Back Beat

On April 9, Old Nick’s celebrates its one-year anniversary. Over the past 12 months, the Whiteaker rock club across from Washington Jefferson Skatepark has upped Eugene’s punk, metal and hardcore game.

“We would like to thank all of the local bands, DJs, comics and burlesque performers in the Eugene scene for supporting Old Nick’s with your amazing talent,” says Tim Kinney, Old Nick’s booker and co-owner. “We will continue to bring in great music and keep Eugene rocking.”

Come celebrate at Old Nick’s with Eugene’s The Googins alongside Portland’s female-fronted Misfits cover band Broken Bodies, Latter Day Skanks and many more bands 9 pm Saturday, April 9; FREE. Happy Birthday, Old Nick’s! Here’s to many more.

Also this week, popular Portland band Fruition returns to town in advance of the April 22 release of its new album Labor of Love. The record finds the roots music and string-based quintet blossoming into full-fledged folk-pop and straight-ahead rock‘n’roll. The album’s title track mixes twang, athletic mandolin playing and an NPR-ready chorus. Expect big things from Fruition in 2016. Until then, catch the band 9 pm Saturday, April 9, at Hi-Fi Music Hall; $15 adv., $18 door, 21-plus.

Adding to a jam-packed Saturday is an evening of “drag and impersonation, music, fun costumes and great humor” aka the 17th annual Damsels, Divas and Dames: Edge of 17, A Disco Homecoming 7:30 pm Saturday, April 9, at The Hult Center; $25-$33, youth discounts available. Proceeds benefit HIV Alliance.

On April 13, L.A. duo Jerkagram brings an almost unclassifiable sound to Wandering Goat: a little bit noisy post-rock, a little bit math rock, a little bit ambient, topped off with stoner metal’s sense of humor. Jerkagram plays with Eugene’s Paleons and Purple Frankie, 8 pm Wednesday, April 13, at Wandering Goat; $5, 21-plus.

New Orleans’ Nolatet comes to Eugene April 14 in support of its latest release Dogs. Expect jazz piano, vibes, New Orleans-style groove and a strong sense of improvisation. Nolatet plays 9 pm Thursday, April 14, at Sam Bond’s; $10 adv., $12 door, 21-plus.

Soul singer Chris Webster and renowned guitar player Nina Gerber are coming to bring the River Road house down 8 pm Friday, April 15, at 755 River Road; $15-$20 sliding scale. Roots-music magazine No Depression describes Webster’s voice as one “that manages to make existential angst, romantic confusion and spiritual longing sound uncommonly appealing.” Gerber is fresh off touring Japan with Karla Bonoff, who played The Shedd April 1.

Last but not least, beloved alt-rock/hardcore icons Deftones have announced an August show at Cuthbert Amphitheater. The California group’s latest release, Gore, is out April 8. The album is already being hailed as a return to form for the band. Don’t miss it.