U.S. Maple
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

A snarling, rhythmically driven rock beast, U.S. Maple have gradually mellowed as they near the decade mark of their existence. The band’s latest for the Chicago indie heavyweight Drag City, Purple On Time, even goes so far as to include a cover of Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay”—don’t worry though, U.S. Maple aren’t going soft on you—just spreading their wings to let a classic melody into the mix alongside their usual rock-skronk chaos. To even think that a band who got their start recording with renowned indie-avant guru Jim O’Rourke and titling their first album Long Hair In Three Stages is going to get all traditional on your ass is ridiculous. Those who crave high decibels and lasting ear pain will still get their fix from U.S. Maple, particularly in the live setting where their bone-crunching intensity remains unquestionable. With Sibay, The Stunning, Diamonds. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Nathan Dean

Under Milkwood
@ Jungle Theater

Like “A Christmas Carol” at Guthrie Theater and “Black Nativity” at Penumbra Theatre, Jungle Theater’s annual production of Dylan Thomas’ “Under Milkwood” is a venerated, upscale holiday staple. If anyone’s work is worth it, this master craftsman’s crowning achievement certainly is. Thomas’ uncanny wealth of language is, of course, legendary. He drank himself to death before he could complete “Under Milkwood,” but Richard Burton’s performance in a BBC radio production cemented this work as the most celebrated piece of the extraordinary Dylan Thomas canon. Directed by Jungle Theater artistic director Bain Boehlke, the cast features Claudia Wilkens—profoundly gifted lady of the Twin Cities stage—along with Allen Hamilton, Bradley Greenwald, Boehlke, sterling veteran Buffy Sedlachek, Nick O’Donnell and Ann Kellogg. “Under Milkwood” runs through January 15. The January 6 show is ASL-interpreted and the January 13 show is audio described. $20 - $30, Wed. - Thu. 7:30 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. 612-822-7063. Dwight Hobbes

Chris Harrington
@ The Turf Club

Just when I think I’ve finally completed tabulating my tally on talented pop-rock singer/songwriters in this town, another one jumps out of the woodwork with an album of distinction (oh the woes of living in Minneapolis!). Chris Harrington’s already got a few self-released albums under his belt, but it took me until his about-to-hit-the-scene third pop platter, You the Provider, to be hipped to his riches. One of the first projects to be recorded at Seedy Underbelly studios after its relocation from Minneapolis to the far sunnier and more industry connected climes of Los Angeles, Harrington lays down some classically Minneapolitan power-pop here with the help of producer/multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire Jacques Wait and drummer Jason Mackenroth. With a voice recalling Semisonic’s Dan Wilson (with a pinch more sass) and a penchant for classic melodies sure to appeal to fans of the Beatifics, Harrington makes it clear that he’s absorbed a lot of great Twin Cities music and is ready to give some back. This isn’t a lightweight pop confection, however, as much of the material here is about Harrington attempting to come to grips with the recent death of his father (the provider of the album’s title). With Romantica, Joanna James. 9 p.m. $4. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Avenue, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. Dean

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
@ Bryant Lake Bowl

The thing about Bryant Lake Bowl Theater is that it’s tailor made for ambitious folk with bright ideas but shallow pockets. You can, after all, cut down on overhead by renting a small venue and still have the advantage of BLB being a well-recognized name. And, as far as aesthetics are concerned, it’s funky enough to qualify as a bohemian hangout. Pretty hard to lose at a place like this … just ask writer-performers like Jovelyn Richards (“Diary of Aunt Jemima”), David Daniels (“I and I Roots Story”) and Marcie Rendon “Free Fry Bread”). You can also ask the people at Ensemble Productions who are putting on Jeff Goode’s “The Eight: Reindeer Monologues.” Seems Old St. Nick is on a drinking binge, Rudolph is locked away in a padded cell and the rest of the reindeer are talking to anyone who’ll listen. It’s billed as a “hard-hitting, in-your-face dark comedy for adults only.” Grif Sadow directs and the cast includes Leah Cooper, Aaron Gabriel, Greta Grosch, Jeff Huset, George A. Keller, Christine Nelson, Barry Patrick and Mitchell J. Thompson. Dec. 3 – 23; Tue., Thu. & Fri. 7 p.m. $15. Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-825-8949. Hobbes

The Soviettes, Askeleton
@ The Minnesota Museum of American Art br>
The Minnesota Museum of American Art continues its uphill battle of making downtown St. Paul a cool night spot with the latest in its installment of “first and third” music events. Formerly known as patio nights back before Minnesota’s chill set in, the local music fun may have been forced to move indoors, but it hasn’t lost any of its charm. The first and third Friday of every month, MMAA is rounding up two (and sometimes three) top-notch local bands/groups to bring the noise in a classy museum setting (how often does that happen?). Even better, these shows are open to the youngsters; with the underage set all-too-frequently shut out of the best local music gigs, it’s great to see this happening. This edition of first and third features the Soviettes (still touring in support of the so-quick-and-fun-you-blink-and-the-album’s-over pop-punk album LP II) and the increasingly road toughened glitch-pop of Askeleton (Knol Tate’s former home-recorded one-man-band has gradually swelled into a large live outfit featuring members of Ela and the Tin Horns) who recently completed a cross-country trek with Minus the Bear. 7 p.m. $7. All Ages. 50 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul. 651-292-4355. Rob van Alstyne

