Metroland Online - Noteworthy

Jesse Malin has worn his punk-rock heart on his sleeve for most of his career, and his latest solo album (The Heat) makes no exception to the rule. The slick production values on “Since You’re In Love” and “Swinging Man” might take listeners aback at first, but the songs are lean and honest, and Malin is sounding more like Paul Westerberg with every passing day, which really ain’t a bad thing. Malin will perform both solo and with band at tonight’s show. Joining him for the adventure is former D- Generation co-conspirator Richard Bacchus. While Bacchus hasn’t been as visible as Malin in recent years, he’s actually responsible for many of his old band’s best songs. His new, home-recorded disc, The Bicycle Diaries, pairs his faux-Brit snarl with a single Martin acoustic guitar. (Dec. 29, 7 PM, $15, 20 Center St., Northampton, Mass., 413-584-0610)

Tony DeSare

Van Dyck, Friday

Who would have thought that a neo-Rat Packer would come out of the North Country—especially by way of central New York? Glens Falls native—and Ithaca College grad—Tony DeSare, who stops by the Van Dyck tomorrow night (Friday) for two sets, is a genuine, ring-a-ding-ding Son of Sinatra. The singer starred in the Off-Broadway musical Our Sinatra; Variety praised his “dapper charm.” He’s fronted the Duke Ellington Orchestra and performed “numerous times” with old-school jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, so he’s earned his musical bonafides. Now, he’s touring on the strength of this year’s Telarc release Want You. A mix of originals and standards, it even includes one of the songs Jerry Lewis sang as his Dean Martin-esque alter ego in The Nutty Professor, “We Got a World That Swings.” You betcha we do. (Dec. 30, 7 and 9:30 PM, $20, 237 Union St., Schenectady, 381-1111)

adelphi

Adelphi

Saratoga Winners, Friday

Drive Thru Records presents Adelphi, a group of four friends from Maryland who united over their love of playing POGs. You remember that game—trading and collecting the circular chips and then knocking over stacks of POGs with much-coveted slammers? Well, these guys decided, according to what minimal online information we could scrape up about them, to record the sounds they made by playing the game. They have since evolved into a POG-rock band. Also on the bill: South Cott, Graystar, Cleveland, the Fairview, Latters. (Dec. 30, 7:30 PM, $10, 1375 New Loudon Road, Latham, 783-1010)

Super 400 New Year’s Eve Bash

Red Square, Saturday

Red Square is the place to be if you want to start your new year by partying with Super 400, Metroland’s pick for Best Rock Band of 2005. It’s not only Super 400’s first time at Red Square, it’s also the band’s first New Year’s show in seven years. Last month the rock trio celebrated the release of their live CD, Live 05, which features nine songs recorded at the Lark Tavern and the Ale House in March and April of this year. Though the doors open at 7 PM, the band will take the stage at 11 PM, so you can rock with them right through midnight. Attendees will be treated to a complimentary buffet and champagne toast at midnight. (Dec. 31, 11 PM, $12, 388 Broadway, Albany, 432-8584)

Ligeia

Valentine’s, Monday

Straight out of the Berk- shires, Ferret Music recording artists Ligeia are a “genre-defying combination of hardcore and metal rich in choruses and powerful melodies while maintaining the hardcore sensibility that has grown to be expected from any band emerging from western Massachusetts.” So there’s that. Their new album, Your Ghost Is a Gift, was produced by Unearth’s Ken Susi, and has been getting much positive critical feedback. That’s all for you clubgoers; now for a little advice to the musicians. There are (at least) two other bands named Ligeia. One is a German metal quartet who, judging from their photos, could easily kick your asses. It might be wise not to tour Europe. The other is a one-man goth band. You could probably take him, as long as he didn’t cloud your minds with his drum machine. The point? When you take a name from Edgar Allan Poe, customize it—next time try “Blood of Ligeia” or something. Also on the bill: Invocation of Nehek, Waking Judea, Heal These Wounds, Johhny Cage is a Fake, The Auburn System and more. (Jan. 2, 5 PM, call for prices, 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572)

Also Noted

murali coryell

There’s nothing wrong with throwing your own birthday party, so go pay a visit to comedy-rocker Brother T, who’ll celebrate his big day at Valentine’s tomorrow (Friday) night; Pony In the Pancake, Sauce, Corn Bred, Blackcat Elliot, and Phillips Head are among the numerous scheduled performers (6 PM, $5, 432-6572). . . . With Saturday comes a slew of live music. It’s up to you where you choose to ring in the New Year, but if you’re in the vicinity of Northampton, Mass., we recommend you grab a ticket for the rare double-bill of Martin Sexton and Erin McKeown; the two dynamic performers will team up for one show at the Calvin Theatre, with Firedrill! opening (8 PM, $27.50-$37.50, 413-584-1444). . . . The Murali Coryell Blues Band will bring in ’06 at the Van Dyck on Saturday; Coryell, son of jazz-guitar legend Larry Coryell, recently released a three-song EP called The Future of Blues (9 PM, $35, 381-1111). . . . On Saturday, party Hudson Duster-style, at the Troy Blood New Year’s Eve Party with Stigmata, Brick by Brick, and Disregard (8 PM, $10, 687-2391). . . . The Tree Wizards will make their now-annual New Year’s stand at Valentine’s on Saturday (8 PM, $10, 432-6572). . . . Finally, the Moonlighters and the Blue Ribbon Boys will team up for an evening of vintage jazz and swing at Club Helsinki on Saturday (9 PM, $25, 413-528-3394).

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