Mercy Rule at The Waiting Room Dec. 29, 2010. Included here because you can never post too many photos of Jon, Heidi and Ron in action.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

New Year’s Eve was never a good night for live music. The bars and clubs are taken over by cover bands while the amateurs come out to drink themselves into a numbed stupor. Most bands that play original music take the night off and join the fray as participants rather than combatants. The story’s the same this year — lots of cover bands and DJs.

If I were going out tonight (other than just to dinner) I might hit the Joe Budenholzer classic album tribute night at the hot new Side Door Lounge at 3530 Leavenworth (just across the street in the easterly direction from the Family Dollar store). Joining Joe on covers of songs by Talking Heads, T. Rex, The Cure, Velvet Underground and Iggy Pop will be Dereck Higgins, Bill Eustice, Dan Crouchley, Jim Morrow, John Foley, and Gary Foster. Starts at 9:30, and I have no idea what it costs.

Another option is the free New Year’s Eve show at the old Orifice studio space at 24th and Leavenworth, above 4 Aces. According to the chap that posted this on the webboard, the show will feature “Conchance (hip hop, 40oz slamming, bad ass); The Fuckin Party (Members of Perry H. Matthews, Hercules, and La Casa Bombas….Jesus Lizard meets Arab on Radar meets way too much weed); DJ Frankie Troia starting at midnight when the ball drops (well an hour after the ball drops [fuckin time zones] and the babes congregate. BBQ available all night as well as babes to potentially make out with at midnight (although it is cold/ flu season so make out at your own discretion). With the $15 you would spend on Goo, you can backpack a 30rack and party down all night at a rager.” Nice.

And there’s always The Brothers Lounge. Whatever you choose, I wish you good luck on your mission. I will see you somewhere on the other side.

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Sarah Wengert at The Reader broke the story (posted right here) that’s been in the back of everyone’s mind but that no one could confirm — It’s True is back. “…You can take that from the horse’s mouth straight to the bank,” Sarah writes. “(Adam) Hawkins says he and a new band will release another It’s True album April 1 — save the date, no foolin’ — at a Benson venue. The evolved It’s True is comprised of 10-11 members, including several former members. The new record is all new material.”  Welcome back, Mr. Hawkins. We all knew you’d return.

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David Matysiak of Coyote Bones fame dropped a line to say his  20-track original sampler of music for the holidays and other occasions is available for free download from his Coco Arts website. The collection contains “Some Omaha, some Atlanta, some Athens, some NYC, some KC, you know, someeverywherehrehere!” Matysiak said. Among the notable local contributors are Dereck Higgins, Icky Blossoms, Coyote Bones, and Indreama, the new band fronted by Nik Fackler (who, btw, are playing at The Waiting Room next Tuesday, Jan. 4, with Conchance, No I’m the Pilot and Dapose (of The Faint)). The download link is located at the CocoArt site, right here.

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Speaking of free downloads, fans of The Smiths will want to check out Morrissey-solo.com where there are links to download 16 unreleased Smiths’ studio outtakes that first appeared on vinyl-only Unreleased Demos & Instrumentals. It’s rare stuff, well recorded, and the quality is AIFF. Track listing and links are here.

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Speaking of samplers, a small handful have dropped their name into the hat for the drawing to win a copy of the highly coveted and collectible Lazy-i Best of 2010 Sampler CD!  You can enter, too, by sending an e-mail to tim@lazy-i.com with your name and mailing address. Tracks include songs by Perfume Genius, Arcade Fire, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The National, Tim Kasher, Hot Chip, Sally Seltmann, Belle and Sebastian, Titus Andronicus, The Mynabirds, Zeus, The Black Keys, Pete Yorn and more. Full track listing is here. Enter today. Deadline is Jan. 18.

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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 © 2010 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.