originally published December 13, 2006

Deadline to be listed in the next issue: EARLY DEADLINE DUE TO THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: Sunday, Dec. 17, by 9 p.m. Contact the music department: (706) 549-9523, ext. 203; fax to (706) 548-8981; email at abc@flagpole.com; send post to P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.

Wednesday, Dec. 13

ALEX ORANGE

(Wild Wing Café) Nathan Sheppard is known for his emotive singing style and his modern reworkings of classic tunes, from Dylan and Young to Van Morrison. Alex Orange, named after a song on Sheppard's 2001 album Traveling On, is the new full band.

CENTRO-MATIC

(Tasty World) This skillful pop-rock band from Denton, TX - Matt Pence, Mark Hedman, Scott Danbom and Johnson - released the album Fort Recovery earlier this spring.

DJ APPLEPAUL

(Repent) Local musician applePaul, AKA Paul Wilson, drops his album These Walls earlier this spring. The disc's brimming with keys and drum machines, calling to mind some of the weirder entries from early '80s new wave pop.

THE GREENCARDS

(Melting Point) Though they’re steeped in the tradition of bluegrass, Texan Americana peddlers The Greencards weave influences as disparate as Bob Dylan, Ricky Skaggs and The Beatles into a compelling acoustic blend. Weather & Water is the newest release.

HOT NEW MEXICANS

(Caledonia) Vocalist-guitarist Patrick Jennings, drummer Joe Dakin and bassist Ian McCord create catchy, punk-influenced boozy power pop. The latest release is It's Called Leaning Back.

“KARAOKE”

(Foxz) Every Wednesday.

“KARAOKE”

(Mell’s) Every Wednesday.

“KARAOKE”

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Every Wednesday.

THE KINGS

(Mercury Lounge) Trio featuring violin and guitar. 8 p.m.

LARRY KEEL & NATURAL BRIDGE

(Georgia Theatre) Originally from Virginia, Keel is known for his award-winning bluegrass flatpicking skills. He’s joined by bassist Jenny Keel, mandolinist Mark Schimick, banjo player-vocalist Jason Flournoy and banjo player Andy Thorn.

THE MATT KURZ ONE

(Caledonia) Newly moved to town, Bomb the Music Industry! musician Matt Kurz makes good on the one-man-band promise, playing garage-punk songs on bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, harmonica and singing, often all at the same time.

MEGHANN JORDAN, MARK BRUT & FRIENDS

(283 Bar) Magic Missile guitarist-backing vocalist Meghann Jordan (formerly of Cafeteria as well) teams up with local singer-songwriter Mark Brut and an assortment of other local musicians to play an early show at 7 p.m.

MIKEY DWYER & THE STARTER KITS

(Caledonia) Now with the backing of drummer Ben Keller (Timber) and bassist Jamie Coulter (The Help), Mikey Dwyer (Lona, Scalded Dogs, Sateen Duraluxe) plays brash and handy rock and roll, and has a new recording project called Backsliding Baby in the works.

“OPEN JAM”

(DT’s) This is a new thing the club’s trying out; you just bring your instrument and join in. For more information, call 706-208-1474.

"OPEN MIC NIGHT"

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Every Wednesday, 8 p.m.

PRIME TIME JAZZ

(Porterhouse) Drummer Tony McCutchen, bassist Chris Enghauser and pianist Jim McKillip perform jazz standards for the dinner-and-a-drink set every Wednesday.

RALPH RODDENBERY & FRIENDS

(Georgia Theatre) South Georgia-born, Ralph Roddenbery moved to Athens 20 years ago and has been involved in the singer-songwriter scene since. His 1995 debut album is Fix Myself, and he’s been steadily plying his trade around the Southeast. The most recent release is Let It In - LIVE, and there's a new DVD in the works. Tonight Tommy Jones, Ted Norton and Richie Jones join Roddenbery on stage.

PETER ROWAN

(Georgia Theatre) Bluegrass pro Peter Rowan, whose career has spanned from SeaTrain to Old & In The Way to numerous solo and ensemble projects is a soulful singer and a poignant songwriter. He's not a bad sax player and yodeler, too! Last fall's album You Were There For Me is the multilayered collaboration disc recorded with guitarist Tony Rice, a veteran of the David Grisman Quintet and the Bluegrass Album Band.

JEFF SOILEAU

(Borders) Athens musician Jeff Soileau (pronounced "swallow") plays classical-style guitar drawing influence from pop, jazz and New Age music. 7 p.m.

STILL, SMALL VOICE & THE JOYFUL NOISE

(Tasty World) A loving family of friends and local all-stars from Lona, Baby Black and the Nice Machine assemble for a fiery treatment of Chip McKenzie’s garagey rock spirituals. The swell debut EP, released earlier this year, is With Love for Our Enemies.

TWIN POWERS

(Go Bar) Danceable New Wave and Britpop tunes. 10 p.m., every Wednesday.

Thursday, Dec. 14

BADKAT

(Repent) Athens emcee BadKat released her debut EP Unreleased earlier this fall. She should have copies on hand, offering up her unique combination of versatile, political and personal rhymes.

