Holiday hits

Variety packed

New England Music News

Party like it’s 2012!!

Last call for TONY JONES & THE CRETIN 3 along with FALL & BOUNCE on THURSDAY (the 29th) at JR's Bourbon Street Rock House in Cranston (forever Mustang Sally's to some of us), call 401.463.3080. Tough decisions to be made FRIDAY (the 30th) starting with the really, really big one at Fête in Olneyville — State of the Union, an all killer/no filler roster featuring THE RICE CAKES, THE BROTHER KITE, VULGARRITY, HERRA TERRA, SHE RIDES, and plenty more rocking out on two stages (plus the 'Gansett Girls and $2 tallboys!); tix are $14 the door, call 401.383.1112. Friday rocks at the Salon (across from the old Met Café, 401.865.6330) with DJ LIVELY EXPERIMENT, TRIANGLE FOREST, and more; the Apartment (401.228.7222) hosts a dual album release show featuring SOMA NOVA (their debut disc) along with a split 12" platter from THE BLOOD MOONS and headliner SIX STAR GENERAL; 21+ and no cover. Just down the street, FUNGUS AMUNGUS will kick off a two-night stand at the Spot Underground, with help from NIGHTS WITHOUT TELEVISION, and DADDIE LONG LEGS co-funking up the joint on SATURDAY (the 31st); dial 401.383.7133 for details on both shows. Adios 2011! New Year's Eve Saturday highlights include a DOUBLE DECKER DANCE BAND album release show at Nick-a-Nee's (21+, 401.861.7290); the Met hosts jam icons MAX CREEK (401.729.1005); the DUKE ROBILLARD BAND heads to the Knickerbocker Café in Westerly (401.315.5070); Cuban Revolution's Valley St. outpost sends off 2011 with SUPERCHIEF TRIO (the $25 cover includes a champagne toast, call 401.632.0649 for info). And BRIGHT NIGHT 2012 is ready to rock, with multiple Downcity locations in on the fun (the $20 ticket includes admission to all venues) — the EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION BAND will hit the streets and storm AS220 (401.831.9327), BLACK & WHITE and DEADLANDS (75orLess Records) play the Beneficent Roundtop Center, and start the day with plenty of family fun at the Providence Children's Museum and Perishable Theatre. Dial 401.288.1231 or click brightnight.org for the full itinerary. Looking ahead to TUESDAY (the 3rd), head out and catch SARAH & THE TALL BOYS returning to Nick-a-Nee's. And an early heads-up for a sick double-dip with PANTHER MODERNS and LOLITA BLACK at the Met on THURSDAY the 5th — what a way to usher in this year's impending zombie apocalypse!