Beerland, known for music, old school video games, and, um, beer, will host a kind and compact cluster of five bands this Friday night, with all five bands making names for themselves within the confines of our fine city. Headlining will be The Diagonals, a subtle and scratchy outfit that, despite their somewhat workmanlike stylings while on stage, carries an innate danceability. Beyond that, Diagonals vocalist Steve Garcia, in some of his more speed-speak moments, has been compared to a young Michael Stipe...you know, before Michael Stipe had that whole fifteen years of boredom thing. ...

Friday night will be quite the night at Antone's, as indie-pop wonderboys Tapes 'n Tapes take the stage with their pleasantly simple hooks and choruses. On the backs of their debut release, The Loon, the Minnesota quartet forged themselves a river of hype that extended all the way from Blogland to Spin to Rolling Stone, as the album borrowed liberally from stalwarts like the Pixies and Pavement and made something brand-new from the parts. And now, with the release of their somewhat tentative sophomore album, Walk It Off, they are establishing themselves as a band with a solid and immediately recognizable sound, not to mention a live show that has garnered no shortage of raves....

This Sunday night holds one the most dazzling shows of the year, as the ultra-critically-acclaimed Caribou and Fuck Buttons take the stage in a whir of electronic and live action wonderfulness. Opening up will be Fuck Buttons, who, for their part, are one of the most fascinating new musical outfits to make a splash in 2008. Their noise-driven electronic music is almost jarringly abrasive on its scratchy surface, yet rewards the patient listener with a hint of melody—truth be told, their new album Street Horrrsing is one of our recent faves. So, unquestionably, their presence on the bill should keep too many people from straggling in late through Emo's doors....

The Mohawk on Friday is going to be absolutely busting out with music, as one of their patently awesome two-stages-for-one-ticket deals hits the scene. Getting the big print and final time slot on the two stages are Elf Power and Belaire, but they're just small pieces of what looks to be a good long night of song. So we'll break this down all methodical-like so you won't have to worry about missing anything, and you'll finally learn the wonderfulness that is six live (and actually quite good!) bands for less than an Alexander Hamilton. ...

You've got to love it when, long after the lineup is set and the schedules are printed, the opening act takes a quantum leap in the quality of their music, and, for all intents and purposes, stacks a show with TWO truly engaging acts rather than your customary one. And that's exactly what's happened here, as New Zealand natives The Ruby Suns' new album, Sea Lion, is so badass that getting to the Mohawk early enough to see them open up is imperative. And, in a nod to their previously determined spot as a Friday night headliner, Throw Me the Statue is a delightfully tight and catchy band belying their Seattle roots. So, hell, The Ruby Suns AND Throw Me the Statue? Even if you haven't caught word of these bands yet, they're both damn good, and for such a quality lineup this show is about as inexpensive as they come....

Benevento/Russo Duo, believe it or not, are made up of two people. They hail from the north. And they can fill a room with noise. But don't you even dare compare them to The White Stripes, because they would probably punch you in the face. Because first of all, Joe Russo's drums serve as a powerful and unrelenting backdrop of technical precision, and, secondly, Marco Benevento's emphatic and and purposeful keyboard--yes, keyboard--stuffs the foreground. And if that isn't enough to distance them from what is perhaps music's most famous duo, with Benevento and Russo, don't expect to find any vocals lying around, and don't expect to see any shortage of energy, as the band pack as much action into two people as possible. And that action you'll be able to find this Saturday night at The Parish Room....