Cage the Elephant

The Brits have always had a thing for American roots music, and this young Bowling Green quintet are one of their latest fascinations—they've already scored a minor hit with their bluesy ramshackle ode to the grind "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" off their self-titled debut for EMI/Virgin imprint Relentless. (Its still unreleased in the U.S.) Their shuffling, festive songs range in influences from reggae to blues-funk, blending Sublime, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and G. Love into a style most succinctly and successfully expressed by Gomez. If singer Matt Schultz (whose brother Brad plays guitar) hadn't re-injured his knee, they'd be in Scotland right now, but don't feel bad for them—in two weeks they play the legendary Reading & Leeds festival.
Fri., Aug. 8, 9 p.m., 2008