This scruffy lil?guy loves to get high. We?ll look the other way so long as it continues to stimulate him creatively. It?s true that many of the world?s greatest musicians put out their best work while using harder drugs such as heroin. So what?s a little weed between bands? The Stills are on the bill as well. Tickets are $29.50 - $34.50 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444 Orpheum Theatre, 884 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Way back in the day, and not your day either, more like your older brother's or your father's day, Christopher Walken was not a caricature, he was an actor. Don't get me wrong, I dig neo-Walken, but he used to actually act. Which brings us to Deer Hunter, the film that rightly scored Walken a best supporting Oscar for his portrayal of a heroin-addicted Russian Roulette player. What does that have to do with the brilliant ambient-rock Deerhunter? Nothing, though an opportunity to discuss old-school Walken should never be wasted. -S.T. Tickets are $16 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444 Richards On Richards, 1036 Richards Street, Vancouver, BC

Man, this is a lot of money to see Zappa playing Zappa. I mean if Zappa were playing Zappa's own music, that's one thing but to see mini Zappa's playing Zappa music, that's a whole other story. They are still Zappa's in all respects but not the original. But you will never get any closer to seeing Zappa playing his own music than watching Zappa playing Zappa. Tickets are $115 - $135 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444 Arts Club Theatre, 585 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC

Sea shanties. You know, there just aren't enough bands singing em' these days. Great Big Sea would be the exception, and they'll bring plenty of sea shanties and traditional Newfoundland folk songs to the masses at The Centre. Tickets are $34.50 - $59.50 @ Ticketmaster or 416-870-800 The Centre in Vancouver For Performing Arts, 777 Homer Street, Vancouver BC

M83 was opening for Interpol at Brixton Academy. With such a fantastic bill, the £17.50 tickets sold out faster than a reporter/tight-clad alien can orbit the earth. I was fortitudinous. When I got off the Tube, a gruffer-than-Rhys character immediately greeted me with a less-than-salutary, ?are you looking for tickets?? The savvy negotiator that I am, I responded with a clever, ?maybe.? The would-be salesman ? with the propriety of a fine car dealer ? lead me around a corner and the bartering began. He launched the first salvo: ?£30.? Unshaken, I returned, ?£15.? Noticeably dazed, he retorted, ?£30.? The game was getting good. I looked slyly to either side before hitting him with a stony gaze. ?£20.? He stroked his moustache pensively. ?£30.? Well played. I sensed his resolve beginning to fade. ?£25,? I countered. ?£30.? I switched tactics, flashing big, sad, Oliver-Twist Eyes. ?Won?t you come down at all?? ?I?ll come down to £30.? I?ll admit that his tricky logic hobbled my typically infallible rhetoric. Confused, I counted out three £10 notes. A couple of weeks later, M83 played Scala for £10. They were fantastic. -S.T. Tickets are $20.00 @ Ticketweb Richard's on Richards, 1036 Richards Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Drambuie is possibly the most Scottish thing I can think of. It's only fitting that this event gives you the opportunity to win a 100 mile race around the Scottish Highlands (sans Dr. Johnson). There's also free hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, and of course, signature drinks mixed with Drambuie Elixer (fancy word for Scotch). RSVP @ www.DrambuieDen.ca Bar None, 1222 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC

Oh Metallica, you were once the most popular hard rock band in the world. Then the heavy metal craze ended and all of your macho posturing started to look silly. Then you released the documentary Some Kind Of Monster, which made it clear that your entire band is comprised of whiny egotists with more attitude than brains. These days you still put asses in seats, but the mystique is long gone. Ah well, at least your music hasn't aged as poorly as Pearl Jam.?PB No ticket prices have been set yet General Motors Place, 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver, B.C.

Franz Ferdinand shot about 5,000 deer as well as kangaroos and emus while hunting. He married a woman that everyone scorned. He broke two ribs while jousting on his horse. Caused a war when he was assassinated. And yet he still manages to play some pretty good rock music and even won a couple NME Awards, a Brit Award and a Mercury Prize. A.C. Tickets are $35 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444. Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

A lyric: I can see a glimpse of your goodness, in the beauty of the wide open sea . I can see a ray, of your mercy. let your light have strayed, through the clouds to me Actual lyric?seriously. I puked a little bit in my mouth when I read it. Expect projectile vomiting at the show. Kiddy Koala has earned it.?PB Tickets are $18 @ Zulu, Scratch, Red Cat & High Life Biltmore Cabaret, 395 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

Ian Tyson blasts into town to belt out some of his country hits. He was the guy who sang Four Strong Winds which was a big hit back in the day. Way, way, way back in the day. He is the real deal-he is an ex-rodeo rider and rancher and you just can't get any more country than that. A.C. Tickets are $37.50 - $44.50 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444 Red Robinson Show Theatre, Boulevard Casino, 2080 United, Coquitlam, BC

Want to go get wasted and see some live music? Then go see Ladyhawk. These guys like to drink and so do their fans. It normally helps make the music much more bearable. So drink up and rock out. Tickets are $10 @ Zulu, Scratch and Admission Biltmore Cabaret, 395 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

Oh Metallica, you were once the most popular hard rock band in the world. Then the heavy metal craze ended and all of your macho posturing started to look silly. Then you released the documentary Some Kind Of Monster, which made it clear that your entire band is comprised of whiny egotists with more attitude than brains. These days you still put asses in seats, but the mystique is long gone. Ah well, at least your music hasn't aged as poorly as Pearl Jam.?PB No ticket prices have been set yet General Motors Place, 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver, B.C.

