Kevin Bronson on November 6th, 2009

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[Hey, it’s Sam Sparro’s birthday on Saturday; shouldn’t there be a dance party somewhere? Here’s how the weekend shapes up …]

Today: Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas starts his monthlong Friday night residency at downtown’s Palace Theatre to showcase the music from his solo debut “Phrazes for the Young.” The synth-heavy material, with its big pop choruses, is a departure from the Strokes’ garage-rock, but it sounded good at his warm-up show Monday night. Rainbow Arabia opens. … It’s the final night of”  the Pixies‘ “Doolittle” stand at the Palladium, and Rain Machine, the side project of TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone, opens. … Excellent 1-2 punch at Club Underground at the Echo tonight – the dance-friendly soul music of Fitz and the Tantrums [pictured[ and the fun psych-rock of Sweaters. Fitz will be on tour opening for Maroon 5 later in the month. … And Saosin plays the House of Blues behind its new release “In Search of Solid Ground.” … Also: Karma to Burn at Spaceland; Mum at the El Rey Theatre; Buddy at the Hotel Cafe; White Arrows and Brother Reade at the Ukranian Culture Center (4315 Melrose); Ian Anderson at the Wiltern; the Dan Band at Club Nokia; Beware of Safety at the Bootleg Theater; Ludo at the Troubadour; Matt Costa at the Detroit Bar; and Robotanists and Death Kit at Echo Curio.

Saturday: A busy, busy night, starting with a big local bill at the Roxy featuring Saint Motel, Army Navy and Rumspringa. …”  Jason Falkner teams up with Nico Stai and War Children for a show at Spaceland. … LMFAO and Shwayze are part of the big party at the Palladium. … The Lawrence Arms rocks the Troubadour; Hanson pops Club Nokia; and the likes of Chuck Ragan, Jim Ward, Frank Turner and Audra Mae play the El Rey as part of the Revival Tour. … Also: The Meeting Places and Nightmare Air at Club Violaine at Roberto’s (686 N. Spring); the Del Reys at Bordello; Gamble House at the Bootleg Theater; Rademacher at the Highland Park American Legion Hall; Lower Heaven at downtown’s Silver Factory Studios; Mum at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana; the Widow Babies at the Smell; and Nina Storey at the Hotel Cafe.

Sunday: There’s the big benefit show, Jam for Laura Ann [background here], at the Echoplex, featuring the Billy Corgan-led Backwards Clock Society, Light FM, the Pity Party, the Pulsars and others. … Matt Costa, joined by Aushua, plays the Bootleg Theater. … The Silversun Pickups and the Henry Clay People play the Kidrockers matinee show at the Echo – it’s a four-song acoustic set for both bands, and adults must be accompanied by a child and vice versa. … And Langhorne Slim (with Dawes supporting) holds forth at the Troubadour. … Also: Dave Alvin, Peter Case and others at the Amy Faris tribute at McCabe’s”  Jay-Z at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion; The Bambi Slam @ Echo ($5)
En Vogue / Ginuwine @ Club Nokia ($35 – $65)
Over the Rhine / Katie Herzig @ Largo ($30)
Vicente Fernandez @ Gibson