Combining doses of dub reggae and electronica with splashes of rock, Denver-based trio Tatanka comes across like a meeting of The Police and King Crimson. Despite limited membership, the group sounds huge, with lots of ambient reverb and the electronica elements appearing as part of the song, rather than gimmicky add-ons. Reggae fans in particular will like Tatanka, but anyone who enjoys music that’s heavy on the rhythm will appreciate their sound. Tatanka: 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4 at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.myspace.com/tatankalive A musical jack of all trades, Peter Hall is an impressive performer with a set list that’s as long as your willingness to listen. His three albums to date cover a lot of ground — from bluegrass to rock ’n’ roll — but perhaps where he really hits his stride is with his solo blues material. Hall, who performs at Café-Bar Europa on Sept. 4, has a pleasing, world-weary tone to his voice which adds to the songs, as well as an engaging performing style that’s made him a local favorite in area nightspots for the last two decades. Peter Hall: 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4 at Café-Bar Europa, 873 Turqouise St. All ages. www.theturquoise.com/wordpress There are plenty of reggae and ska acts around, but few likely match the longevity or boundless energy of legendary British group Bad Manners. Formed in 1976, the band hit its stride during the eighties with hits such as “That’ll Do Nicely” and “Lip Up Fatty,” but has never stopped recording. In addition to nine albums of its own, Bad Manners songs can be heard across another four dozen releases. With manic frontman Buster Bloodvessel still helming the band, this show promises to have the crowd up and dancing from the first song. Bad Manners: 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 6 at the Wavehouse, 3125 Oceanfront Walk. $23. 21 and up. www.myspace.com/badmannersska Although based in Orange County, reggae-rock band Common Sense is no stranger to San Diego. The band’s debut album was recorded “Live at the Belly Up Tavern” with four releases since. Formed in 1987 and still one of the leading exponents of the reggae-rock sound, the band’s instant success 23 years ago seems, at least in part, a catalyst for the explosion of like-minded bands in the area today. Common Sense: 8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 10 at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 21 and up. $15. www.myspace.com/commonsenseband With so many cover bands to choose from around town each week, the decision on which one to see comes down to what’s in their set list. For fans of classic rock, it probably doesn’t get much better than US Archetype, which performs at the Tiki House on Sept. 15. Notably, the band includes Peter Kenvin, formerly of MCA Records artists The Voices, but the key to this band is its mix of choice sixties tracks from the Stones and Beatles, with tunes like David Bowie’s “Suffragette City” and Elvis Costello’s “Watching The Detectives” for a set that’s impressively eclectic. US Archetypes: 9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15 at The Tiki House, 1152 Garnet Ave. Cover TBD. 21 and up. www.usarchetype.com