The Like offers much to love

First, let’s dismiss the notion that The Like is just another chick band, three young women singing and playing with their instruments as a cover to a thin pre-packaged existence created by studio executives.

The Like is much more. The trio (Charlotte Froom, Tennessee Jane Bunny Thomas and Z Berg), performing Tuesday in Seattle, complements pop-rock attitude and energy with above-their-age skills, the roots of which can be traced to their fathers, three music-business veterans.

After they spent a few years playing together in their mid-teens, Geffen Records noticed the L.A. buzz and signed them. Even before Like’s first Geffen album (“Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?) came out in September, Rolling Stone tapped them for the “10 Artists to Watch in 2005” list.

Maybe it’s the literary references in the songs or a few beyond-chick-band song topics that already separate The Like from the pack. Influenced by any number of indie rock groups, Z Berg has also credited the Beatles. “They taught us what songwriting is.”

Nickel Creek: Violinist Sara Watkins recently summed up the award-winning progressive bluegrass trio: “We use a lot of detailed arrangements, but there is also room for improvisation. I think of us as a sort of high-energy chamber band.” Create your own adjectives when Nickel Creek performs Sunday at the Paramount. The band’s third release, “Why Should the Fire Die?” opened at No. 1 on the independent and Internet sales charts. One should hope this is a glimpse into the future of American acoustic music.

Matt Costa: The pro-skateboarder-turned-singer/songwriter tackles archetypal themes on his latest album, “Songs We Sing.” Costa performs Sunday in Seattle. A shattered leg offered Costa time to turn his energy to music. He’s been piling up tour dates, including a 36-city tour with Jack Johnson, and polishing his skills and minimalistic arrangements.

Shooter Jennings: He’s got the tattoos and earring, has subbed twice for Axl Rose with Guns N’ Roses and has started a rock band, but Jennings has returned to his country-outlaw roots. The son of country star Waylon Jennings and singer Jessi Colter (“I’m Not Lisa”) performs tonight in Seattle, intending to put a harder edge in a genre that he says has been gypping a generation. Jennings plays his father in the movie “Walk the Line.”

Umphrey’s McGee: More than a jam band, the Chicago-based sextet performs Saturday in Seattle. The prog-rockers rely on melodies, harmonies and musicianship, and can be muscular or psychedelic in the same set. The band was one of Rolling Stone’s bands to watch in 2004, and with good reason.

The Blasters: Two founding members are carrying on the legacy that started in the late 1970s with their R&B and roots-influenced rock ‘n’ roll. The Blasters play Sunday in Seattle. Some of their songs were played in movies, including “So Long Baby, Goodbye” in “Bull Durham” and “Mare, Marie” in “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

Jingle Bell Bash 8: The annual KISS 106.1 holiday concert on Sunday features the Backstreet Boys, Frankie J, Natasha Bedingfield, Pussycat Dolls, Lifehouse, Click Five, Rihanna, the Veronicas and the Ball Flaggs.

Joe Bonamassa: Better make a reservation for the Tuesday and Wednesday shows in Seattle by the blues guitar sensation who once opened (at age 12) for B.B. King. He played with Bloodline before starting on the solo path. His second album, “So, It’s Like That,” hit the top of the Billboard blues chart several times.

Nickel Creek performs Sunday in Seattle.

The Blasters perform Sunday in Seattle.

Joe Bonamassa performs Tuesday and Wednesday.