(MUSIC) Ethan Miller’s main gig is howlin’ and rainin’ six-string blows for Comets on Fire, whose music conjures images of their moniker. But with Howlin’ Rain, Miller eases back into more acidic and spacious country-rock jams, and mutes his vocal bombast to a gritty Gregg Allman–esque warmth. Aided by Sunburned Hand of the Man drummer John Moloney and bassist/banjoist Ian Gradek, Howlin’ Rain are white boys with soul and a knack for transcendentally aching melodies. Holy shit, indeed. (Sunset, 5433 Ballard Ave, 784-0627. 9 pm, $7, 21+.)
Dave Segal is a journalist and DJ living in Seattle. He has been writing about music since 1983. His stuff has appeared in Gale Research’s literary criticism series of reference books, Creem (when... More by Dave Segal