Blessed Are the Merciless at Sokol Underground, Jan. 14, 2012. The band celebrates its EP release at Sokol Underground Saturday night.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Coming off a stellar week of shows things are looking a tad bit quiet this weekend.

Tonight fabulous O’Leaver’s hosts Relax, It’s Science along with The Sun-less Trio. 9:30, $5.

Over at the Waiting Room The Fonzarellies, Mandown and The Sharks open for Thirst Things First. $5, 9 p.m.

And looking at the calendar, tonight is Benson First Friday. To celebrate, The Sweatshop Gallery is hosting a show headlined by Akron, Ohio, acoustic punkers CityCop. Opening is Skeleton Man (members of Coaxed, Yuppies), Let Alone and Lighthouses. $5, 9 p.m.

And if you’re stumbling around Benson tonight, stumble on over to Brad’s Corner under the awning where Military Ave. meets Maple St. where you can get some free rock ‘n’ folk provided by Brad Hoshaw, Matt Whipkey and Vern Fergersen all evening.

It’s back to O’Leaver’s Saturday night for a Hear Nebraska Presents show featuring Anthems, Ft. Collins folkies Sour Boy Bitter Girl, and The Super Bytes. $5, 9 p.m.

At Venue 51, 1951 St. Mary’s Ave., Lincoln’s Universe Contest headlines with El Valiente and Pure Brown. The OWH wrote about the club this week, here. If you haven’t been to this new-ish venue, this might be the night. $5, start time not listed, but probably sometime after 8.

Blessed Are the Merciless, featuring my nephew Chris McMahan on bass, celebrates their EP release show at Sokol Underground Saturday night with Eastwood, IAmtheShotgun, Live & Obey and Varmint. Your $8 cover gets you a copy of the EP.  7 p.m.

Over at The Brothers Lounge Snake Island headlines with Minnesota band Buildings and Manic Pixie Dream Girls. No price provided but I’m guessing $5; starts at 9.

Over at The Waiting Room Satchel Grande holds court Saturday night with Lucas Kellison and the Undisco Kids. $7 or $5 with Beerfest wristband. Starts at 9 p.m.

And, yeah, Benson Beefest is Saturday afternoon 3 to 7 p.m. More info here.

Sunday night at The Waiting Room it’s Detroit rockers Electric Six (Metropolis Records) with Yip Deceiver. $13, 8 p.m.

Did I miss something? Put it in the comments section. Have a good weekend…

* * *

Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.