Apparat, Nosaj Thing, Lusine, Nordic Soul

(Neumos) Decibel Festival director Sean Horton (aka the superb DJ Nordic Soul, who'll help usher in 2010 tonight) again flaunts his impeccable electronic-music curatorship with this NYE bash. Seattle techno/IDM producer Lusine appears reenergized with his most accessible release, the refulgent A Certain Distance; Apparat is another master of dulcet, song-based electronica; and Nosaj Thing has emerged as one of the fecund L.A. underground's most skilled creators of abstract hiphop that's melodically rich and rhythmically vital. Heady good times. DAVE SEGAL

CAKE, Throw Me the Statue, locust

(Moore) You know all about CAKE, happy-rhythm, guilty pleasure, indie/country/pop-rock band that's handy with a trumpet and the cutting lyrics: "She doesn't care/Whether or not he's an island/She doesn't care/Just as long as his ship's coming in... He's got a gold watch/She's got a silk dress/And healthy breasts that bounce/On his Italian leather sofa." And you know all about Throw Me the Statue, another happy-rhythm, twinkle-melodied, indie-pop band that's a bit less quick with the glee and whose most morose moments sound like a picnic in the park. What you might not know is locust, one of Seattle's best modern-dance companies, led by the sophisticated but pop-smart dancer and choreographer Amy O'Neal. Josh LaBelle, director of Seattle Theatre Group, has talked about trying to get modern-dance and rock audiences together—it's a great idea and a great way to shake in 2010. BRENDAN KILEY

Book of Black Earth, Harkonen, Lesbian, Shining Ones

(Comet) Originating in Tacoma as a high-school hardcore band back in 1996, Harkonen evolved into one of the Northwest's finest thunder purveyors. They mastered that combination of thick-ass power chords, gnarly bass, and unrelenting kick-and-crash-cymbal drumming that elevated trios like Engine Kid, Karp, and Enemymine into cult status. Yet Harkonen never managed to extend their dominance too far beyond the state line, and even in Seattle they seemed grossly underappreciated. They eventually dissolved in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of amazing recordings. After a bittersweet reunion for local musician Brian Redman's memorial service back in October, the band agreed to one more reunion show on New Year's Eve. The year 2009 was grim, and this show is a perfect way to bulldoze it into history. BRIAN COOK

Minus the Bear, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

(Showbox at the Market) The guitar-tapping wizardry and four-on-the-floor beats of Minus the Bear's debut album, Highly Refined Pirates, were born from an infatuation with math rock and popular dance music. Repeated exposure to the Warp Records catalog bore their glitchy, loop-heavy sophomore effort, Menos el Oso. A newfound appreciation for Yes and Pink Floyd yielded the proggy Planet of Ice. With a new album set for release next year, it raises the question: What's been rotating on MTB's stereos? The answer, apparently, is a hefty dose of Funkadelic, Betty Davis, and Ohio Players. Now, white guys tackling funk is risky business—for every Big Boys and Minutemen, there's a 311. But if past explorations are any indication of ability, the Bear will pull off a bumpin' backbeat with aplomb. BRIAN COOK

U.S.E, Aqueduct, Fresh Espresso

(Crocodile) Fact: What you do on New Year's Eve will directly affect what happens in your life for the entirety of the next year. If you sit at home being grumpy and miserable, then you'll have a grumpy and miserable year. But if you go to the Crocodile tonight, for the brightest, happiest, catchiest, and confetti-filled dance-pop performances happening within Seattle's city limits, then obviously your 2010 will be a nonstop posi-party. And don't be scared—Aqueduct will warm you up before U.S.E's infectious onslaught with his self-deprecating (but still utterly charming) songs about Guns N' Roses and relationships. MEGAN SELING

Spurm, the Trashies, TacocaT, the Uzi Rash

(Black Lodge) Are you fucking kidding me? The Trashies reunion with this lineup is not to be missed. For the uninitiated, the Trashies play, well, trashy, fun punk rock with song titles like "Let It Be Trashed," "Blue Tarp," and "In the Gutter Together." They played a house show more than two years ago that was supposed to be their last show, and there's no word on whether or not this reunion is long-term, so your best bet is to get your ass down to the show and go crazy like it's their last last show even as you hope that it's not. The only way this party could be better is if it were at the 24/7 house. GRANT BRISSEY

The Fall of Troy, Blood Cells, Man Without Wax, M. Bison, Stage the Empire

(El Corazón) Schoolyard Heroes fans, take note: While the band may have played its last show ever just one week ago at this very venue (sad, sad), you'll be happy to hear that a number of the band's ex-members have already risen from the ashes with a new band called Blood Cells, and they're opening tonight's show. They have exactly one song, "I Am Forever, Darling..." posted on MySpace, and while it's very reminiscent of Schoolyard Heroes (Ryann Donnelly is back on vocals), it is less shtick-y than before, as they seem to have shed the recurring horror-inspired themes—in this song, at least. Only time will tell what other strides they'll make with their music. New decade, new band—happy 2010! MEGAN SELING

And there's always more in our complete music calendar listings.