The results are in, and quite to no one's astonishment, my 2008 WBCN Rumble predictions were, how you say, EPIC FAIL. But we're left with some strong semi-finals this coming weekend (details below), and ain't no one complaining about that, no sir no ma'am.

Tomorrow, Tues 4.15, Colin Meloy of the Decemberists brings his solo tour to the Somerville Theatre. I was supposed to go to this show, but now I'm not. True story.

John Powhida of The Rudds is at Toad in Porter Square on Thurs 4.17. Or you can catch Night 3 of the Harris Ape-Ril residency at O'Brien's; I've been to the first two shows, and they have quite lived up to the hype -- not only for the back catalogue stuff we're being treated to, but also for the off-the-wall cover choices they're making. Counting Crows week 1, Queen (featuring Mike Nastri on piano!) week 2... my money's on a Bryan Adams power ballad this week. This Car Up, The Have Mercys, and Ben Karis-Nix support.

This weekend, we head back to the WBCN Rumble (all shows at Harper's Ferry):

Semi-Finals Night 1, Friday 4.18
Girls, Guns + Glory * Andrea Gillis * HUMANWINE * Jason Bennett and The Resistance (wildcard)
Nate's Take: This will likely come down to Andrea Gillis or HUMANWINE; I'll say Andrea FTW, and give the wildcard to HUMANWINE, and the judges will once again make a fool of me.

Semi-Finals Night 2, Sat 4.19
The Great Bandini * A.K.A.C.O.D. * The Men * Clouds
Nate's Take: I'm going to give this one to The Great Bandini, but I wouldn't be remotely surprised to see A.K.A.C.O.D. run with it.

Going head-to-head with the Rumble semi-finals is Piebald's two night Final Farewell extravaganza at the Middle East down. Interestingly, aforementioned Rumble semifinalists Clouds open for them on Friday. Busy weekend for those chaps. The Everyday Visuals take the support role on Saturday. I should mention that both shows are already sold out, so you've got some string-pulling to do if you want to attend.

Let's have a moment of silence for The Paradise Lounge as a venue for local rock; new ownership has decided that Boston desperately needs another Irish bar instead. Scamper had some damn fine times there, particularly our first annual moustache show / farewell to Marc Roderick. Said new management has also unceremoniously shown my door guy ass the door. Boo.

Download now: Nada Surf's new album Lucky. I was fortunate enough to catch them at an acoustic in-store at Newbury Comics last week, and any (mild) reservations I'd had about this new album were blown out the window. It's tremendous. Are you lightning? 'Cause I'm waiting.