Indie Music 10.

Welcome to my weekly roundup of inexpensive indie(ish) musical happenings in downtown Toronto. I try to list as many shows here as I know about, though with a preference for listing those happening at venues I especially like, or featuring performers I know something about. This list is thus not comprehensive. In addition, I rarely list shows that cost $10 or more. If I'm missing something or you have any comments, please do let me know.

The week starts out with two solid lineups on offer at the Horseshoe. The music is more standard rock fare than indie pop-rock, but there's enough variety to keep all but the most hardcore indie scenester happy. And, these shows won't cost you a thing. If you're looking for something to take your mind off school for a bit, head down to Queen West. I've got recommendations for Thursday through Saturday, again with plenty of variety. The Boat and Tiger Bar are good bets all week, and a couple popular indie dance parties are happening on the weekend. Although there aren't a ton a shows to choose from, you should for sure find something to your liking between Monday and Sunday.

As I write this I've got Woodhands stuck in my head. Great stuff. I seriously needed that show Saturday night. NEEDED.

At shows I am almost always to be found right up at the front, mere inches from the stage if I can manage it. I recommend this spot, unless you aren't into the music, in which case you should go drink and talk (and check out the crowd) at the back. There's a totally different vibe in different parts of a venue/crowd, so it's important to find the right spot for you. I hate being behind people. I go out to hear and see the performers---and hopefully talk to them afterward!---so it's annoying when I don't feel like I'm doing that. But do bring earplugs, because the front is usually the loudest spot. And depending on the act, beware of musicians suddenly jumping off stage and their wayward guitars threatening you with a concussion, as well as the excited dancers at the front who will knock you over if you aren't careful. (This isn't usually a problem, though.)

MONDAY (19 nov)

Shoeless Monday featuring The Feeling United @ 11:30, Derek Lathrop from Adams Rib @ 10:30, and The Earthmen @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

I may go check out this non-musical event: Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids 3 @ Victory Cafe, 8pm, free. Details here and here.

TUESDAY (20 nov)

The Edge 102.1 Dave Bookman’s Nu Music Nite featuring The Last True Gentlemen @ 12:00, Summerside @ 11:10, The Struggle Fish @ 10:20, and One Second 2 Late @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, free.

Sky Shark w/ Mantler and The People of Canada @ The Cameron House (front room), 8-10pm, free. Followed by Run With The Kittens.

The Williamson Playboys w/ Boiled Wieners @ The Cameron House (back room), 8-10pm, free. Sketch (musical) comedy.

WEDNESDAY (21 nov)

Pre-Grey Cup Party presents B. A. Johnston @10:00 and 11:30, w/ Sean Ward and The Realness feat. DJ Human Kebab, Horseshoe Tavern, 9pm, free. "Watch as Sean Ward and B.A. Johnston musically recapitulate the age-old struggle between Hamilton and Toronto!" If for some reason you care about the CFL . . . .

Pitter Patter Nights presents Acres (Ottawa) and Cedar @ The Boat, $5.

Sarah Burton (CD release) w/ Cindy Doire, and The Ory No'Man Too, Supermarket, 8:30pm.

THURSDAY (22 nov)

* Tafelmusik w/ Rock Plaza Central, CBC taping, Trinity St. Paul's Church (427 Bloor St. West), 7pm sharp start time, free. This sounds great!! And once that's done, grab some dinner and then walk down to College for . . .

* No Shame presents Harvee (Valleyfield, QC), We’re Scared, and The Books Elusive @ The Tiger Bar, 9pm, $5. This will be awesome. No Shame's Lauren is uber excited about Harvee; the woman's got great taste. I am looking forward to We're Scared too. (Amy and Paul are great.) So I will be there.

Thee Diet Pills vs The Salarymen, hosted by Terror Lake @ The Boat, $5. Ummm . . . I'll let the The Salarymen explain: "We kill new enemy Diet Pill band with giant Kamikaze force. Terror Lake host gracious fight for death. Next we play Japanese Video Game for lock n’ loll supremacy. BANZAI!!!!" And now I'll let Thee Diet Pills explain: "ROCK OFF! Thee Diet Pills v. the Salarymen , hosted by Terrror Lake. this is happening! DJ Steve Shoe with guest referee Keith Hamilton." And finally, the host: "- - DEATH MATCH - - DIET PILLS vs. THE SALARYMEN {Terror Lake remains neutral at this time..}" This sounds ridiculous.

