Jailbait

So the Christmas holidays are calming down and we survived the traffic, long lines, and extended family. Now that the year is coming to an end, it's traditional to either reflect or look forward--or possibly both.

With the calendar change so near, what better time to take a quick peek at many of Tulsa's up and coming bands to see what we have to look forward to in the future? Lucky for us, it's time again for the Dirty Carny Sideshow to help keep us up to date on who's calling "next" on the local music scene.

If you're not already familiar with Dirty Carny, you should be--but we'll cut you some slack anyway. Basically, it's a new and rising band showcase that provides the participating bands an opportunity to play a big show and get exposed to an expanded (and hopefully different) audience, while giving local music lovers an easy way to find a few new favorites to follow.

For the record, this is the 4th installment of the Dirty Carny Sideshow, which launched about this time last December. The blueprint calls for three events per year (December, April, and August) to showcase local bands over Christmas, Spring Break and right before students return to school in the fall.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, so it plays to a younger crowd; get over it. What really matters is this is the pool where our next local stars will be coming from. They may be in different bands by the time they hit local hero status, but you never know. Either way, this is where you can get in on the ground floor and start tracking their progress.

This time around the winter Sideshow is being held at The Otherside (69th and Lewis) and has over 40 bands scheduled on two stages over the span of three nights. In order to step things up even more from last year's event, Fat Lip Entertainment is bringing in "The Enigma", who recently appeared at the Tattoo and Body Art Festival at The Hive, to host the whole thing. He'll play emcee, introduce the bands and even do a few mini-performances of his own between acts.

It all starts Thurs., Dec. 28, and continues through Sat., Dec. 30 with at least a dozen bands performing each night. Of course some things always change or shift at the last minute, but the current rosters for each night are pretty impressive and worth checking out. Here's a quick round-up to get you out the door:

Thursday: Gospel Are Us, The Pilot Phoenix, Last Year's Resolution, The Pawnshop Heroes, Bait, Emberson, The Moment, Fantastic International, Black Swan, Composition B, Good Fox and The First Fight.

Friday: Anew, Proven Theory, Hollywood Harlot, Impact 28,Reasons Untold, Vito Ninefingers, Rotting Cycle, Llyfyrion, Rsun, Donatello's Secret, Something to Prove, Central Tragedy, One Night Scam, Surcease Angels, The Paradigm Effect.

Saturday: Avyn, The Lone Creek Car Crash, Starving Europa, Two-Minute Hate, Downcast, The Weeping Tree, Southern Lush, Moira, Hospice, Drive Thru Drive By, Shades of Grey, Plague of Prophets, Eighty Proof and Remainder Theory.

With a line-up this deep, it's hard to know where to start. Fortunately, the bands alternate between two stages so you don't have to miss anyone. If you do happen to come across someone you can't stand (hey -- it happens), it's easier to bear knowing that the next band will follow in just a few minutes. Just take a quick break in the lobby until it's over.

The big payoff here, however, is finding someone new and different. My big surprise from the last Dirty Carny showcase was Vito Ninefingers. I'm not sure what to call them (eclectic, trip-hop punk, maybe?), but they stole the show. I'll definitely be looking out for them again this weekend.

A few others that I'm looking forward to catching, either because they've started to create a buzz or just for the sheer curiosity factor are: Gospel Are Us, Fantastic International, Black Swan, Impact 28, Drive Thru Drive By, and Donatello's Secret.

You see, that's the best part of this gig: it provides a little bit of everything. Indie-pop, experimental, screamo, pop-punk, metal and anything else you might want gets a shot. So tell me, guys--who's going to step it up this weekend?

Dirty Carny tickets are only $10 for admission to all three nights and can be purchased from any of the participating bands or at the venue when you arrive. Doors open at 5pm on Thurs., Dec. 28 and 4pm on Fri. and Sat., Dec. 29 and 30.

A Few Highlights...

Considering the date, most people are making plans for New Year's Eve, but that doesn't mean there's nothing else going on around town. I just unleashed a flurry of bands on you, however, so I'll stick to just a couple of highlights.

Friday night's big show is out at the Osage Events Center at the Million Dollar Elm Casino. Collective Soul will be bringing its '90's alt-rock to Osage county to help the casino and events center wrap up its year. Tickets run from downright cheap ($20) to expensive ($50) to ungodly ($200) and are available at Reasor's, Starship, and at the box office.

Also on Fri., Dec. 29, Congress of a Crow will be playing an intimate gig at The Soundpony, one of our coolest little downtown bars. Better yet: there's no cover, so come early, stay late and feel like you're actually in the band.

On Sat. Dec. 30 you won't want to miss Larkin as the band plays its last show of the year. Arnie's will be hosting the gig and cover is only $3, so you can start your New Year's early, drink yourself silly with the band and take a cab home.

If you didn't make it out to the band's CD release party last month, you'll also want to pick up a copy of Alexandra at the show before you've spent you entire stash on beer.

