Sunday 28
From Los Angeles, “dirty reggae” act the Aggrolites (“1960s soul music, funk, and skinhead reggae”) skank into Belly Up Sunday night. The Aggrolites’ 2006 self-titled Hellcat Records release is an essential set to get for fans of the brand, and honestly, as averse as I am to the “r” word, these cats crush it onstage. Always a good time.... Otherwise, Casbah cooks up an eclectic bill of barroom rockers and pop-punks, with Cobra-Las, Save Amos, Future Crooks, and Aim for the Engine.

Monday 29
Soda Bar stages San Joe post-rock five-piece Belle Noire after Articles, Moderates, and Hearts Like Lions...while right down the street at the Hideout, from Brookline, Mass., Jonah Matranga (Far, onelinedrawing) splits a singer/songwriter bill with L.A. staple Blake Bosgieter (Moving Units) and local Daniel Godfrey...while San Diego’s Americana singer-songer Josh Damigo’s having his birthday bash at Casbah on Monday, fronting the Freeloaders, after Lyrical Groove, Talk Like June, and Grizfolk’s B. Willing.

Tuesday 30
Tuesday’s twos-day at Belly Up, as alt-rock icon David Lowery pulls his punk’d alt-country act Camper Van Beethoven (“Take the Skinheads Bowling”) into the Solana Beach bar with his more radio-ready side Cracker (“Low,” “Euro-Trash Girl”). Cracker this year released the ambitious double-disc Berkeley to Bakersfield, which I have not made it all the way through. Yet! I will by showtime, though. It’s busy and brainy, as is Lowery’s wont, featuring a punky front in Berkely, followed by his comfy Cali country on disc 2, Bakersfield.... Else: dark-rock casts its pall over the Soda, when Lowlands, Prayers, Keepers, and Angels Dust take the Normal Heights stage...the Sure Fire Soul Ensemble wraps up its month-long residency right down the street at the Hideout...San Antone hardcore band Ghost Police busts the Tower with local grinders Idols Plague...while Radio Halloran dials in “rhythm & punk” band Grim Imperials at Hillcrest hideaway the Merrow.

Wednesday 31
New Year’s Eve 2014 finds a bunch of affordable funyuns around town. Check it: spooky surf-garage band Mrs. Magician will headline sets at Soda Bar after the lo-fi locals Heavy Hawaii and Teenage Burritos ($15).... Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers and Mother Hips are splitting a Casbah-curated bill at the North Park Theatre ($40)...Like it loud? Heavy-blues acid-jam bands Joy, Wild Honey, and Plant Tribe will play till 2 at Til-Two ($8)...mathy alt-rock duo Plastik Deer celebrate an EP-release for debut Black Notion at the Tin Can after Slashes and Kooties ($8)...while SDMA-nominated rock-and-soul five-piece the Routine does its thang at 710 Beach Club in P.B. (free till 10 p.m., then $10). Designate a driver, then get up and get out, there are midnight lips to kiss!

More from SDReader

• More stories by Barnaby Monk
• Haunted hotel Halloween at the Lafayette, Casbah style — Oct. 26, 2016
• Dinosaur Jr., Animal Collective, Cold War Kids — Sept. 14, 2016
• Camper Van Cracker, OFF!, Luna, Tijuana Panthers — Dec. 23, 2015
• Visit House of Spirits with the Fresh & Onlys — Aug. 13, 2014
• In San Diego clubs Sunday-Wednesday, December 29–January 1 — Dec. 25, 2013