With Overcaster Weather Center Saturday, December 19. Show starts at 8pm. Cost: Booze for yourself. Or you can buy it there. Nothing much in the way of admission, though.
Why you should go: It's the Christmas party you think belongs in places like New York. It doubles as a CD release show for one of Denver's best (and loudest) bands, and it's in a freaking warehouse, for chrissakes! Donnybrook, in addition to having exquisitely refined taste, does lots of really great things for the local music scene. But this is about more than goodwill - Gangcharger and Overcasters put on ass-rattling shows even when they're not given (presumably) free reign to be as rock and roll as possible.
Listen: Gangcharger Overcasters
2. Hercules and Love Affair DJ Set Beta Friday, December 18. Show at 9pm. $5
Why you should go: Yes, it's not actual live music. We wouldn't normally use this space to plug a DJ set, but Hercules & Love Affair's biggest appeal is the knob-fiddling they do on their own music. So even with no Antony Hegarty and no original tunes, this should be an epic dance party.
Listen: Hercules & Love Affair
3. Vapor Fest With Cephalic Carnage, Scalafrea, Clinging to the Trees of the Forest Fire, many, many more. Cervante's Lounge Friday, December 18. Show starts at 5:30pm. $15
Why you should go: There is more metal on this bill than we can count. Headed by the ridiculously talented Cephalic Carnage, who have been doing this forever, this show gets an early start so they can fit everyone in. There will be enough awe-inspiring technical ability and relentless musical onslaught to make you forget your own name. Should be a hell of a lot of fun.
Listen: Cephalic Carnage Scalafrea Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire