Best New Bands of 2004
@ First Avenue

What better way to fend off the freeze of January in Minnesota than to warm up to the sounds of the Twin Cities next big things as elected by a panel of local experts (including yours truly)? A rare concert lineup that truly does boast “something for everyone,” First Avenue’s annual best new bands showcase will surely delight those looking to take in all of the Twin Cities biggest new names on the music scene in one sitting. Whether you crave distorted instrumental rock mayhem (Ova!), old-timey folk (The Get Up Johns), or plain ol’ pop goodness (recent City Pages cover boys the Olympic Hopefuls), you’ll be leaving the main room grinning from ear to ear. Featuring Chariots!, The Deaths, The Get Up Johns, Olympic Hopefuls, Ova!, P.O.S./Doomtree, Thunder In the Valley. 7 p.m. $7. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Rob van Alstyne

Joe Rathbone
@ The 400 Bar

Georgian Joe Rathbone makes another swing through the Cities in support of his rough-hewn sophomore outing, I Can Hear the Windows of Your Heart Breaking, and fans of classically American pop-folk songwriters like Tom Petty have plenty reason to be excited. On Windows, Rathbone’s casual working-man’s voice offsets the elegant beauty of his gentle tunes to great effect. Recorded with Nashville pop producer David Henry, who’s helmed similarly top-flight folk-pop efforts for the likes of David Mead and Josh Rouse, Rathbone’s rough-around-the-edges pop is softened by some elegant string arrangements and warm keyboards throughout. Tonight Rathbone goes it alone, with the rumor of occasional accompaniment from his similarly inclined local opener and current 400 Bar artist in residence Beau Kinstler. With John Richardson, Beau Kinstler. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne

Counter-Inauguration Parties for Peace
@ Nicollet Island Pavillion, Five Corners Music Saloon, Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar

Just because Bush won the election doesn’t mean Americans have to stop being active, and a number of groups will host counter-inauguration parties Thursday Jan. 20. Air America Minnesota (AM 950) will host a “Blue State Ball” Inauguration Night Party from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Nicollet Island Pavillion. The dress code is “party dress,” Trailer Trash will provide live music and 950s own Wendy Wilde will emcee. In a second celebration, Bring it Back Productions will present “Stop the War Inaugural Ball for Peace.” Tony Paul of Maroons renown will emcee a night of area notables with DJ’s Awol and Modest.  Spoken word Rasta Bard David Daniels anchors a lineup that includes Andrew “Cadillac” Kolstad, Papa John Kolstad and the Hot Club of East Lake. A majority of proceeds will benefit local peace organizations. Finally, Minnesota Poets Against War will host a counter-inaugural celebration featuring Thomas R. Smith, Katrina Vandenberg, Kate Kysar, Rhoda Gilman and open mic at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar in St. Paul. Air America: 6 - 10 p.m. Nicollet Island Pavillion, 40 Power St., Mpls. $10. Advance tickets can be purchased at http://www.950airamerica.com. “Stop the War Inaugural Ball for Peace:” doors 6 p.m., music 7 p.m. Five Corners Music Saloon, 501 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. $15/ door, $10 with a non-perishable food item benefiting Peace House. Minnesota Poets Against War: 7:30 p.m. Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince St., St. Paul. For more information call 651-295-4521. Dwight Hobbes

The Centurions
@ The Turf Club

Jake Wisti and his band the Centurions crank out the kind of skewed stoner-friendly party jams sure to appeal to fans of the Hold Steady or the Rank Strangers (which makes sense, because the Strangers’ front man Mike Wisti is Jake’s brother and the producer of the group’s latest, Stonefaced On Mars). Jake isn’t all sneering rock front man, however, as Stonefaced’s rather straight-laced and sweetly crooning take on Til’ Tuesday’s ’80s hit “Voices Carry” goes to show. Too smart and interesting for the garage-rock tag, The Centurions balance guitar-stinging assaults with smart wordplay and a classic indie-jangle to make the kind of multifaceted guitar-pop that sounds equal parts 1965, 1985 and right now. With Dumpster Juice, Maps of Norway. 9 p.m. $4. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Ave., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. Nathan Dean

Cash Only #5: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
@ The Cabooze

I understand if you’re sick of tribute concerts—many of them are downright awful— but this weekend’s pair of tributes to the Man in Black is the exception to the rule, with talented artists like Janis Figure and Big Ditch Road paying homage to Johnny Cash. Cash is pretty much a no-brainer as a tribute figure, given that he’s one of the few true patriarchs of music in general, not just country. Later this year, a movie about Cash’s life, “Walk the Line” will be released with Joaquin Phoenix in the title role. You don’t have to wait until that, though. Head down to the Cabooze and hear his wonderful work done right by local artists helping keep his legacy alive. Featuring: Bob Wootten, Ol’ Yeller, Janis Figure, Copperheads, and Big Ditch Road. Also on Sat. 1/22. 8:30 p.m. $10 adv/$12 door. 21+. 917 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-338-6425. Louis lenzmeier

