Happy Twenty Eleven, Sactown! Last week we took a look back at the top 10 concerts from the last year, now it’s time to start auditioning for this year’s list. It all starts this weekend!

First, I will dish you up one from the Department of Shameless Self-Promotions. For the insomniacs out there, Michael Tobias and the Acidic Swamp Band will be doing a Live in Studio A performance tonight on KDVS 90.3, which can be streamed online tonight (Thursday Jan. 7, 11 p.m.). Tobias is poised to go ka-boom in this town behind his new record “High & Low,” and this should be a hell of a good time. Reason I mention it: Yours truly will be the M.C. for the evening.

I do indeed have a face for radio. Huzzah!

Ol Cotton Dreary – “The Sea Goat Soiree;” oh man, it’s too good! That’s what they’re calling the evening’s celebration of Capricorn birthdays – but it’s a safe bet that Gems, Leos, Scorps and the like are all welcome too. Ol Cotton Dreary (hmm, was that name inspired by a certain character from the “Scream” movies?) are veterans of the Sac scene, frequently popping up at tribute shows like the Lou Reed gig and the Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” anniversary celebration; but let’s not overlook the greasetraps of their own sludgy breed of passed-out-in-the-gutter blues and laissez faire garage punk rock rips. Old Crow and cheap beer only at their gigs, you just won’t feel quite right drinking a vodka cran; it would be like listening to Sublime when it’s raining. Street Urchinz and Armed Forces Radio join the party, with the tunes set to wrap by midnight at DJ BriCat spinning tunes until closing time. And are we seeing this right – it’s free? Happy New Year indeed! 9 p.m. Friday. Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. Free. www.bluelamp.com.

The Jimmy Moonbeam Show – Much like the worst night of John Wayne Bobbit’s life, I’m stumped! There doesn’t seem to be much readily available information on exactly what the Jimmy Moonbeam Show is all about, but you can’t help but be intrigued about this variety show – and watching this video will pique your curiosity even more, and make you hope you never have to admit that this happened to you once. Apparently, the Moonbeam show had a successful run in Los Angeles theatres back in the late ‘00s as a vaudevillian style talent show featuring comedians, actors and musical artists in a kitchen sink-style smorgasbord. Google searches are a wild goose chase, save for the inclusion of Sacto native Nick Jaina. This should be quite the party, whatever the heck it is. I hate to start your first Rundown of 2011 by admitting I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about, but aren’t you at least somewhat interested now? Plus, I’d say this officially makes it Moonbeam Week here in Sacramento. 8 p.m. Friday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $10. 21+. www.harlows.com.

The Phenomenauts - First stage, second stage, third stage, let's go! A casual observation from Earth's Capitol: It's always fun to see guys from a themed band like the Phenomenauts holding true to their flavor when you see them away from the stage. When this reporter ran into Phenomenauts lead singer, Commander Angel Nova, at a non-descript kegger in a relatively dormant area of South San Francisco, you'll be happy to know he still rocks the same astro rockabilly look, sans matching jumpsuits that this local Earth band sports when they play live. Many "gimmick" bands come off as posers who need costumes and themes to cover up for a lack of chops, but such is not the case with this band of space-aged ruffians. They're just as capable of slathering up some vintage '70s punk rock as they are a psychobilly jam or even a little doo-wop soul flavor. Make no mistake, every tune will take you into orbit, perhaps to battle a robot, admire planet Earth from afar, or maybe just cruise the galaxy in a rocket ship suite for two. Gimmicky they ain't; more fun than a stripper with a plate of bacon they are! They've got a new digital EP for sale called "Electric Sheep;" apparently there are farms in space? Local punk rock stalwarts the Secretions and the Hanover Saints (who will be shooting a video) support them at this "Punk vs. Rockabilly" show, as well as the Jetsinns (hmm, do we see a pattern here?). Doors 7 p.m./ Show 8 p.m. Saturday. The Boardwalk, 9426 Greenback Ln, Orangevale. $10. www.boardwalkrocks.com.

Mark Your Calendars - Dawes - One of the up and coming darlins of Americana revival comes to Davis to play one of the budding darling venues in their downtown music scene. Feb 1. Odd Fellow Hall, 415 2nd St., Davis. rentdavislodge.com.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.
 

Phenomenauts photo above by Vilen G.