BLANK FACES

(Little Kings) Vocalist-guitarist Steven Chambliss, bassist Len Dean and drummer Tim Terilli make up this local power-pop trio. 8 p.m.

CACHAÇA

(Amici) Playing Brazilian-styled music, this new band features Jake Mowrer (nylon-stringed guitar) and Jim Coley (upright bass) of Hot Club of Athens and Kane Stanley and Ryan Wendel of Grogus, among other groups, on percussion.

COMMANDER CHAMELEON

(Tasty World) This keyboard-driven local indie-rock five-piece shakes things up and plays around with the unexpected, incorporating punk-ish rock, calypso, dreamy pop, rap and spacey surf mania. The self-titled debut album's full of both sly and sophomoric humor, a little like a Georgia-fied Dead Milkmen.

COUNTERFEIT HOLIDAY

(Tasty World) Riffy, melodramatic rock from Atlanta. This four-piece also dabbles in hair metal and emo/ punk sounds on its album Take Two And Call Us In The Morning.

DICTATORTOTS

(40 Watt) Seemingly outrageously crude, the long-running Athenian chaos cultivators stomp about and trash the night with their beery post-grunge sounds. The latest album is called Dung Shui.

DIET ROCKSTAR

(Mercury Lounge) Combining the powers of Craig Lieske (Garbage Island, Desk Pussy), Eric Harris (Ham 1, Thimble Circus, Olivia Tremor Control) and Jeff Rieter (Baghouse, Count, Hey, Revolution!). “It’s semi-composed, semi-demolition, semi-improvised,” says Lieske. “We play around the Planet Jazz, but have improvised dub songs and songs around tape loops as well.” 9 p.m.

DJ INSANE

(Wild Wing Café) The downtown restaurant hosts a night of salsa dancing with music courtesy of DJ Insane.

DUELING PIANO GUYS

(The Library) Raucous dueling pianos from Atlanta guys Mark Kovaly and Cliff Holcomb. Expect some Ray Charles, Elton John and Billy Joel as well as a variety of other tunes from the duo's wide repertoire. Every Thursday, 11 p.m.

DYLAN BLUES PROJECT

(DT's) Avery Gibbs recently moved to Athens from Virginia, recruited two backing buddies and set out to deliver Texas-style blues and Southern rockin' blues, playing covers and Stevie Ray-styled originals.

EARLIER WORMS

(Flicker) Ed Smith provides the guitar, while he, Jamaica Miller and Ginger Dendy all contribute vocals in this short - like maybe just three songs - opening set. Folky. 8:30 p.m.

FABULOUS BIRD

(Caledonia) Peter Alvanos heads up his ever-shifting band, which tonight appears as the duo of Alvanos and percussionist Taylor Coggin. Alvanos says he'll have copies of this new EP Lead Me to the Troubadour on hand, a continuation of the Bird's strong Brit-leaning, vaguely psychedelic pop rock.

FOLKLORE

(Caledonia) The songs of Jimmy Hughes (Elf Power, Bugs Eat Books) find backing from Jon Croxton, Aaron Jollay, Ian Rickert, Raoul De La Cruz and David Specht. Expect the band will to play songs off the upcoming album The Ghost of H.W. Beaverman, and Hughes says he'll have copies of the brand-new EP Carpenter's Falls available; see a review on p. 34.

TINO GARRIDO

(Farm 255) The frontman for Orquesta Grogus will play two sets tonight, focusing on classical guitar music from Venezuela and traditional songs from Cuba and Venezuela (for guitar and voice). Playing a dinner set, 8–10:30 p.m.

GREAT SOCIETY

(DT's) New local three-piece band plays garagey power pop songs about girls, sounding a little like Weezer or the Cars.

MICHAEL GUTHRIE

(OK Coffee) Years back, local musicians Herb and Michael Guthrie oversaw Athens Music, a downtown vintage music shop. Since before then, their band has produced a melodic and jangly British-sounding throwback rock. Tonight Michael performs a rare solo set - his last one was almost exactly one year ago - delivering infrequently performed numbers and other surprising selections. 7:30 p.m.

“INDIE ROCK KARAOKE”

(Go Bar) Every Thursday.

“KARAOKE”

(Eastwood Pub) Every Thursday.

“KARAOKE”

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Every Thursday.

LIONZ

(40 Watt) This local band of positive groovers embarks on a new batch of jam-flavored adventures, from classic rock, blues, soul and bluegrass to reggae, augmented by two full drum kits. The debut album is Stranger Things Have Happened, and a new album is in the works.

M COAST

(Caledonia) The new evolution in Athens pop! Marshmallow Coast has expanded its lineup and songwriting and reduced its name to M Coast. Andy Gonzales (guitar, vocals), Sara Kirkpatrick (flute, percussion), Derek Almstead (bass, vocals), Emily Growden (vocals, keys) and Carlton Owens (drums) focus on smooth and airy, swirly indie-pop. The new album is called Say it in Slang; see p. 29.

MELVIN MATHURIN JAZZ TRIO

(Diverse Universe) The all-star lineup of Melvin Mathurin (alto sax), Louis Romanos (drums) and Dennis Baraw (bass) swing through a set of live jazz. 8 p.m.

