The Front Bottoms bring memorable music to Lagunitas

Shows not to miss include the Front Bottoms in Petaluma, Johnny Marr in Sonoma and First Aid Kit in Napa.|

I WILL REMEMBER THAT SUMMER. Over a music career of more than 10 years, The Front Bottoms have composed songs that charm a way into your heart, even since band’s early EPs. Gaining a cult following with acoustic tunes and a bare-bones style of writing, the New Jersey duo draws you in with a minimalist approach that takes you through a kaleidoscope of feelings.

The beauty behind The Front Bottoms lies in the vulnerable nature songs take on when specific snippets of conversations or candid moments poke through the lyrics. The result is something that simply feels genuine.

Gems off the debut album such as “The Beers,” paint a picture with witty opening lyrics about finding beer in places like water bottles and coffee mugs, while leading you to a chorus about spending the summer taking steroids to impress a love interest by gaining muscle. It’s these lyrics laced with catchy hooks that make the duo’s music universally relatable.

It’s a quality that comes across on every Front Bottoms record and Ep, even when rounded out with a full band. Songs like “Twin Size Mattress” or “Swear To God The Devil Made Me Do It” off the band’s sophomore studio album have become anthems that hundreds of fans sing from memory at live shows.

Whether it’s sheer magnetism, relating to hazy memories, or the way drummer Mathew Uychich’s beats have you tapping your toes to the beat of a song, The Front Bottoms have live shows that fans line up for at venues hours in advance to catch - at least last time I caught the band’s sold-out show at The Regency in San Francisco last year.

Make sure to stay tuned for a chance to pick up free tickets to the upcoming concert at Lagunitas in Petaluma. Though the first wave of tickets is gone, the second round goes live on the Lagunitas website at noon on Sept. 28.

Details: 4:20 p.m. Oct. 2, Lagunitas Brewing Company, 1280 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. Free. lagunitas.com

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SOMETIMES YOU’RE BETTER OFF ALONE. There is no arguing Johnny Marr has earned the title of rock n’ roll legend since his days of writing songs alongside Morrissey during his time in The Smiths. Really, Marr could have stopped there and still be called an icon.

In a more than 30-year run with music, he’s also been a full fledged member of several projects including The The, Modest Mouse and The Cribs, not to mention he’s worked with The Pretenders and Talking Heads.

Chances are Marr has played with, recorded or been a member of at least one of your favorite bands but his contribution within the music world should not dim the brightness of his solo work. After his latest and third solo album “Call The Comet,” released in June, you only need listen to songs like “Hi, Hello” or “Day In Day Out” to remind yourself if there’s one thing Johnny Marr knows it’s how to pen a song.

Details: 7 p.m. Sept. 28, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma. $50. Gunbun.com

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THERE IS A SILVER LINING. If soft songs and folk tunes are your guilty pleasure, First Aid Kit are a must-hear. Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg offer the just the right blend of pop melodies with a country twang.

”My Silver Lining,” off 2014’s “Stay Gold” album is a perfect anthem about sticking to your guns and earned the band’s music video millions of plays on YouTube. With a chorus chanting “I try to keep on keeping on,” it’s the perfect inspiration to push past tough times.

Details: 8 p.m. Sept. 29, JaM Cellars Ballroom at Margrit Mondavi Theatre, 1030 Main St., Napa. $45. jamcellarsballroom.com

Write Estefany at nightbeats@pressdemocrat.com

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