MUSIC EVENTS

Sandinistas! At the Music Farm

Back in the heyday of punk rock music, The Clash were often looked upon as odd ducks, even by some of its musical peers, thanks to the band's refusal to stick to just punk-rock music. Indeed, the legendary band delved into ska, dub and even hip-hop.

Although the band broke up in 1986, its influence continues to be felt to this day. Just take a look at Green Day, and you'll see the late Joe Strummer's ghost guiding Billy Joe Armstrong and company.

Locally, the tribute band Sandinistas! does its best to carry on the attitude and power that punctuated a live Clash show.

The band started as most tribute bands do; with a few friends playing the music they love, and has since grown into a popular touring outfit that has played up and down the East Coast.

Kevin McCrary plays Strummer while fellow guitarist Chris Oplinger plays the part of Mick Jones. Eric Atwood and Henry Fishburne round out the group.

This Friday, Sandinistas! present a very special show at the Music Farm, where the band will play The Clash's best album, "London Calling," in its entirety. Fans will get to hear faithful recreations of songs such as "Brand New Cadillac," "Rudie Can't Fail," "Train in Vain" and "Lost in the Supermarket."

Look for Sandinistas! to play more Clash hits once the album has been played. Doors open at 9 p.m. for this all-ages show. Tickets are $10.

JJ Grey & Mofro at The Windjammer

The Windjammer just might be on to something.

Lately, the Isle of Palms venue has been featuring some nationally known bands for multiple nights in a row, thereby ensuring that anyone wanting to see a particular act had no excuse for missing it.

Last weekend, the mighty Cowboy Mouth rocked the Jammer for three straight nights, and this weekend, fans of the Southern-fried guitar rock from JJ Grey & Mofro can pick from either Friday or Saturday to see the band do its thing.

Hailing from Florida, Grey is a musical storyteller whose musical styles can go from gospel to funk to Southern rock, and have the crowd loving every minute of it.

JJ Grey & Mofro has toured with The Allman Brothers Band, and has performed at dozens of music festivals in Europe and the U.S.

Touring in support of his latest album, "Orange Blossom," expect to hear a healthy dose of music from that CD, as well as favorites from earlier releases, such as "Lochloosa" and "Blackwater." Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 the day of the shows. Doors open at 9 p.m. for a 10 p.m. performance. There is no opening band, so don't be late.

Tinsley Ellis at The Pour House

If one were to give out an award for the hardest working musician, blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis would have to at least warrant a nomination, if not winning the trophy outright.

Ellis first picked up a guitar at the age of eight, and from that moment there was no looking back. When he attended a B.B. King concert a few years later as a teenager, the experience steered him toward the blues, which became his primary musical love.

Since releasing his debut album on Alligator Records in 1988, Ellis has toured non-stop, bringing his own version of the blues to as many ears as possible. Often compared to such Southern blues-rock luminaries as Duane Allman, Freddie King, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, Ellis has a take-no-prisoners approach to his music, clobbering you with its energy and quickly making you happily submit to its power.

Tickets for Tinsley Ellis are $15 at etix.com. Doors open at 9 p.m. for a 10 p.m. performance.

Webb Wilder at Awendaw Green

If you haven't yet caught a show at Awendaw Green, then you are missing out on one of the most unique music venues in the Lowcountry.

Located just north of Mount Pleasant, the site has a farm-like feel, complete with a big red barn and a pond. This Saturday, the fine folks at Awendaw Green will be holding a show to benefit the sea turtle programs of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and the Sewee Association.

In addition to local acts such as The Whisperjets, Jeff Norwood and Holy Ghost Tent Revival, the headliner is Webb Wilder. The self-proclaimed "Last of the Full-Grown Men," Wilder has been plying his own brand of rock 'n' roll music for more than two decades now.

His song "Tough It Out" was frequently played on the now-defunct 96 Wave in the '90s, and his live show features high-energy rock coupled with witty between-song banter.

A true entertainer, Wilder never disappoints live and even has his own credo: "Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."

Tickets for the 5 p.m. show are $15 and available at etix.com, Shem Creek Music, 52.5 Records, and the Sewee Outpost.