MÉNAGE A TWANG

(Flicker) This trio includes Ed Smith (guitar, unorthodox percussion), Tony Arnold (guitar-synth effects) and Summer Hymns' Phillip Brown (Summer Hymns) sitting in on percussion. 8:30 p.m.

MONKEY PAW

(Tasty World) No information available.

LEON RUSSELL

(Melting Point) Leon Russell’s enthusiastic fusion of country and western, Motown-style balladry and hippie psychedelia has shaped him into a singular and compelling musical force. It's been a little more than a year since he was last in town, so catch him again tonight if that's your thing.

SHITTY CANDY & THE CIRCUS PEANUTS

(40 Watt) As Shitty Candy, bassist Genie Wiggins and drummer Mary Jane Schwab "throw some bitch punk in your face" with a little help from guitarist Daniel Marler. The Circus Peanuts are the crew of backup dancers going the costumed / burlesque route.

SUMMER HYMNS

(Flicker) Zachary Gresham, Philip Brown, Chris Riser and Bryan Nuse play psychedelic-tinged Neil Young-y pop-rock that hinges more on simple chord progressions and vocal melodies, and if you’re a fan of the Flaming Lips you’ll find much to like about ’em as well. The killer new album is called Backward Masks. 8:30 p.m.

ZAC BROWN BAND

(Georgia Theatre) According to that handy Internet thing, Atlanta singer-songwriter Zac Brown “writes heartfelt rock songs with a touch of country and a healthy dose of patriotism. Brown is a friendly, genuine guy who has a good stage presence.” Like a Charlie Daniels-Jimmy Buffet-Dave Matthews lovechild. Recently recorded a DVD at the Georgia Theatre.

Friday, Dec. 15

PETER ALVANOS

(Mercury Lounge) The frontman for psychedelic pop band Fabulous Bird performs a solo set. “I call it solo-fi,” says Alvanos. “Pete Ham meets Big Star-esque ballads.” Alvanos also says he'll be playing a handful of Christmas tunes. 9 p.m.

BALLPEEN

(Caledonia) Years back, the diesel-fueled Ballpeen featured three bassists - Jackie Lyons, Joel Martin and John “Geddy” Nowicki - in front of drummer Ken McLean, and the band's last club show was in January of 2002. "Back from the dead with one or two line up changes," says Martin. Whether this is a just a one-time reunion show or a new incarnation is unclear. Show up to find out!

JUSTIN BROGDON

(Boar's Head) Tallahassee, FL, native and current Athens dude Justin Brogdon (ex-Bluestring, Full Black Out) plays acoustic covers and originals, aiming for thoughtful lyrics and emotional sounds.

"COMMITTEE OF VIGILANCE"

(Little Kings) "Committee of Vigilance" is a new happening put on by local songwriters Christopher Henderson, Jason Beckham and Spencer Frye. This will be a weekly event for folks to stop by after work, have a drink and listen to these songwriters "in the round" with occasional special guests, like this week's Wild Oranges, Frye's new full band. 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Friday.

“DISCO NIGHT”

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Tight Riders Disco is in charge of bringing you R&B dance numbers, with a healthy dose of old-school disco.

DISRAELI GEARS

(Georgia Theatre) Members of The '60s and the Michael Guthrie Band look to resurrect the summer of '69, aiming for a resurrection of the bluesy British guitar-rock sound of the Yardbirds and their followers, also conjuring the ghosts of Peter Green, Rory Gallagher and Steve Marriott.

DJ BLAZE

(The Library) DJ Blaze, who has held down the wheels of steel at The Annex and this past summer's "Classic City Hip-Hop," hosts tonight's dance party, mixing contemporary hip hop with older favorites and some unexpected forays into other genres. With pals DJ Set It Off and DJ Quanitize often lending their talents.

DJ BOBBY C

(Loft) Local deejay Bobby Casille drop tonight’s dance tunes for your feet and your ass.

DJ BONZAI KITTEN & DJ MUFF

(Go Bar) “Spinning the best in old-school Brit pop, ’60s surf and new wave.”

DJ STRAWBERRY JULIUS

(Little Kings) DJ Strawberry Julius, AKA local poet Jeff Fallis, plays "rocking, sweating, jiving, rollicking music from the '50s and '60s, including but not limited to early rock and roll, early soul and R&B, girl groups, garage, British Invasion and wild-ass psychedelia."

DJ TOMMY SALMON

(Repent) Local bassist Tommy Salmon (The High Caliber, ex-Trinket) takes over the speakers as he selects the evening’s music for the Boybutante Christmas party.

DOWN WITH THE WOO

(40 Watt) New trio featuring Eric Friar, Mandy Branch and Winston Parker, all formerly of Heros Severum. The new band heads in a poppier direction and makes its Athens debut tonight. See Box.

EL DIABLO Y LA PISTOLA

(Flicker) Appearing tonight under a nickname banner, Jim Wilson (El Diablo) and Matt "Pistol" Stoessel (La Pistola) perform solo acoustic sets. Wilson is best known as a drummer and percussionist for Sleepy Horses, Mother Jackson and Don Chambers' band GOAT, and Stoessel has done time on the pedal steel in countless local groups including The Ginger Envelope, Sleepy Horses and fronts his own act Lake City. 8:30 p.m. See Box.

