Mon. Feb. 5

 The Dwarves - originally from Chicago and now, we think, based in San Francisco - were one of the hardest and nastiest of the Sub Pop bands that followed in Nirvana's wake. They also became the most notorious when they issued a press release stating their guitarist He Who Cannot Be Named - yes, that was his "name" - had died; He Who was very much not dead, and Sub Pop was not amused. You don't muck around with death notices, you know, as shock jocks Opie and Anthony found out when they said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino had perished in Florida a few years back. (It turned out OK for O & A; they have a big-time gig on satellite radio and they're also on WBCN.) It all has turned out OK for the Dwarves, too. They disbanded for a time, but came back a couple of times, their latest CD being the coyly titled, "The Dwarves Must Die," released in 2004. It featured naked blood women and midgets on the cover. Tasteful bunch, these Dwarves. An earlier album was called, "Free Cocaine," which made us remember the old band Free Beer. My, how times have changed. (By the way, do not confuse them with the pop genius band from Down Under the Tall Dwarfs.) Now, these Dwarves may mess around with sacrilege and carnage, but they have a knack for melding grunge, metal and punk into a bludgeoning, but oddly melodious, slab of rock. We're not sure who is in the current lineup but singer Blag Dahlia (in photo) has been a mainstay forever, so we expect at least him. And we expect there will be a certain amount of mayhem and outrage alongside some crunchy rock 'n' roll. They headline the Middle East Upstairs Monday Feb. 5. Show starts at 9 p.m., with Noble Rot, followed by Turbo A.C.s. Tickets: $12.
472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278 mideastclub.com

Sat. Feb. 3

If you're like us, the first time you heard of "competitive eating," you went "What the hell ...?!" and thought about the millions of people starving in the world and the audacity of stuffing yourself for ... money? pride? just to win at something? We've since learned a little more about the field (sport?), and just saw a rather sympathetic dramatic piece on "Without a Trace," that keyed in on a complex, tender competitive eater. It's still a weird thing, but so is ultimate fighting and the idea of video games as a spectator sport. Here in town, Atwood's Tavern in Inman Square is presenting "The Bacon Eating Contest" on Saturday February 3 at noon. Ten contestants will have five minutes to eat the most bacon. Now, consider bacon: This is the tastiest thing in the world - if you're not a vegan - and it's been something we wrestle with because we know a) how good it is and b) how bad it is for us. In England a few years ago, we stayed at a hotel where the (included) breakfast featured unlimited bacon and it was almost astounding we didn't gain a couple of inches on the wasteband and had enough self-control to say when. So, that's our experience. Take it for what it's worth and go see or indulge at Atwoods if that's what gets you off. If you want to compete, get registration materials at the bar. (Atwood's opened nine months ago; this is its first bacon eating contest.) Winner gets a five pound assortment of gourmet bacon and a copy of "Seduced by Bacon: Recipes & Lore About America's Favroite Indulgence." Slightly lesser prizes down the ranks. 

877 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-864-2792 atwoodstavern.com

Sat. Dec. 3

We know we're not the first (or second, or third ... ) to say this, but had Al Gore shown the kind of animation he shows in "An Inconvenient Truth," he'd have been elected President. (Hmm, do you think we'd be sunk in the Iraq sand?) "An Incovenient Truth," as most everyone knows paints a not-too-pretty about the not-too-distant future vis-a-vis Planet Earth. Gore - your host and guide - is eloquent, persuasive, not robotic and his message is harsh: Change now, world, or lose what you've got. The shocker, we suppose, is that Gore is as personable as he is, but maybe when he's got the right subject and the use of all these high-tech power point devices - he did invent the Internet - he's right at home. We saw it when it came out in the theater and left, like everyone, very quietly. It's not easy watching your future dissipate in front of you. And, we'd have to say that, even though it's available on DVD, there's something to be gained in a communal environment; it reinforces the notion that we're all in this - sink or swim (pun intended) - together. Brandeis ecology professor Eric Olsen leads a post-screening discussion. It's all for no charge at the Newton Free Library Saturday Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. Newton mayor David Cohen introduces the film.

330 Homer St. Newton Centre, 617-796-1360

Sun. Feb. 4

Might as well face it, boys and girls, the newest of the new wave is upon us, with the Killers currently leading the pack, taking over the top slot from Franz Ferdinand and Interpol. New wave - the '80s movement that followed punk - was actually quite diverse, though the term turned "derisive" somewhere down the line. At its best: Quirky, explosive, danceable, twisted, arch. Not as much enamored of searing guitar and shouted vocals, but employing synthesizers and guitars, irony and detachment. Think the Cars, the Cure or XTC. We'd have to say Omaha's Go Motion exemplify the latest of this line of thinking and playing.Your guitarists are James Luther and Albert Kurnianwan (who is also the lead singer). Justin Runge mans the all-keyboard role and the rhythm section is bassist Luke Mabie, andLuter's brother David. The Omaha Weekly explains their new CD, "Kill the Love," is about "a murder - about anger and jealousy, a guy killing his girlfriend. ... From the beginning to the end the lyrics are pretty consistent." Well, we've heard it and although we glimpse a certain, uh, angst this is one bouncy, bubbling affair, reminding us more of A Flock of Seagulls (or the happy pop side of the Cure)  than Joy Division. So go see Go Motion at the Middle East tonight and make up your mind as to whether they live on the dark or light side. You won't forget to dance, either way. They're with Harlem Shakes and DJ Die Young. Starts at 9 p.m., tix $8.

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