Beautiful world: Devo and Bow Wow Wow

Devo and Bow Wow Wow didn't share many stages in the '80s, but the two iconic bands have more recently become complementary touring buddies. No Doubt drummer Adrian Young now beats the skins for BWW, joining original members Leigh Gorman and Annabella Lwin to play such classics as "I Want Candy" and "Go Wild in the Country" and newer licks (like a smart update of the Smiths' "I Started Something"). The bands will anchor Live 105's "Halloween Freak-Out" on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium at 7 p.m. Admission is $45; call 392-4400 or visit www.billgrahamcivic.com for more info. — Tamara Palmer

Figurines.

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• Stuart Staples
• Bow Wow
• Leigh Gorman
• Annabella Lwin
• Adrian Young

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Tinderstick's principal Stuart Staples has been jerking tears for years now in the U.K., amassing a somewhat cultish following from those who dig orchestral arrangements within their downtrodden, countrified ballads. Staples could be the British equivalent to Lambchop's Kurt Wagner, or Leonard Cohen — in both sound and "under the radarness" — and his baritone voice is just as haunting. Solo gigs like tonight are rare; he's in town supporting a recently released (June) solo album, Leaving Songs, which comes off a bit more optimistic than his usual sad sack self. There's an affliction in his annunciation that hints not all hope is lost, but still expect lots of unblemished, perfected moodiness. Stuart Staples performs on Monday, Oct. 30th, at Bimbo's at 8pm. Admission is $25; call 474-0365 or visit www.bimbos365club.com for more info. — Michael D. Ayers

Neither corpse-painted black metalists, nor spastic retro garage revivalists in matching suits, Figurines are another fine, new act from Scandinavia. Less a concept or a borrowed style than a real band, these Danish gents devise winning, fairly sweet-sounding tunes with ringing Strokeslike guitars, swift chord changes, the occasional goofy harmony, and an unwavering catchiness, which pervades their should-be-a-hit record, Skeleton. Singer Christian Hjelm possesses a voice that's a near double of Doug Martsch from Built to Spill, though Figurines rock harder — and should be taking over the world. Check them out on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Rickshaw Stop at 9 p.m. Admission is $10; call 861-2011 or visit www.rickshawstop.com for more info. — Adam Bregman