Kevin Bronson on August 18th, 2011

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[So it’s “Mötley Crüe Day” in West Hollywood today as the Sunset Strip Music Festival begins in earnest tonight with a tribute to the hard rockers at the House of Blues. Don’t know whether to bring an autograph book to the red carpet or a taser.]

It’s a too-many-damn-shows Thursday. Top recommendations:

‣ L.A. roots-rock legend Dave Alvin has a new album out – it’s called “Eleven Eleven,” and the 55-year-old shredder brings his band Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones to the Troubadour with Los Straitjackets.
‣ No matter whether you pine for the days when Death Cab For Cutie were scruffy, indie, Los Angeles-hatin’ Seattleites, their new album “Codes and Keys” is gorgeous – although the less said about lights and the Busby Berkeley flourishes in the “You Are a Tourist” video, the better. Ben Gibbard and crew kick off two nights at the Greek Theatre with one of our favorite Sottish imports, Frightened Rabbit, opening.
‣ Best Sunset Strip Music Fest show of the night brings Eastern Conference Champions, Nico Vega and Incan Abraham to the Roxy (along with State Line Empire and Goldenspell).
‣ SSMF addendum: The Tender Box and Run Run Run play the Viper Room on a bill with the Veronicas and Nude.
‣ Useless Keys play at the Exchange downtown in between sets by Twilight Sleep and Boots Electric.
‣ The Happy Hollows resurface to rock the Echo.
‣ And playing the early set at the Silverlake Lounge, it’s … Jonny Polonsky? The same guy who made “Hi My Name Is Jonny” in 1996, an album that’s still on my shelf? Hmm.

Also:

Uriah Heep at the Key Club as part of SSMF
TFDI’s album-release show at the Hotel Cafe
Dante Vs. Zombies and the Warlocks at Harvard & Stone
Black Flamingo and Spirit Vine (free) at Pershing Square downtown
Dirty Beaches at the Mondrian
Rainbow Jackson at On the Rox
Death Hymn Number 9 at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa
Wingard Manor at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach
Zigaboo Modeliste at the Mint
Sassafras at the Redwood