Here it comes, the weekend leading up to SXSW when bands flock to the local venues to warm up before heading to Austin.

Let’s run through the schedule:

Tonight at O’Leaver’s, it’s a not-so-secret secret show with Ladyfinger and a TBA opener. Seeing Ladyfinger at O’Leaver’s is a journey into dark, angry chaos, a sweat bath of bodies crushed deep inside everyone’s favorite cramped stinkhole. This is how legends are made. It’s also a chance to check out their new stuff before they head to Austin Tuesday. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also tonight, electro-rock pop band Go Motion plays at The Waiting Room with Roman Candles and Mystery Palace. $7, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, at the hidden nook called Incognito at 70th Ave. & Maple, a two-piece version of Sleep Said the Monster plays with superstar singer-songwriter Brad Hoshaw. SStM’s Karl Houfek says Incognito is “the basement of the ‘1 Lounge.'” I’m told it’s quite cozy. 9 p.m., free.

Finally, tonight at PS Collective it’s a veritable Slumber Party Records showcase with the mighty Talkin’ Mountain, the charming Honeybee, FTL Drive and NYC band The Lisps. The Mountain say they’ll be selling copies of their new I’m Drinking This cassette EP, which will sound awesome in my Tracker. $5, 9 p.m.

Saturday night’s marquee show is Tilly and the Wall at The Waiting Room with Thunder Power!!! No surprise: It’s Sold Out.

No tickets? No worries. Lincoln heroes Domestica (ex-Mercy Rule, do I still need to say that?) are playing at O’Leaver’s with The Lepers, The Stay Awake and Perry H. Matthews. Bring your earplugs. You will need them. I’m not kidding. FYI, those PHM guys say they’ve got a new 6-song 7-inch (that includes a CD-R, all for only $5) which hopefully they’ll have on hand tomorrow night. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday night it’s Holy Fuck (read about them here) with A Place to Bury Strangers (read about them in the CW here) and Flowers Forever. $10, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at Slowdown Jr. it’s The Most Serene Republic with Grand Archives and Jealous Girlfriend. I’ve been listening to MSR’s ambitious new album, Population, on Canadian label Arts & Crafts (the fine folks who brought you Stars, Broken Social Scene, Feist, etc.). It’ll be interesting to see how they pull off the record on stage. $8, 9 p.m.

And over at O’Leaver’s (that’s three nights in a row for a club that’s supposed to be cutting back on shows) it’s Orenda Fink with Kid Dakota and Dreamend. $5, 9:30 p.m.

What else.

Saddle Creek Records’ go-to guy Jeff Tafolla e-mailed yesterday saying that Neva Dinova is looking for dancing extras for a video they’re shooting Monday afternoon and evening at Royal View Hall, 3734 So. 13th St. Apparently the Rosenblatt Stadium parking lot is right across the street from the hall, and you can park there if you go. “Don’t worry, if you don’t know how to dance, junior high swaying back and forth will be great,” Tafolla says. “We just need it to look like a bunch of people showed up for a dance. We need couples, but I’m sure we’ll be able to pair up any singles. All are welcome!” You’re supposed to wear “conservative dress-up” like for a school dance. They’re going for a”50’s bubble gum pop feel.” I assume Jake is playing the role of the school principal or kindly janitor? The shoot is 4 to 9 p.m. and they say they’re providing dinner (something tells me it’s pizza). Anyone interested, e-mail Rob Walters at torobwalters@gmail.com.

And don’t freakin’ forget: Daylight Saving’s Time starts Sunday night. That means winter’s officially over and barbecue season is once again upon us…

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