The Howard Theatre hosts a kickoff party for Funk Parade this week. Photo by washingtonydc

MONDAY

The Dougout: Noisem, Cult Leader, The Heads Are Zeros and Foehammer. 8 p.m., all ages.

Start your week off heavy with a killer DIY show at The Dugout in Northeast. Slashing through the spectrum of metal, the night promises a bit of doom, a little hardcore, a touch of grind, and Baltimore’s death metal thrash kings Noisem closing out the show. —Jon Pacella

Black Cat Backstage: Eula, Two Inch Astronaut and Teen Mom. 7:30 p.m., $10. All ages.

DC9: Self Defense Family, Creative Adult, Trunkweed. 8 p.m., $10-$12. All ages.

TUESDAY

Comet Ping Pong: La Luz, Craft Spells, the Shivas and the Bilinda Butchers. With DJ Baby Alcatraz. 9 p.m., $12. All ages.

THURSDAY

Lower Dens and The Walking Sticks @ AMP (by Strathmore). 8:15 p.m., $12.

ICYMI, The Strathmore family has a new member: AMP, an intimate, small-scale space with big production value that just opened in North Bethesda. Fewer choices could be more appropriate for the space’s first week of lineups than Baltimore’s Lower Dens. Their spacious, clean and dreamy sound will fill every corner of small space like AMP, promising a surround sound-like listening experience. Add locals The Walking Sticks’ equally full and groovy sounds, and you’re looking at the perfect Thursday night musical event. — Tori Kerr

Funk Parade Kickoff Party @ The Howard Theater: Celebrating the Women of Funk. 7 p.m., $20-$45.

Hopefully, you’re up to date on the 2015 Funk Parade details. 2014 saw huge success for the first year of the festival. This year, the organizers have set their sights bigger and brighter, hoping to take over all of U Street. Today, they announced an IndieGoGo campaign to raise the $15,000 they need to ensure the event goes off without a hitch. To kick off their endeavor, go see Thursday night’s fantastic lineup of funky women, including Afro/Samba/Reggae collective Batala Washington, DJ Ayes Cold, Chocolate City Burlesque, The Essence of Diva dancers, and, leading the whole shebang, the Funk Parade All-Stars. This year’s All-Stars consist of the area’s fiercest bass queen, Kim Jade Fry, and her band The Good Thing, plus lots of special guests. It will be packed to the brim with out-of-control energy and fun and should be at the top of everyone’s priority list. — Tori Kerr

Hot Tub House: The Max Levine Ensemble, Shellshag, The Maneuvers. 7 p.m.. All ages.

Comet Ping Pong: Homeshake and The UVF Rays. 9 p.m., $12. All ages

FRIDAY

Quantic and Sinkane @ Tropicalia 9 p.m., $15-$18 21+

British native Quantic has been producing and releasing soul, funk and downtempo classics for 15 years now, most notably with Tru Thoughts Records and often collaborating with vocalist Alice Russell. In 2007 he left the UK for Cali, Colombia where he’s been based ever since, delving headfirst into cumbia, salsa, bossa nova, and other Latin sounds. He is coming to D.C. as part of a national tour with Sinkane this Friday and will bring his box of 45s with him and DJ a set of all 7-inch vinyl. — Andy Cerutti

Rock & Roll Hotel: The Deadmen, Tomás Pagán Motta and Wanted Man. 8:30 p.m., $15. All ages.

SATURDAY

Black Dog Prowl, Spotted Atrocious @ Velvet Lounge. 9:30 p.m., $8. 21+

Amidst myriad subgenres, including “-waves” that haven’t even been invented yet, rock and roll without any gimmicks can feel physically refreshing. That’s what you’ll get at the Velvet Lounge this Saturday night. Spotted Atrocious will show why Philly’s gaining a rep as the best place for underground rock before locals Black Dog Prowl rip faces. Add beer and enjoy. — Tori Kerr

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Janka Nabay & The Bubu Gang @ The Hamilton 8:30 p.m., $17 18+

Road warriors Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will make their debut at The Hamilton this Saturday night with Janka Nabay & The Bubu Gang. While playing reggae festivals worldwide and infusing their vibes with heavy doses of dub and reggae, it’s not entirely accurate to label GPGDS strictly as a reggae band. They have a rich and dynamic sound with rock, jam, Americana and funk influences all heard throughout their exciting live sets. The excellent sound and production quality of The Hamilton will be a phenomenal place to catch GPGDS, their last two D.C. shows were completely packed at Tropicalia, with a sweaty and heaving crowd dancing the whole time. — Andy Cerutti

SUNDAY

DC9: Twerps, Ultimate Painting and Expert Alterations. 8:30 p.m., $10-$12. All ages.

State Theatre: The Wammies. 8 p.m., $14-$35.