San Francisco

Tuesday

Hey, it's My Bloody Valentine, what more is there to say? Imagine if you were four years old and you found out that Santa Claus actually existed and was coming to town, and you might begin to imagine the excitement this show has inspired. Me, I hope they play some of their earlier, poppier stuff (see "Sunny Sundae Smile" or "Paint a Rainbow"), before they discovered the wonders of the "glide guitar" feedback overload. Bring your earplugs, either way, as the band was known for sending people streaming for the exits, clutching their heads, back in their heyday.

My Bloody Valentine, Spectrum, Suzanne Thorpe Trio @ Concourse Center; doors 8 p.m., tickets $47.50.

Wednesday

Remember how LCD Soundsystem's "Losing My Edge" captured the essence of the seen-it-all hipster jackass? Well, Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip's "Though Shalt Always Kill" is the everyday lad version, taking the piss out of people who sing ridiculous hit choruses, dislike bands because they've become popular, and believe "bitches and bling" are two of the elements of rap culture. On the duo's debut Angles, vocalist Pip spins Streets-like ramblogues about modern society, while producer Le Sac lays down woozy electro beats and burbles, like Fatboy Slim on his later albums.

Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip @ Du Nord; doors 8:30 p.m., tickets $14.

Thursday

God bless the English. Not only do they keep coming up with great dancey rock bands, but they seem to have an endless supply of swishy, twee pop groups. Noah & the Whale has all the prerequisites of the genre: a guy who sings deep like Stephin Merritt, tunes full of strings that saw and pianos that plink, and songwriters with a sunny melodic sense right out of the Beach Boys. This is their first of what is sure to be many San Francisco performances.

Noah & the Whale @ popscene, 330 Ritch St; doors 10 p.m., $10.

Friday

It may be obvious why Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe, and Jim Keltner named their live collaboration Guitar/Bass/Drums (that's their respective instruments, duh), but it seems odd that the musicians couldn't come up with something more inventive, considering the unique careers they've had. With over 40 years of recordings to choose from -- including fantastic recent releases like Cooder's '50s California epic I, Flathead and Lowe's elegantly humorous At My Age -- it's anyone's guess what they'll play for this special get together, which benefits people with Prader-Willi Syndrome through the Richard de Lone Special Housing Project. The only certainty is that the licks will be tasty, the singing will be sweet, and charm will be in full effect.

Guitar/Bass/Drums @ the Great American Music Hall; doors 8 p.m., tickets $100.

Sunday

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's got signed in the major label frenzy to nab the next Arcade Fire or the Decemberists. Only problem was that when the Indianapolis octet turned in their new album, Animal!, Epic wasn't that excited by the results, mainly because they left off live favorites like "Broadripple Is Burning." Luckily, the label was open to releasing both Animal! and Not Animal, a collection of older songs and B-Sides, so music fans could decide which they preferred. Me, I actually like Not Animal better, as its songs are more direct and more emotive, eschewing the murky studio trickery of Animal!. Either way, the band is a swirly, symphony of sound when playing live.

Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, David Vandervelde, Judgement Day @ the Independent; doors 7:30 p.m., $14.

Monday

Walking the thin line between the ridiculous and the sublime, Bang Camaro is a 17-person hair metal band with 13 lead vocalists. Yes, lead vocalists. The Boston ensemble takes dumb fun to a new level, concocting songs out of little more than epic guitar solos and horribly catchy choruses. Tunes like "Push Push (Lady Lightning)" are as stoopid as they are inescapable. Surrender now, as resistance is futile.

Bang Camaro, Hot Fog, Flamingo Gunfight at the Bottom of the Hill; doors 8:30 p.m., $12.