Fri. April 20

WBCN's Rock 'n' Roll Rumble - the 29th! - concludes Friday April 20 at Harpers Ferry. It's the first time the venerable (?) old competition has been at the Allston club and the first time it's been away from the Middle East in Cambridge for a while, now. "It was time to bring it back to Boston," said Rumble co-ordinator Shred. Fair enough. The Rumble has shifted spots over the years, from the Inn-Square Men's Bar (Ladies Invited), to the Rat, to the Paradise, to Axis, to Avalon ... well, it's been around, like a good rock girl should. (No sexist responses, please; we were just ripping off the Stones' "Some Girls." Send complaints to Mick J.) At any rate, last Friday's winner's Baker - where I was a judge, and gave them a narrow victory - and Saturday's winner's, Township, square off with the highest totalling wild card finalist, The Indefinite Article (points for best band name) opening the night at 9:30. They're also in the race, mind you. So, it could go any which way. We're always asked at the beginning what the odds of any particular band are and we always say 24-1 (as there are 24 bands in the quarter-finals). So, we're saying each band has 3-1 odds on this night. It's all up to the tastes of the judges and who values what quality over what other quality. After the Rumble is finished, the Aussie band Sick Puppies, the (no longer) surprise guest band (in photo)  takes the stage. Tickets are $15. (Winners get $3000 plus studio time, mixing and mastering, legal services and a lot more. They once said there was a Rumble "curse." But, really, it's what you make of it. Some are cursed, others are blessed. And, as always, talent is an assett. As Sparks and the Dresden Dolls would remind you.)

158 Brighton Ave., Allston, 617-254-7380 harpersferryboston.com