LYLE LOVETT - His music's an American roots blend.

Together since 1990, the jam band moe. has evolved into a band that's far more discriminating in its approach to playing music, especially when it comes to the live show. "Well, we've learned to listen instead of just going out and blasting as hard as we can," bassist Rob Herhak says in a recent phone interview. "We've become more of an interactive band, I think. You grow old, you mature. You play differently. We've gotten to be better players. When we first started, we were playing Joe Jackson covers. As time has gone on, we've turned more improvisational and become songwriters." The songwriting on its latest album, Sticks and Stones, really stands out. With an alt-country sound that resembles something like a cross between the Meat Puppets and Wilco, Sticks and Stones is a more refined, succinct approximation of the group's approach and puts the emphasis on the song. "We just sat down and started writing together the way we felt," Herhak explains. "That's just what happened. We presupposed that we didn't want to make an electronica album. We wanted to use real instruments. We were originally thinking about an all-acoustic album. It didn't really stick. But we liked the premise of stripping everything down and getting to the actual songs. When you do stuff like that, it gets a rootsy Americana feel. We grew up on that stuff: Tom Petty, Grateful Dead, the Byrds." The band makes its first-ever appearance at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville as part of the weekend-long Rhythmfest that also includes funkadelic maestro George Clinton and Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart as headliners. There will also be fireworks, drum circles and morning yoga on the beach. And we're told a number of fire breathers will be on hand trying to get their place in the record books. Now that's hot, as Paris Hilton might say. It's $105 for the four-day weekend in advance, $110 at the gate, kids 5-12 $10, teens $20. Friday arrivals $80, Saturday arrivals $45. Go to nlqp.com for info. - Jeff Niesel

SATURDAY, JULY 5

Peter Tork

The Monkees have gotten flak for being a "pre-fab" band, but the fact is those four guys won those auditions and remained music icons because they were such likeable, fun, charismatic musical entertainers who could deliver memorable pop songs. For the past 13 or so years, Monkee Peter Tork's principle focus has been his group Shoe Suede Blues, which released a debut CD called Cambria Hotel last year. By phone, Tork described what fans should expect at tonight's show as "five or six Monkees songs, and the rest pure blues covers, jump blues and some pop tunes. "Blues-pop' is basically where we live. The name of the band [points to] a time when the blues and pop really were the same thing." Peter Tork returns with Shoe Suede Blues to the Winchester (12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216.226.5681) with former Clevelander Michael Jantz opening at 9 p.m. Tickets: $15. - Michael David Toth

SUNDAY, JULY 6

Bloodsugars

The Bloodsugars' latest release, BQEP, displays catchy and kooky tunes that are never over-the-top pop. Think Jason Mraz's first album Waiting for My Rocket to Come, infused with a serious addiction to synth dance rhythms. Jason Rabinowitz's vocals are perfect on every track, but perhaps no song demonstrates his range and the band's display of talent more than "Cinderella." On that tune, bassist Brendan O'Grady delivers an electric funk bassline that drives the song perfectly. While Matt Katz provides a terrific organ solo near the end of the track, Rabinowitz's vocals hold the whole thing together. The Winks and Random Stereo open at 9 p.m. at Now That's Class (11213 Detroit Ave., 216.221.8576). Tickets: $5. - Ryan MacLennan

Morgan Heritage

Although the five siblings who make up reggae act Morgan Heritage are New York-born and Massachusetts-raised, they come by their musical heritage honestly: their Jamaican father, Denroy Morgan, was a reggae pioneer. But they add an all-American rock sensibility to their rangy roots reggae, which they've performed before sometimes perplexed but mostly open-minded audiences at the annual punk-leaning Warped tour. The band owns up to its entire heritage; its bio describes its music as "the sound of Jamaican sound systems and New York hip-hop boom boxes and New England pop radio and California punk rock mosh pits, all fused into an unprecedented, harmonious whole." Since releasing its first album in 1994, the group's seen various family members come and go, but it's been consistent with its dynamic live shows. It's at Peabody's (2083 E. 21st St., 216.776.9999) with Laza (another sibling), Irie Love, Sunshade and Hardstone. Doors: 7 p.m. Tickets: $20. - Anastasia Pantsios

MONDAY, JULY 7

Stone Temple Pilots

Led by volatile lead singer Scott Weiland, the Stone Temple Pilots emerged out of San Diego in the early '90s to become one of the era's most popular alt-rock acts. Alongside Pearl Jam and Nirvana, the band was often categorized as grunge but catered more to the arena-rock set than those other acts. But after a bitter break-up, reportedly fueled by Weiland's drug use, the band called it quits in 2003. Now, after a five-year hiatus, it's back for a tour that's already one of the year's highest grossing and sold out quickly when it came to Cleveland last month. The band's back for more, playing Akron's EJ Thomas Hall (198 Hill St., 330.972.7595) with Secret Machines opening at 7 p.m. Tickets: $48.50-$58.50. - JN

Kings Country Caravan

The four musicians that make up Kings County Caravan sound like they belong in a Nashville country music showcase. Instead, they're from Brooklyn and happen to have a knack for country, folk, soul and blues. KCC is a package tour that includes singer-songwriters Kara Suzanne, the Rev. John DeLore, Kenny Cambre and Alabama Steve, who make music as eclectic as the borough they're from. They channel influences from the South, but each puts an updated twist on the music. Kara Suzanne pairs a lyrical voice with an acoustic guitar (and a bit of a twang) to craft the kind of songs people love to sing along to. DeLore's music is inspired by literary greats like Ernest Hemingway and Henry Miller. Alabama Steve's music sounds like it belongs to an older generation, but still sounds fresh. Cambre's music is pure country that is endearing and self-deprecating, making Cambre - like his album title says - The Guy You Cheer For. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Barking Spider Tavern (11310 Juniper Rd., 216.421.2863). It's free; hat is passed for the performers. - Brittany Moseley

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9

Lyle Lovett

For almost three decades, singer Lyle Lovett has been a steady presence on the American roots and country scene. The Texas native started as a songwriter but gradually became a performer of some stature, and his beautiful voice and terrific band should translate perfectly on the stage of Lakewood Civic Auditorium (14100 Franklin Blvd., 216.241.5555). Lovett, who's played Blossom and Cain Park on past tours, is a gracious performer who often tells short anecdotes about his songs. While he's most famous for his short-lived marriage to A-list actress Julia Roberts, his music, which touches upon gospel, country and bluegrass, stands well on its own. Show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $42.50-$52.50. - JN