Dave Pezzner @ Decibel 2008

Alex Smoke, John Tejada, Dave Pezzner, Michael Manahan vs. Nordic Soul

(Neumos) Wednesday's "Dirty Dancing" bill starts with Seattle stalwarts Nordic Soul and Michael Manahan dueling in a 2x4 DJ set. Their epicurean tech-house selections will transition nicely into Dave Pezzner's live performance. Half of the world-renowned Jacob London (the funniest house-music act in the biz), this local producer has been generating buzz for his punch-drunk tech-house productions. Check the three-part "Almost Here" for proof: It's deep yet playful dance-floor gold. Los Angeles techno legend John Tejada is one of those producers at whom other knob-twiddlers gawk in awe over his technical wizardry—usually done with old-school hardware. He's a master at subtly melodic, rhythmically intricate techno; Tejada's going to blow a lot of minds (but understatedly). His biggest club anthem is a self-fulfilling prophecy: "Sweat (on the Walls)." Last but most, Glasgow's Alex Smoke has been infusing minimal techno with maximal sound-design detailing and orchestral drama over the last few years to growing acclaim. You may wish you had a few extra hands to throw ceilingward while Smoke is onstage. DAVE SEGAL

Hell's Belles

(El Corazón) For the past eight years, Hell's Belles have reigned as "the premier all-ladies AC/DC tribute." For the past six years, I have dreamed of forming an all-male tribute to Hell's Belles, the premier all-ladies AC/DC tribute. The name of this band will be Hell's Balls. Tonight, Hell's Belles bring their estrogen-laced cock rock to El Corazón. DAVID SCHMADER

Monotonix @ Bumbershoot 2008

Presidents of the United States of America, Monotonix, the Saturday Knights, Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground, Vince Mira and the Roy Kay Trio, People's Republic of Komedy, DJ Cherry Canoe

(Paramount) These are, indeed, the good times, people. And this is, of all the many concerts happening around Seattle tonight, the biggest and the best one at which to ring in the New Year. It's been ages since I've listened to a PUSA record, but they remain the same goofy, game, kicking-out-the-jams motherfuckers they've always been, and they will doubtless provide a fine countdown and kickoff for '09. Further down the bill is even more excitement, though. Monotonix will, as usual, light shit on fire and show you their hairy asses and, time and fire marshal permitting, bang out some skuzzy punk rock (yes, they play music, too). The Saturday Knights will play perfect party hosts, the always affable Tilson and Barfly trading toasts, boasts, and rhymes over DJ Suspence and crew's upbeat grooves. Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground will overwhelm you both in numbers and with their psychedelic orch-pop. Vince Mira will channel the Man in Black with uncanny, otherworldly accuracy. In the bar and lobby, DJ Cherry Canoe and the People's Republic of Komedy will make you respectively dance and laugh your ass off. ERIC GRANDY

Ghostland Observatory @ Sasquatch 2008

Ghostland Observatory

(WaMu Theater) I think what bugs me most about Ghostland Observatory—besides the shrill vocal yelping, the mediocre beats and synths, the uninspired and forgettable songs, etc.—is that they're basically dance/electronic music for people who won't move a muscle to music unless there's a totemic rock god onstage to worship (less kindly: people who think dancing is gay). I get it—you like lasers, you like Led Zeppelin, presumably you like Laser Zeppelin, and so, given a crap electro-rock act with some third-rate Robert Plant caterwauling, you're stoked. But this band are terrible, a wincingly middlebrow take on what so many other bands (LCD Soundsystem, Soulwax, the Rapture, on and on and on) have done smarter, better, faster, and stronger before them. The sooner this band are shuffled off into the dollar bin of history, the better. ERIC GRANDY