This week, I offer you three opportunities to see Heather Masse, a Friday-night KISS tribute band at Port City Music Hall, and some Wednesday-night punk at Geno’s. I also give you the finals this weekend of the U.S. Open, because it’s been fantastic to let my tennis fan flag fly and not subject myself to the cruel and unusual punishment associated with being a fan of another sport with bats and balls. Advantage, Miss Ponti. 

When she’s not busy singing as a member of The Wailin’ Jennys, Heather Masse performs with her own band. She released the album “Bird Song” last year. Masse is a former Mainer and current Manhattanite with a rich, vivid voice.

“I Don’t Want to Wake Up Today” and “Time’s a Hoax” are two of several songs I sampled at www.heathermasse.com.

She’s got a show tonight in Brownfield and another Saturday night in Portland, and will be part of Sunday’s HenryFest in Yarmouth. (Head to www.henryfest.com for info on this family-oriented outdoor music festival.)

Heather Masse Band. 8 p.m. Thursday. Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield. $20. www.stonemountainartscenter.com

9 p.m. Saturday. One Longfellow Square, Portland. $12 in advance; $15 at the door. 761-1757. www.onelongfellowsquare.com

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There is something about tribute bands that fascinates me, and that is not code for “I’m making fun of them.” In fact, I give them a whole mess of credit for working as hard as they do to re-create the experience for fans who would rather be going to see the real thing.

I also give them credit for being so passionate with their love and appreciation for a band.

Alive! KISS Tribute NE (the NE stands for New England) is no exception. They are all about the band KISS, and I mean the KISS of the mid-’70s with all the make-up and the original Gene, Peter, Ace, Paul lineup.

For a preview, head to www.myspace.com/alivetributene and then head to Port City on Friday night with your lighter (or lighter phone app — wow, did I really just say that?), because for one night only, 04101 is Portland Rock City, a place where we really do wanna rock and roll all night and party every day. And a place where, in just a few more hours, Beth will get her fella back.

Alive! KISS Tribute NE. 8 p.m. Friday. Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland. Ages 21 and older. $12 to $25. 899-4940; www.portcitymusichall.com 

Punk-folk rockers Swingin’ Utters from San Francisco will be at Geno’s on Wednesday night. Check out the smart and catchy “Brand New Lungs” and “Forward to Fun” at www.myspace.com/swinginutters. Also playing is The Copyrights from Carbondale, Ill. Sample the power-punk fun of “I’d Rather Die or Something” at www.myspace.com/thecopyrights.

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And of course, no proper punk show would be complete without our very own Covered in Bees. Growl and snarl at www.myspace.com/coveredinbees.

Swingin’ Utters with The Copyrights and Covered in Bees. 9 p.m. Wednesday. Geno’s Rock Club, 625 Congress St., Portland. Ages 21 and older. Call 221-2382 for cover. 

Aimsel Ponti is a Portland freelance writer. Contact her at:

aimselponti@yahoo.com

 


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