critics’ picks

Wednesday, Feb. 8

MDC, The Cutthroats, Violent Practice, W. Witosky and the Dirty Dog Dick Eaters

MDC — an acronym that initially stood for Millions of Dead Cops but has mutated over the years depending on the band’s targets — helped set the template for hardcore punk in the early ’80s with a mix of speedy riffing and pissed-off politics. The long-running band hasn’t let up on its radical message or the ferocity of its musical attack. This show’s also an album-release party for SA’s W. Witosky and the Dirty Dog Dick Eaters, whose new release Earn Your Wings is an amalgam of gloriously sloppy early Replacements-style snot rock and hoarsely shouted punk given an extra kick of cowpunk giddyup. $10, 8 p.m., The Mix, 2423 N. St. Mary’s St., facebook.com/themixsatx. — Sanford Nowlin

Friday, Feb. 10

Danny Ocean

Latin pop singer and producer Danny Ocean is best known for his 2016 international hit “Me Rehúso,” a song about longing and love lost during a time of economic and political turmoil. Ocean, who migrated from Venezuela to the U.S., told Rolling Stone in 2022 that he views his signature song as a political statement. “It was like, ‘Why do I have to leave somebody behind, and why do I have to leave my country?” he explained. His San Antonio stop is part of a 16-city tour that wraps up in his adopted hometown of Miami. $64.83 and up, 8 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — Marco Aquino

Mourning Sun, NDGO, Forever, for Now, Voltreus, Inbala

If you put the fierce sounds of metalcore stalwarts After the Burial in a blender with Upon A Burning Body, the result might resemble San Antonio act Mourning Sun. The band punches listeners in the face but does so with grace — thanks to the melodic guitars underpinning its rage-filled songs. Current vocalist Jerecho Barrera started off as the bassist, but his scratchy screams make him an ear-shredder well qualified to lead the band. While Mourning Sun has opened for national metalcore acts including The Plot in You and The Devil Wears Prada over the years, it’s only released one EP and a slew of singles. This show celebrates the release of its second EP, Second Skin. $10$12, 6:30 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — Brianna Espinoza

Saturday, Feb. 11

Bobby Oroza, Las Los

Bobby Oroza’s soul sound reflects the diverse, multicultural soundtrack of his early life. Born in Helsinki, Finland, to a Bolivian mother and Finnish father, he grew up around a family record collection that primed him for a boundary defying aesthetic. His father, a jazz guitarist, also ensured the young Oroza got to experience Blue Note jazz, Motown soul and West African music. Oroza’s latest effort, 2022’s Get On The Otherside, builds on the foundation of his 2019 debut This Love. Jazzy influences shine through on the album’s first single “I Got Love,” which showcases the performer’s love-conquers-all approach with a dreamy and timeless mix of guitars, flute fills and deliberate drums. $18$20, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx. com. — Danny Cervantes

Avnue, Checkered Soul, Unholy Trinity, Astro Current, Pain Junkies, Counterfeit Icons

San Antonio band Avnue has made quite the name for itself since the release of its debut EP Nothing to See Here several years ago. The group captures the feel of aughts-era punk bands such as The Story So Far with raspy vocals and lyrics full of trials and tribulations. Avnue then sets itself apart by adding hard-hitting drums and guitars as a contrast to its melodic, heartfelt tendencies. $10-$15, 7:15 p.m., Vibes Underground, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 255-3833, facebook.com/vibesunderground. — BE

Monday, Feb. 13

Life Cycles, Realms of Death, Inner Self, Flagrant Foul Reminiscent of metallic hardcore pioneers Hatebreed, San Antonio extreme metal band Life Cycles started releasing music in 2019 and set fire to stages all over Texas. Given the aural pain the band specializes in, headlining this “Love Hurts” show the day before Valentine’s at the Vice Versa basement might be just its calling. $5-$10, 8 p.m., Vice Versa, 123 Heiman St., (210) 9770566, instagram.com/viceversa.sanantonio. — Dalia Gulca

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Quasi, Yuvees, On Being an Angel

Formed in 1993 by former spouses Sam Coomes (vocalist, multi-instrumentalist) and Janet Weiss (vocalist, drummer), Oregon-based indie-pop duo Quasi tours as often as the members’ other bands’ schedules permit. Weiss was the primary drummer for Sleater-Kinney, and Coomes appeared on several Built to Spill albums. The pair is now touring in support of three recently released singles. The latest of those, “Nowheresville,” is a raw, fuzzy guitar- and drum-fueled track that will appear on their new album Breaking the Balls of History. $20-$22, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. – DC

Any Color You Like

San Antonio’s self-described “soul-hop psychedelic mystic-folk” group Any Color You Like celebrated its first major release last December. The single “Indigo” represents the culmination of years of effort from Noah Slavin, Gavin Massay, Ryan Hollander and Gilbert Salazar, and it showcases an infectious energy likely to get crowds grooving. $12-$50, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — DC

Thursday, Feb. 16

Ari Lennox

Last year, R&B songstress Ari Lennox vowed to never do another interview in South Africa after a podcaster disrespectfully asked, “Is someone fucking you good right now?” Lennox’s intimate, confessional song lyrics led the interviewer to believe he could get away with going there. But while Lennox is known for her sexually explicit lyrics on albums like 2022’s Age/Sex/Location, she also presents as an empowered woman who sings about self-love and female strength. Her 27-date tour supporting the release wraps up in March in her hometown of Washington, D.C. $100 and up, 8 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — MA

Friday, Feb. 17

Young Costello, Celebrity Sex Scandal, Sloth, Blown Lights

The modern ska genre tends to skew one of two ways — punk and depressing or too beachy and lightweight. Young Costello, a San Antonio-based progressive ska band, draws an interesting medium. It pairs raspy vocals spouting dire lyrics with a mix

The Bright Light Social Hour

of shamelessly energetic horn lines, squiggly guitar riffs and furious drums. That blend may leave listeners unsure whether to mosh, dance or stand still and bob their heads. The show also serves as an album-release party for San Antonio’s oddly groovy avant-garde metal merchants Celebrity Sex Scandal. $10-$15, 8 p.m., The Starlighter, 1910 Fredericksburg Road, thestarlighter. com. — DG

Deadmau5

Mouse-masked DJ Deadmau5 is heading to San Antonio with all the modern grooves he can trap for a Friday night throwdown. While generally associated with progressive house, the Canadian superstar doesn’t limit himself to one genre of electronic music. He’s collaborated with anyone from My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way to Kaskade. $44.50-$64.50, 8 p.m., Cowboys Dancehall, 3030 NE Loop 410, (210) 646-9378, cowboysdancehall.com. — Mike McMahan

Los Lonely Boys

Formed more than 20 years ago, Los Lonely Boys are no longer boys. However, the San Angelo-bred trio is still composed of the same Garza brothers who rose to national attention after recording their debut album at Willie Nelson’s studio in 2003. The debut single “Heaven,” roared onto the charts the following year and became their signature song. Los Lonely Boys have toured frequently since, bringing conjunto-tinged roots rock to enthusiastic audiences. $30-$130, 8 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — MM

Bronco

Grupero act Bronco’s San Antonio appearance is billed as a special Valentine’s Day concert, and — despite being a few days late — why not? The band rose to fame in the ’80s and ’90s, scoring big hits with a musical style that pays tribute to the Norteño genre while leaning toward rock and pop sensibilities. While Bronco’s lineup has shifted over the years, influential vocalist José Guadalupe Esparza remains at the helm. $55.75.$115.75, 8 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 2263333, majesticempire.com. — MA

Saturday, Feb. 18

The Bright Light Social Hour

The Bright Light Social Hour’s psychedelic rock reached a wider audience circa 2017 when its song “Harder Out Here” was used as the theme for Amazon Video series Sneaky Pete. But the Austin-based band already had it going on. The Bright Light Social Hour updates the sounds of Texas’ 1960s psych underground with R&B and off-kilter pop. A tight rhythm section keeps things from meandering too far into left field. $20-$150, 8:30 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — BE

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Graduate Engineer: LJA Engineering, Inc.; San Antonio, TX 78209. Assist Prjct Mngr. &/or Prjct Eng.’s in desg & admin o/ civil eng. prjts. Req: Bachlr’s degree in Civil Engg. Valid TX Board o/Professional Eng. & Land Surveyors, EIT cert. Knwld. o/CAD software AutoCAD Civil 3D req. Knwld. o/civil engg desg & tech. Includ’g apply’g prncpls., technqs., precdrs., & equipnt. for desg & prodct’n o/ utlity layout, water distrib. system, sanitary sewer profiles. Email CV: dmasterson@lja.com.

Project Engineer, Parra & Co., LLC, San Antonio, TX. Prepare, schedule, coordinate, & monitor assigned engineering projects in San Antonio, TX. 1-3 subordinates. 40% or less domestic & international travel. B.S. in Eng. or Business & 5 yrs. overall progressive exp. in managing land dev. projects from design to granting of permits to construction, including 5 yrs. exp. in leading the process of applying for & being granted permits for commercial & residential land dev.; dev. full-scale projects lands & presentations to clients; civil engineering & land dev.; proj. mgmt; budget & schedule mgmt; & mgmt & overseeing contractors & bid process. Apply at Emparra@ParraCompany.com