I've been a naughty elf. I got a wee lazy and didn't have a new Scene waiting for you as December burst in through our doors, all full of Arctic winds and Starbucks holiday blends, and now I've missed a serious pile of sweet shows. I suppose the Bon Savants (two night CD release for the long-awaited Post Rock Defends the Nation this past weekend) got enough press in all the local papers that getting overlooked in my corner of the internerd didn't herald the end of their rock careers. Bully for them.

I am also sad to have not plugged the first show of Sleep Tight XMas Night, a series of benefit shows for Rosie's Place, the Pine Street Inn and Toys For Tots, put together by Mike Nastri of Harris. Alas, plenty of shows remain! Hit em up and do something useful with your money for once. Links for all the bands can be found at sleeptightxmasnight.com, saving me a lot of pesky html.

• Tues Dec 5 @ Great Scott
  Anderson Comedy Troupe, Baker, Why Twist the Hair, the Self Righteous Brothers
  
  
• Weds Dec 6 @ TT the Bear's Place
  The Motion Sick, Those Who Wait, Do You Still Hate Me (ex garrison/Jejune), the Penultimate
  
  
• Weds Dec 6 @ Great Scott
  8mm Fuzz, Lifestyle, Appomattox, Jupiter Sunrise
  
  
• Thurs Dec 7 @ Middle East Upstairs
  Wild Zero, Noble Rot (CD Release), Cocked n Loaded, Night Prowlers
  
  
• Fri Dec 8 @ Middle East Downstairs
  Sad Wings of Destiny, We're All Gonna Die, the Humanoids, Cortez
  

We Are Scientists have gotten slightly bigger since they opened (opened!) our EP Release at the Middle East in August 2006. Don't believe me? Head to the Middle East down on Thursday the 7th and see for yourself.

This Friday, OK Go returns to the Avalon, this time for Mix 98.5's holiday party. While they continue to skyrocket to fame, I've been demoted to doorcheck. Please hold your tickets face up, barcodes out. Scissor Sisters headline.

This Saturday The Plan brings us The Information (new lineup! new songs!), The Vershok, The Daily Pravda and Taxpayer. That's at Great Scott, and man alive is that a good show.

Our boy Jon Gorey is at the Sweetwater Cafe in the Alley on Thursday the 14th. Ask me why Jon is "almost as good as boobs" sometime.

The Abbey hosts The Noise's 25th Anniversary Holiday Bash on the 16th with The Rudds; across the river, The Lemonheads are at Avalon. It really was a shame about Ray, you know.

Currently on serious repeat on the iPod: "Starlight" by Muse

I'll wrap this one up early -- like your Christmas present, you cheeky monkeys! But I'll be back come mid-December to tell you your New Years plans, with the return of my beloved who-to-kiss-at-midnight recommendations! Hooray! For Earth!