Courtesy of Stephen Davies

Illbotz as Run-DMC

Courtesy of Captured! By Robots

SUNDAY

Captured! By Robots

With The Bastards of Fate

In 1996, a human who couldn't get along with his band mates decided to build musical robots to be in his band. But the robots took over the show and captured the human, which they call JBOT. (Well, it's a good story, anyway.) These liberated bots and their subservient human have traveled around ever since, playing countless shows including the 2007 Dubya Tour, a rock opera. Don't believe us? Go to capturedbyrobots.com/videos.htm and see for yourself.

Details: 7 p.m. Awful Arthur's, Towers Shopping Center, Roanoke. Free. 777-0007, myspace.com/awfularthurs, capturedbyrobots.com, myspace.com/thebastardsoffate.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Third Annual Monster Tribute Halloween Bash

With Illbotz, Yossarian Lives! and Nancy & 2 Meteors

Roanoke rappers Illbotz broke up a while back, but the band has made a tradition of reuniting to perform as Run-DMC. Stevie D., Big Perm and DJ Samson always put on a show. This year, the 'botz have Nancy & 2 Meteors along, performing as Talking Heads. A relatively new act out of Blacksburg, Yossarian Lives!, will do Nirvana.

Details: 9 p.m. Friday, Awful Arthur's, Towers Shopping Center, Roanoke. $5 if you're in costume; $7 if you're not. myspace.com/awfularthurs. 9 p.m. Saturday. Moe's Southwest Grill, Blacksburg. Free. myspace.com/illbotz, myspace.com/nancyandtwometeors, myspace.com/yossarianlivesva.

TONIGHT

The Farewell Drifters

Not only do these guys pick and sing some mighty fine bluegrass, they can crack you up with a story or two. Go back to Tuesday's Extra section to read more, or hear a podcast at blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $10. kirkavenuemusic.com, thefarewelldrifters.com.

Tractor Pull Redneck Costume Ball

With Tommy Edwards Band and Grass Monkey

"Touchdown" Tommy, his band and fungrassers Grass Monkey will help you get ready for the candy-filled weekend.

Details: 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, myspace.com/tommyedwards, myspace.com/vagrassmonkey.

FRIDAY

Fire at Will

With Cookies & Anarchy, Affliction Kid

Fire at Will, a Roanoke punk rock favorite, reunites for one show. Dance troupe Cookies & Anarchy and hard rocking Affliction Kid will warm things up.

Details: 9 p.m. Coffee Pot, Roanoke. $5; $2 if you're in costume; 21 and older. 774-8256, myspace.com/coffeepotroadhouseinc, myspace.com/fireatwill, myspace.com/cookiesandanarchy, myspace.com/afflictionkidonline.

Blue Ridge Dub Alliance

Leval "Shayar" Jarrett, of Krooshal Force, joins members of Alliens and Sol Creech's rhythm section of Penn and Dempsey (see listing above) to make everything irie.

Details: 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com.

The Jordan Harman Band

After a little break, JHB is back. Go hear the act that Roanoke Times Music Poll voters selected as best local band.

Details: 9 p.m. Blue 5 Restaurant, Roanoke. Free. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com, myspace.com/jordanharmanband.

Curious Strange

Looks like Halloween is reunion week. In its day, Curious Strange brought a lot of different styles into its jam stew. Its two sets on Friday should be no different.

Details: 8 p.m. Attitudes Bar & Cafe, Blacksburg. $5. 552-7001, attitudes.com, myspace.com/curiousstrange.

Projexorcism

With Old Man Kelly

The headliners combine arcane movie projection techniques with some often freaky/spooky music.

Details: 9:30 p.m. Gillie's Vegetarian Cuisine, Blacksburg. Free. 961-2703, myspace.com/gilliesmusic, multiultramedia.com/projexorcism.htm, myspace.com/omk.

SATURDAY

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band

Lovett for two decades has put his own stamp on roots, Americana and country music. With His Large Band, he swings, too. Check out last Sunday's Extra section to read more.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday. Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, Roanoke. $45; $55. (877) 722-8496, roanokeciviccenter.com, lylelovett.com.

Sol Creech Band

With Alliens

Creech and his rhythm section, bassist Jake Dempsey and drummer "King" George Penn, put on an energetic show full of blues, funk, soul and reggae music. Alliens mix funk and world grooves with reggae and deliver it with hot musicianship.

Details: 9:30 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, myspace.com/solblues, alliensmusic.com.

Tim Shepherd, Kelly Mullen and the Quadulators

A couple of Roanoke favorites join up for some blues, reggae, R&B, even originals.

Details: 9 p.m. Fork in the Alley, Roanoke. Free. 982-3675, forkinthealley.com, myspace.com/jykelly1.

The Pullouts

It might be Halloween, but don't be fooled. The Pullouts aren't pretending to be a quality Roanoke rock band. They really are. Heevahava's Mark Perry will sit in.

Details: 9 p.m. Coffee Pot, Roanoke. $2 if you're in costume; $5 if you're not. 774-8256, myspace.com/coffeepotroadhouseinc, myspace.com/thepull0uts.

The Dark Side Project

Join James Pace, Will Henson and some of their pals on a trek through a Pink Floyd classic.

Details: 10 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $5 suggested donation. kirkavenuemusic.com.

Olivarez Trio

Have some Gypsy jazz with your Halloween dinner.

Details: 7 p.m. Gillie's Vegetarian Cuisine, Blacksburg. Free. 961-2703, myspace.com/gilliesmusic, myspace.com/olivareztrio.

TUESDAY

Telepath

This trio, from Philadelphia by way of Asheville, N.C., tosses many cultures' musical styles into its electronic dance mix.

Details: 9 p.m. Attitudes Bar & Cafe, Blacksburg. $8 advance; $10 door; 18 and older. 552-7001, inticketing.com, attitudes.com, telepathmusic.com.

WEDNESDAY

The Coal Men

Nashville, Tenn.-based Americana country-rockers have a good new album, "Kids with Songs."

Details: 7:30 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $8. kirkavenuemusic.com, thecoalmen.com.