Monday Feb. 26

Stoley has quite a story: alt-rock Chicago DJ, leader of the band the Lupins, recipient of MTV's rent-free luxury apartment to promote its movie, "Joe's Apartment," spot actor on "Late Night at Conan O'Brien" - including his role as a gun-toting NASCAR driving Jesus. He also put together a power trio he calls Stoley P.T., short for, uh, Stoley Power Trio. (Stoley is on guitar and vocals; Berklee College of Music grad Rob Draghi is on drums and producer Mark Turrigiano is on bass.) Stoley calls what the band plays on their CD, "Lesson #1" "a cross between Pavement and the Pixies trying to pretned they're pretty likek Olivia Newton-John." If you haven't gathered by now, there's a fair amount of humor and rock in what Stoley does. In "T.Y.S.," the opening cut, he sings, "Good morning chest pains, it's good to have you back where you belong." In the next, "Honey Mixture," he keeps singing "Life is easy when you die ... This is the way we get out! This is the way we get out!" It's a full-tilt song, indeed reminiscent of Pavement. Stoley explains his ethos this way: "Life can be a drag. We try and cover that up with drugs and lies, but you may as well ride it out to its inevitable conclusion. And why not express that with a happy pop hook so we can all sing along and share in the comfort of communal hopelessness?" Smart guy, this Stoley. Catch 'em at the Middle East Upstairs Monday Feb. 26. They're the middle act between Molecule (at 9 p.m.) and Slow Motion Driver. Tickets: $8.

472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278 mideastclub.com

Sun. Feb. 25

 This may be ironic to only us, but on the same day we chose to write about John the Baptist's head on a plate - a sculpture at the Gardner Museum - we found ourselves listening to Bayside, a punk-pop band who have a cool song called "Head on a Plate." It's from their just-released disc,"The Walking Wounded." Best line in the song: "The hipster empire of tomorrow/Will fall to the common kids of today," sings Anthony Raneri. Also: "I'm just trying to bring music back to music." A little bit of idealism and sardonicism, mixed together. Together seven years, this New York quartet landed at the top of AP's reader's choice for "Most Underrated Artist of 2006." AP itself calleld "The Walking Wounded" one of the most anticipated albums of the year. We'd say: It's a keeper, catchy, packed with melodic hooks and stacatto guitar riffs. It has a fast pulse and a beating heart and we expect they'll bring that to the stage at Axis Sunday Feb. 25 when they support Anberlin. They're third on the bill. Meg & Dia and Jonezetta open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $12.

13 Lansdowne St., 617-262-2437 livenation.com

Sat. Feb. 24

 They're calling climACTS! Glam "The Can't-Miss Party of the Year." Well, that's a  pretty bold boast, see if they live up to it. It takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday February 24 at the Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center at Villa Victoria in the South End, and it's presented by The Theater Offensive, New England's leading presenter of queer theater. Plunk down $125 and you'll see Martha Wash (in photo)  - the queen of clubland - siging her no. 1 solo single, "Carry On," and the classic male gay theme of all time, "It's Raining Men," which she did when she was a Weather Girl. Shequida, the world's only Julliard-trained drag opera diva will be there, as well as Dirk Shafer, model, actor and former Playgirl "Man of the Year." Joe Posa will transform into Joan Rivers and greet guests on a red carpet. There will be a live auction with Kathy Kingston, benefitting The Theater Offensive youth group. You'll be dancing to a dj in a Go-Go environment. Food and grub: It's an open bar with catering by Christopher's Cafe, Above and Beyond Catering and more.

Need more convincing? Joan Parker, philanthropist and wife of writer Robert B., is a co-host. "First of all," she says, "one hopes that in addition to being the most fabulous party, this party will be so much fun that when you come home you'll have to shower. Of all the events I work on, this is the most outrageous, over the top. Each year I go - I've co-chaired it the last three years - I think 'We'll never top this.'' But they do. "It's definitely fasten your seatbelts," continues Joan, "because it'll be a glorious ride." Is it just for gay folks? Nope. "I always bring tons of straight folks who find it as delightful as I do," says Joan. There's plenty of cool auction stuff, too, like cocktails with the Parkers at their Cambridge home, tix to the Police reunion at Fenway, and various European vacations. Expect to mingle with least 400 people. Starts at 8 p.m.

85 W. Newton St.,  866-811-4111 thetheateroffensive.org

Sat. Feb. 24

Saturday night's all right for ... rocking. Well, it always has been, but there are two interesting, contrasting choices in town this Saturday February 24. At Great Scott, Frank Smith - the roots-rock band, not a man - plays its farewell-to-Boston show. The group's players have been based in these parts for some time, but Aaron Sinclair and his five mates are headed to the southwest - Austin, Texas to be precise on March 1. (They debut at the SXSW festival there later in the month.) Do they fit in better there? Maybe. We think Boston is hospitable to their sound, but Austin might just be a better base. We'll miss 'em. See them with Viva Viva and the Age Rings opening at 10. Tickets are $9. Another option: The hard-rocking Bang Camaro, (in photo) which we just saw at a record release party on the 19th at the Middle East. They're indy guys, who've discovered the joys of hard rock and metal. The twist: They employ up to 20 singers - usually abouut a dozen - to carry the vocal parts. Like a full-bore Polyphonic Spree. They're at the Paradise celebrating their self-titled CD and the new video "Push Push (Lady Lightning)." Tickets: $12. Damone and Protokoll open. Show starts at 9 p.m.

GS, 1222 Commonwealth Ave., 617-566-9014 greatscottboston.com
Paradise, 967 Commonwealth Ave., 617-562-8800 thedise.com

Feb. 23 

"Girls on Film" is not a replay of the oh-so-sexy R-rated Duran Duran video of the '80s, but the title of Kerry Israel's black and white photo show which closes at the Paradise Lounge Gallery. tonight Friday Feb. 23. And what's she's shot are not exactly girls, but boys being girls, better known as drag queens. Says Israel: "Most people see drag as four-inch platforms and sequins, but when you go behind the scenes and really examine it, it's about redefining gender and becoming someone different. The idea of applying gender as quickly and easily as one applies a new shade of lipstick or coat of mascara is one I find very intriguing. While the sense of whimsy we anticipate with drag is certainly there, I was also able to see a certain vulnerability in the genderless-ness during the transistion. And I was immediately taken by the harmony of the masculine and the feminine, and how beautiful it was." We've got a little experience with drag - not in drag, but hanging with drag queens. We spent a lovely night with one in a Miami Beach club; our fiancee wrote a play with a drag queen in the lead, and we loved the British movie, "Kinky Boots." So, I guess you could say we have an affinity and a fascination - this from a guy who bascially dresses like Lou Reed most of the time. Anyway, the Wednesday opening is free and there will also be live drag performances and dj work from Mr. Channing. The exhibit is up through Feb. 23. Check the website below to see who's playing on any particular night and match up the gig and the show.

969 Commonwealth Ave., 617-562-8800 thedise.com