Rebelution, Pat McGee, Miniature Tigers, Total Blam Blams, Twistin’ Tarantulas: Under-the-Radar Concert Picks (videos)

Miniature Tigers
7 p.m. Thursday (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
$10 advance, $12 day of show
The Intersection, Grand Rapids

Inventive Brooklyn indie-pop band Miniature Tigers brings its Modern Art Tour to the ‘Section, with Geographer, The Chain Gang of 1974 and Speak; doors open for the all-ages show at 6:30 p.m. ($10 advance, $12 day of show). Miniature Tigers are touring behind their latest album, “Mia Pharaoh” … a cute pun, eh?

(By the way, on Tuesday, The Intersection boasts another compelling tour stop: MXTP presents folk-hued singer-songwriter Carter Hulsey (along with Windsor Drive, From Indian Lakes, Lake Miniscule, Dockside Fever and Carielle) in an all-ages show in the front lounge on Tuesday, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Admission is $12 at the door day of show.

Oh, and Philadelphia rapper Freeway rolls in on Friday, with A.N.T. and Ro Spit for an 18-and-older show, with doors opening at 9 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 day of show). The full lowdown can be found at the nightclub’s website.

Pat McGee, Patrick McAloon
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
$28; $160 for ‘upfront’ table for four
Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake

Virginia singer-songwriter Pat McGee may not be a household name around these parts, but he and his rock band have been shaking things up and cultivating a devoted following on the East Coast for well over a decade. I bent an ear toward a couple of his albums over the weekend – he’s released 10 since 1995 – and his rootsy delivery falls somewhere between Crowded House and Toad the Wet Sprocket with a healthy dose of country tossed into the mix. Now touring behind his latest album, “No Wrong Way to Make It Right,” McGee played Seven Steps Up’s second-ever concert last year and I’m told his performance was nothing short of inspiring. He’ll play two nights in a row this time, with fellow singer-songwriter Patrick McAloon, and fans can even join the pair for a special “McBrunch” on Saturday with a catered meal ($25); call 231-557-7687 for reservations. Ticket information online at runamokproductions.com. And if you’ve never checked out Seven Steps Up, located inside Spring Lake’s former Masonic Hall just a block off the main drag downtown, it’s worth the trip to experience the terrific sound for acoustic shows. Details about the venue online here.

The Twistin’ Tarantulas, The Moonrays
8 p.m. Friday
$7 at the door
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids

Even the name inspires a sort of leggy, revved up approach to rock. Detroit’s rockabilly rompers, The Twistin’ Tarantulas, have been pounding out their “hard-edged, roots-driven” rock “with the intensity of a five-alarm blaze” since 1993. Grand Rapids’ own The Moonrays will launch the evening with their surf-rock bluesiness. (Also, Jammie-winning Lansing blues band Root Doctor plays Tip Top at 8 p.m. Saturday, $5.) Details at the Tip Top’s Facebook page.

Rebelution, The Green, Pep Love
7 p.m. Saturday, doors open at 6 p.m.
$17.50 advance, $20 day of show
The Orbit Room, Grand Rapids

California reggae band Rebelution returns to Grand Rapids, this time for a show with reggae’s The Green and hip-hop artist Pep Love at The Orbit Room, 2525 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE. The band — which can really energize a crowd — is touring behind its new triple album, “Peace of Mind,” which includes full-length acoustic and dub versions of its 12 songs. Ticket details here.

The Total Blam Blams CD-release, HTAFM, Faux Fur, The Extra Texture
9 p.m. Saturday
$5
The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids

Just listened to Grand Rapids rock band The Total Blam Blams’ new EP, “Cheetah Paw,” and I must say, it’s an impressive slice of driving rock with deliciously indefinable soulful pop hooks. However you want to slice it or dice it, it’s energetic stuff and teamed with the likes of Faux Fur, The Extra Texture and the compelling Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, the Blam Blam folks – Nora Hemgesberg, Jason Heystek, Kyle Dood and Benjamin Carl Taylor – are sure to get those lava lamps bubbling at The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday night. Ticket info here.

Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com