Music Picks Jan. 1-7 | Live: Foreigner, The Tiny Lights & Belly of the Whale, Discourse & Reverend Payton's Big Damn Band 

Friday 1.2
nFOREIGNER
nPeople are always confusing Journey with Foreigner, and vice versa. The respective power-rock band’s lead singers probably have folks coming up to them all the time singing lines from either “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Open Arms,” or “Cold as Ice.” The distinction between their signature sounds is murky at best—a quality that actually works in their favor, doubling their fan base. Imagine the following scenario: Random guy No. 1: “Yo, dude! I just scored Journey tickets. My wife and I danced to ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is’ at our wedding!” Random guy No. 2: “Uh, don’t you mean Foreigner?” Random guy No. 1: “What? Whatever, man. Tonight’s show is gonna rock, no matter what.” And, you know, he’s totally right. Peppermill Concert Hall, 680 Wendover Blvd., West Wendover, 8 p.m. Info: WendoverFun.com

• Also Friday: Dallas Alice (Bar Deluxe); Jeremiah Maxey, The Rubes, Mean Molly’s Trio, Switchblade Cobras (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); The Precinct & Frayed Knot String Band (South Valley Universalist Society) ; I Am the Ocean, Loom (Urban Lounge)

 Saturday 1.3
n THE TINY LIGHTS, BELLY OF THE WHALE
nFor the first week of 2009, consider checking out a few local bands, two of which just popped up on the radar in mid-to-late 2008. The Tiny Lights features Bryan Holbrook of the Furs who is doing a fine job of spreading the good psychedelic word across the City of Salt. His cohorts include members of Red Bennies, Vile Blue Shades and The Come Down—all talented, all fashionable gents with a shared passion for loud, dark, fuzzed-out and droning noises. Belly of the Whale are relative newcomers to the scene and though they’re a bit rough around the edges the foursome shows definite potential, particularly through Libby West’s vocals, groovy keys and lyrics worth decoding. Burt’s Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State, 10 p.m. (with Cavedoll and Ben Johnson)

DISCOURSE CD RELEASE
nForgive Discourse for using the words “hailing from” in their group bio—“hailing” is for long-deceased members of the British Empire, not promising musicians striking a chord out of Layton. But the local band’s new EP nearly justifies its long-winded intro with songs that are sweeping, dramatic and at times triumphant. Produced by Jay Henderson, who also worked on the new album by The Editor’s Notes, Discourse’s self-titled debut is layer upon layer of gossamer guitar and breathy vocals that together provide the perfect backdrop for sleep-deprived contemplation. When your mind is racing, listen to Discourse rather than watch another episode of the Denise Richards Show. They’re much more soothing. The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. (with The Devil Whale)

• Also Saturday: Fuck the Informer (Woodshed), Sex on the Run, The Hotness (W Lounge)

Tuesday 1.6
nREVEREND PAYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND
nReverend Payton’s Big Damn Band didn’t set out with a business plan in hand. The old-time country-blues family act just loves to play music—and their passion is infectious. They’ve turned quite a few heads during their brief stints on the road, a success perhaps attributed to what former tour mates Flogging Molly boiled down to writing about “things that are happening now and people we know.” Well, if it were that simple, David Alan Grier’s In Living Color bluesman Calhoun Tubbs could also pack venues—“I wrote a song about it. Like to hear it? Here it go!” The Rev’s band deserves a bit more credit for their natural talent and charismatic stage presence. You’ve never seen a washboard played like this. Burt’s Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State, 10 p.m. (with Vermillion Lies)

 • Also Tuesday: No Paws (No Lions), Quasi-Stellar, Dolphin City (Kilby Court)

Wednesday 1.7
nTHE WAILERS
nOne of the most famous and successful “session” bands ever, The Wailers started out backing Bob Marley on some of the reggae legends hits including “Trenchtown Rock” and “Lively Up Yourself.” These days, the group features only one original member—Aston “Family Man” Barrett—but they’ve retained the sound that first brought them out of the shadows and into spotlights across the globe. Not many artists can produce such universally pleasing melodies—and move practically anyone to dance. Tonight, they’ll be performing Exodus in its entirety, a rare treat for diehard Bob Marley & The Wailers fans and a comprehensive intro for those who’ve somehow never heard “Natural Mystic.” Wait in vain no longer, friends. Harry O’s, 427 Main, Park City, 9 p.m.

• Also Wednesday: Eric McFadden Trio (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Turbine, Blue Root, Redemption (Urban Lounge)

Coming Up
nPaul Jacobsen & The Madison Arms (Kilby Court, Jan. 8); Ghost of Zion (Club Vegas, Jan. 8); No Quarter (Urban Lounge, Jan. 10); Blackhole, Old Timer, Top Dead Celebrity (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Jan. 10); Marc Broussard (Depot, Jan. 12); Royal Bliss CD Release (In the Venue, Jan. 13); Eek-a-Mouse (Urban Lounge, Jan. 14); Pepper (Harry O’s, Jan. 14); Guru of Gang Starr (Urban Lounge, Jan. 17); Souls of Mischief (Urban Lounge, Jan. 18)