THE ERIC HARRIS GROUP

(Borders) Harris relocated to Athens from Oklahoma several years ago and started playing with the band Luminous a few years back. The Eric Harris Group released an album in April 2004, and has an upcoming one drawing on live radio performances. 7 p.m.

IMPULSE RIDE

(Wild Wing Café) Rock covers and originals.

FOXFIRE

(Caledonia) The Atlanta trio of Kris, Rachel and Stephen plays heavy rock and roll.

JON GUTHRIE

(Georgia Theatre) Jon Guthrie (Dirty Sanchez & the Pancho Villas, Michael Guthrie Band) plays a set of '60s-influenced "psychedelic folk."

HOLMAN AUTRY BAND

(DT's) These six guys from Danielsville play flavorful country and Southern rock, nodding towards Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Dave Matthews Band and Marshall Tucker Band. Covers and originals.

HONEY

(Little Kings) J.S. Dillard, who has contributed percussion to local pop band Fabulous Bird, has reinvigorated his band Honey. Sources say a recently wrapped four-song demo recalls classic rock like the Faces, T. Rex, the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty.

“IT’S FRIDAY”

(WUGA, 91.7 FM) Every Friday at 4 p.m. Today’s performance: Ordinary Germans Like Yourselves.

“KARAOKE”

(Mell’s) Every Friday.

"KARAOKE"

(Oasis) Every Friday, hosted by Them Girls.

GABRIEL KELLEY

(Farm 255) Gabriel Kelley Zorbanos (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), formerly of Gabriel Young and currently fronting his own band, plays "roots-folk with tinges of alt-country and pop mixed in there." Tonight's a solo show.

KING COTTON

(Eastwood Pub) Guitarist-vocalist-mandolinist Fester Hagood (ex-Ray Ray & the Hog Mountain Boys) and guitarist-vocalist "Big Donald" Spurlin (ex-Dawg Daze, Mudstone) team up on songwriting duties and recruit guitarist Jared Forester (ex-Umpteen, Tanker) and bassist Scott Tracy (ex-Ray Ray & the Hog Mountain Boys, Rubix) to form this new band. "Our style is Americana, country rock, Southern rock" says Hagood. "[Don and I] have played together for the last four years, just never in the same band at the same time."

MARINO

(DT’s) Funk rock covers and originals.

CAROLINE MONROE

(Eastwood Pub) Caroline Monroe (ex-Umpteen) performs soulful and folksy country originals. Tonight she's performing with a full backing band to celebrate the release of her debut solo album Ghost Town. See more on p. 36.

ROLLING THUNDER REVUE

(Tasty World) This Atlanta five-piece formerly known as the Bob Dylan Cover Band - fronted by Dylan superfan Lawton Gafford and known for multi-hour sets - plays "any song that we've heard Dylan sing, not just those penned by him," drawing heavily from the Rolling Thunder tour.

ROOSEVELT

(40 Watt) Highly spoken-of rock-and-roll power trio - bassist John Crain, drummer Ballard Lesemann and guitarist Daniel Pruitt - Roosevelt (b. 1990, d. 1993) reunites to bring Athens a serving of dusted-off retro sounds. See p. 30.

SAMURAI TROUT

(Foxz) Local roots-rock, swamp-boogie band featuring singer-songwriters Mark Wilmot and Woody Garrison and former Dan K Theory members Tommy Jones and Bill Bokas.

THE SHUT-UPS

(40 Watt) Led by Don Condescending and Ben Spraker, also of Athens pop powerhouse Ceiling Fan, the band produces sounds reminiscent of the Joe Jackson Band, the Paul Collins Beat and the Brains. The new tongue-in-cheek-yet-totally-rockin' album is The Stud Album.

THE '60s

(Georgia Theatre) Members of the Michael Guthrie Band play covers of rock songs from the 1960s.

SUBRIG DESTROYER

(Caledonia) Subtract the guitarist from local heavy rock band Thunder King and you get Subrig Destroyer, the rhythm section of Chris Holcombe on drums and Joel Martin on bass. It's "loud and heavy music you'll stand around nodding your head to," says Martin.

SUMMER HYMNS

(Tasty World) Zachary Gresham, Philip Brown, Chris Riser and Bryan Nuse play psychedelic-tinged Neil Young-y pop-rock that hinges more on simple chord progressions and vocal melodies, and if you’re a fan of the Flaming Lips you’ll find much to like about ’em as well. The killer new album is called Backward Masks.

VERSATILIANS

(J.R.'s Baitshack) Versatilians - Chuck Lambert, Jonathan Croft, Jeni Lambert and Mark Brill - hail from Monroe and bring a scattershot collection of original songs ranging from the acoustic folk-rock to dirty blues-rock and working in covers of folks like the Stones, Pink Floyd and Tom Petty (and even former Athenian Jennifer Nettles).

