Rockabilly Shakeout April 3, 9 p.m. Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. Rockabilly is still alive with each generation bringing new energy and rhythm to the dance floor like Friday’s shakeout on April 3 at Tio Leo’s. Los Angeles based guitarist Pep Torres and Floyd Burney & The Ship-Shapers will play, plus the regular DJ’s. As excellent as those artists are, as long as the performers can keep up a beat that’s right for swing dancing, croon with some degree of accuracy and sport a ’50’s era Elvis or Johnny Burnette look, the crowd will take them to heart. For fans of rock ‘n’ roll’s original spirit, The Rockabilly Shakeout can’t be beat. Wirepony April 5, 8:30 p.m. O’Connell’s, 1310 Morena Blvd. Without a doubt, guitarist Patrick Dennis is one of the hardest working men in San Diego’s music community. Restless by nature, Dennis has been a part of numerous top-rated groups since the late 1980’s, including the MacAnany’s and The Truckee Brothers. More recently he played with Steve Poltz’s backing band The Cynics. On April 5 at O’Connell’s, Dennis takes on yet another musical persona as the frontman with rock trio Wirepony. Notably Tan Sister Radio will open the show, featuring Dennis’s son on vocals. Dead Man’s Party April 11, 9 p.m. Cane’s, 3105 Ocean Front Walk Tribute band Dead Man’s Party pulls off a rather original version of its predecessor, the quirky, eighties’ band Oingo Boingo. Not content to merely perform their namesake’s music, Dead Man’s Party strives to recreate the whole experience of an original concert, including stage props. Their secret weapon is frontman Rob Elfaizy who bears an uncanny resemblance to Oingo Boingo frontman Danny Elfman. Fans wary of Dead Man’s Party ability to replicate the original band should rest assured they have the ultimate seal of approval; four members of Oingo Boingo have sat in with the group during their performances. Tomcat Courtney April 15, 7-11 p.m. Turquoise Bar Europa, 873 Turquoise St Bluesman Tomcat Courtney is one of the few San Diego musicians that can be described as a living legend. Courtney was born in Texas in 1929 and arrived in San Diego in 1971 when he built the foundation of the local blues community. Numerous musicians of note have passed through his bands over the years, including Buddy Blue, Mark DeCerbo and Robin Henkel, though today the 80-year-old guitarist generally performs in solo mode. Ironically, after decades as a local mainstay, the release of his 2008 album, Downsville Blues, has brought Courtney well-deserved, worldwide attention. While he is no longer one of San Diego’s best kept musical secrets, he remains one of the top practitioners of Texas Blues and a riveting live performer. Ryan Bingham April 15, 8 p.m. Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Avenue A relative newcomer to the music biz, Bingham is already an alternative country music sensation who made his first splash in 2006 with his self-released album Dead Horses. He soon signed to Lost Highway Records, releasing his major label debut, Mescalito, the following year. With recent appearances on the Tonight Show and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Bingham is on the rise. Indeed, this show is a warm-up for his appearance two nights later, alongside Paul McCartney, at the massive Coachella Music Festival. If you’re at all a fan of country music, this is show you won’t want to miss. It’s likely that Bingham won’t be playing intimate rooms like this for much longer.