by Tomm Carroll

Friday, Dec. 3-Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999--It’s a little early for gift-giving, but the good folks over at 14 Below have an early holiday treat for Santa Monica club goers -- a killer line-up of live performances this week.

Things get off to fun and funky start Friday when Ivan Neville, the second-generation (and second line) bayou boogie boy drops by for a show. The son of Art Neville (of the Meters and, of course, Neville Brothers fame), Ivan toplines a bill which also includes Cody Marks and the Bread Hoarders. Saturday, it’s the pride of Silverlake, the very-hot-right-now The Negro Problem, who recently performed with a gospel choir at the Getty Museum. The truly alternative trio --which often expands to twice its size or larger in the live format -- is joined by local faves Baby Lemonade (who were 1960s L.A. rock legend Arthur Lee’s new "Love" band before he was incarcerated a few years back), the Wise Monkey Orchestra and Nero Zero.

But that’s not all. Wednesday at 14 Below marks the return of local supergroup Trulio Disgracias, with the current edition featuring various members of Fishbone, Dead Kennedys, Funkadelic and even H.R. from Bad Brains. And as if that isn’t enough, the Skeletones and Speaker also perform.

Wait, there’s more. The week ends the way it started , with musical offspring. The sons of sixties superstars the Oakley Krieger Betts Band (scion of the Allman Brothers band’s Berry Oakley and Dicky Betts, as well as the Doors’ Robbie Krieger) rock the underground club on Thursday night, with support from Subthink, P.O.M., and the Seven Wonders of the World.

Making their last local appearance at Rusty’s before their New Year’s/Millennium Eve party there, the rockabilly Russians (and one Texan) known as the Red Elvises get all shook up for a show Saturday night. (See them now before the admission price inflates for Dec. 31). On Friday at Rusty’s, it’s Demand More, The Sammy Peters Band and Svengali Twin doing their varied pop-rock-folk things.

Folk fans will flock to McCabe’s all weekend. John Stewart returns for another sold-out show at the famed Guitar Shop Saturday night, while Sunday is another children’s matinee performance, featuring Jackie Breger, at 11 a.m. ( For Friday’s act, see PICK OF THE WEEK, below.)

The holiday-named Cecilia Noel brings her band The Wild Clams along with her for a show at Arcadia on Friday, while the Santa Monica Pier-based club features the redundantly named Joan Jones for its Cool Music Mondays show this week. And over at Temple Bar, Friday’s musician line-up includes Damon Aaron, Sonja Marie and Pernicia Jordan. And on Saturday, it’s Anne Marie Montade, Doctor and Maata Haari.

The earthy, funk-rock-blues sounds of Urth will emanate from Harvelle’s on Tuesday night. Friday at the club, known as Santa Monica’s own "Home of the Blues," Jimmy Z and the Z Tribe (featuring members from Etta James’ band) rock the house.

It’s another all-Irish weekend at O’Brien’s (where else?) With The Lads on Friday, The Twilight Lords on Saturday and Paul O’Toole and the Stand on Sunday. There’s more Celtic kicks in store at the West End, where Tuesday is Irish music night, featuring Luck Money in the weekly band showcase.

Band Name of the Week: Chewy Puma, who is the special guest at Sunday’s "Rhythm" lounge at Temple Bar.

PICK OF THE WEEK

DAN BERN

McCABE’S GUITAR SHOP

Friday, Dec. 3, 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.

A fiercely indie folkie (from Iowa, no less), Dan Bern is one of the latest in a long line of "new Dylans" A wit as well as a wordsmith, he has called the hallowed Mr. Zimmerman "the Dan Bern of the ‘60s."

A provocative signer-songwriter not afraid to sing about what’s on his mind -- or to use words your mother never taught you while doing so -- the Gen X folk poet has a number of outstanding releases to his credit, including the Ani DiFranco-produced Fifty Eggs (Sony/Work) album, which featured the rightrous babe folkette herself.

His songs are insightful, his repartee is lightning-quick and his delivery is reminiscent of Carmaig DeForest (now what ever happened to him?) and to the young, cocky Bob Dylan himself. And just because he’s playing a guitar shop that doesn’t serve alcohol, don’t expect Dan Bern to behave. Just come prepared to be entertained.