Weekly Music Picks - Spring Approacheth

Before we get into things this week, we have a few pieces of music news. First, our photographer Steve Hopson is showcasing some of his favorite shots at the Hyde Park Grill from February 23rd to April 3rd. The exhibit is called "Where Music Meets the Eye," and the opening is this Wednesday from 5-7. Spencer Perskin of Shiva's Headband Experience will perform, and you can read more here. Also, local website Better Than the Van relaunched last week with new features for bands and band-enablers. Finding strangers to stay at your house has never been easier. And now, for the music.

Monday: We'd be remiss for not mentioning the Jimmy Eat World and David Bazan show at La Zona Rosa - not because we're ripe for J.E.W. nostalgia ("it's gonna take some time" for that) - but because Bazan, formerly of Pedro the Lion, has been up to some interesting stuff. After losing his band, Bazan released his full-length Curse Your Branches and is playing this huge tour not long after a very intimate series of living room concerts across the country.

Tuesday: Emo's is hosting Lucero, and the atmospheric locals My Education and longstanding Seattle group Unwed Sailor play the Mohawk.

Wednesday: The Mohawk does it again on Wednesday night with a triple bill featuring the awesome Marnie Stern with openers Tera Melos and Zorch. A little earlier, you can pop in at Frank's Rec Room to catch Eric Brendo and Shallows AD. The Cola Freaks and Digital Leather are playing a free, punked out show at Beerland.

Thursday: Lovejoy's will be the site of some major metal with The Roller, Pack of Wolves and Fuck Work all billed. Another swell if less blistering set comes courtesy of TV Torso, Soft Healer and Yellow Fever at the Mohawk, and the Worst Tattoo in Austin contest hits Red7 (more on that later in the week).

Friday: Enjoy some coffee at Thunderbird to the sweet sounds of How I Quit Crack, Soundfounder and more, and then continue your caffeine intake with the Gold Beach cd release show at Progress. Ready for beer? The Gary plays Red7.

Saturday and Sunday: On Saturday, Switched On is celebrating their one-year anniversary with a show at the Victory Grill, and Mother Falcon is having an album release show with Graham Reynolds at the Central Presbyterian Church. On Sunday, Diana Ross is playing ACL Live and tickets are apparently still available. At 8pm at the Salvage Vanguard, The Church of the Friendly Ghost is hosting a drone set from Netherfriends, a band who recently learned the hard way that Houston can really suck for bands.