MONDAY
>> What better way to spend St. Patrick’s Night than pummeling your liver with the Pogues at the 9:30 Club? Sorry, Boyo; that show was last Monday. And this here Monday, well . . . Critically regarded “folkabilly” songbird Nanci Griffith kicks off a three-night residency at the Birchmere. With Peter Cooper. $45, 7:30 p.m.
>> DJ Shane Rock spins an indie/electro cocktail at DC9 for your wistening & damping pweasure.
>> Two weeks ago a few DCists went out to Iota for the Federal Reserve collective’s monthly show. We were absolutely blown away by the folky talents of Rose, John Bustine and Brandon Butler. The three of them are helping the Velvet Lounge celebrate St. Patty’s day tonight, so you can have your chance to be impressed too. $7, 9 p.m.
TUESDAY
>> To hear them tell it, the Virginia Beach quintet Mae just want to rock and roll all night and party ev-er-y day. Making their Capitol Records debut, Singularity, they had U2, Pearl Jam, and the Smashing Pumpkins on their minds — bands that make big tunes for big rooms. Find out how their stadium-sized ambitions translate to the sweaty confines of the Black Cat mainstage. With the Honorary Title and Between the Trees. $15, 8:00 p.m.
>> I know I’m getting old, because I really do feel like acts’ names are getting dumber all the time. Take the Artist Formerly Known as John Vesely, who records and performs as Secondhand Serenade. That’s like calling your band “Cover Band” or something. Anyway, if you were in high school — or anywhere near a high school — during the first Clinton administration, then surely you remember “More than Words” by Extreme, an amazingly communicable hair ballad wherein a girl is gently persuaded to surrender her virtue. Every Secondhand Serenade song — okay, every 30-second excerpt of a Secondhand Serernade song that I’ve secondhand-sampled on iTunes — reminds me of “More than Words.” Which is to say that All the Young Dudes would be well advised to keep their enemies close but their girlfriends closer when this guy brings his musical Rohypnol to Jammin’ Java. (Rescheduled from Feb. 25; tickets from the original date will be honored.) With Making April, Automatic Loveletter and White Tie Affair. $13 in advance, $15 at the door, 6:30 p.m.
