Another week, another slew of shows to push you towards. Hey, it’s still light outside, so off the couch with you…

Last Saturday’s footballing performance could see gigs around the country a wee bit busier than they might have been, especially with some good stuff on offer.
Tuesday 11th sees Zachary Francis Condon and chums – 4AD act Beirut – at Glasgow’s ABC
Or on the same night, Mitchell Museum offshoot Behold the Old Bear are at the 13th Note. (Seen them. Recommend them).

On Thurs 13th, Linlithgow’s finest (an old cliche I know), Penguins Kill Polar Bears continue their small tour, or whatever they’re up to, calling in at at Dunfermline’s Jam Jar. (is myspace still a thing?)

And same night but in Glasgow, The State Broadcasters are at Stereo, doubtless gearing up for the release of their album on Olive Grove Records.

Fri 14th, is a busy night – another band punting that difficult second album, Scots hip-hoppers*Stanley Odd, are at Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree.
*believe me, they are much better than that description might suggest.

In Glasgow, on Friday 14th, new wave veterans Buzzcocks are in Edinburgh, at the Liquid Room. Could be great, soundman permitting, and hopefully Pete Shelley will be keeping Steve Diggle’s excesses in check.
Political troubadour Billy Bragg offers up some punk pop polemic, at the 02 ABC in Glasgow on the 14th. Not seen him live for a few years but could be that with things getting decidedly Thatcherite out there, it’s time for him to be sparked into a new lease of life.
And same night, The Phantom Band’s Rick Redbeard shows that he could be a top solo act if his band wasn’t so darn good (he was in tremendous form a couple of months ago on his split tour with Adam Stafford). He’s at Paisley Arts Centre.

Onto the weekend and Cancel The Astronauts play a hometown show at Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s on Saturday 15th. And down the road, Miaoux Miaoux, Homework, and Indian Red Lopez are at Limbo, at the Voodoo Rooms.
Through in God’s Own City, NYC noise-rock trio A Place To Bury Strangers are at Glasgow’s Nice’n’Sleazy.

Same city, on Sunday, mad-eyed r’n’b guitar genius and whirling dervish Wilko Johnson is at the O2 ABC.

And finally, on Sunday, Mr Redbeard and pals The Phantom Band headline the EH1 festival in Edinburgh – we may have mentioned this before. Miniature Dinosaurs, The OK Social Club and Crayons are among the various acts on teh bill – more at www.facebook.com/ehone.live