The Profiler

The Suspect: Fish Out of Water

This trio has spent the last ten years perfecting their style of RoPhunk RaeHop, a combination of rock, funk, reggae and hip-hop. They’ve shared the stage with G. Love, Fishbone and The Wailers, winning over audiences with their high energy and funky beats.

Can Be Found: Mo Daddy’s, Friday, April 29.

RIYD (Recommended if You Dig): G. Love, Sublime.

You Should Go If: For the love of god, why does everyone always assume it’s your laundry day?!; Exam week … time to dust off the ol’ devil sticks; one man’s walk-in closet is another man’s bedroom; Your word of the moment is … “Chillaxing.” It’s actually been your word for the last four-and-a-half years.

The Suspect: Matt Costa

When a broken leg kept skateboarder Matt Costa from turning pro, he turned his focus to writing songs and playing guitar. A frequent collaborator and tourmate of Jack Johnson, his third album, Mobile Chateau, was released on Johnson’s Brushfire label in the fall of 2010.

Can Be Found: The Grey Eagle, Saturday, April 30.

RIYD: Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Josh Rouse.

You Should Go If: You watched your life backwards it would be the story of someone who started out broke, spent his days playing on rivers and trails, graduated from college, moved in with his parents and finally had some spending money; you can eat a tray of Reese’s peanut butter eggs in under 10 minutes; you can’t read The Giving Tree without crying; Your word of the moment is … “Skick,” used when something is both sick and sketchy.

The Suspect: Plain White T’s

Those who never heard of this Chicago pop band until their 2007 hit, “Hey There Delilah,” may be surprised to know that the band had been together for 10 years before they found mainstream success. The Music Cycle calls PWT’s 2010 release, Wonders of the Younger, “a fun album from start to finish.”

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Monday, May 2.

RIYD: All-American Rejects, Jimmy Eat World.

You Should Go If: You get scolded at least once a week for not picking up your dog’s poop; Steve Carrell leaving The Office is of deep concern to you; your current job has allowed you to take your Scrabble game to a whole new level; your word of the moment is … “Equinox.” (You get a 50 point bonus for using all your letters!)

The Suspect: Femi Kuti and the Positive Force

Kuti recorded his April 2011 release Africa for Africa in the historic Decca studio in Lagos, Nigeria. Although he’s been playing on his own with Positive Force since 1985, he spent much of his early career playing in the band of his father, Fela Kuti, widely considered to be a founder of Afrobeat music.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Tuesday, May 3.

RIYD: Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade.

You Should Go If: It really bums you out that gay people have taken over rainbows, and you sincerely hope they leave unicorns alone; you have a personal mission statement, and you’re not afraid to use it; you were making clothes out of curtains before you ever saw the Sound of Music; your word of the moment is … “Apolcalyptic.” It really gets people’s attention!