This Week's Live Picks

Monday: The Gummy Awards @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 8pm $16
For the first time ever the folks at Stereogum have paired their annual awards with an actual awards show. I'm not sure if they're gonna be presenting awards during the show, but there will be performances from some excellent bands Violens, Bells, and of course a front runner for the album of the year award Deerhunter. Should be a great show and you probably won't need to show up in a tux or walk the red carpet to get in.
Deerhunter - "Microcastle"
Violens - "Violent Sensation Descends"
Bell - "Housefire" (KEXP session)

Tuesday: The Tallest Man on Earth, Marissa Nadler, + Phil and Osophers @ Mercury Lounge 7pm $10
A couple of my personal faves, Phil and the Osophers and Marissa Nadler, are hitting the Merc stage this evening and though they may not have overly similar sounds I think the pairing could make for a really interesting and thoroughly enjoyable show. I'm not too familiar with headliner The Tallest Man on Earth but I'm sure they will fit in here somehow.
The Tallest Man on Earth - "Over the Hills"
Marissa Nadler - "So Long Theresa"
Phil and the Osophers - "La Bastille"

Wednesday: Xiu Xiu @ Housing Works Used Book Cafe 8pm $15
Chances are if Xiu Xiu hit town they'll wind up being listed here, and so it is this week when they hit a venue I've never heard of but where I'm sure they will give yet another completely unforgettable show. It's just the way Xiu Xiu roll so check it out.
Xiu Xiu - "FTW"

Thursday: Sebastien Tellier @ (le) poisson rouge 11:45pm $12
I've never seen Sebastien Tellier live so I can't tell you for certain that this show is a can't miss. But based on how good his latest album was and the word of mouth that has surrounded him for years, I would put money that this is a show you won't want to miss.
Sebastien Tellier - "Universe"

Friday: Pop Tarts' 2nd Annual Christmas Spectacular @ Martini Red 9pm $5
For the second year in a row I'm attempting to do some holiday good by putting on a show that hopes to raise some cash for Toys for Tots. All the proceeds from this show will be going to the charity and for that $5 contribution you'll get to see a few really excellent bands and if you stick around you can do some karaoke. Not too shabby for only $5 and a worthy cause.
Happy Anarchy - "Personal Judas"
Drink Up Buttercup - "Young Ladies"
Wakey! Wakey! - "Brooklyn"

Saturday: The Butthole Surfers + Black Dice @ Warsaw 8pm $25
It's not every day that we get the original lineup of The Butthole Surfers to pass through town and pairing them with the always entertaining Black Dice might seem like a somewhat strange match but I am sure that seeing these two bands together will be a pretty unreal experience.
The Butthole Surfers - "Pepper"
Black Dice - "Toka Toka"

Sunday: The War on Drugs + Drink Up Buttercup @ Union Hall 8pm $10
If you miss them on Friday night (how dare you!) you'll have second (@ Cake Shop Saturday night) and third (tonight) chances to catch Philly's on the rise Drink Up Buttercup. Tonight you also get to catch The War on Drugs, one of those bands that seem to be buzzing around at all times but hasn't yet pushed through to bigger things. That doesn't mean they aren't worth your attention now though, in fact you should probably see them today before they are the next big thing.
The War on Drugs - "Taking the Farm"
Drink Up Buttercup - "Gods and Gentlemen"