Absolute Monarchs
Saturday, December 31
Fresh out of the studio after recording their full-length debut for Good to Die Records, metal-tinged art punks Absolute Monarchs will no doubt ring in the New Year in a noisy, exhilarating fashion. With Deadkill, Cold Cold Ground. JewelBox/Rendezvous 2322 Second Ave., 441-5823. 9 p.m. $7. HANNAH LEVIN
LeRoy Bell
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Seattle soul veteran and SW cover star LeRoy Bell is back in town and rocking with his band, His Only Friends, for their first performance since Bell’s big-time exposure as a finalist on The X Factor. With Clinton Fearon. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., 877-784-4849. 8 p.m. $32.50-$47.50. ERIN K. THOMPSON
The Black Crabs
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
For a bopping, bass-slapping New Year’s, check out the toe-tapping verve of rockabilly trio The Black Crabs, who share this New Year’s bill with some of Seattle’s peppiest rockabilly rollers. With Marshall Scott Warner, Rachel Lynn Harrington & the Knockouts, Roy Kay Trio, The 1uppers. Slim’s Last Chance, 5606 First Ave. S., 762-7900. 9 p.m. $15. GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT
Brandi Carlile
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Expect a packed house at this local favorite daughter/songbird’s show. Carlile is a stellar songwriter with a set of powerful pipes that have garnered her tons of national exposure and a ridiculously loyal fan base, making it one of the city’s hottest tickets tonight. With Ivan & Alyosha. Neptune Theatre, 1303 NE 45th St., 877-784-4849. 9 p.m. $124. MA’CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR
DJ Baby J
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Knowledge of New York proto-punk, neo-wave, and Northwest queercore runs deep in the crates of DJ Baby J. Expect a great dance party, custom-created for rockers who wouldn’t usually dance. Plus, there’s a great view of the Space Needle’s fireworks display from the club’s back patio. With DJ Blackout. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N., 374-8400. 9:30 p.m. $10. HANNAH LEVIN
Dudley Manlove Quartet
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
This local cover band has been playing New Year’s Eve gigs to packed houses almost since its inception for a good reason: consummate showmanship and flawless renditions of everything from lounge standards to ’80s synth-pop, a combination of genres that works surprisingly well. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. NW, 784-4880. 10 p.m. $20. HANNAH LEVIN
Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
If you’ve walked by the Fremont house where Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme practices lately, you might’ve heard them rocking some “Auld Lang Syne,” which, given the band’s penchant for all things wild and funky, will likely be their tamest offering tonight. With The Braxmatics, DJ Leopold Bloom. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, 789-3599. 9 p.m. $20 adv./$25 DOS. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Handful of Luvin’
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Genre-spanning locals Handful Of Luvin’ can find a bouncy melody in any number of strains, from Celtic to reggae to Americana. Along for the ride are New Year’s show veterans Flowmotion, who know a thing or two about getting you moving. Nectar, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020. 8 p.m. $12. TODD HAMM
Innerflight/Flammable Party
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
A slew of local party crews comes together to rave in the new year at ETG, with a night of house and techno that only gets started as the ball drops, and continues reveling well into the first day of 2012. With Brian Lyons, J Sun, Karl Kamakahi, Wesley Holmes, Kadeejah Streets, J-Sun Rhines, Tait. Electric Tea Garden, 1402 E. Pike St., 568-3972. 10 p.m. $15. ERIC GRANDY
Massy Ferguson
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
If your New Year’s Eve won’t be complete with out some drunken wooo-hoooos, this is the show for you. The combination of this touristy downtown venue and Massy’s brand of booze-soaked Americana is sure to equal a hard-partying, close-the-bar-down vibe. With Cody Beebe. Hard Rock Cafe, 116 Pike St., 204-2233. 10 p.m. $50. MA’CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR
Ian McFeron
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
A show for the chillin’ alt-country set. McFeron’s brand of folky, mellow acoustic tunes are perfect if you want to spend NYE with your parents. With Fortune Dwellers. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212. 9 p.m. $20 adv./$25 DOS. MA’CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR
Metal Chocolates
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
A blowout of local hip-hop from the high-energy party starting of Don’t Talk to the Cops! and Katie Kate to the hazier vibes of Metal Chocolates and producer OC Notes. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 9 p.m. $5. ERIC GRANDY
Miss Mamie Lavona the Exotic Mulatta and her
White Boy Band
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
If you’re looking for a jumping, jazzy New Year’s Eve, Mamie Lavona and her White Boy Band put on quite a show with their exotic blend of gypsy jazz, Latin rhythms, and castanets. With Bakelite 78. Conor Byrne, 5140 Ballard Ave. NW, 784-3640. 9 p.m. $10. GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT
Coco Montoya
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Legendary left-handed blues guitarist and longtime member of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers returns to the the Triple Door on the heels of last year’s I Want It All Back for two shows of soulful, steamy blues. Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. First show: 7 p.m. $100. All ages. Second show: 10:30 p.m. $70. GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT
Mystery Ship
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Never have bar and band been paired so perfectly as Mystery Ship and the Blue Moon. During what promises to be a rollicking, combustible celebration, there will be more drinks spilled near the stage on this night than at any other fiesta in Seattle. With The Springboards, Bad Love Sessions. Blue Moon Tavern, 712 NE 45th St., 675-9116. 9:30 p.m. $7. MIKE SEELY
