“It's a homecoming for us, our first show in town after being out on the road for the better part of three months,” says Eric-Scott Guthrie (vocalist/guitar harmonica/ banjo). “We're very excited about it.” The lineup for this outfit from the Asheville, N.C., area includes Guthrie, Justin Fedor, vocals/guitar/ mandolin/banjo/; Josh Daniel, vocals/ dobro/lap steel/guitar; Pat Muholland, bass/fiddle; and Daniel Flynn, drums. The distinctive style and sound is derived partly from the music of the guys’ Southern roots, mixed in with the multitude of influences absorbed over the years. The eclectic “folk core” sound is described as a folk, rock, country, blues, and jazz mixed bag.

The band is currently touring in support of their six-song EP, “The Storm,”as well as a 7-inch vinyl release featuring the original tune “Mill’s River,”a re-interpretation of Smokey Robinson's classic “My Girl.” Get reacquainted with The New Familiars tonight at 511 E. 36th St., Charlotte. Call (704)358-9298 or go to neighborhoodtheatre.com for show details. Find more on the band at thenewfamiliars.com.

No whining about gas prices, food prices or hot weather allowed tonight while you take a break with The Truckstop Preachers at McHale’s on Main in Rock Hill. This raucous bunch of bawdy boys — Nathan Palmer, lead vocals; Lee Goodwin, lead guitar/vocals; Glenn Jones, rhythm guitar/vocals; Jeff Faulkner, bass; and Mike Elder, drums — take their musical cues from a broad range of styles. You got some old school country that’s revved up with rock, raunch and hillbilly roll and then touched by twang. And we do mean touched. Just ask anyone who’s seen the on-stage, off-stage, then out through the audience, antics of Palmer. Call 329-8580 or check mchalesonmain.com and myspace.com/mchalesonmain for show details. Find more on the band at truckstoppreachers.com; and myspace.com/truckstoppreachers.

Halloween is still a few months away, nevertheless, something wicked this way comes in the nefarious form of Wednesday 13 on Sunday at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte. Zombies walk, ghostly beings roam free and terror takes flight in the shock rock/horror-filled environs inhabited by this somewhat locally-based, but definitely internationally, known rocker. Wednesday 13 draws its lifeblood from the dark side of classics like “The Munsters” and “The Addams Family”, as well as the scary likes of Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie and such. Current band members are Eric Griffin, guitar; Racci Shay, drums; and Nate Manor, bass. Together they trip the “fright fantastic” in support of a new album “Skeletons” on a tour reaching across the U.S. and Europe. Tremont Music Hall is at 400 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte Call (704)343-9494 or go to tremontmusichall.com for show info. Get band details at myspace.com/officialwednesday13.

Realize all matter of live musical apparitions and conditions appearing all over during the coming weekend and following week. Check this list for plenty of possibilities:

• Tonight: The Stellas at The Longbranch Saloon, Rock Hill; Truckstop Preachers at McHale’s On Main, Rock Hill; Tone Deaf at Uncle Charles’ Oasis, Richburg; The Blue Dogs at Sylvia Theater, York; Lindy Dobbins at Carolina Bistro, Fort Mill; The New Familiars, American Aquarium and Horse Ghost at The Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte; Angwish at The Graduate, Pineville; Shorty’s Urban Honky Tonk Revue with South 85, Bill Noonan Band and Carolina Gator Gumbo at The Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; Rockshot at Irish Cue, Cornelius, N.C.; Fan Appreciation Night! with The Turnstiles, Rick Spreitzer, Four-Oh and Sally Spring Band at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Jay Mathey Band at Fifty-One South, Charlotte; Nicolette Emanuelle CD release and Buschovski at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Steve Winwood at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte; Wink Keziah, Delux Motel with Hick'ry Hawkins and Tommy Ray and The Rangers at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Cry Me A River at The Milestone, Charlotte; Geoff Achison at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Ocie Davis Trio at Pewter Rose, Charlotte; and The Nick Edelson Band at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte.