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Mostly local stuff bubbling up as the tops in town this weekend, which is totally cool by us. Each one of the acts we're mentioning are ones you should be familiar with--one ones you should familiarize yourself with. So how's 'bout we step it up, 'mkay? Here's your weekend:

What Made Milwaukee Famous, The Whigs
8 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at The Loft

The best-looking touring bill to come through Dallas this weekend is one we've already talked plenty about. So, we won't really talk too much more about this bill in this space, except to say that it offers up bands from two of our nation's finest music hubs (Athens, Georgia, and Austin) and that these are two of those town's proudest acts.

Nouns Group, The Carrots, Daniel Francis Doyle, Fight Bite
9 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at Hailey's in Denton

Not to slight the other talents on this bill, all of whome bring something unique and worthwhile to the table, but the band that seems to makes this show a must-see is its opening act. Fight Bite's music's been getting all sorts of love love for a while now from both the locally based Gorilla Vs. Bear and the local local WeShotJR, and the tragically beautiful sound certainly seems deserving of the praise. Chances to see this band live have been few and far between at this point, outside of the DIY circuit, but that certainly seems to change tonight as the band finds itself on Denton's most commercial stage.

Car Stereo (Wars), Sidney Confirm, Genova Vs. Indio
10 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at The Cavern

Kinda a busy weekend 'round these parts. Lots of good shows--especially local shows--happening around town. Here's your weekend:

M.I.A., Holy Fuck
Friday, May 2, 8 p.m. at the Palladium

I wrote about M.I.A.'s coming to town in the paper version of DC9, so yes, I'll be at this show. But I'll also be there for Holy Fuck, the electronic act opening for Ms. Arulpragasam tonight. When they opened for the Fiery Furnaces and Super Furry Animals at the Granada back in February, their energetic sound stole the show from the headliners.

The Theater Fire, WS Burn
Friday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. at Bend Studios

Am I crazy, but have we not seen many Theater Fire gigs around of late? Well, this should be a good chance to see the western noir act (my words, not theirs) in an intimate setting.

Stumptone CD release shows
Friday, May 2, 8 p.m., at J&J's Pizza in Denton; Saturday, May 3, 8 p.m. at Lola's in Fort Worth

It's nights like this upcoming Saturday night where I really wish I could be in more than one place at a time. But alas, I'm just a man, and I haven't been bitten by a radioactive anything.

I guess there's still time...

Anyway, here's your weekend, folks:

Free End of School Shows with Black Tie Dynasty, Red Monroe, Oso Closo and more
6 p.m. on Friday, April 25, and 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 at Hailey's in Denton

The school year up at UNT is coming to a close, and the folks at Hailey's are throwing a big ol' two-night, free (for 21-and-uppers) party to celebrate the coming of summer. Say what you want about the Friday night show headliners, the polished Depeche Mode-esque Black Tie Dynasty (who took home Quick's Big Group award last night), but I'm just not a huge fan of the super sleek act. For my money--which won't come into play here as tonight's gig is, like I said earlier, free--I'd rather take in Red Monroe's driving, jangly indie rock performance right before Black Tie's. Of the two nights of shows, it looks like Friday's bill is a tad more filled out, so if you had to skip one of the two nights, I'd skip Saturday (although there are worse ways to spend your Saturday night than to take in Oso Closo's pleasing brand of pop-rock).

Ultraviolet Benefit
8 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Club Dada

Hey! Stop moping around about Cat Power, jackass.

Chan Marshall's cancellation is actually a blessing in disguise, folks...you were gonna be spread out super thin if you tried to catch her show in addition to the other three huge, must-see events happening in Dallas and Denton this weekend.

Now you'll just be spread out kinda thin. Better carb up either way.

Concernathon 2008
6 p.m. on Friday, April 18, and 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios in Denton

Dammit, Denton! You have to go an host this event during the one weekend in which we in Dallas really come together in an effort to do something cool? Is the drive really so bad from Denton to Dallas that you couldn't come to our weekend showcases and you had to host your own? I don't get it. But I will give credit where it's due. You've got some nice bands on your all-Denton bills. Friday's got Record Hop, Shiny Around the Edges, Bridges and Blinking Lights, Burnt Sienna Trio, Tre Orsi, Jetscreamer, Handbrake and Last Men. Saturday's got Astronautalis, Mom, History at Our Disposal, Single Frame, Sarah Jaffe, Gazelles, Raised by Tigers, Tame... Tame and Quiet, Florene and Grassfight.

Good Records Eighth Birthday Party
11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19 at Good Records

The music community's been buzzing about this show like crazy since it was first announced. We've been no different. So, yeah, we'll see you there?

Mokah Music Showcase and Summit
3 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, at Life in Deep Ellum

I told you about this yesterday. There'll be music. There will be panels discussing the future of local music. Thus, there will be ample opportunity to determine what an awesome weekend like this means for Dallas' musical future. Heads will explode. --Pete Freedman

Interesting weekend in the D. Not too much happening by way of local acts--nothing super exciting, anyway. But the touring ones are pretty sweet. Anyway, here's your weekend:

The Paper Chase, Faux Fox, Mount Righteous
9 p.m., Friday, April 11, at Rubber Gloves, Denton

This is clearly the standout local show of the weekend, folks. After hitting up Sons of Hermann Hall two or so months ago, The Paper Chase is now taking its super-popular angst-filled rock up I-35E to what will surely be a welcoming Denton crowd. Performances from Congleton and crew aren't plentiful, so if you're urging for some Paper Chase, you better get headed north tonight. And get there early, too, as Faux Fox's fun live show and Mount Righteous' orchestral presence are things you'll want to see.

British Sea Power
8:30 p.m., Friday, April 11, The Loft.

Word on the street is that British Sea Power's tourmates, Film School, had to drop out of this set. That's too bad--but not enough to keep you home tonight. BSP's latest disc Do You Like Rock Music? is pretty rockin'. I caught them at SXSW, so I can attest to the fact that they put on a good live show. So can Chris Henderson.

Bruce Springsteen
8 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at American Airlines Center

Apparently, some guy they call The Boss is coming to town. And that's a cool nickname.--Pete Freedman

We'll more than likely be rocking out at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival all weekend long. But if you can't make it down there (where there'll be plenty of music to take in, by the way--75 acts in total, according to the fest's site), there's some other stuff 'round town likely tickle your fancy. Uh-huh: "tickle your fancy." DEAL.

Ghosthustler, Genova
10 p.m., Friday, April 4, at The Cavern

By now, you'd kind of have to be living under a rock to have not heard about Denton's electro-dance trio Ghosthustler. The band's dance-tastic '80s sound and aesthetic is taylor made for a good time--we're into it, at least. So much so that we wrote up this show in this week's paper, see?

Tah Dah's, The Felons, The Happy Bullets and Holy Diver
6 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 at SPACE

Hal Samples' SPACE is going big this weekend as part of the Deep Ellum Arts Festival, offering up an eclectic mix of acts inside the studio to help bolster the number of acts already playing outside of it. If you can't make Friday's Sunday's show featuring Austin's psyched out The Black Angels, this is the one for you to see. The Tah Dah's and Holy Diver are each hilarious (albeit for different reasons), the Happy Bullets are boasting a sorta-new line-up, and the Felons...well, we mentioned them in this space two weeks ago.

The David Allor Benefit Featuring Speedtrucker, The American Fuse, Rose County Fair, Murmur, Garrett Padgett and Trey Johnson (of Sorta)
7 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at the Meridian Room

Plan your weekend well and you could have yourself a stellar, varied slew of music performances to take in this weekend. Here's a head start.

Dove Hunter, Calhoun
10 p.m. Friday, March 28, The Barley House

I'm making a beeline to The Barley House tonight to catch this show. I'm sure the bands on the bill won't mind if you join me. Calhoun's nice, yes, but I'll be there specifically for Dove Hunter, who--I just figured this out--sounds like a more daring Rocco Deluca and The Burden to me. Join me in begging them to finish their record. There's strength in numbers.

Shooter Jennings, The Drams, Miles From Nowhere
9 p.m., Saturday, March 29, at the Granada Theater

Am I crazy or are Brent Best and The Drams playing gigs anywhere and everywhere lately? That's not a bad thing, necessarily. Just an observation. Anyway, tonight The Drams find themselves sharing a bill with country royalty offspring Shooter Jennings (you might know his pop, Waylon?). Call it alt-country, call it country rock, call it southern rock, call it whatever you want. This should be a fun time--if you're into beer and whiskey and good times and songs about beer and whiskey and good times. Uh, who isn't?

Yellowcard, The Spill Canvas, Secondhand Renegade, PlayRadioPlay!, Treat of Paris
9 p.m., Sunday, March 30, at The Granada Theater

This Good Friday actually comes on Good Friday. What're the odds! (Answer: 1 in 52)

So...Happy Good Friday! (Is that appropriate? I'm Jewish and don't know these things.)

If you're gonna go out this weekend between tonight and Easter, here's our picks of the best of the bunch:

The Felons, The Push, Binary Sunrise, Douglas Woodlane
10 p.m., Saturday, March 22 at The Cavern

We wrote about The Felons in our paper last may, documenting our marvel at then-15-year-old wunderkind Fred Holston's bass keyboard parts. Well, he and the Felons are still kicking, and if you haven't had a chance to see them yet, here's your golden opportunity to experience their brand of semi-psychedelic ambient rock.

Robert Gomez, Sarah Jaffe
10 p.m., Saturday, March 22, at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton

Have you seen Robert Gomez? OK, I'll admit that I haven't yet, but the guy, just back from SXSW, has got some solid buzz going around town for his acoustic rock sounds. And he's been described to me as a Kramer-like character because he's got crazy hair and he's something like seven feet tall. Pair that with everyone's favorite local set of female pipes, Sarah Jaffe, and you've got yourself a show worth attending, my friends.

Well, the weekend’s finally here, and with it comes some noteworthy shows. Some come from the SXSW overspill we told you about in this week’s paper, and others just come from our own backyard. Either way, there’s plenty for you to see out in DFWd this weekend.

Centro-matic, South San Gabriel, Robert Gomez
8 p.m., Saturday, March 8, at the Granada Theater

Will Johnson brought the house down at the Double-Wide a few weeks back when his solo show shared the bill with local songstress Sarah Jaffe. On Saturday, he brings back the full Centro-matic crew back around for a go at it on the Granada’s stage. Expect to hear a whole bunch of new songs from the upcoming Centro-matic/South San Gabriel double-album. And expect a whole bunch of people to show up alongside you to see this local favorite act perform.

Beach House, Papercuts, Mom
3 p.m., Saturday, March 8, at Good Records; 8 p.m., Saturday, March 8, at Hailey’s Club, Denton

It's Friday already? Really? That's a pleasant surprise. Guess it's time to plan the weekend, then...

Here are our top choices for must-see music shows around the Metroplex this weekend. As always, check our music listings and print version for more options.

Pleasant Grove, Stumptone, Crushed Stars
9 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at The Double-Wide

Pretty much a local all-star line-up at The Double-Wide on Saturday, even if it is a bit varied. Stumptone and Crushed Stars are just the cherry on top here, though, as the real reason to catch this show is Pleasant Grove. This is the band's second-to-last Dallas show, before lead singer Marcus Striplin strands us for the greener pastures of NYC. So, if you're busy next Thursday, this is your last chance. Get to it.

Airline
7 p.m. Friday, February 29, at Good Records; 9 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at The Barley House

Another fine-looking weekend here in the Metroplex. Lots to see and plenty to keep yourself busy, whether your flavor skews locally or nationally. Not many places to go wrong this weekend, so just head out there and support your local scene, I guess. Here's our pick of the litter...

Melodica Festival 2008
Various times, Friday through Sunday, in various locations in Exposition Park

So Wanz Dover's hyped festival is finally here. And it has all the makings of a proverbial doozie. Really not too many places to go wrong within the confines of this expansive line-up, but if you're gonna make us pick, then we'll go for The Frenz at Sloppyworld (for a chance to see Dover in action, not just behind the scenes) and the Happy Bullets at The Amsterdam, both of which are tonight. Other big-namers aching to draw this evening? Silver Apples at Sloppyworld, Florene at Fallout Lounge and Dev79 at minc. We're out of breath already.

El Gato CD release party
10 p.m., Friday, February 22, the Double-Wide
With a front-man that bolted Dallas for San Diego, you really don't have too many chances to see indie rockers El Gato perform around town too often these days. And yet tonight at the Double-Wide--poof!--what do we have? Not just a performance from the still-mostly-local act, but a new CD for them to shill, too. If not for Melodica, this show, which also features Kristen Leigh Project and Bangarang, probably would've been the local show of the night.

Bob Dylan
6 p.m., Friday, February 22, House of Blues; 7 p.m., Saturday, February 23, House of Blue

So many shows, so little time. It's weekends like this one that make the job of being a music editor such a pain--how do you choose where you'll be during a given night? Well, in my case this weekend, you try to run back and forth between venues, hoping to catch as many of the acts as you can. We won't mention them all here--apologies to Liars and, uh, Eddie Money--but we'll give some love to some of 'em for sure.

Dove Hunter, Doug Burr, Bridges and Blinking Lights
10 p.m., Friday, February 15, at the Double Wide

Listened to all three of these bands' latest discs over the course of this past week. Each is pretty phenomenal in its own right. Dove Hunter and Boug Burr seem a natural fit, what with each act's penchant for slower-paced fodder. Bridges and Blinking Lights is somewhat of the oddball here, it seems--slightly faster-paced and a bit more eclectic. Maybe I'm wrong. I'll find out tonight. Either way, should be a heckuva a show featuring three local acts with great reputations.

The Paper Chase, Micah P. Hinson, Shiny Around the Edges
9 p.m., Friday, February 15, at Sons of Hermann Hall

You should know The Paper Chase by now. The indie rockers with a reputed love-it-or-hate-it style are, for better or worse, a huge draw 'round these parts. Mostly, it seems, that stems from the fact that they don't play a whole lot of shows in town any longer. What was that they said in school about supply and demand? I never took economics. Get there early, this one's gonna be a packed show.

Whiskey Folk Ramblers, RTB2, Rodney Parker
9 p.m., Saturday, February 16, at The Cavern

Admittedly, I’m new to this. So if I’m missing something huge going on this weekend, blame me and me alone. As far as I can tell, though, it ain’t looking like too shabby a weekend here in the metroplex, though. Here’s DC-9’s picks on the best four shows to catch this weekend. Hit ’em all and I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Sarah Jaffe and Will Johnson
10 p.m., Friday, February 8, at Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton. $7

Tonight is night two in a three-day mini-tour from two pretty amazing local singer-songwriters. Last night, they tore the house down at the Double-Wide, playing to a crowd so attentive you’d hear a pin drop during the songs. And that only made the explosive roar upon each song’s end that much more startling.

J.R.’s Birthday Bash with The Ugly Beats, The Golden Boys and Nathan Brown
9 p.m., Saturday, February 9, at the Double-Wide. Free.

I don’t know Josh Robertson. Never met the guy. But I’ve heard he’s quite the character from a few of my colleagues. On Saturday, he proves it. The Double-Wide’s hosting his birthday bash, and it’s looking like quite the show. The Golden Boys are quite the big deal in Austin what with their psyched out brand of alt-country and all. Oh, and did I mention this show’s free? I’m there for sure. Stop by and get drunk with me and the birthday boy.

The Quebe Sisters
8 p.m., Saturday, February 9, at Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton. $10.

When I looked at this weekend's calendar, I was especially bummed. Not because the prospects suck, but because I'll be out of town. If I were doing to be in DdFW this weekend, these are the shows I'd hit first.

Nicky Click with Rival Gang, Dark Town Strutters and samizdat
9 p.m. Friday, February 1, at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios. $5.

We like quirky. We like punk rock. And, when we're drunk, we like to dance. This is why we like Nicky Click. The electro-pop songstress tends to please fans of Peaches and Le Tigre – even my best friend who would ditch her boyfriend for a 10-minute 'date' with Kathleen Hanna. Before you go, know Nicky has been described as a “one-woman feminist electro band,” and that's pretty damn accurate.

“Pikahsso Helps the Homeless”
9 p.m. Friday, February 1, at Space Studios. Free (clothing donation drive – hint hint).

Did you do anything worthwhile on your birthday? Us either. (Impressive downing of tequila doesn't count.) Well, DC-9 favorite Pikahsso – one of the Ps in Dallas rap trio P.P.T. -- is using his birthday shindig to do something good for the local homeless. In lieu of gifts the rapper has asked people to bring winter clothing items – clothes, shoes, hats and gloves -- for donation to Dallas homeless people. In addition to the feel-good vibe of giving to charity, P.P.T. is headlining the show.

Your dad’s favorite songwriter, Robert Earl Keen, plays Billy Bob’s Texas tonight; hard-rockin’ has-beens Van Halen will disappoint an arena full of nitwits Saturday; and former Fugee Wyclef Jean performs Sunday at the House of Blues while soul singer Sharon Jones performs with Amy Winehouse’s backing band, The Dap Kings, at the Granada in Dallas.

That doesn’t mean the local musicians are taking the weekend off. Here are a few shows of note:

The Lash Outs, Uptown Bums and Free to Kill Again. 10 p.m. Friday, January 25, at Bar of Soap. Free.

The Lash Outs and Free to Kill Again play good old, simple, uncompromising punk rock, while The Uptown Bums are considerably poppier and more soulful with groovy drumming and tambourines. A very nice lineup for a free show.

The Sword and Record Hop. 9 p.m. Friday, January 25, at Lola’s in Fort Worth. $10.

Denton hard rocker Record Hop are gearing up for its March album release and South By Southwest performance, so you can probably expect a lot of new material when the band opens for Austin metal band The Sword.

KNON Annual Bluesfest Extravaganza 3 p.m. Saturday, January 26, and Sunday, January 27, at Poor David’s Pub. $10.