Music: Picks

THURSDAY

Moonlight Towers. On this band's new 'Like You Were Never There,' Austin's favorite 3-minute heroes show everyone else just how to write drum-head-tight power pop. With Vacation Gold, Youngmond Grand and the Early Tapes at Beerland. 711 1/2 Red River St. 479-ROCK.— Joe Gross

FRIDAY

Ethereal Planes Indian. This non-Native American is B.C. Smith, of Iron Kite fame, doing the solo psychedelic thing with chimes, sound loops and obtuse, ambient energy settling around the non-songs like a haze. This is a free performance at 7 p.m. at End of an Ear, 2209 S. First St. 462-6008. — J.G.

Glurp Records Holiday Bash. This record label is no longer based in Austin, but with bands such as Grand Champeen, Deathray Davies and Li'l Cap'n Travis a critical part of the Austin (and Texas) scene, they are naturally holding their holiday party at Emo's. 603 Red River St. 477-EMOS. — J.G.

SATURDAY

Do Right Saturday Nite Shakedown. Think of this as the Christmas edition with the Bloody Tears, John Schooley's One Man Band and the Blitzens, also known as Billy Steve's Christmas Thing, at the Longbranch Inn. 1133 E. 11th St. 472-5591. — J.G.

The Casting Couch. This country pop band joins I Eat Records labelmates Orange Mothers for a show celebrating the release of the debut Couch full-length, 'Row Your Boat.' Carousel Lounge. 1110 E. 52nd St. 452-6790. — J.G.

Rogue Wave. On their second album 'Descended like Vultures,' these dudes play an almost Platonic version of indie rock. Or rather, Rogue Wave vibes off indie rock as classic rock; it leans on Yo La Tengo and Sebadoh the way a bar band owes the Stones and Springsteen. Which isn't a knock, promise. With Manzarin at the Parish. 214 E. Sixth St. 478-6372. — J.G.

SUNDAY

Chris Brokaw. This fellow has had a fairly amazing career in underground rock. First as the drummer with glacial indie rock pioneers Codeine, then as guitarist with avant-blues rockers Come, then with Steve Wynn, the New Year and others. His solo career is fairly mighty itself, and the new 'Incredible Love' (on local label 12XU) shows Brokaw a master of acoustic rock — and these tunes do rock. (Brokaw will also perform an in-store at End of an Ear Records at 4 p.m.) With American Analog Set at the Parish. 214 E. Sixth St. 478-6372. — J.G.

TUESDAY

Lovemakers. The neo-New Wave/dance rock revival doesn't seem to be slowing down, and this campy Oakland, Calif., trio wouldn't mind being the new Franz Ferdinand. With She Wants Revenge at Stubb's. 801 Red River St. 480-8341. -— J.G.

WEDNESDAY

Freakwater. Janet Bean and Catherine Irwin made some gorgeous alt-country records over the years, and called it a day back in 2000. The new 'Thinking of You' reunites the pair, expands their sound with members of Califone and keeps their singular harmonies intact. Cactus Cafe. 24th and Guadalupe streets. UT campus. 475-6515. — J.G.