This week's cool shows: CyTunes launch and more!

THIS WEEK'S SHOWS Thursday, Dec. 11: Animal Music with Citified, Tir na Nog I keep comparing Citified to The Smiths. A friend of mine who is fanatical about them thinks they sound more like early R.E.M. Either way, they sound great. SHOW OF THE WEEK! Friday, Dec. 12: CyTunes launch party, Local 506 After months of hard work, Cy-Tunes is finally launching with a big FREE party this Friday, Dec. 12, at Local 506. Here's the line-up: SuperCy Trivia (Cy was a big fan of trivia nights) Emcee Trent Bowles of Popular Kids DJ Viva The Magic Babies Flute Flies featuring Ivan Rosebud, Reid Schooner, and Zeno Pox Rockin' Ammonia Karaoke Here's also some info from Reid Johnson on the Flute Flies: The Flute Flies is the brainchild of Ivan Howard (The Rosebuds), Zeno Gill (The Sames, Pox World Empire) and Reid Johnson (Schooner). The group was created in the summer of 2008 specifically for CyTunes.org, a site created to help their good friend Cy Rawls with his hospital bills while he fought cancer. In Cy's memory CyTunes has continued on with him as the inspiration, with the motto "Download Music, Downsize Cancer." The Flute Flies are playing the "CyTunes.org Launch Party" at the Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Friday, December 12. After this keep in touch, and go to the website to download as much music as you can. Billy Alphin and Wes Phillips will be helping us out live at the Party, which is our maiden appearance. Friday, Dec. 12: Old Habits Mayhem Holiday Bash, The Pour House Saturday, Dec. 13: Cool John Ferguson, Slim's This is an unusual, but very welcome booking for Slim's. Cool John (based in Beaufort, S.C.) is a true electric blues legend, and this is a great opportunity to see him up close and personal. Saturday, Dec. 13: The Strugglers with The Pnerotics, The Pinhook Saturday, Dec. 13: Nikki Meets the Hibachi (Early); Dirty Little Heaters with The Loners (late), The Cave The early show (Nikki) is the return of one of the most beloved local bands of the late '80s/early '90s. The late show features two of the most beloved bands in the area right now. Dec. 14: Birds of Avalon with The T's, Richard Bacchus and the Luckiest Girls and The Loners, Lincoln Theatre Whoa, this is essentially a who's who of Raleigh rock right here. It will be great to see all of these bands on a big stage. Sunday, Dec. 14: An Acoustic Evening with Kenny Roby and Django Haskins, The Pour House Solo sets from two of the most amazing singer-songwriters in the area. Monday, Dec. 15: Trekky Records presents Christmas at the Cradle With the Trekky Yuletide Orchestra, which now has its own CD. NEXT WEEK'S SHOWS Saturday, Dec. 19: Chatham County Line Holiday Ho Down, The Pour House Saturday, Dec. 19: Black Skies with HOW, Dive Bar Saturday, Dec. 19: Tender Fruit with Midtown Dickens and The Beast, The Pinhook Sunday, Dec. 20: Scott Phillips, Royal Bean Coffeehouse Scott is the singer/keyboard player for Goner. For this show, he's performing two sets solo (8 and 9 p.m.), but with guest appearances by the following folks: Anne Polesnak (from Physics Of Meaning) on cello Brian Donohoe (from Starmount) on drums David Morris on tuba David Mueller (from Birds Of Avalon) on guitar Greg Elkins (from Starmount) on pedal steel Royal Bean Coffeehouse is across from Meredith College in Raleigh. Sunday, Dec. 20: Evil Wiener Christmas show, The Cave Sunday, Dec. 20: Pinche Gringo with Dirty Little Heaters, Local 506 Dec. 20: Patty Hurst Shifter, Slim's UPCOMING IN GENERAL Thursday, Dec. 25: Terry Anderson's 9th Annual Christmas Throwdown, The Pour House Dec. 27: Colossus with Hellrazor, Slim's Colossus is a must-see for Judas Priest fans. Hellrazor describes themselves as "breakneck heavy metal" on their myspace page, and that pretty much describes the music I've heard by them. Wednesday, Dec. 31: Urban Sophisticates, The Pour House Check out the footage my former colleague Rob Roberts got of Urban Sophisticates a couple of years ago. Wednesday, Dec. 31: DJ Sleazy McQueen with The Wusses According to The Pinhook's Website, The Wusses are Comprised of Dave Cantwell, Dave/ Torch Marauder dude, James Hepler, etc. http://thepinhook.com Wednesday, Dec. 31: Kerbloki, Red Collar, Hammer No More the Fingers, Local 506 Jan. 9: North Elementary CD-release party, Cat's Cradle With guests Kingsbury Manx, Erie Choir and Popular Kids (stand-up comedy) Jan. 14: Viva La Venus, Lactose Quervo and HOW, The Pour House Jan 16: Transportation, Slim's I have, until now, not been aware of Transportation, but when I googled them, I found reviews by esteemed local critics David Menconi, Ross Grady and Grayson Currin. Apparently they're a soft-ish pop group from Chapel Hill, with a CD out on Demonbeach. CORRECTION: This CD is on Fractured Discs. Jan 21: Vic Chesnutt, Local 506