As usual, Bend’s nightlife scene will be saturated with locals this week. Here are some shows worth seeing:
• Singer-songwriter Leif James is a rock on the local music scene; whenever you see him, you know you’re going to get a set of impassioned, bluesy, rootsy rock ’n’ roll with no frills. He and his band The Struggle will hold down the Wednesday night slot at McMenamins Old St. Francis School (700 N.W. Bond St., Bend). They’ll get going at 7 p.m., and it’s free.
• Guitars will buzz, amps will howl and singers will yowl Wednesday night at Silver Moon Brewing & Taproom (24 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend) as two of our town’s grittier rock bands — Little White Lyins and Problem Stick — team up for a night of white-knuckle wailing. They’ll get started at 8 p.m., and cover is $5.
• For the heavy-rock fans among us, Black Horse Saloon (20565 Brinson Blvd., Bend) will host Redmond-based ska-punk collective Necktie Killer and local metal upstarts Klever Kill tonight at 9. It’s free, unless you count the price your hearing will pay.
• Happy birthday, Amsterdam! The local MC will celebrate by throwing a bash Saturday night at Bendistillery Martini Bar (850 N.W. Brooks St., Bend) with a bunch of his buddies, including The Kid Espi, JoAnna Lee, DJ Hit-n-Runn and his own duo, Top Shelf . Things will go down around 9 p.m., and there’s no cover.
• Top-notch local jazz pianist Andy Armer has begun playing a regular gig on Thursday nights at Avery’s Wine Bar & Bistro (427 S.W. Eighth St., Redmond). He performs from 6 till about 9 p.m., and it’s free, though tips are welcome.
