JUNE 12

While mainstream country was drowning itself in the trappings of stadium rock, Uncle Tupelo was introducing alternative fans to the riches of its lost traditions. Now that the impressionistic writing of Jay Farrar is gone, there’s not too much about Wilco, the band that continued without him, that could be called alternative. Instead, A.M., their Sire/Reprise debut, offers the simple, direct songs of Tupelo’s other songwriter, Jeff Tweedy, sung with a road-weary voice that sounds like it could crack up anytime—and that suits me just fine. With Blue Mountain and Outrageous Cherry, an indie-band-gone-roadhouse that can’t quite decide if it wants to be fronted by Joey Ramone or Bono on downs (or maybe it’s just Jim Reid). At 8:15 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 930 F St. NW. $9. (202) 393-0930. (Glenn Dixon)