Blood Ceremony, Mean Red Spiders, Saffron Sect, Captain Caveman @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm.

The Knifings @ El Mocambo (first floor), 10pm, $5.

Six Shooter Roots Alt Country presents NQ Arbuckle @ 11:30, Jason Plumb and The Willing (CD release) @ 10:30, and Shannon Lee Briggs @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, $8.

FRIDAY (23 nov)

* Pop With Brains # 12 presents Zuku w/ Five Blank Pages, Eden Ants, Black Hat Brigade, and Neighbourhood Noise @ The Rivoli, 9pm, $5. Hosted by comedian Fraser Young. Proceeds go to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

* Pitter Patter Nights presents The Wooden Sky, Great Bloomers, The Weather Station @ The Boat, 9pm, $5. Huh . . . good lineup! Lighter, more folky fare, and pretty music. Definitely recommended . . . though not if you’re looking for something to keep you energized. For that you might be better off at Tiger Bar . . .

Easy Tiger presents Everything All The Time w/ The Outfit @ Tiger Bar, 10 pm, $5. After the bands, stay and dance the night away. This could well be a good show too. I just don't know the bands (yet!).

Never Forgive Action & Do Right! Music present Never Forgive Action vs Circle Research, Round 2. "Classic Hip Hop all night!" Supermarket, 10pm, $5.

Kick Ass Rock N Roll! presents The Guv'nor Generals @ 1:00, Oliver Black @ 11:30, Brad Monk and The Union Band @ 10:30, and Chris Eaton @ 9:30, The Horseshoe Tavern, $8.

The Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra (CD release) w/ The Silt and more @ The Tranzac (main hall), 9pm, $10 (or $15 and you get the CD).

Dancing:

Shake A Tail at Sneaky Dee's, 10pm, $5. 1960s dance party. This is their second anniversary event.

SATURDAY (24 nov)

The Acorn is performing at Soundscapes record store (572 College St.), 5pm, free. While you're there, pick up tickets for upcoming shows (that cost more than $10).

Cavalcade Of Lights concert featuring Jully Black, Murray Mclauchlan, Sarah Slean, Louise Pitre, Kim Stockwood, Nikki Yanofsky, and The Imani Gospel Singers @ Nathan Phillips Square, 7 pm, free.

* Tin Bangs (EP release pt 3), with Fox Jaws @ Bovine Sex Club, 10pm, $5, and you get a copy of the EP for free. I experienced Tin Bangs a few weeks ago, and, oh my. These guys are fantastic performers. I've got something important to do that night, but if I can slip out for a bit, this is where I'll be.

Clothes Make The Man w/ Silent Seymour, and Charlemagne (Hamilton) @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, $8.

Paperbag Indie CD Release presents The Acorn (Ottawa) @ 12:00, Bruce Peninsula @ 11:00, and Laura Barrett @ 10:00, The Horseshoe Tavern, $10. Laura Barrett is just so cool and uniquely talented, and I'm pretty sure all the indie boys are in love with her.

Dancing:

Yo! Remember the 90s? Retro dance party @ Teranga, 10pm, $5. I've yet to catch a show or dance party at Teranga in Kensington Market, but showcased some good acts lately. And being right across the street from The Boat, it can't be all that bad, now can it?

Zoi Zoi @ The Boat, 10pm, $5. French pop music from the ages. I didn't love it when I went, but maybe you will when you go. (Still had a good time, though.) This is the last one "for a while."

SUNDAY (25 nov)

Wavelength 390, The Silt, Sister Suvi, Barnyard Drama, Yellow Umbrella (opera singers) + DJ Rubpunzel @ Sneaky Dee's, 9pm, pwyc. See more about this show and the Wavelength series here.

Pitter Patter Nights presents Primes (Vancouver) w/ Sincere Trade @ The Boat, 9pm, $5.