Another Friday, another chance to beat the crap out of the workday. What better way to do so than check out these soon-to-be-big (if not already) hometown acts:

Russian Circles

Russian Circles offer powerful, deft instrumental rock. Brings to mind fellow instrumentalists (and Chicagoans), Pelican. With Plague Bringer (industrial/grindcore insanity/awesomeness) and Lichens.

Friday, 5/1 at Bottom Lounge. $12/14

OFFICE

OFFICE = lively pop collective with taut guitars, synth-driven euphoria, and hooks that would have Nick Lowe dancing along to. With The Loyal Divide, Kyle Andrews, The Seedy Seeds, Coltrane Motion.

Sat, 5/2 at Double Door, $18/20.

Aleks and the Drummer

Aleks and the Drummer are an echo-y grimy keyboard/drum duo with an enticing cabaret-pop awareness. Fresh off their recent Dave Sitek-produced EP, the band will likely not disappoint. With Jeremy Jay(breezy, Californian pop), Kristeen Young, Bengal Lancer.

Sat, 5/2 at Empty Bottle, $ 8

The mid 90′s punk band 88 Fingers Louie announced their first (and only) show August 15 at the Bottom Lounge.  Having not played together in over a decade the band had this to say about its one-off reunion:

“Having been completely blown away over the level of support the band has received over the years (these last few being particularly insane), we, like our mentors the Blues Brothers, are putting the band back together for one long-awaited reunion show. We are pleased to announce that we will be playing August 15th in Chicago at the Bottom Lounge.

Information about when the show will go on sale will be announced soon so pay attention-you do not want to sleep on this truly special evening. Regretfully, Joe Principe cannot take part in this reunion as Rise Against is his main focus these days, but he has given this reunion his blessing. Filling in his shoes will be Bassmaster General John Contreras.”

According to the band’s MySpace site, the lineup will be Denis Buckley, Dan Precision, John Carroll, and the afore mentioned John Contreras with the  possibility of a  guest appearance.