It's a crazy-busy Friday night for shows, none of which I'll likely see as I'm "under the weather." None the less, that shouldn't stop you from taking in one of the many spectacles happening around town tonight (and tomorrow night).

Top on the list tonight is Jack Oblivian and the Tennessee Tearjerkers at Slowdown Jr. with John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives and Nebraska's very own Brimstone Howl. Jack Oblivian a.k.a. Jack Yarber is something of a legend of the Memphis underground/garage scene thanks to his work in Compulsive Gamblers and The Oblivians. His latest with the TT's, The Disco Outlaw, was released this year on Goner Records. JPKat145s are signed to Big Legal Mess (Fat Possum). $10, 9 p.m. If you can't make the show, try to catch Brimstone Howl at Drastic Plastic at 6 p.m. this afternoon.

Talk about a big show in a too-small venue, It's True headlines tonight at The Barley St. Tavern. Expect to hear tracks off Hawkins and Co's yet-to-be-released new LP. That alone is enough to crush Barley St., but also on the bill is Noah's Ark Was a Spaceship, Underwater Dream Machine and Cowboy Indian Bear from Lawrence, KS. $5, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, just up the street at The Waiting Room, it's The Filter Kings with The Mercurys and Cowboy Dave Band. TWR recently opened their swank remodeled pinball room, complete with a couple booths and shiny new bathrooms. Very uptown. $8, 9 p.m.

Also tonight, Sarah Benck plays at PS Collective ($5, 9 p.m.), and Minneapolis band Tarlton plays at The Saddle Creek Bar with Welcome to Florence, 9 p.m., free.

Tomorrow night, Beep Beep plays its second-to-last show ever opening for Melt Banana at The Waiting Room. Joining them is The Show Is The Rainbow. $10 adv./$12 dos, 9 p.m.

Downtown at Slowdown Jr. Saturday night, Brianna Lane (Minneapolis, MN), Jeremiah Nelson (Madison, WI), Brooks West (Nashville, TN) join Brad Hoshaw for an "in the round" performance. $8 9 p.m.

Also Saturday night, the first of Lash LaRue's annual Toy Drive shows is happening at Burke's Pub. The line-up includes Lash, Michael Campbell, Sarah Benck and Korey Anderson. Admission is $10 or a new toy. Show starts at 9.

Finally, down at The Sydney, Little Black Stereo plays with Spider+Octopus, Kyle Harvey and The Worst Friends Ever. $5, 8 p.m.

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