I’m no fan of cloning, but only because it doesn’t actually do what I want it to do. When I say, “I wish I could clone myself,” I really mean that I wish I could replicate/duplicate myself. Bill Watterson, genius creator of Calvin and Hobbes, understood this and created some of the best strips of the best comic series ever about it (scroll down to the sixth strip). 

The reason I need a replicator tonight is that there are five local concerts I want to attend tonight. I need duplicates.

The one I’m going to be hitting for sure is the one I’ve been looking forward to for weeks/months: Brine Webb and The Nghiems’ double-CD release show in Norman. I’ve been stuck on Webb’s gripping tunes for weeks now, and I’m thoroughly excited to see them played live. Also, he and The Nghiems are planning to accommodate Thunder fans by having The Nghiems play during halftime, and Webb play after the fourth quarter. As a pretty rabid Thunder fan, I’m stoked about this.

The one I’m most depressed about missing is Feathered Rabbit, Junebug Spade and The Gentle Art of Floating at Belle Isle Brewery. Both Feathered Rabbit and The Gentle Art of Floating are on my to-see list — the former because it’s a new Kyle Mayfield (O Fidelis, Junebug Spade, Larry Chin, everyone else in Oklahoma City) project, and the latter because they throw parties, not shows. Alas, I will have to wait yet again.

If the Webb show gets done early, I’ll traipse my way over to Opolis, where Kite Flying Robot, Chrome Pony and Guardant will be throwing an end-of-school dance party. I have been known to dance wildly at Opolis.

Before all this started getting crazy, I had planned on going seeing Ryan Lawson, Ali Harter and O Fidelis at Bad Granny’s Bazaar, as all three are OKS faves. If you like acoustic country/folk, this is your show; these are three of the best in the metro at it, and rare is the show where they all play together.

And I just heard that Anty Shanty, 318 Main Street in Norman, will be hosting Skating Polly, Luna Moth and Shitty/Awesome as part of Second Friday Art Walk. I still haven’t been to a show here yet, despite my desire. Must everyone play on the same night?!

As for non-local artists, Jamey Johnson will be stopping at Diamond Ballroom for those who are into straight-up country. It doesn’t get earthier than Johnson these days, so if that’s your bag, this is your gig. Red-dirt Austinite Brandon Jenkins will play Joy’s Palace, 300 E. Main Street in Norman, also as part of Art Walk. Finally, Avenged Sevenfold ,Three Days Grace and Bullet for My Valentine will be rocking faces off at Zoo Amphitheatre.

Saturday is less stacked, but still a difficult choice, as The City Lives’ final show is at The Conservatory; The Boom Bang, Copperheads and Purple Church make ears bleed at Opolis; and new band Bona Fide Villains (ex-Sweetwater) play Sauced.

Don’t ever let ‘em ever tell you this town had nothin’ for ya.

I love the post-school quiet. The cap-and-gown thing is behind me, but I still eagerly anticipate the calm that comes over my home of Norman when college students leave town for their summer abodes. Since musicians work pretty much on college schedules, too (note the blast of shows that corresponded with the end of finals), this week is a welcome respite from the manic months of spring-release season.

But for musicians, it’s merely a pause, as summer touring/festival season soon will be upon us. Seeing as Zoo Amphitheatre is already open for business, in some regards, it’s already upon us. But I think Third Eye Blind at Diamond Ballroom this Friday will really be the kick-off.

Is there any better summer music than 3EB? I heard that if you play “Semi-Charmed Life” backward, there’s a sunshiny voice that tells you to roll down your windows and sing. Yeah. It’s that good. I’ve heard that 3EB also released some new music recently, but is anyone going to hear that? No. Let’s hear some “Jumper”! “Motorcycle Drive-By”! “Semi-Charmed Life” again!

Whether or not Third Eye Blind is up your alley, grab these free MP3s while you’re here:
1.    “Grandfather’s Gun” — Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. Unsurprisingly, vintage jazz and big-band sounds play in this first taste of new album “Tulsa Race Riot Suite” by the post-everything melodic masters. (Stream only)
2.    “Milkman” — EMA. Weird, uneasy, interesting electro-pop cut from the excellently titled “Past Life Martyred Saints.”
3.    “Lost Cause” — Bird Call. This stark cover of a Beck tune is a surprisingly calm take from the usually excitable Chiara Angelicola (pictured).
4.    “My Heart’s a Cannonball” — Lelia Broussard. A shuffling, neo-country take on her singer/songwriter pop.
5.    “The Greeks” — Is Tropica. You know when bands sometimes put up a big huge sign that says “MASSIVE TECHNO BREAK COMING,” and then it happens, and it’s awesome?