Kevin Bronson on October 17th, 2008

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[Marshall Mathers turns 36 today. Dude used to put out record albums. Oh, wait, he might again. Here’s what’s up this weekend, assuming you’re shut out of the sold-out Tegan and Sara shows and aren’t too hung over from that show the Foo Fighters did in a downtown parking lot last night:]

Tonight: Shall we start in the southern regions? Alex’s Bar in Long Beach has the Soft Hands (it’s their album release show for “Hours Pass By” on Fidotrust Records) and the Happy Hollows playing, and there’s the big skate park benefit in San Pedro. … Synth-y goodness at the Echo with Say Hi [Download: “Northwestern Girls”],”  while Love Grenades continue their residency downstairs at the Echoplex. … In from across the Atlantic: the intimate sounds of Yael Naim at the Troubadour. … Very Be Careful and Mezklah are at El Cid. … They probably flew here from Australia, though: the Boat People at he Viper Room (and at Spaceland on Saturday). … And I’m not sure there’s enough room in the venue for what I imagine are this band’s Marshall stacks, but heavy metal dudes Night Horse [pictured] celebrate the release of their new “The Dark Won’t Hide You” (Tee Pee) at the Mountain Bar in Chinatown.

One more note: Tonight’s Bob Schneider show, originally scheduled for now-shuttered Safari Sam’s, has been moved to the Key Club.

Saturday: Japanese Devo-channelers Polysics just released their finest record to date, “We Ate the Machine,” and they are headlining a dance-music bill at the Roxy. New Yorkers Black Gold (did everybody download “Detroit” from iTunes? Here’s the video) start things off, followed by IO Echo. … Speaking of dancy, Under the Influence of Giants plays the Troubadour. … In the small spaces: the Ruby Suns (Mr. T’s Bowl), the Muslims (Pehrspace) and Jail Weddings (the Smell). … And for something good and mellow, Simon Petty (Minibar) will play some acoustic material at the Small Room at Largo.

Sunday: The High Dials return to L.A. (Spaceland) with local psych-pop brethren the Quarter After. … Andrew Bird has a stint at Largo. … Girl in a Coma (the opening act for Tegan and Sara’s shows) play a free in-store at 7 p.m. at Amoeba. … Or you can chill with Rachel Cantu at Tangier.

Photo of Night Horse from Tee Pee Records