Bad Combo.

Saturday, August 3

Versatile singer-songwriter Jed Bresette (Tricky Britches, Starcrossed Losers) leads the horn-heavy rock band Bad Combo. Singer-keyboardist Kevin Roper (of Pardon Me, Doug) leads the versatile jam band The Project. They’re both playing Empire (575 Congress St., Portland) at 9 p.m. Tix: $5-$8 (21+). 558-2279. portlandempire.com. Kurt Vile, dubbed “one of indie rock’s most affable champions” and “an honest-to-god guitar hero” by Rolling Stone, brings his band, the Violators, to the State Theatre (142 High St. Portland) for an 8 p.m. show opened by the pleasantly jammy Garcia Peoples. Tix: $25-$30 (all ages). 800-745-3000. statetheatreportland.com. And down the block at Geno’s (625 Congress St.) Maine punkabilly champs The Outsiders team up with Celtic punks The Pubcrawlers and the sludgy Bassoon at 8:30 p.m. Tix: $10 (21+). 221-2382.