Way back in the day, and not your day either, more like your older brother's or your father's day, Christopher Walken was not a caricature, he was an actor. Don't get me wrong, I dig neo-Walken, but he used to actually act. Which brings us to Deer Hunter, the film that rightly scored Walken a best supporting Oscar for his portrayal of a heroin-addicted Russian Roulette player. What does that have to do with the brilliant ambient-rock Deerhunter? Nothing, though an opportunity to discuss old-school Walken should never be wasted. -S.T. Tickets are $16 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444 Richards On Richards, 1036 Richards Street, Vancouver, BC

Ian Tyson blasts into town to belt out some of his country hits. He was the guy who sang Four Strong Winds which was a big hit back in the day. Way, way, way back in the day. He is the real deal-he is an ex-rodeo rider and rancher and you just can't get any more country than that. A.C. Tickets are $37.50 - $44.50 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444 Red Robinson Show Theatre, Boulevard Casino, 2080 United, Coquitlam, BC

Franz Ferdinand shot about 5,000 deer as well as kangaroos and emus while hunting. He married a woman that everyone scorned. He broke two ribs while jousting on his horse. Caused a war when he was assassinated. And yet he still manages to play some pretty good rock music and even won a couple NME Awards, a Brit Award and a Mercury Prize. A.C. Tickets are $35 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444. Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Man, this is a lot of money to see Zappa playing Zappa. I mean if Zappa were playing Zappa's own music, that's one thing but to see mini Zappa's playing Zappa music, that's a whole other story. They are still Zappa's in all respects but not the original. But you will never get any closer to seeing Zappa playing his own music than watching Zappa playing Zappa. Tickets are $115 - $135 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444 Arts Club Theatre, 585 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC

A lyric: I can see a glimpse of your goodness, in the beauty of the wide open sea . I can see a ray, of your mercy. let your light have strayed, through the clouds to me Actual lyric?seriously. I puked a little bit in my mouth when I read it. Expect projectile vomiting at the show. Kiddy Koala has earned it.?PB Tickets are $18 @ Zulu, Scratch, Red Cat & High Life Biltmore Cabaret, 395 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

This scruffy lil?guy loves to get high. We?ll look the other way so long as it continues to stimulate him creatively. It?s true that many of the world?s greatest musicians put out their best work while using harder drugs such as heroin. So what?s a little weed between bands? The Stills are on the bill as well. Tickets are $29.50 - $34.50 @ Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444 Orpheum Theatre, 884 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Drambuie is possibly the most Scottish thing I can think of. It's only fitting that this event gives you the opportunity to win a 100 mile race around the Scottish Highlands (sans Dr. Johnson). There's also free hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, and of course, signature drinks mixed with Drambuie Elixer (fancy word for Scotch). RSVP @ www.DrambuieDen.ca Bar None, 1222 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC

Want to go get wasted and see some live music? Then go see Ladyhawk. These guys like to drink and so do their fans. It normally helps make the music much more bearable. So drink up and rock out. Tickets are $10 @ Zulu, Scratch and Admission Biltmore Cabaret, 395 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

M83 was opening for Interpol at Brixton Academy. With such a fantastic bill, the £17.50 tickets sold out faster than a reporter/tight-clad alien can orbit the earth. I was fortitudinous. When I got off the Tube, a gruffer-than-Rhys character immediately greeted me with a less-than-salutary, ?are you looking for tickets?? The savvy negotiator that I am, I responded with a clever, ?maybe.? The would-be salesman ? with the propriety of a fine car dealer ? lead me around a corner and the bartering began. He launched the first salvo: ?£30.? Unshaken, I returned, ?£15.? Noticeably dazed, he retorted, ?£30.? The game was getting good. I looked slyly to either side before hitting him with a stony gaze. ?£20.? He stroked his moustache pensively. ?£30.? Well played. I sensed his resolve beginning to fade. ?£25,? I countered. ?£30.? I switched tactics, flashing big, sad, Oliver-Twist Eyes. ?Won?t you come down at all?? ?I?ll come down to £30.? I?ll admit that his tricky logic hobbled my typically infallible rhetoric. Confused, I counted out three £10 notes. A couple of weeks later, M83 played Scala for £10. They were fantastic. -S.T. Tickets are $20.00 @ Ticketweb Richard's on Richards, 1036 Richards Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Sea shanties. You know, there just aren't enough bands singing em' these days. Great Big Sea would be the exception, and they'll bring plenty of sea shanties and traditional Newfoundland folk songs to the masses at The Centre. Tickets are $34.50 - $59.50 @ Ticketmaster or 416-870-800 The Centre in Vancouver For Performing Arts, 777 Homer Street, Vancouver BC