Some other sounds to enjoy on New Year's Eve
Soul Asylum or Lucky Boys Confusion not your thing? Here are some of the other notable rock shows happening New Year's Eve:
Local H — This power duo, which roared out of Lake County more than 20 years ago, turned heads this year with the release of “Hallelujah! I'm a Bum,” the band's seventh and most overtly political studio album. Singer-guitarist Scott Lucas and drummer Brian St. Clair have become known for their creative live shows, particularly those that fall on New Year's Eve. The band will perform at Chicago's Beat Kitchen, part of a two-night stand at the club that begins on Sunday, Dec. 30. ($15 on Dec. 30, $25 on Dec. 31; beatkitchen.com)
Screeching Weasel — Arguably the best band to emerge from the Northwest suburbs, Screeching Weasel will help fans welcome 2013 with a “27th Anniversary” show at Reggie's rock club in Chicago. Frontman Ben Foster (or Ben Weasel, as he's usually credited) grew up in Prospect Heights and formed this beloved pop-punk band in the mid-1980s. Multiple lineup changes have ensued, and today Foster remains the sole founding member. If you like short blasts of music that are both punishing and melodic, delivered by an acerbic, sometimes confrontational frontman, don't miss this show. ($40; reggieslive.com)
Wanda Jackson — This country/rock/rockabilly legend has been performing since the 1950s and shows no signs of slowing down. Throughout her storied career she's dated Elvis Presley, produced a string of hits on the rock and mainstream country charts and earned the title “The Queen of Rockabilly.” Now in her 70s, Jackson teamed up with youngsters like Jack White and Justin Townes Earle on her most recent albums, which came out in 2011 and 2012. She's headlining a New Year's Eve show at Chicago's Double Door. ($55-$100; doubledoor.com)
White Mystery — Chicago brother-sister combo Alex and Francis White deliver raw, stripped-down garage rock highlighted by Alex's primal yowl of a voice. White Mystery has self-released two stellar full-length albums, and the band has an incendiary stage presence. The group is on the bill for the New Year's Eve show at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago. ($14; logansquareauditorium.com)