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On THURSDAY (the 21st), FAR OFF PLACE stay close to home with a free gig at the Knickerbocker Cafe (401.596.4225). Jerky's Bar delivers indie-pop locals MINKY STARSHINE (75orLess Records) with Boston's CONSERVATIVE MAN and SOME SAY FIRE headlining, followed by yet another nice rap show FRIDAY (the 22nd) with indie-underground kings PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS and guests GRIEVES & BUDO, KENAN BELL, and ORDEAL; call 401.621.2244 for info on both shows. Pianist SHANNON COREY is at Local 121's Speakeasy (401.274.2121) with VERITY IN STEREO (NJ). The polar opposite would be the throwdown at Blaze's Billiards in West Warwick led by funky metalheads RHYTHMAFIA and RECITE THE RAVEN along with rappers BOGUS TRIZZY, ILLEGAL, VENDETTA, and plenty more; all ages and $5 at the door, music starts at 7:30 pm. On SATURDAY (the 23rd) highlights include honky-tonk female quintet GIRL HOWDY at the German Club in Pawtucket (401.726.9873), and don't forget the big THUNDER IN THE BUCKET benefit gig at the Blackstone (401.726.2181), featuring more than a dozen bands including the BLIZZARD OF '78, KINTAAN, HEAD OF HORNS, DEADLANDS, and the brick-melting I, DESTROYER. Music starts at 5 pm, $7 at the door with proceeds benefiting Resources for Human Development. Lincoln-based alt-rockers STALEMATE continue to tour behind We Will Carry You Out to Sea; next stop Club Hell (401.709.3923) with VUDU BEVY, ATTENTION AVOID, and THE EFFECTIVE DOSE supporting. A pair of midweek freebie options on WEDNESDAY (the 27th): at Club 201 (401.454.4581), WESTMINSTER SOCIAL CLUB will be spinning "fresh Britpop, indie rock, lost classics and guilty pleasures," and SUPERCHIEF TRIO (featuring Tom Ferrara on guitar) continue their weekly boogie-blues residency at Nick-a-Nee's (401.861.7290). The local music community took a hard hit with the recent passing of drummer PHIL HICKS. Over the last two decades, Hicks worked the kit for blues and rock mainstays such as Mark Cutler, Jeri Verdi, Dan Lilley & Lovetrain, and local Neil Young-tribute supergroup Forever Young.