The local Halloween tradition returns in which local bands play as one of their favorite, more mainstream bands.

By Kathleen Burke.

October is probably the month where New England bands have their most collective fun. The shows are always packed, and the booze flows freely. Tricks and treats abound this month: local regulars will disguise themselves as other bands, while groups new and old hit the scene with spooky authority.

Gold Blood & Associates, Andrea Gillis Band, Lee Fields & The Expressions. At the Brighton Music Hall, Allston, MA, October 2, doors at 8 p.m., 18+, advance tickets $15.

Before we get to the costumes, October kicks off with a soulful dose of tunes. Lee Fields & The Expressions, who have been cranking out jams for 43 years (playing with acts such as Kool and the Gang and The Hip Huggers) headline what is going to be a steamy, sexy night of music. Local faves Andrea Gillis Band support, and newcomers Gold Blood & Associates open.

Lead singer Phil DeSisto of Gold Blood & Associates also fronts Das Muerte (self described as “rock/funk/avant garde”), and you may remember him from the now defunct Captain Cutthroat. Gold Blood & Associates, however, is a different beast, dripping with soul and love ‘em and leave ‘em lyrics. Its revolving cast of “Associates” includes sax and trumpet players; the group’s diverse influences range from Mike Patton to Chick Corea. The band is destined to play a mind-bending live show. Check out some early recordings on their Soundcloud page.

The Green comes to Cambridge. Photo: Tammy Moniz

The Green, Stick Figure, Dubbest.  At the Middle East (Downstairs), Cambridge, MA, October 9,  18+, $15.

Oahu, Hawaii-based reggae group The Green stops in to the Middle East Downstairs on the 9th as part of their 30 city United States tour. Recently featured on NPR, its new single “Liar” was mixed by Christian Mochizuki (Kanye West, Jay-Z) and Matt Honda at Island Sound Studio in Honolulu. The Green is an unlikely stew of dubstep, contemporary R&B, roots regaee, and the occasional indigenous Hawaiian music and references. Check out the new single “Liar” on Soundcloud.

Barrington Levy At The Met, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, October 23, All Ages, $25.

Legendary reggae and dancehall pioneer Barrington Levy comes to Rhode Island this month. Levy has released 30 albums since 1979 and has been featured in the video games Saints Row and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He has been sampled by tons of recording artists including Sublime and Snoop Dogg. Get yourself down to The Bucket to see Levy on the New England leg of his tour.

The Lights Out (as Queen), Sidewalk Driver (as Spinal Tap), The Field Effect (as Weezer), I, Pistol (as Nirvana).  At the Church of Boston, October 27, doors at 8 p.m., 21+, $12 at the door.

Grab a fist-full of candy corn and head to The Fens for this Halloween cover show featuring Boston staples masquerading as Queen, Spinal Tap, and Weezer. Church of Boston hosts The Lights Out 4th Annual Halloween Bash. Advance tickets are strongly advised since the show has sold out for the past three years. Sidewalk Driver have proven themselves to be a local and Halloween favorite, with front man Tad McKitterick supplying plenty of the dirty glitz and glamour to every performance. The Lights Out promise to “Exhume the moldy and spooky corpse of Freddie Mercury and unleash a cavalcade of awesome Queen classic hits upon you all!” Delicious!