The Five Best Concerts in OC This Weekend

Sunday, February 17

Tomahawk
The Observatory

Tomahawk deserve to have their own Bat Signal or non-copyright-violating equivalent. Once every few years, Duane Denison (the Jesus Lizard), Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) and John Stanier (Battles, Helmet) converge and produce a sudden flurry of activity--specifically, a new record and touring. Tomahawk's self-titled debut hit in 2001, followed by Mit Gas in 2003, Anonymous in 2007 and, now, Oddfellows on Jan. 29, 2013 (which brings Trevor Dunn of Mr. Bungle and Melvins Lite into the fold). These are men who should glimpse a logo projected onto the clouds and sprint to the nearest airport. If they need ideas for an insignia, their band name should provide plenty of inspiration.--Reyan Ali

The Hives
House of Blues Anaheim

Rock 'n' roll doesn't need saving, but it can always use another shot of adrenalin. That's where the Hives come in. Their latest album Lex Hives is a ripper recalling the most arena-rocking guitar monsters ever--from T. Rex and Slade to Joan Jett and the Ramones, and then, of course, to lesser-known secret-society punk pounders like the Kids or Downliners Sect. If ever a riff could get a bunch of fists pumping in the air, it'll end up in a high-velocity Hives song, and then later in your (possibly hungover) head. On Lex Hives, the single "Go Right Ahead" is one of the tame ones--the Hives know the value of a killer deep cut, so go right to "These Spectacles Reveal the Nostalgics" or "If I Had a Cent" to explore the joy in tearing your own head off. --Chris Ziegler

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