Hammer’s pix

Football’s over and the January chill has frozen the Indianapolis music scene mostly to a halt. Many venues aren’t even booking shows this week, so you’ll have to shop wisely to get the most out of your entertainment dollar.

The showcase gig will be at the Emerson Theater this Friday night, when media darlings The Malcontents (look for them on TV and in the daily McPaper this week as well) hold their CD release party with a gaggle of special guests, including Loretta, Audible Thought and Project Bottlecap.

Sure, they’ll be at the Patio the next night, but this is a band best enjoyed in a venue where their younger fans can attend. (Besides, you can walk over to J. Clyde’s if you need a drink.) Also, the Friday show at the Emerson is free.

If you’re not in a Malcontents mood on Friday, you may wish to consider one of two other excellent shows also being held that night. At the Melody Inn, Friday starts off with the Hellbilly Happy Hour from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., hosted by the Drunken Deacons and featuring singer/songwriters The Millers. After that comes a night of thinking man’s party rock featuring 83 Feet, Jackson Pain, EXO (from Chicago) and Mohlmin.

Over at the Patio, Ray’s Music Exchange, the well-regarded Cincinnati jazz-funk-freakout ensemble, will perform Friday night with special guests The Twin Cats, the local up-and-comers.

On Saturday night, the Emerson will feature a punk show with Well Fed, Drive Like June, 7th Grade Underdog and Could Be Worse. Any or all of these bands could be headed for greatness. It’s up for you to decide.

Only Birdy’s is waving the live-music banner without pause this week and have a number of shows lined up. On Wednesday, it’ll be Vicious Barrett and Ryan Metzing. Thursday brings Johnny Angel, The Resistance and Blue Star Highway.

Friday’s show is an interesting one. It’s the Independent Voices Tour, featuring Brian Vander Ark (from the Verve Pipe), Happy Chichester (from Howlin’ Maggie) and Shawn Smith (from the Twilight Singers).

On Saturday, Birdy’s brings you Emitter, Waltz For Venus and Big Tasty. On Sunday, it’s rockers Opiate and guests. On Monday, vaunted Brit rockers Gomez plow through town.

That’s about it for this week, but next week already is shaping up to be a good one, what with a special hardcore show at the Melody and Niswander’s annual beach party show at Birdy’s.

Hang on until then.