PAUL THORN
8 p.m., Revolution, $12 adv./$15 d.o.s.
Paul Thorn has lived a storied life. After learning guitar as a child, he went on to a brief pro boxing career that eventually landed him a televised fight with three-time world champ Roberto Duran. His first cousin, then the keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, turned him on to master songsmith Billy Maddox, who recognized the untapped potential of Thorn’s voice (which sounds a lot like Timbuk 3’s Pat MacDonald). His career gained further steam when entertainment executive Miles Copeland, I.R.S. Records founder and brother of Police drummer Stewart, signed him to A&M for his 1997 debut. He’s recorded seven more since then, performed on late night TV shows and toured with Sting, Mark Knopfler, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt and Jeff Beck. And how’s this for a co-sign? Kris Kristofferson calls Thorn “the best-kept secret in the music business.” PP.