Sat. Jan. 6

Go to the Middle East Downstairs webpage - mideastclub.com - and click on the group headlining Saturday Jan. 6, Missing Persons. Go to the website and the FAQ section. Look at the question about the status of the band. You'll find the answer "The official Missing Persons is defunct." Hmmm, but there they - whoever they are - are on the bill. So, we've got to assume some version of the L.A. new wave-lite group will take the stage and we would expect singer Dale Bozzio (the most visable member) and guitarist Warren Cuccurullo (who owns the band name). We would not expect Dale's ex, drummer Terry, who once manned the kit for the short-lived but very good English prog-rock band UK and had a not-too-pleasant split witht he woman who still shares his surname. We would expect to hear versions of hits from yesteryear like "Words," "Windows," "Walking in L.A." and "Destinations Unknown." We would hardly put a Missing Persons reunion - if that's the right word - on part with an English Beat renaissance or a Damned get-together, but MP did represent a side of '80s pop that was flashy and kind of sexy. Whether you want to trip down memory lane with Dale - who was born here 51 years ago - Warren and whomever is a call we can't make. Doors are at 9 p.m. Just added: The Mystery Tramps, North Shore kids who rock. These teens were not born when Missing Perons was hot. Really. And they're fun. Tickets: $12.

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