Weekend package

The Mercury Lounge may be one of the coziest bars in town, but that doesn't mean that Josh Martin and his staff can do anything on a small scale. Instead of celebrating for one night, Mercury is making an entire weekend of it. Friday night is a triple bill with Brandon Clark Band, Zeerock, and Back Porch Mary rattling the rafters with their country-tinged rock.

Saturday night ups the ante even more with Wayne "The Train" Hancock finally making a return trip for the T-Town release party of his last CD, Tulsa. Starkweather Boys open the show, guaranteeing a full night of twang and alt-country on the corner of 18th and Boston.

Finally, on Sunday, Dec. 31, Mercury Lounge rings in the New Year with Electric Rag Band. The party that will include door prizes, giveaways and all the standard NYE mayhem.

Cover charge is $10 each night, or if you're ready to settle in for the entire weekend, $20 will get you in on all three nights. Get your weekend passes in advance at the bar or at the door on Friday evening. A limited number of hotel packages have also been arranged with a downtown hotel for New Year's, so call in advance for details and to make your reservation.

The Main Event

Granted, Mercury Lounge isn't the only club throwing a New Year's Eve bash. If you haven't made plans yet, or even if you have but are looking for something better, we've got a cheat sheet of options ready for you. The real question is what are you looking for: a big party, a rock show, or a casual night out? Read on for the quick lowdown.

If your favorite way to ring in the New Year is with a concert, you're in luck. Even if there aren't any major tours out over the holiday, but we've got some great local and regional bands playing in town on Sunday night.

First up is a New Year's reunion show by Tulsa's alt-rock favorites, Caroline's Spine. The band will be packing out the house at The Blank Slate (1st and Detroit) and tickets are only $15.

Of course it wouldn't be New Year's in Tulsa without The Hero Factor. This year our local heroes will be the main attraction at the big show and party at the downtown Crowne Plaza Hotel. Concert tickets and room packages are available so call the hotel for details and reservations at (918)560-2261.

Down on the south side of town, The Otherside has a stacked bill that many have been waiting for. Failsafe plays a homecoming show (after a busy fall of touring) and co-headlines the night with Fair To Midland (from Denton, TX).

This is Fair To Midland's first trip back to Tulsa since signing to Serg Tankanian's Sergical Strike label and I expect they'll be off the hook this weekend. Opus Dei, My Dead X and Weeping Tree open the show. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the club, with doors opening at 8pm for an all-ages show.

Back downtown, Cairde na Gael plays at Arnie's with a $3 door charge and My-Tea-Kind is at Tsunami, where there's never a cover. On the flip side of the tracks, The Mooch and Burn will be throwing an NYE show as well.

If you haven't checked out the Mooch yet, you definitely need to -- it's great room for live music. The line-up on Sunday night will include Fulk Babies, Jor Dan, First Lady Assassins, Ancient Trio and GHOSTS (possibly Megatron as well). Cover was still to be confirmed at press time, but expect it to be around $5

And for all of you metal fans out there, Down For Five and Woebegone will be at Torchy's Two Bucks, with only a $5 cover for New Year's.

Party, Party . . .

Do you just want a party and big one at that? If so, you've got a few prime celebrations to pick from, mostly downtown. Probably the biggest NYE party in town is being hosted by Tulsa's Young Professionals at The Petroleum Club. Tickets are $50 for individuals and $95 per couple and include dinner and music by VooDoo Crush. Details and tickets are available by phone at (918)560-0286 or online at www.typros.org.

Just down the street, Dirty's Tavern is holding its first Tulsa NYE party with the Brandon Clark Band and Travis Kidd Trio providing the soundtrack. Tickets are $30 and include admission, a commemorative t-shirt, drink specials and all the usual New Year's shenanigans.

Meanwhile, around the corner on 1st Street, The Continental's year end bash has a $40 admission price, but includes an open bar with all you can drink domestic wine, well cocktails and domestic beer, as well as a midnight toast. Be sure to call in advance for reservations.

And of course, we can't forget Suede Ultralounge when discussing parties. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. The evening's festivities include entertainment by DJ Spin, a midnight toast and "craploads of party favors".

Do the Cover Dance

I got shelled by somebody's girlfriend last year for not including the cover bands, so far be it from me to overlook them again this year. If you're wanting to dance to live music that you know by heart, that's cool. I've already filled the page, however, so here's a quick rundown of some of the higher-profile acts that have gotten word out.

Snapdragon plays the Pour House (formerly Sax at 18th and Boston), Element is at The Vault in Owasso, Reverse Reaction holds down Brookside at Crow Creek Tavern, and everyone's favorite party band, The Plumbers, settle in at Liquidz.

Fishbonz has also put a package together again this year with the Presidential Suites. Call ahead for reservations, which include a suite, shuttle service and two tickets for the NYE party with Imzadi for $115. And I can't overlook Effin' Lizzy, the band that ran away with the ABoT awards cover band category this year.

Effin' Lizzy will be at the 71st Street Depot, so I'll be expecting all of you south-siders and suburbanites to show them some love.

Whew . . . How's that for a summary? Whatever you do, have fun and be safe so we can see you in the clubs again next year!