A few guitar gods will be rocking and rolling through Seattle in the days ahead.
First up is a visit from Ace Frehley, a founding member of KISS, who influenced generations of guitarists. He will play the Neptune Theatre at 8 p.m. Feb. 11.
Frehley’s guitar work helped propel KISS to ridiculous theatrical heights, anchoring songs like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.”
Frehley bowed out of that group at the turn of the century, but has remained active with solo albums. His latest, “Origins: Vol. 1,” found him covering the Rolling Stones, The Kinks and Cream, along with reworking some old KISS classics.
Tickets are $35 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Then the Robby Krieger Band will play the Neptune Theatre, celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Doors, the act that he helped found.
Krieger’s guitar work might not be the best-remembered part of that act, overshadowed instead by Jim Morrison’s lyrics and Ray Manzarek’s organ-playing. But his influence on the band was monumental. Along with penning “Light My Fire,” one of the act’s biggest hits, Krieger helped sculpt songs like “Break on Through (To the Other Side)” and “People Are Strange.”
Since that group ended, his sporadic solo output has showcased his range. His most recent disc was 2010’s jazz-indebted album “Singularity.”
Tickets are $33.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
J Boog, the modern-day reggae rapper, also is at the Neptune Theatre. His concert is at 8 p.m. Feb. 16.
The California-born Samoan made a big splash on the reggae charts in 2011 with the release of his sophomore album, “Backyard Boogie.” That disc featured his most popular song to date, “Let’s Do It Again,” a sunny song about short-lived love.
He’s touring now behind his new album, “Wash House Ting,” which saw release this past November.
Tickets are $20.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Galactic is heading to the Northwest as well, headlining Seattle’s Showbox at 9 tonight, Feb. 10.
Based out of New Orleans, the jazz-funk act has steadily gained popularity since its 1996 founding. At first a local favorite in Louisiana, the disc has broadened its reach and its sound in the ensuing decades.
Its most recent disc, 2015’s “Into the Deep,” found the act teaming up with high-profile vocalists, including Macy Gray and Mavis Staples, for a soulful and poppy foray into the mainstream.
Tickets are $31.75 at axs.com.
The Showbox will then stay busy this weekend as it hosts the one-two punch of Reel Big Fish and Anti-Flag at 8 p.m. Feb. 11.
The two acts are almost like different sides of the same coin. Both bubbled up during the punk and ska explosion of the 1990s and have maintained loyal followings in the ensuing decades.
But whereas Anti-Flag’s brand of punk is all Mohawk-ed protest — it’s debut album was called “Die for the Government” — Reel Big Fish remains best known for its horn-based sarcasm on hits like “Sell Out,” a song that reminded listeners “you can’t work in fast food all your life.”
Tickets are $25 at axs.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.