Roadtrips

As far as New Year's entertainment goes, we have an embarrassment of riches 'round here; why you'd want to climb behind the wheel and migrate -- unless it's home for the holidays -- is beyond us. Elsewhere, the options are far slimmer. In Portland, Maine, the two biggest bands in town play what amounts to the only show in town on New Year's Eve. The rootsy, jam-friendly pop-rock band Rustic Overtones were signed to Arista by former WFNX program director Kurt St. Thomas, although their album This Is Rock and Roll (with guest spots from David Bowie and Funkmaster Flex, among others) is still in limbo. The grungier, metal-friendly modern-rock outfit 6gig ended up on Ultimatum, where their labelmates include former Dino Jr. guitar god J Mascis. Both bands, plus the Boston punk/rap girl group Heidi, play the State Theatre (207-775-3331) on First Night. The college/groove-band scene has become the safest bet in clubland, which is reflected in the New Year's bookings of the area's mid-size theaters. At the Palladium (508-797-9696) in Worcester, Philly's Disco Biscuits -- avatars of the hybrid electronica/jam-band scene with a shtick that includes performing live-band trance -- do three sets without a support act. And closer to home, the Slip do a night at the Somerville Theatre (617-931-2000). One of the original templates for the all-purpose crowd-pleasing good-time bar band, NRBQ, do the House of Blues (617-491-BLUE) in Cambridge on December 30 and the Iron Horse (413-584-0610) in Northampton on New Year's Eve.

Signed to Elektra in the wake of Godsmack's success, Massachusetts rap-metal kids Reveille join Eastcide and Capitol Seven at the Palladium on December 29. Rhode Island's ska-swing torchbearers the Agents are finally calling it a day, but they're going out with an all-ages bash at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel (401-272-5876) in Providence on December 29 with the Pilfers, Inspector 7, the Brunt of It, Vic Foley, the Lost City Angels, DJ Selecta KJC, and DJ Hula Bomb along for the ride. Last but not least, Boston prog-pop metal faves Cave In are finally getting around to launching a national tour in support of their epic third album, Jupiter (Hydrahead). The jaunt kicks off December 30 at the Met Café (401-861-2142) in Providence, with Eulcid, Keepsake, and Orchid.
-- Carly Carioli