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New England Music News

Pop your cork!

If you haven't made plans for New Year's Eve, better make 'em now. There are plenty of gigs across the state bound to satiate your sonic palate. Up north YOUNG NEAL & THE VIPERS crank it up at Chan's (401.765.1900), and down south fellow guitar legend DUKE ROBILLARD hits the Knickerbocker in Westerly; the $50 ticket comes with a four-course meal beginning at 6 pm, call 401.596.4225. Downcity highlights include THE MIDNIGHT CREEPS opening for SASQUATCH & THE SICK-A-BILLYS at Jerky's ($10 at the door), and AS220 (401.831.9327) cuts loose after Bright Night with a wild one featuring ROZ RASKIN & THE RICE CAKES and Strange Famous Records' insightful punks PRAYERS FOR ATHEISTS, one of the most entertaining live acts on the circuit. Only $5 at the door or free with a Bright Night badge. Over in the Bucket, FUNGUS AMUNGUS, SAUCE, and the KRIS HANSEN KOLLECTIVE congregate at the Blackstone (401.726.2181), and the 133 Club in East Providence will host RORY & THE HOUNDS, call 401.438.1330. Looking for lo-dough action in Newport? 75orLess Records wield the big guns in SIX STAR GENERAL, COMA COMA, and THE DIEPODS at Jimmy's Saloon. It's $10 at the door, call 401.846.5121. Hair of the dog with your brunch on FRIDAY (the 1st) will help prepare for Eric Baylies' beastly new threesome BAD MOTHERFUCKER at Jerky's (401.621.2244), with Lincoln's STALEMATE opening. Head to Firehouse 13 on SATURDAY (the 2nd) for a punk gathering led by East Provy's CALLUS BLACK, with JOHNNY CLOTHESHANGER & THE ANTI-BABIES and Worcester's THE WEIRD KIDS kicking it off at 9 pm, call 401.270.1801. Indie rock newcomers STARTING OVER TUESDAY (check out their debut disc, Because of You) get to work in '10 with a show at the Blackstone on Saturday followed by a set at AS220 on MONDAY (the 4th) with TRIPLE POINT and Warwick's ALDRICH.