WARM IN THE WAKE

(Tasty World) Decatur indie-rock band playing around with a number of styles. See p. 34 for a review of the band's debut EP Gold Dust Trail.

WHITE MAN'S WIFE

(Little Kings) Strange and intriguing collaboration is in the air at Little Kings tonight. Says an email Flagpole received, "Paul Thomas, Wm. LEE SELF (Blaine Reininger, Tuxedomoon, Tanzplagen, Montanablue), Chris Res, Tom Ashton (March Violets, Xymox, Multiverse) and Scott Creney play rock music. You make it come alive!"

Saturday, Dec. 16

BLUE COTTON

(Wild Wing Café) No information available.

VIC CHESNUTT

(40 Watt) One of Georgia’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters. Chesnutt’s rich, melancholic voice and often brooding, enigmatic lyrics inspire and enchant. Ghetto Bells is the latest album, released last year by New West Records. Tonight Chesnutt performs backed by E6er's Elf Power. See Box.

COMMANDER CHAMELEON

(The Globe) This keyboard-driven local indie-rock five-piece shakes things up and plays around with the unexpected, incorporating punk-ish pop rock, calypso, pop, rap and spacey surf mania. The self-titled debut album is full of both sly and sophomoric humor, a little like a Georgia-fied Dead Milkmen. Upstairs.

“DISCO NIGHT”

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Brothers Disco is in charge of bringing you R&B dance numbers, with a healthy dose of old-school disco.

DJ BLAZE

(The Library) DJ Blaze, who has held down the wheels of steel at The Annex and this past summer's "Classic City Hip-Hop," hosts tonight's dance party, mixing contemporary hip hop with older favorites and some unexpected forays into other genres. Every Saturday, with pals DJ Set It Off and DJ Quanitize often lending their talents.

DJ INKD1

(Repent) Providing the music for tonight's drag show and the dance party following.

DJ JOHNNY D

(Loft) One of The Loft Lounge’s rotating crew of house deejays, Johnny D lays down the new dance sounds.

DJ MARK BELL

(8e's) Starting at midnight every Saturday, local deejay Mark Bell focuses on the dancier sounds of 20 years ago.

DJ MAYS

(Ritz) The local deejay hosts a night of dancing to hip hop and Top 40-type hits.

LIZ DURRETT

(40 Watt) Guitarist-violinist-songwriter Liz Durrett (who also plays with The Good Ship and her musically inclined uncle Vic Chesnutt) performs a set of her haunting, airy songs that've drawn a good amount of comparisons to Cat Power's Chan Marshall. The latest album is called The Mezzanine.

“FIESTA LATINA”

(Tasty World) This Latin dance party focusing on salsa is hosted by local promoters Chamo Events, and features instruction from Deangelo from 9 to 10 p.m. and dancing following. Upstairs, every Saturday night.

HAM 1

(40 Watt) Guitarist Jim Willingham (The Gerbils, Harry Carey, Crown Vic) handles the frontman stuff, while Eric Harris (drums), Jacob Morris (cello), Chris Sugiuchi (trombone) and others join in. Exuberant, quirky and jolly, Willingham is a well of creativity and his folk-pop eccentricities always surprise. Ham 1 is last year’s excellent debut album, and Willingham & Co. have been at work on some new stuff for an upcoming album called The Captain's Table.

HENSLEE & KENSLEE

(Borders) Local musicians Heidi Hensley and Ken Henslee bring their children’s music project to Borders, playing the overwhelmingly, infectiously fun pop songs - which recall anything from rock to ragtime to ska to Bavarian oompah - off the album Wiggly Biggly Toes. 2 p.m.

HOLMAN AUTRY BAND

(Mike's Down Under) These six guys from Danielsville play flavorful country and Southern rock, nodding towards Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Dave Matthews Band and Marshall Tucker Band. Covers and originals. This is the Jefferson, GA, club's final show, as it's closing at the end of the year. 10 p.m.

HOMEMADE JAM

(Georgia Theatre) Bluesy, danceable funk and groove from this five-piece jam band. The new album, released in April, is called Taste of Heaven.

“KARAOKE”

(Eastwood Pub) Every Saturday.

“KARAOKE”

(Mell’s) Every Saturday.

“LATE NITE DISCO”

(Go Bar) The house deejay spins a cool mix of disco, New Wave and modern dance tunes for a sweaty and energetic crowd. Every Saturday, 10 p.m.

LAVEAUX

(Transmetropolitan) The new band from Heidi Holton (formerly of Heist) operates as a trio and looks to tap into the same dramatic and goth-leaning garage rock as her previous project.

CLAY LEVERETT

(40 Watt) The versatile local country singer Clay Leverett performs solo tonight, so expect him to pull on the material from his bands The Chasers and Lona, as well as a couple of hand-picked covers.

LIVING DAYLIGHTS

(DT’s) The new local quartet - vocalist-guitarist Josh Jordan, guitarist Cameron John, bassist Billy Lewis and drummer David Burtnett - says it's a "progressive rock band."