Andre Nickatina
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
This oddball, Bay-area grime-rap affair could turn into that surprise crazy New Year’s adventure you can’t even believe actually happened . . . if you let it. With Smoov-E, Mumbls, Mike P, Chillest Illest, DJ Prince, C.O.S. Studio Seven, 110 S. Horton St., 286-1312. 8 p.m. $40. All ages. TODD HAMM
Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Even if you opt for the dinner package, conga drummer Poncho Sanchez will have you dancing in your seat with his fiery mix of salsa, bebop, and soul-infused Latin jazz. Jazz Alley, 2000 Sixth Ave., 441-9729. 8:45 p.m., 11 p.m. $52.50-$155.50. GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT
Resolution 2012
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
This huge-scale electronic blowout will feature London dubsteppers Nero, L.A. rap-ravers Hyper Crush, and Ann Arbor producer/remixer/Mike Posner collaborator DJ Benzi, among others. With Alana Watson, Tritonal. WaMu Theater, 800 Occidental Ave. S., 381-7555. 7 p.m. $45-$129. All ages. ERIN K. THOMPSON
“The Rolling Stones”
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Seattle’s “rawest” (and most punk- credentialed) Rolling Stones tribute band returns to blow the top of the Comet for New Year’s. Expect to get a more-than-reasonable facsimile of yer ya-yas out! With Night Beats, Country Lips, Bermudas, First Times, DJ Mamma Casserole. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 322-9272. 9 p.m. $12. ERIC GRANDY
Sanctuary
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Fans of Sanctuary—one of Seattle’s earliest and most influential power metal acts—rejoiced when they reunited in 2010. Openers Elk’s Blood have built on the strengths of Sanctuary’s lineage, but with a sharper affection for death and thrash thrown into the mix. With A Lesson In Chaos, Fallen Angels, Reficul, Elk’s Blood. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave East, 381-3094. 8 p.m. $30 adv./$35 DOS/ $60 VIP. All ages. HANNAH LEVIN
Starfucker
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
The Northwest sons of Starfucker cap off a year of touring for their luscious Reptilians album with this sold-out NYE mega-bash featuring their Seattle BFFs, Champagne Champagne. Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-7416. 8 p.m. Sold out. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Stroppy
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Stroppy makes moody, ambient, electro-fueled rock with vocals that are incredibly reminiscent of Portishead. Perfect for the NYE-goer who enjoys their evening on a slow roll. Cafe Venus and the Mars Bar, 609 Eastlake Ave. E., 624-4516. 10 p.m. $6. MA’CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR
John Tejada
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Decibel and Trashed’s two-night NYE stand at Neumos peaks with L.A.’s John Tejada, a sound design perfectionist who also knows how to make a room sweat from the walls, with not-to-be-missed local support from Lusine. With Bit Funk, Sean Majors vs. Gene Lee, Blondzie. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 9 p.m. $20. ERIC GRANDY
Thadillac
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
A lot of shows and parties this last night of the year tend to be loud, wild displays of hedonism that can be a bit overstimulating. What’s the harm in taking it down a notch and grooving low-key into the New Year? Thaddillac will take you there. With Crack Sabbath, DJ Million. The Mix, 6006 12th Ave S., 767-0280. 8 p.m. $20 adv./$25 DOS. TODD HAMM
The rest of the week
Reverend Horton Heat
Thursday, December 29– Friday, December 30
Texas’s corn-fed rockabilly punk has always segued neatly between the bright clang of classic rock and the warm twang of old-school country, and this week the veteran road warrior brings both shows to town. Thursday night’s bill will focus on to the heartland, with Redneck Girlfriend opening, as well as the duality-driven Supersuckers busting out their best tears-in-your-beers jams. On Friday, the Reverend comes back to the hard stuff, with hell- raising assistance from Zeke and, again, The Supersuckers. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 9 p.m. $20 adv./$24.99 DOS. HANNAH LEVIN
Heavy T & The Blue Notes
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
At the core of HT&TBN is bearded howler Tom “Heavy T” Bukowski and his bass-playing son, Augie. The father-son duo is surrounded by a team of crackerjack musicians with jazz, classical, and punk backgrounds (like Clam Hamr guitar prodigy Patrick Dwyer) who can belt out blues standards just as well as they can jam off the cuff. They approach their covers with diverse arrangements that add to their swing, and the original numbers they’ve worked into their set lately hint at a restless creativity beneath their technical savvy. With Boxcar Rebellion. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212. 9 p.m. $7. TODD HAMM
Treasure Fingers
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
This year, electronic-festival-throwers Decibel and monthly-dance-partiers Trashed are teaming up to throw a two-night-long New Year’s Eve celebration at Neumos powered by some very dance floor-friendly producers and DJs of house, techno, and beyond. Tonight’s kickoff is headlined by Fools Gold-affiliated Atlanta DJ Treasure Fingers, who you might know for his remixes of indie fare including Chromeo, the Death Set, and Miike Snow. Local support comes from Pezzner vs. Hanssen, the two guys behind the sly, long-running house duo Jacob London, whose individual endeavors in recent years have seen them diversifying their techno portfolios without losing their beats. Whether as a warm-up for the main event, or a party for its own sake, tonight offers an opportunity to get down in the wee hours of 2011 without all of NYE proper’s amateur night bullshit. With Flat Black, BGeezy. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 9 p.m. $15. ERIC GRANDY
