by Tomm Carroll

Friday, Dec. 10-Thursday, Dec. 16--It’s the Parodist vs. the Pixie at McCabe’s this Sunday, as the legendary guitar shop hosts another round of head-to-head combat between two off-the-wall singer-songwriters. The Pixie, of course, is Frank Black (aka "Black Francis" during the lifetime of the post-punk Pixies), while the parodist is Roy Zimmerman of the political humorist folk ensemble known as the Foremen. An unlikely pairing, to be sure, but one that should produce some surprising results.

Local heroes Venice have crossed the border again for another Santa Monica showcase. Friday and Saturday nights, the celebrated Lennon brothers and cousins perform at Arcadia on the Santa Monica Pier. You may remember Venice’s smooth vocal harmonies and folk rock flavor that opened the Twilight Dance Series of pier concerts last summer. This time there won’t be so much room to dance.

The righteous Reverend Carl Roberts and his New Breed Orchestra conduct Saturday night services at Temple Bar (a regular at St. Stephen’s Green, this is the first gig NBO’s played there since the name change to Temple Bar.) Sharing the stage that night are Joe K’s Kid and Ellis in Wonderland. Saturday also finds folkie Steve Forbert, wearing his rock and roll heart on his sleeve, back in town for a couple of shows -- 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. -- at (where else?) McCabe’s Guitar Shop.

Elsewhere around town, Rusty’s Surf Ranch gets the blues Thursday night, courtesy of the King Bourbon Blues Band. Acousti-pop from Lorien is also set for that night. Meanwhile, over at Santa Monica’s "Home of the Blues," Harvelle’s, L.J. and the Blues Factory featuring Carolyn Beasley paint the town a deep shade of indigo Friday night, while Big Rockin’ Daddy and The Usual Suspects rock the house on Tuesday.

Friday night’s schedule at 14 Below includes Chalk Farm, Jewel Thieves, Jamestown and Still Stanley, while over at Rusty’s that night its a disco reggae party, courtesy of The Polyester Pimps and Cry On Cue, respectively. O’Brien’s welcomes some new bands to its nightly music schedule. Dazed and Confused take over the Saturday night slot this week, while local faves 50-cent Haircut return with a gig Tuesday. German DJ Timo Mass is the trance-master at the West End’s ambient club, deluxe, Sunday night.

Band Name of the Week: Buzzmeg. Don’t know what it means (a mega-buzz about ‘em?), but they’ll be playing 14 Below Monday night, along with The Bridge and See Thru Red.

The venerable Civic -- Santa Monica’s venue for the crowd-drawing acts -- has been a bit on the quiet side this year as far as live music goes, but the silence will be broken when committed heartland rocker Melissa Ethridge, who has two Grammy Awards and two kids (no easy feat, being a lesbian co-mom), but never has "sold out," checks in for a two-night stand.

Ethridge’s first tour in about three years comes on the heels of her latest album release, Breakdown (Island/Def Jam). The show should be packed with anthemic rockers, more sensitive/spiritual material, a dose of liberal politics and probably a song by her hero/mentor, Bruce Springsteen.

The feisty Kansan and her partner also copped the National Family Civil Rights Award this year. It’s evident that in a world of givers and takers, Ethridge is a confirmed giver -- and never moreso than when she’s on stage.