"MAD DOG MELTON PICKIN' & GRINNIN"

(Foxz) After several calls seeking more info we're running on guesswork here: maybe this is a pickin' session open to any who'd like to honor the memory of Terry "Mad Dog" Melton, the local musician who passed away earlier this year. Seems to make sense. But maybe not? 2 p.m.

MORGAN & BELL

(DT's) The acoustic duo of Brett Morgan and David Bell perform covers and originals.

NUTRIA

(Flicker) Local top-notch pop-rock four-piece Nutria - Jay Gonzalez, Bob Spires, Dave Weiglein and Jason Eshelman - exhibits the crazy good songwriting its members have become known for. Expect songs off last year's debut Metronome, as well as some tracks off the new album Cheef. The albums were just issued as a combo package by Chicago's Fundamental Records. 8:30 p.m.

OLYMPUS MANS

(The Globe) New local band recently moved here from Baltimore. Two dudes, one on drums, one on keys and vocals. Their one song online features repetitive, spacy melodies, heavy percussion and shouty vocals. Upstairs.

PHOENIX PHARAOH

(Transmetropolitan) Veterans Jeff Hannan (ex-Shackler, Skull Spiderz), Kevin Sims (Flash to Bang Time) and Tom Strickland (ex-Unabnormal) play '70s-style punk. "Rock that will burn the hare off'n yo' skull" writes Hannan. "Harder, faster, rawer and louderer."

POSITRAXION

(The Globe) Flagpole hasn't had a chance to check out this new band featuring heavily finger-picked electric guitars, but here's what the group had to say: "Songs are mostly if not all originals and gain much of their influence from old rock and roll from Dire Straits to Chet Atkins." Upstairs.

PUSH!

(Go Bar) Drawing comparisons to acts like the Pretenders, Echo & the Bunnymen and Siouxsie & the Banshees, Athens' Push! straddles atmospheric, shoegazy rock and classic '80s pop. Tonight, in a joint holiday party hosted by the Go Bar and local music promotion crew Team Clermont, the band will perform covers and Christmas songs, augmented by a Swan Lake-inspired group of cabaret dancers.

RACK OF SPAM

(Melting Point) This regional eight-piece group got its start here in Athens, and they swing through town again tonight on the second night of a two-night stand. More than two decades in the business, and the group’s Detroit-style R&B and blue-eyed soul still sounds powerful. Formed in 1981, tonight the band celebrates its 25th anniversary. "Same people, same music," says the band, "with maybe a few surprises thrown in for no extra charge."

THUNDERCHIEF

(Transmetropolitan) “We play classic rock-influenced punk, or punk-influenced classic rock,” says the band, which just wrapped recording sessions on a debut album. “Whichever way you wanna look at it.”

TODD McBRIDE & FRIENDS

(40 Watt) Either solo or with his backing band The Cooler Heads, former Dashboard Savior Todd McBride turns out fine roots-rock Americana, with dips into straightahead pub-rocking and more rustic pieces.

Sunday, Dec. 17

“DISCO NIGHT”

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Brothers Disco is in charge of bringing you R&B dance numbers, with a healthy dose of old-school disco.

NANYANA

(Borders) Atlanta singer Nanyana Summer plays passionate, blues-based rock and roll and more folksy acoustic pop music that touches on R&B, occasionally backed by guitarist Jason Reichert. 4 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 18

JUSTIN EVANS

(Tasty World) The local photographer/ musician plays a solo set of acoustic country and James Taylor-esque, American-style folk. Jack, his third album, was recorded months and months ago with a full backing band of AJ Adams, Carlton Owens, Betsy Franck and Julia Schoenning but still hasn't seen a release.

FUNKSHUA

(Mercury Lounge) Jazzy, fusion-type funk from this South Carolina trio.

“KARAOKE”

(8e's) Every Monday.

“KARAOKE”

(Repent) Every Monday.

“KARAOKE”

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Every Monday.

“OPEN MIC NIGHT”

(Eastwood Pub) Every Monday, hosted by local songwriter Jacob Beltz.

JENA PARADIES

(Go Bar) Jena Paradies delivers exquisite mixes of the freshest in Berliner techno, electro-house and subsonic soul laced with hooks so sharp they could draw blood. 10:30 p.m., Mondays.

"THE RENEGADEZ VERSUS"

(Tasty World) Every Monday night local full-band hip hop act The Renegadez challenge other acts to perform against them, and the winner with the best crowd response wins a cash prize. Tonight the other performers include power-pop act Tracer Metula and the harder, heavier Thunderchief. Upstairs.

WALTER SALAS-HUMARA

(Tasty World) The success of Americana-tinged bands like The Jayhawks and Uncle Tupelo can be traced back to bands like The Silos, who for more than 20 years have explored power pop, upbeat roots rock and darker, more somber roots music. The new Silos album Come on Like the Fast Lane should be out on Bloodshot Records in February; get your preview on as vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Walter Salas-Humara performs solo tonight.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

AN EPIC AT BEST

(40 Watt) Fronted by Robert Gunn and his powerful piano and augmented by drummer James McGaw, bassist Natalie Roberts and guitarist Roy Coughlin, An Epic At Best leans towards empathetic second-generation emo rock of the mid-to-late ’90s, but expands past cliché and presumption to something more authentic. The debut album is There Will Be Rain.

