Three – chillaxing is not a crime, but using that word in a sentence is – reasons to head on over to the Burlington tonight…

1. Chicago trio Close Hits make a tasty pot of musical gumbo. The group throw in a dash of bouncy rockabilly with some swinging psychedelic guitar solos and a few brash and sassy pop-punk overtones. Singer and guitarist Dan Rico even brings out his inner Chrissie Hynde on a very Pretenders-style track “Get to You.” Whatever your flavor of choice, Close Hits brings enough rhythm and soul to rouse you from your winter blues. LISTEN: Get to You.”

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Three party like it’s still Christmas reasons to jet on over to Crown Tap Room tonight…

1. Detroit’s Terrible Twos are making their way back to the Windy City to play some scratchy, aggressive punk rock tunes for your belated Christmas/early New Years celebrations. With five members, you better believe this band doesn’t just stick to simple chord progressions. The additional organ sounds give Terrible Twos all the flavor of a 60s psychedelic circus. LISTEN: “Grey Ghost Street.”

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments

We’re just days away from Christmas and heaven knows we could use a respite from Celine Dion’s version of “O Holy Night” being played for the 10th time this morning. Enter: Dozens.

The Chicago new-wave synthpop trio are preparing to release its debut album in February and have released the second single, “Forget me,” to whet our collective appetites.

The intro of “Forget Me” could easily find itself on a MGMT record, but the track’s funky, dream pop vibe could be more accurately described as Hall & Oates with more sweeping, upbeat synths. Yes, “Forget Me”’s beat bounces in all the right places while the vocals get all serious and soulful. Check out the single below:

Dozens will appear next at the Double Door this Friday, December 23, along with Goodbye Cleveland, Rememberwhens, and Turbo Controller. Tickets are $5.

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Three whoa-today’s-12/21-the-complete-opposite-of-Rush’s-2112-didIblowyourmind? reasons to moonwalk over to Panchos tonight…

1. With a name like The P.Y.T.s, one would expect the Chicago quartet to be a Michael Jackson cover band. But don’t fret, because the P.Y.T.s will get you dancing with their own special throwback sound. The group comes at you with its own blend of 60s-style, twangy surf-rock and sped-up guitar solo action on its recent Pop Kingdom EP. LISTEN: “U-Lock Justice.”

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Three why-not-take-your-relationship-to-the-next-level reasons to come on down to the Bottle tonight…

1. After seeing Chicago psych fiends The Great Society Mind Destroyers at the very place they play tonight, I can safely say they didn’t choose their name at random. No, GSMD have the power to scramble your beer-soaked mind with few blistering, guitar-fueled jams and some drums beats that sink deeper than a corpse with cement shoes. The band celebrate the release of its new album Spirit Smoke tonight as well. It’s going to get heavy. LISTEN: “Divinorum.”

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The weekend is finally here. Wrap yourself in hefty layers and go out and enjoy this city’s fine offerings! We’re talking about Bad Bad Meow at Cole’s, Carbon Tigers at Subterranean, and Pillars and Tongues’ free in-store at SAKI.

Let’s get cookin’…

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The Empty Bottle has announced that, for the first time ever, it will offer perk-heavy “Friends of Bottle” year-long concert passes for upcoming Bottle shows in 2012.

The “FOB” pass will be offered at two levels: basic ($150) and Gold ($500). The basic level allows free entry to any show under $10; skipping the line privileges; an Empty Bottle t-shirt; 15 percent off Bite Cafe (between door and showtime); 15 percent off Empty Bottle merch; a free drink (up to $5) and members-only access to pre-sales for shows $10 and up; and invites to special VIP events. Gold allows all of the above AND free admission to any price Empty Bottle or Empty Bottle presents show.

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