation kind of works. In addition to the Constantines' core members having formerly formed an "emotional" hardcore band, their current sound is marked as much by odd, aggressive rhythms, angry guitars, and strained shouting as it is by carefully crafted balladry and archetypal hard-luck lyricism. Their latest album, last year's Kensington Heights, finds them slowing down a bit and focusing more on those ballads, but there are still plenty of ripping, big choruses, and the band's live show is sure to be amped up. ERIC GRANDY

Larry Mizell Jr suggests Sapient's CD release in My Philosophy:

Sapient, Candidt, Xperience, Rudy & the Rhetoric, Iame, Smoke, Sadistik

Sunday, June 14, at Nectar is the CD release for Make More, the new album from Sandpeople's foremost major threat, Sapient. Also rocking the bill is Candidt, Xperience, Rudy and the Rhetoric, Iame, Smoke, and Sadistik, with host Macklemore. Monday, June 15, at the Columbia City Theater, check out Kokane—a name a lot of you are familiar with, but I'm actually talking about the veteran MC/singer formerly of Above the Law and Ruthless Records. Cop Funk upon a Rhyme and you can just thank me when you see me in the streets, which I'm used to by now. Just kidding.

Don't forget to check our music calendar for a complete listing of bands, DJs and more!