BREATHLANES

(Mercury Lounge) Instrumental, atmospheric jazz-fusion: John Miley (guitar), Darrin Cook (bass) and Jamie DeRevere (drums) will structure their improvised work around old Breathlanes tunes and themes, as well as perform new pieces.

HORRIBLE IDEA

(Repent) Atlanta/ Athens four-piece band playing an enthusiastically suburban mix of pop-punk and metal, occasionally blending in some upbeat ska influence to sound something like the Vandals, Lagwagon or Less Than Jake.

“KARAOKE”

(Eastwood Pub) Every Tuesday, 9 p.m. Includes a competitive element!

“KARAOKE”

(Sherm’s) Every Tuesday, 7 p.m.

“KARAOKE”

(Walker’s Pub) Every Tuesday, 10 p.m.

“KARAOKE”

(Wild Wing Café) Every Tuesday, 10 p.m.

“OPEN MIC NIGHT”

(DT’s) Every Tuesday.

PISTOLERO

(Repent) Atlanta five-piece reportedly drawing on British Invasion pop sounds and earlier '50s rock.

"SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOOTOUT"

(DT's) For singer-songwriters and small acoustic acts. Call 512-468-4031 to sign up. Every Tuesday.

“TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ”

(Farm 255) Every Tuesday, 7–10 p.m., the downtown restaurant features jazz from a revolving cast of regulars.

BROOKE WAGGONER

(40 Watt) Nashville keyboardist-vocalist Brooke Waggoner has a new self-titled CD out, and it features eight songs of lilting, delicate and comfy folk pop reminiscent of a warm mug of tea on a cold night.

THE WINTER SOUNDS

(40 Watt) Land of No Output is the new album from this impressive, non-stop local band. The five-piece creates an strong mix of deft, rhythmic indie rock with vocal flourishes that touch on emo, maintaining a coherent identity while exploring a variety of song structures. The band's been touring on and off for the past month, so welcome 'em home.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

JESSICA FORE

(Mercury Lounge) Athens performer Jessica Fore dropped her first disc Roads Diverge four years ago, and after leaving town for a while, she's back with the new album Remedy for the Madness. Her combination of acoustic rock and pop isn't too far off from that of Natalie Merchant. 9 p.m.

“KARAOKE”

(Foxz) Every Wednesday.

“KARAOKE”

(Mell’s) Every Wednesday.

“KARAOKE”

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Every Wednesday.

“OPEN JAM”

(DT’s) This is a new thing the club’s trying out; you just bring your instrument and join in. For more information, call 706-208-1474.

"OPEN MIC NIGHT"

(Stan’s Bar & Grill) Every Wednesday, 8 p.m.

PRIME TIME JAZZ

(Porterhouse) Drummer Tony McCutchen, bassist Chris Enghauser and pianist Jim McKillip perform jazz standards for the dinner-and-a-drink set every Wednesday.

"RHINO 5 SHOWCASE"

(Flicker) Friends, collaborators and musical roustabouts Claire Campbell (Hope For Agoldensummer), Count Kellam (Count, Monster Zero) and Leslie "Serpentfly" Helpert perform loosely organized, collaborative in-the-round songs. 8:30 p.m.

TWIN POWERS

(Go Bar) Danceable New Wave and Britpop tunes. 10 p.m., every Wednesday.

"UNCORKED & UNPLUGGED"

(Melting Point) Every week local singer-songwriter Ken Will Morton opens and hosts this new series, which aims to focus on artists proficient in the craft of songwriting. This week: local songwriters Sean Arington and Jason Harwell and acoustic duo Moore & Williamson. Tonight's show is a benefit for the Northeast Georgia Food Bank; bring three canned goods for free admission. Every Wednesday, 8 p.m.

Upcoming:

DUELING PIANO GUYS (The Library) 12/21

GRABOIDS (Tasty World) 12/21

THE BALDNESS / DISTASTER / MIKEY DWYER & THE STARTER KITS / MOTHER JACKSON / THE NICE MACHINE / STILL, SMALL VOICE & THE JOYFUL NOISE (Little Kings) 12/22

