The Great Unknown lives up to its name’s western implications. Their songs are laden with gentle whistling, a steadily twangin’ lap steel, banjo pluckin’, harmonica chords and lots of lonely vocals – all boiling down to a self-proclaimed “mud & blood & beer” sound (it’s up to you to decide what that means). More “Americana” than country (think Woody Guthrie instead of Johnny Cash), their songs are chapters of travels across the country, with tales of secrets, weasels, junkyards, and their ultimate destination, “Water”. But these guys aren’t just a history lesson. They’re also a lot of hand-clapping, toe-tapping fun. And they do a mean “Spirit of the Night” cover with lead singer Jordan Berger sounding almost like the Boss himself. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $10 adv/$12 door, 21+ (Photo by Lisa Schaffer) – Katie Bennett