It’s the weekend! Time for our picks for this weekend’s top shows.

For the weekend of December 18, we’re spotlighting tonight’s My Gold Mask show, tomorrow’s Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Holiday Merriment and Benefit, and Sunday’s Dasboton gig at the Hideout.

And a reminder for next week: Starting on Monday, December 21, we’ll be posting contributor ‘Best Of 2009 Top 10′ lists all week long. Then beginning on Monday, December 2008, we’ll throw up our contributor ‘Best Of 2000-2009 Top 10′ lists concluding on Friday, January 1. It should be a fun time, so if you need to take a break from last minute shopping, then head over to Loud Loop Press for some great lists and discussion.

Lets get to it, shall we?

My Gold Mask
They rocked out Loud Loop Press Presents Show last month, and you can catch them tonight at the corner of Fullerton and Western better known as Quenchers. My Gold Mask offers a densely orchestrated and mature sound for only having two members. Lead singer Gretta Rochelle’s ability to intertwine twisted vocal melodies with occasional low growls or spoken word is fresh and really takes My Gold Mask to new heights. Local instrumentalists Sharpers open and Chicago indie-experimental outfits Reds and Blue headline. – Richard Giraldi

9:00 PM. Friday, 12/18. Quenchers. 21+. Suggested Donation of $5.

Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Holiday Merriment and Benefit
It’s that certain time of year. You know, peace on Earth, good will towards men. You can put your money where your mouth is Saturday by heading to the Double Door for a benefit for the good folks in The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and good folk Lawrence Peters, whose Lawrence Peters Project will be opening the night’s festivities. The Detroit Cobras headline. And although not directly benefiting from the night’s proceeds, supporting anything from Detroit these days can be seen as an act of charity and kindness. If you say bah humbug to the holidays then be selfish and just go out and treat your ears to an evening on good music and you might just learn the true meaning of Christmas yet. – Ross Meyerson

7:30 P.M. Saturday, 12/19. Double Door. 21+. Suggested Donation of $10.

Dasboton
If you’re like me (or me) you look at Rockford, Il as the mecca of rock ‘n’ roll thanks to its favorite sons, Cheap Trick. Well, hailing from the same sacred ground is Dasboton, and although they don’t deal in the same territory as CT, they still do Rockford proud. Sunday they play the Hideout with Chicago’s Slick Conditions. Again I say local local local. You need the scene and the scene needs you so put on a coat and a scarf and head on out. – Ross Meyerson

9:00 PM. Sunday, 12/10. The Hideout. 21+. $5.