In the clubs

Thursday, Oct. 15

With guitars set to “destroy” and a deep fascination with the dark corners of the human psyche, A Place to Bury Strangers are poised to become the new favorite band of loners everywhere. Imagine every goth and shoegaze act you’ve ever loved playing in a pitch-black room together with the volume turned as high as possible while your mind melts away into blissful nothingness. That’s what listening to APTBS is like; hence, the title of their latest album, Exploding Head. L.A.’s Darker My Love and Atlanta’s All the Saints fill out the bill at The Casbah ($14).

In between “dickin’ down Oprah,” studying “under Bruce Lee” and generally being the most entertaining rapper alive, Ghostface Killah still manages to fit in a few concerts here and there. One of them just happens to be at ’Canes, with blue-eyed soul man Mayer Hawthorne & The County and Buff 1 opening. Lucky us ($18).

Friday, Oct. 16

Although they’re playing with the infinitely more well-known Yo La Tengo, New York’s Endless Boogie are the kind of band that’s adored by a small few and probably hated by the majority of fans brought in by the headliners. Led by rare-record dealer Paul Major, the project was reportedly started to get the guitarist / vocalist out of the house, and after casually performing for more than a decade, the band released its debut LP, Focus Level, last year. But there’s truth in advertising here—“endless boogie” is exactly what they offer, extending blues-rock jams into epic manifestations of all that is man. With just the right mix of humor and seriousness, these hypnotic displays of chooglin’ power should piss off all attendees prepared for an opening performance of tepid indie-rock. At SOMA ($20).

For an accurate portrayal of what’s been happening with indie music in San Diego recently (and, with any luck, where it’ll go in the next few years), check out Wavves, The Soft Pack, Beaters and Drug Wars, all conveniently packaged at The Casbah for your viewing pleasure. CityBeat has written about each of them before to varying extents, so in lieu of beating a dead horse, let’s just say you’re bound to enjoy at least one of the sets, which are rounded out by Sacramento psych-poppers and current Wavves tourmates Ganglians ($12).

Saturday, Oct. 17

Any discussion of the scariest albums ever has to include Butthole Surfers’ Locust Abortion Technician. Recorded at what was arguably the height of the band’s drug-induced lunacy, Locust is a damaged beast, its edges spilling over with diseased toxins displaced by everything from the distended murk of “22 Going on 23” to the barreling punk rock of “Human Cannonball” (later appropriated by Pennywise for the meathead anthem “Bro Hymn”) and one of the most puerile songs in rock history, the hilarious, Eastern-tinged “Kuntz.” Their mid-’80s live reputation is unparalleled in its depravity, and this return to their classic lineup will undoubtedly contain such gems as the provocatively titled “Negro Observer” and the Sabbath homage / parody “Sweat Loaf.” Dirge legends The Melvins and mysterious drug-rock combo Psychic Ills open at ’Canes ($25).

What’s the best thing about a Black Heart Procession show in October? They can always be counted on to bring the pre-Halloween bad vibes. It’s not quite time to dress up yet, but San Diego’s most mournful creeps set the mood at The Casbah, with San Jose’s The Mumlers and Seattle’s The Family Curse ($15).

Monday, Oct. 19

While we’re on the topic, The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan might be the living embodiment of “creepy.” Reunited with his legendary Celtic folk-punk band since 2001, it’s a miracle MacGowan is still alive, considering his raging drug and alcohol abuse—not to mention it was probably difficult for him to eat solid food for a good 20 years due to the worst dental hygiene in rock ’n’ roll. But he’s back with the all-original Pogues lineup and a new set of teeth (finally!), singing the literate drinking songs he’s best known for. Get sauced at House of Blues, with openers Chris Shiflett & The Campesinos ($49.50).

Tuesday, Oct. 20

It may be sacrilege to some, but, truthfully, Bob Mould should be ghostwriting for Kelly Clarkson and Pink. The former Hüsker Dü singer / guitarist always had the knack for massive pop melodies, even back in the Zen Arcade days, when the tunes were swathed in tinny production and overwhelming distortion. As evidenced by his last two albums, District Line and Life and Times, the only thing holding many of these songs from Billboard chart success is Mould’s husky, earnest vocals. Get Madonna on the horn—it’s time for another makeover, Mould-style. Pavement guitarist Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg sets the stage at Belly Up Tavern ($18).

How Conor Oberst and M. Ward ever convinced Jim James of My Morning Jacket to be in a band called Monsters of Folk is beyond me, but if that’s his thing these days, then so be it. Just hope he doesn’t come calling for affection if the next MMJ album is as forgettable as Evil Urges. At Spreckels Theater ($41).