Concerts You Need to See in December

Don Decker Benefit show with Iron Maidens – December 1st @ Station 4
Now don’t get this mixed up with Iron Maiden. This is “the world’s only” female Iron Maiden tribute act. They’re coming all the way from L.A, I don’t know what this benefit is for, but you can’t go wrong with a female Iron Maiden.

Panoramic Blue – December 1st @ Red Carpet (st.cloud) (21+)

Iron Maidens – December 2nd @ Station 4

Write This Down, Tomorrow’s Forgotten – December 6th @ The Quarry (SCSU, FREE)
Free shows are good for your health.

McKinley Place – December 7th @ Red Carpet (21+)

Limbeck – December 7th @ The Whole (U of M)
It’s Limbeck, you know I’m there.

Annex, Three Pill Morning – December 8th @ Red Carpet (21+)
I did a review about Annex a few months ago. For a bar band, they put on a pretty sweet show. They play a mix of pop and punk covers. Their shows promise to be filled with plenty of energy and songs that we can all sing along too. If you can’t make it to this show, try and check out their new years eve show at the Carpet.

Get Young (cd release show), Small Towns Burn a Little Slower, City of Sound – December 8th @ Triple Rock

Lemonheads – December 10th @ Varsity Theater
Love the Lemonheads. Even though Juliana Hatfield is no longer with them, he still rocks it. I saw them once in Denver and I remember it being a rad time. I had a few too many Red Stripes to remember the end of the show, but they had a really pulled together sound that really is a great compliment to their albums.

Dillinger Escape Plan – December 11th @ Station 4 (tickets from original show will be honored)

Hydrophonics – December 15th @ Red Carpet (21+)

Comeback Kid – December 16th @ Triple Rock

Wu-Tang Clan – December 16th @ First Ave (18+)

Van Morrison – December 20th @ Northrop Auditorium

Building Better Bombs – December 21st @ The Turf Club

Soul Asylum, The Evening Rig, Mayda – December 21st @ First Ave (18+)
Remember Runaway Train? Somebody to Shove? Promises Broken? Yeah, I didn’t think you would need anymore persuasion.

Four Letter Lie – December 22nd @ Varsity Theater

Mason Jennings – December 27th @ First Ave (18+)

White Light Riot – December 28th @ Varsity Theater
These guys have kind of dancey Ted Leo kind of sound. It’s hard to describe past that. I’ve never seen these guys live, but I really hope I can make it down to Minneapolis to catch this show. If you don’t wanna make the investment to buy their album, just check out the 30 second clips on i-Tunes and that will be enough to draw you in.

Fred Savage and the Unbeatables – December 29th @ Red Carpet (21+)
One of the best bands to come out of Minnesota. They had their final show in August… or September, but luckily for us, they’re getting back together for this winter break show! I’m so freakin excited for this. They have a sound that resembles a ska Weezer, and they play the perfect combination of original songs and covers. This is one of the few bar bands who’s original songs are just as well received as the covers they play.

New Years Eve with Brother Ali – December 31st @ First Ave (21+)
Minnesota’s most prominent albino rapper. Very cool stuff. I saw him on Conan. He has a sweet mix of melodies along with rapping, it makes for a good time for everyone.

VH1’s Rock of Love New Years Eve with Bret Michaels – December 31st @ The Myth
Yeah, if you like The Bret Michaels Band and want to spend 104 bucks on a ticket then you’re set for New Years…and you’re kind of a tool. Sorry, but come on. And why is The Bret Michaels Band on Guitar Hero III? He says rock of love, like, 37 times.