As I write this, I am listening to John Entwistle's excellent first solo album, Smash Your Head Against the Wall, and although I am not following that particular piece of advice, I am drinking enough coffee to bend small sections of space/time with my eye twitches. It ain't much, but it's honest work. Speaking of honest work, we have some real returning champion, workhorse touring bands coming through the county this week, including a native daughter of music, a much venerated and formerly local group of veteran busketeers, and a punk act from Jolly Olde who have been hitting the stage longer than I've been alive. And that's just in the first three days! Indeed, as we shift from one Caesarean month, celebrating the short-lived, massively ambitious father, to the next one named for the long-lived adopted son, whose political acumen counts among the greatest in human history, things are looking good regarding live entertainment. There was certainly no scrabbling to find gigs to fill the holes of this week, let me tell you. Everything is filling in nicely, abundant like the incredible, lush offerings at our local farm stands and markets. These are the fattest of summer days, when the fish are jumping and the living is easy, and our evenings are blanketed in a warm inland afterglow or foggy coastal dews. Let's hope it stays that way for a while, and may we all enjoy a break from calamity and a return to some true, waistband-loosening leisure. Cheers.

Thursday

A couple of good things happening tonight that bring with them echoes of good fun from times past: First, Subhumans, that classic U.K. punk act from the golden era of early hardcore, is back in town. And second, the group is playing its gig at the Eureka Vet's Hall, which was the site of many fantastically heavy shows before its renovation. Los Angeles' excellent Generacion Suicida is also in tow, along with Tick. This all-ages fiasco opens its doors at 7 p.m., and $20 will get you through those doors. Historically, it's always been a good idea to expect that anything at the hall is a cash-only event.

Speaking of great bands back in town, Gunsafe is playing at Humbrews tonight at 8 p.m. for a show that I am told will be its only Humboldt appearance for the rest of 2022, so don't miss out. The death country street band is the feature of a very well-balanced bill of harder Americana music, with The Lyndey Battle Trio and Oak Top also bringing the clash and twang. ($10).

Friday

Returning musical wunderkind March Adstrum is returning to HumCo to sling a new EP called Veins, Vines, & Cables. Adstrum's work in the past has been informed by glam rock, punk, and classical music, and I hear tell there will be electronic elements at play, too. FKA Nightstand and Pills for Thrills will be laying it down, too. Oh, the gig's at the Miniplex, btw. 9 p.m. Price is $10 at the door.

Saturday

The Long Beach Dub Allstars have an interesting story. Formed by the surviving members of Sublime in the wake of Bradley Nowell's death in 1996, the group became a powerhouse touring act of its own, traveling around the world to preach the gospel of West Coast vibes. Then came a break up and reunification, with the band stretching out to include a larger lineup of diverse instrumentalists. Now, LBDA exists as a band without any members from the original lineup, though it's still chock full of OG Sublime collaborators. And if you think that's a checkered past, then you should check out the band Checkered Past, which is performing at the Mateel tonight with the Allstars. ($30/$25 advance).

Sunday

Jemere Morgan is a third-generation reggae artist, whose sound is a hybrid of hip hop, R&B and modern pop. Morgan cut his teeth touring with his father's band, the legendary Morgan Heritage, before setting off on his own for a career laced with frequent high-profile collaborations with the likes of Wyclef Jean and J Boog. Tonight at 8:30 p.m. you can find him at Humbrews, doing what he does best in a room that is perfectly tuned for his style of music. ($18/ $15 advance).

Monday

I recently got an email from a friendly fellow named Dave who is moving to Humboldt and wanted to know what the local music scene is like. Well, Dave, that's a tough question, as it's always a moving target trying to define what's going on in our barrooms and theaters these days. However, since you describe yourself as "a Huge DeadHead and live music fan," consider tonight and tomorrow's offerings to be aimed at you. Welcome aboard.

Humbrews is hosting a birthday party tonight for Jerry Garcia, who would be 80 years old today if he hadn't spent decades being Jerry Garcia. The Miracle Show, one of our county's best tribute acts, helms the stage. 9 p.m. ($10).

Tuesday

If you prefer your Dead worship to take place in a swirling phantasm of ad hoc, spur-of-the-moment, freewheeling collaboration, then head over to the Siren's Song Tavern at 8 p.m., where Terrapin Tuesday will be in full swing. What does that look like? An open mic jam celebration of the Dead, of course. Best of all, no cover at the door.

Wednesday

There is gonna be a big and raucous one over at RampArt tonight, as local thunder-makers Bow Legged Buzzards team up with power trio par excellence The Sturgeons, Over Yonder and Big Fun for a super show of high grade local talent. This all ages to-do kicks off at 8 p.m. and will have visuals throughout supplied by the correctly-named Freakbait. As is tradition with RampArt shows, there's no mention of the cover amount on the fliers, so bring some cash!

Collin Yeo (he/him) is checking out for a while, just going to seed, getting really feral and weird. He lives in Arcata, where he can be found scuttling around like a whispered curse.