Here are my picks for the weekend... and beyond.

Tonight it's Explosions in the Sky with The Paper Chase and Eluvium at Sokol Underground. I've listened to the new Explosions CD a few times and it's pretty hot, downright epic, and The Paper Chase always puts on a good show. Unfortunately, if you don't have tix by now, you're SOL because it's sold out and has been for quite a while. You're other option for this evening: Lincoln's Forty Twenty at The Waiting Room with The Nedrecks & Lonesome Lloyd And The Hard Acres. $7, 9 p.m.

Tomorrow night it's Tilly and the Wall down at Sokol Auditorium with Page Francis and Headlights. Tickets are $13 and proceeds go to support ALS in the Heartland. Champaign Illinois' Headlights is on Polyvinyl and is a solid indie rock act with a jonze for My Bloody Valentine. Terrific melodies, great band. Get there early if you want to catch them -- the show starts at 8. Also Saturday night, Bad Luck Charm is at The 49'r, punk band Planes Mistaken for Stars at The Waiting Room with Cancer Bats and Sin.

Sunday night it's Brimstone Howl with The Shanks and Son of Yeah at O'Leaver's. $5, 9:30.

And finally, Monday. I got a phone message from drummer Roger Lewis earlier this week asking if I could pimp his Good Life show at The Waiting Room Monday night, opening for the new Team Love band Berg Sans Nipple. I don't think The Good Life needs my help to pack a room. To my knowledge, this will be the first time Tim Kasher and his crew will have performed on the massive TWR stage. I expect this to sell out. $8, 9 p.m.

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