Talk about aptly named. Times Of Grace, a new band that reunites Killswitch Engage founder Adam Dutkiewicz with that celebrated Western Mass. metal band’s original singer, Jesse Leach, was born in a London hospital back in 2007. That was where Dutkiewicz’s back injury landed him during KsE’s triumphant European tour. Dutkiewicz was out of action and bordering on despair.
“There was a chance that I couldn’t tour again. That I might not be in Killswitch anymore,” Dutkiewicz says. “It was the thought of having to start over again and find a new path in life. I started writing music to keep my head in a good, positive space.”
Happily, Dutkiewicz was only out of Killswitch action for six months, but the result of his convalescence was Times Of Grace’s recent debut, “The Hymn of a Broken Man,” a highly melodic album with aggro and classic metal traits. Back in that hospital bed, Dutkiewicz initially imagined a solo album. After all, the multi-facetted Berklee College of Music-trained 33-year-old has handled everything from drums to production at one time or another.
“Then I started realizing I’m not that good of a singer or lyricist and I needed help,” he laughs. “That’s when I thought, ‘I’ll give Jesse a call.’ He’s one of my best friends. It was two old buddies hanging out, making music. Pressure free, no expectations, nothing. We were completely under the radar. It’s the best way to make music.”
Times Of Grace
with Straight Line Stitch and War Of Ages
Sunday, 7 p.m.
The Paradise
967 Comm. Ave., Boston
$12, 18+, 800-745-3000
www.ticketmaster.com
Other hot tickets
Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles
Friday and Saturday
Citi Wang Theatre
270 Tremont St., Boston
$28-$73, 866-348-9738
www.citicenter.org
Why name this Beatlemania tent revival after a fairly unsung B-side? Was it just the only name not already taken? Regardless, this show is a more than a tribute band. The performers morph through the Beatles’ well-known phases alongside relevant video footage, creating what, depending on your age, is either a nostalgia trip or a history lesson. –Matthew Dinaro
Elvis Costello and the Imposters
Friday, May 20
Citi Wang Theatre
270 Tremont St., Boston
$50-$125, on sale now
866-348-9738
www.citicenter.org
Costello’s tour is subtitled “The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook.” He’ll have a huge game-show wheel with 40 song titles. At each show, he’ll invite audience members up to spin the wheel, and then you’ve got yourself a unique Elvis Costello show.
