Dan DeLuca's Mix Picks: Megadeth, Palehound, Method Man & Redman, and Scram!
John Mayer with Grateful Dead vets, a pair of illustrious rappers, metal stalwarts, a rising young songwriter and a Philly band reunion.
Dead & Co. Back so soon, John Mayer? The lukewarm singer and hotshot guitarist who played the Wells Fargo Center in April in support of his new The Search for Everything, is now back on his side gig, filling in for the late Jerry Garcia with surviving Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann, Sunday at BB&T Pavilion.
Megadeth. When Dave Mustaine of Megadeth finally won a Grammy this year after 30-plus years in the metal-making business — for the title track to last year's Dystopia — the house band mistakenly played Metallica's "Master of Puppets" as walk-up music. No respect! The thrash metal vets are joined on this tour by Meshuggah, TesseracT, and Lillake. Tuesday at the Fillmore.
Palehound. Westport, Conn.-raised songwriter Ellen Kempner leads her rock trio into town in support of her excellent grief-stricken and galvanic sophomore release, A Place I'll Always Go. You can tell she's from New England because she sings about Dunkin' Donuts and there's a hockey game on TV in her promo photo. With Queen of Jeans and Ursula. Wednesday at Boot & Saddle.
Method Man & Redman. Way back in 1994, Wu-Tang Clan rapper Method Man and Def Squad emcee Redman collaborated on a single extolling the virtues of marijuana use called "How High." A cottage industry has grown since, including a 2001 movie directed by Bob Dylan's son Jesse, and several tours like this with Wu Tangers Cappadonna and Raekwon. Philly band Hardwork Movement opens. Thursday at Electric Factory.
Scram! A momentous reunion of Philly reggae-influenced trio Scram, featuring brothers Matt and Greg Mungan and drummer Craig Heim, that grew out of the local hardcore punk scene in the 1980s and that was last heard from with 1990's Kingsessing Trials. Plus reunions of subsequent Mungan brothers bands IRON and Shoulders of Giants. Free. Friday at Cianfrani Park at Eighth and Fitzwater Streets.