BLOODKIN (40 Watt) 12/22

LEE PAUL (Eastwood Pub) 12/22

JEFF REILLY TRIO (Farm 255) 12/22

THE SOLSTICE SISTERS (Borders) 12/22

WESLEY COOK (Wild Wing Café) 12/23

ERIC SKELTON (Farm 255) 12/23

CACHAÇA (Amici) 12/28

DUELING PIANO GUYS (The Library) 12/28

LESLIE HELPERT / ADAM R. CURAGI (Little Kings) 12/28

LITTLE COUNTRY GIANTS / JUSTIN EVANS' CHINATOWN DIARY (Melting Point) 12/28

CLAY ROSS & KRYSTAL WARREN (Farm 255) 12/29

LIQUID SUNDROP (No Where Bar) 12/29

PERPETUAL GROOVE (Georgia Theatre) 12/29

RANDOM ACTS (Eastwood Pub) 12/29

STRAWBERRY FLATS (Melting Point) 12/29

SEAN ARINGTON (Farm 255) 12/30

BOX OFFICE ROCKSTAR (Wild Wing Café) 12/30

KRUSH GIRLS / TWIN POWERS / DJ MAHOGANY (40 Watt) 12/30

PERPETUAL GROOVE (Georgia Theatre) 12/30

MOTHER’S FINEST (Melting Point) 12/31

ROCKINWOOD (Loco's Harris St.) 12/31

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA (Tasty World) 1/3

DUELING PIANO GUYS (The Library) 1/4

TIME TOY / AQUALOVE (40 Watt) 1/6

THE DUMPS / BLACKTUSK / SKELETON WITCH (Tasty World) 1/9

THE DEACON BRANDON REEVES (Farm 255) 1/10

THE SCOURGE OF THE SEA (Tasty World) 1/10

"UNCORKED & UNPLUGGED" W/ PAUL REEVES / GARY PFAFF (Melting Point) 1/10

TINO GARRIDO (Farm 255) 1/11

HAMELIN / NATE NELSON / VINYL STRANGERS (Georgia Theatre) 1/11

ADAMS TOWNSHIP (Farm 255) 1/12

RHYTHM TOKEN / MAMA'S LOVE (Georgia Theatre) 1/12

E.G. KIGHT (Melting Point) 1/13

THE LAST WALTZ ENSEMBLE (Georgia Theatre) 1/13

LAURA REED & THE DEEP POCKET (Farm 255) 1/13

THE SUEX EFFECT (Amici) 1/13

"UNCORKED & UNPLUGGED" w/ AMANDA KAPOUSOUZ / KYLER ENGLAND / SAM SHABER (Melting Point) 1/17

JEFF SOILEAU (Farm 255) 1/17

ZOSO (Georgia Theatre) 1/17

TINO GARRIDO (Farm 255) 1/18

CAMERA OBSCURA (40 Watt) 1/19

DROMEDARY ACOUSTIC QUARTET (Melting Point) 1/19

KINCHAFOONEE (Georgia Theatre) 1/19

TRES CHICAS (Morton Theatre) 1/19

"WINTER JAMFEST 2007" w/ MOONSHINE STILL / THE PNUMA TRIO / THE BRIDGE / DJ NUMBER FIVE (Georgia Theatre) 1/20

"UNCORKED & UNPLUGGED" w/ SANDRA McCRACKEN / SCOTT MILLER (Melting Point) 1/24

BOB HAY & THE JOLLY BEGGARS (Melting Point) 1/25

WHO'S BAD? (Georgia Theatre) 1/25

C-FRE$H / ELITE THA SHOWSTOPPA / BIG JOHN BURBON / STATIC Y MIZZA / DJ KILLACUT (Safari Athens) 1/26

TRIAL BY FIRE / DEAD CONFEDERATE / WALCOTT (Tasty World) 1/26

ABBEY ROAD LIVE! (Georgia Theatre) 1/27

BEAR (Caledonia) 1/27

TRESOR HUGO (Ritz) 1/27

THE LEMONHEADS (40 Watt) 1/27

MR. GRASSFOOT / THE SUEX EFFECT (Tasty World) 1/27

COREY SMITH (Classic Center) 1/27

THE BOTTLE ROCKETS (Tasty World) 1/29

MASTODON / CONVERGE / PRIESTESS (40 Watt) 1/31

SUN DOMINGO / POOLSTICK (The Library) 1/31

STEEP CANYON RANGERS (Georgia Theatre) 2/1

MOUNTAIN HEART (Melting Point) 2/2

THE GOURDS / DAVID CHILDERS & THE MODERN DON JUANS (Melting Point) 2/3

LOTUS / COOLIO CRACKA (Georgia Theatre) 2/3

VASHTI BUNYAN / VETIVER (40 Watt) 2/6

YO MAMA'S BIG FAT BOOTY BAND (Georgia Theatre) 2/9

PERPETUAL GROOVE (Georgia Theatre) 2/10

THE SUEX EFFECT (Amici) 2/10

LIQUID JUNGLE (Georgia Theatre) 2/14

JOE BONAMASSA (Melting Point) 2/15

VERTIGO JONES (Georgia Theatre) 2/15

RISING APPALACHIA / MOIRA SMILEY & VOCO (Melting Point) 2/16

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA (Georgia Theatre) 2/21

DEERHOOF / BUSDRIVER / HARLEM SHAKES (40 Watt) 2/21

C-FRE$H / BEAR / BIG JOHN BURBON & HIS ENTOURAGE / NOBODY FAMOUS (Tasty World Upstairs) 2/23

DAVE MATTHEWS COVER BAND (Georgia Theatre) 2/23

UMPHREY'S McGEE (Georgia Theatre) 2/28

COMMANDER CHAMELEON (Roadhouse) 3/1

ISIS (40 Watt) 3/8

THE AVETT BROTHERS / WILL KIMBROUGH (Georgia Theatre) 3/23

JORMA KAUKONEN / BARRY MITTERHOFF (Melting Point) 3/24

LEO KOTTKE & THE TURTLE ISLAND STRING QUARTET (UGA) 12/7