Sat.-Sun. Nov. 4-5

The Rev. Horton Heat is not a real reverend but he plays one on stage. The sweaty and gritty rocker - reminds us of the Cramps with less blood and gore imagery - was called Jim Heath before a Texas club owner said his music was like "gospel" and he should be "Reverend Horton Heat." (Drinks may have been involved.) Heath said, what the hey? and he's been Rev. Heat for almost two decades. He's a staple on the scene for those who like their meat and potatoes punkabilly infused with songs that run, as he says, "from death to silliness." He's talking about his new CD, "Revival," his first for Yep Roc. Of course, there's a song called "Party Mad," which is pretty self-explanatory. They're playing with Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers, led by J.D. Wilkes, who carries the tag of "the last great rock 'n' roll frontman from former Dead Kennedy Jello Biafara. Wilkes likes to call what he does "bestial." Alarm magazine called him the "ambassador of genuine traditional Southern culture" and compared his storytelling savvy to Faulkner, Johnny Cash and Muddy Waters. It's at the Middle East Downstairs Nov. 4 & 5, starting around 9. Tickets: $20.

472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278 mideastclub.org