Tsunami Benefits
@ Solera, Varsity Theater, Coffman Union

As relief efforts for last month’s tsunami victims continue across the globe, three local events are scheduled in the Twin Cities this weekend. On Friday night more than 20 house and techno DJs will congregate at Solera restaurant in downtown Minneapolis to raise funds for the World Health Organization South Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Fund. Performers include 500 Internal, Big Mama J and Chuck Love. In Dinkytown on Saturday, folks can get a preview of the newly renovated Varsity Theater (grand opening slated for Valentine’s Day) at the What the World Needs: Tsunami Arts Benefit. The evening will feature dance, music, comedy and theater, plus film and video works by local artists. There will also be an art auction with contributions from dozens of visual artists, including Wing Young Huie, Clea Felien, Doug Padilla and Linda Flanders. Finally, the group Diaspora Flow will present a benefit for the Sri Lanka Relief Fund at the U of M’s Coffman Union on Sunday, featuring Sri Lankan poets, artists and dancers. Fri. suggested donation $8, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m ( 21+). Solera, 900
Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-338-0062; Sat. $20, 7 p.m. – midnight. Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. SE, Mpls. For more information, go to xlart@comcast.net or Patrick@patrickscully.org; Sun. 7 p.m. $10 minimum donation. Coffman Memorial Union Theater, 300 Washington Ave. S.E. Mpls. Nancy Sartor

The Deaths
@ The 7th St. Entry

Former Fargo-ites the Deaths have slowly built up a rather gigantic buzz over the last year since relocating to the Twin Cities —rumored near signings with Sub Pop, opening gig slots with heavy hitter national headliners—all without a record to their name. That problem gets remedied tonight as the Deaths celebrate the release of their debut longplayer, Choir Invisible. A dazzling hybrid of slick retro-pop, shimmering Shin’s styled shimmy and drowsy creepy instrumental cuts, Choir Invisible makes it abundantly clear what all the fuss is about. A powerhouse lineup has been assembled for the gig which also marks one of the first performances for Deep Pool, a local outfit of scene veterans led by Hang Ups guitarist Jeff Kearns, who after years of contributing a (typically stunning) song or two to their records is finally stepping forward to front his own band (which also features members of TVBC). Should be a memorable night. With The Winter Blanket, Arctic Universe, Deep Pool. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. van Alstyne

Tommy Stinson
@ The Uptown Bar

Erstwhile-‘Mats-boy-bassist-cum-Axl-Rose-drinking-buddy Tommy Stinson continues to be on a roll following the release of his eight-years-in-the-making solo debut, Village Gorilla Head. The (deservedly) glowing press is still pouring in, tours of Europe have been mounted, and people are (hopefully) even disassociating Stinson from the mess that is G ‘N’ R 2K5 (Stinson is allegedly still on board as Rose puts the re-finishing touches on the permanently delayed Chinese Democracy). Village Gorilla Head is a slick collection that balances punchy rock in the vein of Stinson’s first post ‘Mats band Bash & Pop with more subdued balladry and a shiny production veneer. In the more than 12 years since the Replacements dissolved, fans have been hoping Tommy had an album like this in him. This tour finds Stinson performing in an acoustic duo format, reunited with guitarist Dave Phillips (his former bandmate in the mid ’90s band Perfect, and currently a member of Frank Black’s backing band the Catholics). Expect them to break out some chestnuts from Perfect’s stellar “lost album,” Once, Twice, Three Times a Maybe (which was actually recorded back in 1997 under the title 7 Days A Week and left to linger on the shelf until Rykodisc finally issued the record a few months ago). With Dave Phillips (of the Catholics), Dana Thompson and the Almost Canadians 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 3018 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-823-4719. van Alstyne

David Mead, Hem
@ The Ascot Room

Two artists making “adult” music without all the nightmarish Bolton-esque baggage that term might normally imply, Nashville singer/songwriter David Mead and NYC “countrypolitan” collective Hem sculpt sophisticated and elegant tunes sure to appeal to fans of brainy pop-craft. Mead is on the road in support of Indiana (yet another David Henry produced slice of adult singer/songwriter fare that actually manages to captivate rather than repulse), and any fan of Ron Sexsmith of Freedy Johnston’s work will find plenty of posh pop to sink their teeth into here. Headliners Hem turned plenty of heads with their 2001 debut, Rabbit Songs, and their new longplayer, Eveningland, shouldn’t slow the trend any. Led by the combination of bandleader/songwriter Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson, the vocalist his band picked up from a Village Voice classified ad, Hem make wide-lens cinematic pop that blends traditional American forms with sighing pedal steel, sumptuous orchestration and the occasional step into ’70s-leaning AM radio terrain. Guaranteed to make your jaw drop at first listen, seeing Hem’s multi-layered mellifluous pop performed live is the closest thing a non-classical music fan will get to understanding the splendor of a symphony. With Dawn Landes. 6 p.m. $10. 18+. 110 N. 5th St., Mpls. 612-338-3383. van Alstyne