Sat April 14

The WBCN Rumble has had many homes over the years - the Rat initially, the Middle East most lately. But 'BCN's main main, Shred, took the competition to Harpers Ferry this year and reports "the vibe has been outstanding, up and above what people expected." The 400-capacity room in Allston has been getting 300 or so people for the quarter-finals and Shred expects sellouts or near sellouts for this weekend's semi-final rounds. On Friday the 13th: Aloud, Baker, The Silver Lining and Protokoll (in photo)  do battle. Bonus for jimsullivanink.com readers: I'll be there as one of the judges. Bring your rotten tomatoes! Truthfully, it's a part I've played proudly going back to the early '80s. My favorite doesn't always win - sometimes I'm the contrarian - but sometimes it does. And judges look for different things: marketability, chops, looks, radio-friendliness. I look for which band moves me the most, and I've voted for bands in many genres. Shred says there have been a slew of genres represented this year. "All varying styles," he says. "People are surprised." That is, they come to catch a specific band, see another and leave impressed. Saturday night's lineup: Age Rings, Township, Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves, and the Indefinite Article. Starts at 9:30. Tickets: $12.

158 Brighton Ave., Allston, 800-594-TIXX harpersferryboston.com