It's a particularly interesting week for offbeat concerts here in the Bay Area. Here are four quick pick recommendations of off-the-radar local bands if you want to think outside the usual over the next few days:
February 19
The Soft Offs describe their sound as what happens when "decades of hardcore collide." The band plays with No Limbs, Apogee Sound Club and Severe Bass at Eli's Mile High Club.
February 20
The left field instrumentalists of Oakland Active Orchestra usher in the three-night experimental celebration known as the Active Music Festival at Uptown. Other bands scheduled to perform over the course of the fest include OrkestRova, Moe! Staiano and Ensemble, Black Spirituals, Tastyville, Horaflora, Key West, and Beauty School.
February 21
The bassist from American Steel is about to move to Berlin, so the local punk group's show with Arliss Nancy at Bottom of the Hill will be the last chance to catch them live for a long time.
February 22
SF-based country group The Bitter Diamonds will pour out a little liquor with Moonshine Maybelline and Dear County at The Starry Plough.