Annual MCAD Art Sale
@ The Minneapolis College of Art & Design

Deck your halls while lining the pockets of starving artists at this weekend’s annual MCAD student art sale. Thousands of original paintings, prints, photos, sculpture and other works are for sale, and all proceeds go directly to the students. Friday night is the preview sale and reception from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring music, refreshments and first dibs on all the art. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a free children’s workshop allows youngsters to create their own art while parents shop. Tickets to the Friday night preview are $25 in advance, $35 at the door, and can be purchased at the Art Cellar, the MCAD bookstore, or through Ticketmaster outlets (612-673-0404). Admission is free the rest of the weekend. Fri. 6 – 9 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Minneapolis College of Art & Design, 2501 Stevens Ave. S., Mpls. 612-874-3807. Nancy Sartor

Moon Maan, Food Team, Mark Mallman
@ The Turf Club

Moon Maan (the new local band led by fomer Afghan Whigs guitarist Rick McCollum) has slowly been building up their profile locally with scattered gigging, but all of that should change soon with the pending release of their debut album in early 2005. Those curious about what the combination of McCollum and local scene vets Bryan Knisley (guitars), Erik Mathison (drums) and Kate Clements (bass) sounds like need wait no longer—just get your ass on the information superhighway and shuffle over to MoonMaan.com where you can download four in-progress demos that show what the band’s been up to since their February 2004 formation. Those fond of the Whigs’ dark and soulful crunch should find plenty to love on cuts like “Even Up the Score.” Another man from a (semi) famous band starting afresh is also on the bill, although one could arguably be hard pressed to pick a less auspicious beginning band name than Food Team. I’m still eager to see what former 12Rods leader Ryan Olcott has up his sleeve with this new project. Closing out the night is everyone’s favorite local madman pianist Mark Mallman, making his return to the Turf Club stage for the first time since his completion of “Marathon 2” there a few months back (the longest song ever at 48 hours). Hopefully returning to the scene of his marathon-induced dementia will mean an even more crazed performance than usual. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Avenue, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. van Alstyne

Triple Rock 6th Anniversary Show
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

Although the Triple Rock may have only been operating as a music venue for less than two years, it’s spent a lot more time as the punk-rock-place-to-be for good times and good drinks. Celebrating its sixth anniversary as the bar of choice for the young and tattooed set, this show rounds up some of the hardest-rocking local bands that know how to party. It also marks one of the first gigs for St. Paul’s finest rock ‘n’ roll fun squad Superhopper in many months. Their band recently got back together after various members spent time living in St. Louis or performing military service (ouch!). Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone and I for one am more than excited at the prospect of slamming about to the instantly gratifying and none too serious tuneage of Superhopper once again. Featuring The Midnight Evils, The Soviettes, Superhopper, Big Business (featuring ex-members of Karp and Murder City Devils). 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Dean

AM60
@ The 400 Bar

AM60 is the musical product of Christopher Root, best known stateside for his gig as guitarist in the breezy bossa nova pop group Mosquitos, who’ve released two well-received albums in their short time together. Prior to linking up with Mosquitos front woman Juju Stulbach, however, Root pursued his own brand of whimsical fun-loving pop under the name AM60. These recordings were actually made back in 2001 (and have already gotten much love overseas) but are just now getting a proper airing in the U.S. With an album titled Big As the Sky and songs like “Summertime Girlfriend” and “We Belong Together,” it’s not too hard to venture a guess that this is sprightly pop with a sunny lyrical disposition. Root does fun-loving music better than most, however, dodging cheesiness at every turn and keeping your toe tapping. Hopefully AM60 is more than just a brief detour as the world could certainly do with this kind of cheering up on a more regular basis. With Mr. Biggins. 9 p.m. $5 adv/$7 door. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Dean

Captain Yonder
@ The Turf Club

Madison’s Captain Yonder titled their second album Mad Country Love Songs, and subsequently eliminated the necessity of my job by beating me to the punch in describing their work in a snappy manner (damn it!). A collection of twisted semi-twang, Mad Country Love Songs features the low and lonesome voice of songwriter Ryan Pfeiffer (occasionally cribbing lyrics without permission from old Syliva Plath poems) alongside the weepy cello work of Esme Schwall and understated rhythmic accompaniment (with the occasional bong hit of tubular bells or horn flourishes). Recorded last year by personal invitation at the Flaming Lips’ Tarbox Studios with producer/engineer Bill Racine (whose wide ranging client list includes both Mogwai and Phantom Planet), Mad Country Love Songs seems waiting for the right set of critics to stumble across the album and proclaim it the long-lost cousin of Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and a frazzled Americana classic. The album’s already met with serious acclaim from the U.K. press and it should be interesting to see where Captain Yonder’s forthcoming third album (on which recording recently wrapped) takes them next. With TBA. 9 p.m. TBA. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Avenue, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. van Alstyne