Friday night, there are musical New Year’s Eve options for practically every taste. (I couldn’t find any Polka or Steampunk bands playing, but they’re probably out there somewhere.) And the party types (from free, small-club Rock shows to huge, swanky and expensive soirees) are as varied as the genres represented. Here are just a few choice ways to greet 2011 with a groovy soundtrack:
• Local rockers A Decade to Die For end 2010 by releasing its anticipated new full-length, Best Laid Plans, a powerful, aggressively melodic release oozing adrenaline and passion. It’s either one of the best local releases of 2010 or 2011 (I can’t ever remember a band putting an album out on New Year’s Eve, so I’m not sure how that works). The band’s NYE/CD release party is Friday at The Mad Hatter in Covington, where ADTDF is joined by Pluto Revolts, Let It Happen and Growing Up A Ghost. Admission is $8; showtime is 8 p.m. (www.adecadetodiefor.com)
• Fans of superb Indie Pop duo Bad Veins might be getting a little frustrated. The group spent much of 2010 on the road supporting its debut for Dangerbird Records, an album that came out last year and contained material that had been distributed for at least a year prior. They did offer up the Outliers EP in 2010, featuring four tracks that had also been previously heard by local die-hards. But Friday, the band joins their pals from Dance_MF at Northside Tavern for a free NYE party/show. And that lack of new material problem? Expect to hear a few new tunes, as the twosome is currently knee-deep in work on a new release for 2011. If the track “Benefits of Lying” — an Apples in Stereo cover, available for free download on the band’s Facebook page — is any indication, it's been worth the wait. (badveins.net)
• Live Improv/Electronica group The Skeetones cap off their breakthrough year with an appearance at Covington’s Madison Theater Friday. The group is joined by likeminded Ohio bands The Werks and headliners Papadosio for the 9 p.m. shindig. Tickets are $20. (www.skeetones.com)
• At the Southgate House, it’ll be a night of Cincinnati Entertainment Awards-approved rockin’ as five CEA-nominated bands join forces Friday to kick 2010’s ass out the back door and lure 2011 into their van with spiked ear candy. Banderas, Mad Anthony, The Dopamines, The Frankl Project and Pop Empire provide the sounds, with CEA winners Banderas and Mad Anthony teaming up for a unique two-fer. The two groups become one (Manderas?) and the 10-piece unit will rock songs from both bands’ catalogs. Elsewhere at the Southgate, you can catch Honky Tonk/’Billy faves Straw Boss in Juney’s Lounge and the Underbelly comedy troupe in the venue’s Parlour. Things get started around 9 p.m. $10 gets you into all three events at the club. (southgatehouse.com)
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